Top Italian Lakes To Visit In Italy: A guide to Italian lakes

The ideal time to visit the lake district in Italy is during the hottest months of the year, June through August. However, most of the lakes can get quite crowded and busy since it receives a lot of visitors during this popular time of year. If you want to avoid the crowds and still enjoy glorious sunshine then May or September are your best bet.

However, some of the destinations such as Lake Orta, Lake Lugano and Lake Varese, are much quieter and less crowded than the more popular lakes in the region, and so even in July and August, you won't find it to be too busy. The weather is nice and there aren't all the crowds that summer brings, making it the ideal time to visit. 

For more seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Italy.

For centuries, Lake Como has been a popular place for the rich and famous to visit, and it is easy to see why. Located in the north of Italy, the glittering dark blue lake waters are bordered by the most glorious hills and mountains, and beautiful villages and towns are clustered along the shore, it really does paint a perfect scene its wealth of attractions only adds to its allure. 

Highlights:

• Explore the elegant Como Cathedral, one of the most important religious buildings.
• Visit Villa del Balbianello to steal some Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.
• Stroll along the lake promenade in the town of Menaggio.
• Hike through the lush surrounding landscapes of Lake Como.
• Practice your watersport know-how on the sparkling waters with kitesurfing.

Best ways to get there: The largest city near to Lake Como is Milan and it takes just under an hour to drive from one to the other. Going by car is quick and means that you can then explore the lakeside towns and viewpoints at your leisure. Be aware, however, that at peak times you may end up in traffic and find it hard to come by a parking space.

Another option is to take the train, which can take as little as 40 minutes from Milano Centrale to arrive at Como S. Giovanni. Upon arrival, you'll find the lake glittering before you. You can always take a bus, hydrofoil or ferry to explore some of the other lakeside towns that border Lake Como. Or, what some visitors prefer to do is to take an hour-long train from Milan to Lecco and then continue up the east coast of the lake by train, stopping off at little towns on the way.

Travel tip: While there are various things to do in Lake Como, visiting the scenic town of Bellagio is rightfully one of the most popular things to to do. It is also a popular place to stay in Lake Como, which makes it one of the most expensive. If you're on a budget, it is well worth having a look at some of the other lovely little towns that are scattered around the lake.

One of the most popular Italian lakes to visit by both Italians and foreigners alike, Lake Garda is the largest lake in the whole of Italy and has absolutely loads going for it. Alongside the idyllic villages and towns that surround the lake, it also has a number of impressive castles that rear up along the shores or amongst the neighbouring mountains and forests. A very family-friendly place, Garda's alluring water is great for swimming in or trying out watersports.

Highlights:

• Visit the Castello Scaligeri and enjoy the spellbinding 360° view from the top that you’ll never forget!
• Savour-in the beauty and the magical atmosphere of Riva del Garda, one of the most beautiful town in lake Garda.
• Hike to the top of Castle of Arco and enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountains surrounding the lake below.

Best ways to get there: As it lies in between Brescia and Verona, visitors to Lake Garda have a number of ways to get there depending on where they start out from. From Verona, it is only a 20–30-minute train journey to Desenzano del Garda, the largest town on the lake and from here you can catch a bus or take a ferry to many of the other picturesque towns that line the lakeshore. As this train runs regularly, it is an easy, quick and cheap journey.

Alternatively, you can always take a car from Verona and it is around a half-an-hour drive to the lake, depending on which town you head to. This then means you have the luxury of exploring Lake Garda to your heart's content.

From Brescia, trains to Desenzano del Garda again take around 20–30 minutes while it takes a similar amount of time to drive to the lake yourself.

Travel tip: 

• With so much to see and do at Lake Garda it may be worthwhile taking an Italian lakes tour, as this will help you to see as many of the amazing sights as possible.
• For a delightful lakeside promenade, head to Desenzano del Garda and marvel at the views out over the lake.

The second largest lake in the Italian lake district, Lake Maggiore stretches all the way into Switzerland. Because of this, at one end of it, you can see the snow-capped Alps looming impressively off into the distance. Beautiful to look at, Lake Maggiore also has a number of enchanting islands for visitors to explore as well as a whole wealth of natural sights and elegant lakeside villas.

Highlights:

• Pay a visit to the Borromean Islands and be enchanted by the beautiful villas with landscaped gardens.
• Visit the medieval fortresses, Villa della Porta Bozzolo and Villa Taranto of Rocca di Angera on the lakeshore.
• Take a 'bucket lift' from the town of Laveno up to the top of Mount Sasso del Ferro, the views from up high are astounding!

Best ways to get there: From Milan, the nearest major city, it takes around a one to the one-and-a-half-hour train journey to arrive at the beautiful town of Stresa on the western shore of the lake. From here, you can take a ferry or boat taxi to any one of Lake Maggiore's majestic islands.

Driving to Lake Maggiore is another option and it takes around an hour and a half to get to Stresa. While Stresa is the main town that people head to, by car you could always explore the eastern coast of the lake and also stop off at the nearby Lake Varese on the way.

Travel tip: For a magical end to the day, head to Hotel La Palma's Sky Bar which has panoramic views out over the lake for you to enjoy. Watching the sunset over Lake Maggiore before lights slowly turn on in all the little villages and towns is a sight you won't forget any time soon.

Well worth visiting for its delightful scenery, lovely little towns and wealth of outdoor activities, Lake Iseo in Lombardy really does have something for everyone to enjoy. While the fabulous island of Monte Isola certainly steals the show as it rises imperiously from amongst the lake's waters, the surrounding hills and forests are packed with surprises as ancient archaeological sites border scenic villages and hiking trails.

Highlights:

• Visit Monte Isola and get awe-struck by the stunning small mountain that lies in the middle of the island and little villages located around its base.
• Stroll through the attractive town of Ideo and explore the 12th-century church and some beautifully sculpted piazzas.
• Explore the fascinating archaeological sites found in the hills surrounding the lake.
• Feed your adrenaline rush by wakeboarding.

Best ways to get there: Located almost equidistant from both Bergamo and Brescia, there are a number of ways to reach the shimmering waters of Lake Iseo depending on where you start out from.

From Brescia, the lake is a 20–30-minute train journey away to either of the charming lakeside towns of Iseo or Sulzano. From either of these towns, you can take a ferry to Monte Isola or continue your journey around the lake by bus or even by bike if you want to explore its scenic bike paths. Driving to them from Brescia also takes around the same amount of time.

It is just as easy to get to Lake Iseo from Bergamo by car as it takes just over half-an-hour to reach Sarnico in the southwestern corner of the lake. You can either carry on driving along the lakeshore or park and take a ferry or bus to continue your journey.

Public transport takes a bit longer from Bergamo as you'll need to factor in around an hour-long bus journey to arrive at the beautiful lake.

Travel tip:

• If you're after a livelier experience when visiting Lake Iseo, then the town of Iseo is the place for you.
• In contrast, Sulzano is a more peaceful town in which to stay if you're after a quiet holiday.

Often overlooked in favor of the other larger and more famous lakes in the region, Lake Orta is very much a hidden gem and definitely warrants a visit. Forests and mountains form a stunning backdrop to the lake and at its heart is the alluring Isola San Giulio which stands out delightfully against the waters around it. With beautiful lakeside villas, winding cobbled streets and centuries-old chapels and basilicas for you to explore, Lake Orta certainly won't disappoint with what it has to offer.

Highlights:

• Explore San Guilo island, home to a cluttered mess of delightful old buildings, including a 12th-century basilica.
• Travel back in time at the historical centre and religious complex of Sacro, Orta San Giulio.
• Walk to the top of the UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte di Orta (the Sacred Mountain) and discover the little old chapels and beautiful religious artworks.

Best ways to get there: The train ride from Novara to Orta Miasino station also takes an hour, after which it is just a short walk to the centre of town. Here you'll find buses and trains that will take you up and down the east coast of the lake as well as ferries to the stunning Isola San Giulio.

Due to its proximity to both Lake Maggiore and Lake Varese, it is well worth taking one of the tours of Italian lakes that are on offer as you'll often be able to visit all three of them in just one day. This is ideal if you're pressed for time.

Travel tip:

• If you're into fine dining then make sure to visit Villa Crespi, a 2-star Michelin restaurant in Orta San Giulio.
• For the best view of the lake imaginable, head to the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso which is located on a hilltop overlooking it — you won't regret it!

Straddling the Swiss-Italian border, Lake Lugano is absolutely gorgeous to behold as the Alps rise up impressively all around it and so the glacial lake really does paint a pretty picture. A very popular tourist destination, Lake Lugano's scenic shores are home to both Italian and Swiss towns with the beautiful city of Lugano in Switzerland being the main gateway to exploring all its amazing sights. As well as the scenery on show, Lugano is a popular spot to visit as it is known as the 'Monte Carlo of Switzerland' and it is home to some interesting historic sites and lovely architecture.

Highlights:

• Hike up the majestic trails of Monte Bre and enjoy the awe-inspiring views of the lake below.
• Visit the Hermann Hesse Museum and discover the objects and works by the widely read author, Herman Hesse.
• Go on a relaxing boat trip and enjoy the scenic beauty that the lake offers.

Best ways to get there: Other than the Swiss city of Lugano, which actually lies on the shoreside, Milan is the nearest major city to Lake Lugano and it is located just an hour and fifteen minutes away by train.

If you decide to drive from Milan then it will take roughly the same amount of time although this does mean that you could feasibly combine your trip to the lake with a stop at the nearby Lake Como. Once you reach Lugano, you can always take a bus or ferry to explore the rest of the amazing sights that Lake Lugano has to offer.

Travel tip: 

• As you'll very likely be passing from Italy into Switzerland and back again when visiting Lake Lugano make sure to bring your passport!
• It is a good idea to wear a good, comfortable pair of shoes and not flip-flops, as there are lots of lovely hiking trails to be found in the hills and mountains surrounding the lake. 

Lying at the bottom of Mount Campo dei Fiori, Lake Varese is unlike any of the other lakes in the region and offers up a completely different holiday experience. While the lake itself is beautiful to behold and is certainly set in a lovely landscape, there isn't much in the way of 'must-see' attractions or tourist facilities. For people looking for a quiet and relaxing day out in nature, however, it is ideal as you can cycle around the picturesque lakeside scenery in peace. While Lake Varese may be short on sights and elegant lakeside villas, it more than makes up for it with the incredible scenery available, as forests border the lake and mountains rear up dramatically in the distance.

Highlights:

• Cycle around the picturesque lakeside scenery and enjoy the peace and quiet amongst nature.
• Beat the Italian heat by going for a refreshing dip in one of the nearby lidos.
• Stroll around the small islet of Isolino Virginia, home to an interesting archaeological site.
• Enjoy an Italian delicacy overlooking the fabulous view of the lake at one of the several restaurants.

Best ways to get there: Lying just over an hour away by car from Milan, Lake Varese makes for a lovely scenic day trip and Lake Maggiore is nearby if you want to combine the two into one trip.

By public transport, it is slightly more complicated as you first need to take an hour-long train to the town of Varese before taking a 40-minute bus to Schiranna which lies on the lakeshore. While this will get you to the lakeside, public transport is quite sporadic from then on although you can walk from one town to another as the distances involved aren't too far.

Travel tip:

• One of the best ways to see all that the lovely Lake Varese has to offer is to rent a bike and cycle from town to town. There is a 30 km bike path surrounding the lake and the scenery you pass through is gorgeous.
• Make sure to bring your swimming gear as stopping off for a quick dip at the lidos in summer is a must.

One of the most popular northern Italian lakes of volcanic origin is Lake Bolsena. Located about 100 kilometers north of Rome, in the central part of Italy in the Lazio region, the 151-meter deep lake is surrounded by hills and the shores are dotted with medieval villages. Lake Bolsena is popular for activities like swimming, boating, and fishing.

Highlights:

• Explore the islands of Martana and Bisentina that rise from the center of the lake. While mooring Martana is not possible, one can visit Bisentina with special permits.
• Savor in Bolsena’s stunning medieval architecture, namely the Basilica di Santa Cristina.
• Visit the Fortress of Bolsena, a medieval castle located in the town of Bolsena. It showcases historical information about the town, artifacts, and archaeological heritage. 

Best ways to get there:

If you’re driving a privately-owned or a rented vehicle, the lake is easily accessible by the A1 motorway from the SP Lago di Bolsena. If you’re traveling via the state road, take the Aurelia SS1. Take the SS2 if you’re coming from the Cassia state road.

Alternatively, those traveling in public transport can reach the lake by train with a pitstop in Orvieto, Viterbo, and Zepponami, before traveling the rest of the route by bus. The nearest airports are Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino, with the former being the preferred choice.

Travel tip:

• Get adventurous with food and try dishes based on eel, whitefish, and fresh fish from the lake along with white wine. 
• Lake Bolsena is a great visit for history and archeology buffs. Neolithic and Eneolithic objects have been found on the lake bed. 

Tucked away between Umbria and the gleaming valleys of Tuscany, Lake Trasimeno is flanked by gentle hills, quaint towers and buildings. Visitors will be welcomed with thriving flora and will be greeted with hundreds of kites, kingfishers, and ducks. The lake is home to three islands, the Isola Polvese, Isola Maggiore and Isola Minore.

Highlights:

• Squeeze through the narrowest alley in all of Italy at the Città della Pieve while admiring the town’s earthy tones and architecture. 
• Visit Castiglione del Lago which is situated on a peninsula for panoramic views of the lake.
• Take the lift in the recently restored 12th-century Torre dei Lambardi on top of the town for memorable views. 

Best ways to get there:

There are several buses you can take around the north shore that take you through the Perugia-San Feliciano-Magione-Passignnno-Tuoro route.

Alternatively, the nearest airport is Perugia (PEG) Airport which is only 32.8 kilometers away. If you’re traveling by car, take the Highway “del Sole” (A1). Take Exit Valdichiana if driving from the north and Exit Fabro if driving from the south.

Travel tip:

• The lake is surrounded by smaller beaches. Spend an evening catching a sunset and unwinding.
• Carry a high-quality camera to document frescoes. You can find some inside the San Sebastiano Church in Panicale and incredible paintings in Mugnano. 

Lake Bracciano is considered the second largest lake in the Lazio region after lake Bolsena. The town of Bracciano is built on a hill above the lake, and locals and tourists alike enjoy a refreshing dip in the lake during the summertime. The lake also boasts the Bracciano-Martignano Natural Park, a recently-protected park which further has lake towns, nature trails, and plenty of opportunity for horseback riding and mountain biking.

Highlights:

• Learn about the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi’s history—one of the largest and grandest castles in Italy.
• Delight your children at the Vigna di Valle Beach, the longest beach on the lake where the water is shallow and considered safe for families.

Best ways to get there:

The best way to get there is by train. You can take the train from Rome from Roma Ostiense, Valle Aurelia, and Trastevere (stations). The train will take you to Anguillra Sabazia and Bracciano in less than an hour for less than USD 5.42.

If you’re driving, take the route from Rome to Bracciano. It may take about an hour to get there, as the roads are narrow and not well-maintained.

Travel tip:

• Find your way to the pier square “Piazza del Molo” as it is a five-minute walk from the beach and focal point to many places. 
• If you’re bringing your furry friends along, make your way to what the locals call the “Bau Beach,” a pet-friendly haven.
• To avoid crowds, head to the Trevignano Romano, a quaint secluded town that also has the longest promenade of the lake and the choicest of restaurants and cafes. 

With so much for visitors to see and do, these Italian lakes really do make for dream holiday destinations. And everywhere you go, you'll be greeted by the most incredible scenery imaginable.

Whether it is Lake Garda and its fantastic watersports, Lake Maggiore with its enchanting islands or the peace and quiet of the picturesque Lake Varese, each of the lakes has its own unique feel and look and they are all well worth visiting for what they offer.

These stunning lakes can be added to your itinerary as a part of your customized tour to Italy with the help of our local travel experts in the country. For more information on your Italy adventure, read our travel guide for articles like how many days to spend in Italy.