If you’re looking for an unforgettable trip exploring lakes in Italy, you’ve come to the right place. Here at KAYAK, we’ve got all you need to help you plan your dream trip, with advice on the best places to stay, things to do and when to go.
The most famous lakes in Italy
If you’re looking for a holiday exploring gorgeous lakes, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s KAYAK’s run down of Italy’s most famous lakes.
Lake Garda: Italy’s largest lake
Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda, also known as the ‘playground lake’, is a fantastic place to visit with the family. Alongside the lake’s shore, you’ll find peaceful towns and villages and picturesque mountains and forests. It’s a perfect location for a holiday filled with activities, such as swimming in the deep blue and emerald waters; the colours resemble magical Mediterranean waters. Several walking trails are a great way to get a feel of the area. Recently, Lake Garda has had an impressive bike path constructed around the lake, providing fantastic views. It’s one of many great ways to spend time with the family. Good areas to stay in include Riva del Garda, Lazise and Bardolino.
Lake Como: Italy’s jewel in the crown
Lake Como is Italy’s glamorous and fashionable lake capital, with many a celebrity enjoying its shores and scenery. Easy to get to by train from the equally fashionable city of Milan, there are numerous towns that one must visit to experience the real Lake Como.
In particular, these include the towns of Bellagio, situated at the point of the lake’s Y shape, and Como, at the foot of the lake where the train station is located. Como is a former Roman city that boasts an impressive Romanesque cathedral. The town’s funicular allows you to climb to amazing viewpoints of the lake and the Alps beyond.
The lake is most popular for its relaxed vibe but less so for water sports. However, you can cruise around the lake on scenic boat tours that take you to the various picturesque towns along its grand shores.
Lake Maggiore: Enjoy the perfect mix of Italy and Switzerland
Along with Lake Como and Lake Garda, you can find Maggiore in the lake region that makes up much of northern Italy. This lake is also part of Switzerland, so it is possible to cross over the border and check out the Swiss-Italian region thoroughly if you have time during your visit.
The lake is an excellent place for touring the villages and towns lining the shore and finding swimming spots along the way. Staying locally in the towns of Luino and Laveno is a good option as both have wonderful views of the lake and surrounding mountaintops. You can take one of the many boat trips on the lake to explore the region further. Spring or autumn is a good time to visit if you want to avoid the summer crowds and hotter temperatures.
Lakes in Italy: Alternative summer and winter getaways
When choosing your lake getaway, check out our recommendations for some great lakes to visit in Italy.
Lake Orta: A romantic and secluded beauty
Not far from Maggiore, Lake Orta is hidden away in a valley below the slopes of Monte Mottarone. Despite its beauty, it is dwarfed in its popularity and size by that of the three main lakes.
Orta is regarded as one of the most romantic lakes in Italy. It’s a perfect summer getaway with the stunning medieval village of Isola San Giulio, a tiny island in the middle of the lake, a spectacular highlight. You can reach the island by boat from the town of Orta San Giulio. You’ll find an array of stone buildings, including a convent and an idyllic 12th Century church, the Basilica di San Giulio, which is said to have been built by the saint himself.
Lake Alleghe: A magical lake deep in The Dolomites
A spectacular sight amongst the imperious Dolomites Mountain range is the sublime scenery of the village Alleghe and its lake. With views of the neighbouring Monte Civetta for company and mesmerising green waters, this lake is truly worth a visit all year round.
Situated close to the Austrian border, it is a great place for swimming and sailing, while windsurfing and fishing are also popular activities here. Should you visit in the winter, one side of the lake is turned into an ice arena. Around the lake, you can take in some incredible views via the walking path and the funicular you can take up the mountain.
Not far away are some ski resorts, so it’s worth checking out if you fancy taking in this beautiful lake village on top of riding the slopes of the Dolomites. If so, the best time to visit is between November and April.
Lake Ledro: A historical beauty
The small Alpine Lake Ledro can be found just at the northern tip of Lake Garda. Surrounded by luscious forests and mountain peaks, it is a popular place for numerous activities, such as swimming, windsurfing, canoeing, sailing and fishing. Alternatively, many hiking and walking enthusiasts will be impressed by the vast networks of walking trails that take you to impressive viewpoints overlooking the lake.
Interestingly, in 1929, when the lake’s water level receded due to the construction of a hydroelectric station at Riva del Garda, it revealed a village from the Bronze Age, with several dwellings and artefacts being discovered and preserved. The village has since been rebuilt to create the Museo delle Palafitte di Ledro in Molina di Ledro. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with workshops and activities and makes for a great place to visit, especially when travelling with family.
Hidden Gems: Italy’s lesser-known lakes
If you’ve got no time for the famous lakes of Italy, why not check out our guide on some hidden gems and see a little further past the country’s ‘3 Lakes’?
Lake Blu: Marvel at the views of the Matterhorn
In the Val d’Aosta region, you can find the tiny but gorgeous Lake Blu, which offers fantastic views of the Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland. It is almost as if the lake had been placed in this spot, along the road leading from Valtournenche to the ski town of Breuil Cervinia, just to be a perfect mirror for the Matterhorn’s impressive south face.
Any photography enthusiast would be mad not to visit the serene lake just for this shot. And, with the many walking trails around the lake, you can take advantage of all the fantastic views it has to offer, with the Matterhorn placed just perfectly. It’s a beautiful place to take a break from trekking, have a picnic and relax in the sunshine.
Lake Iseo: Lombardy’s fourth lake
Another beauty is Lake Iseo. It is surrounded by picturesque mountains and serene valleys and is particularly favoured for adrenaline-pumping water sports such as wakeboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing and paragliding. However, calmer and more conventional activities like sailing, kayaking and canoeing are also popular here.
Small and quiet lakeside towns and villages provide plenty of accommodation options to tourists, and you can explore an abundance of interesting places in the area, such as Iseo Port’s 12th Century Romanesque church. Near the town of Sulzano is the lake’s only island, home to Monte Isola. At its summit, you will find the Church of Madonna della Ceriola. The tiny castle island of Castello dell’isola di Loreto also provides many stunning views and photo opportunities.
Lake Vico: A tranquil setting in the forest hills of Lazio
The calming presence of Lake Vico is a lovely hidden gem amongst other more famous lakes in Italy. This tranquil body of water is, in fact, the caldera of an ancient volcano. It’s surrounded by forest mountains of the Cimini Hills, providing gentle but beautiful scenery as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There are many activities to try out here, with swimming in the deep clear water the main attraction, although you can also go fishing and sailing. In addition, there are plenty of walking trails for a picturesque trek or two.
On the southern part of the lake, there are restaurants and picnic areas. You can find plenty of excellent places to stay around the lake. Pick from resorts, bed and breakfasts, hotels and camping areas – there’s something for everyone.
Excited for your next adventure? Our friends at Where to Go, produced by the team behind the award-winning DK Eyewitness travel guides, are here to help!
Each fortnight, hosts James and Lucy talk to local experts about the destination they have chosen to call their home, exploring their personal connection to the place, what makes it so special and the best things to see and do.
Listen to the podcast below for more inspiration and tips from Italy:
