Many things make Italy famous. From the art to the food, from the architecture to the nature. Recently, some of the spots that have been becoming increasingly popular and a favorite holiday destination are the Italian lakes scattered around the country.
From north to south, without forgetting the central regions and the islands, the Italian lakes are a great stop for photographers, nature lovers, but also history buffs and art and architecture enthusiasts due to their proximity to historical palaces and archaeological sites.
These are some of the lakes in Italy I like to include in my customised vacation packages and tailor-made itineraries for my clients.
Lake Garda
Spanning over three regions, Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige, Lago di Garda is Italy’s largest lake. It’s also one of the most famous Italian lakes because, apart from being very large, it’s also incredibly scenic, nestled as it is in the heart of Alpine peaks.
Lake Garda is surrounded by beautiful towns to stay in for your activities and experiences, whether you want to bike around it, hike, or book a boat tour. Quaint hamlets like Riva del Garda, Sirmione, Limone sul Garda, and Malcesine are only some of the wonderful places you can visit or make your base for your holiday.
Lake Como (Lombardy)
Como is a lovely town in the Lombardy region and is known mainly for its lake. The high season starts in spring and runs through the summer, even to the beginning of fall, and when it’s high season, it gets really packed, both the town and the lake shores.
What are the best things you can do when visiting Lake Como? Exploring surrounding towns such as Bellagio, Varenna and Cernobbio, visiting the local villas and wonderful gardens such as Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello, and for sure doing a boat tour to enjoy the view from another perspective!
Lake Maggiore (Piedmont and Lombardy)
Nestled between the northern regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, Lake Maggiore is extremely scenic and romantic. Despite its name (“bigger”), Lake Maggiore is not Italy’s largest but still one of the most famous and popular with tourists, both Italian and foreign.
Lago Maggiore is a triumph of beautiful islands and beautiful towns all around the lake. In this natural corner of northern Italy, you can enjoy peaceful walks along the lake shores, visiting noble villas and lush gardens, and going on boat tours with bike and even horse riding.
Iseo Lake (Lombardy)
Not the largest in Italy, but so charming, Lake Iseo can be admired and enjoyed from different viewpoints. You can tour the lake by car (you would need around two hours), by bike in around four hours or more, depending on how many times you are going to stop, and by boat so you can change perspective and also visit Monte Isola island: it’s in the middle of the lake and it’s populated!
Make sure you don’t miss a stop in Lovere, nominated one of Italy’s prettiest towns, a maze of narrow alleys nestled between the lake and the mountains and home to a sanctuary and 15th-century Santa Maria in Valvendra Basilica.
Along with visiting other towns such as medieval Iseo, Pisogne and Sarnico, join a trekking day out along Antica Strada Valeriana, an ancient pilgrim road.
Lake Tovel (Trentino-Alto Adige)
We have been to Lake Tovel in the low season, so it was very quiet and we could enjoy the lake and the nature around it calmly, in silence, and at our own pace. Even though it’s gorgeous year-round, fall is probably the best time to visit because the warm hues of the falling leaves create a wonderful atmosphere.
One of the jewels of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park, Lake Tovel offers fantastic opportunities for hiking all around and towards traditional and historical places such as the local Flavona mountain hut and the beautiful San Romedio sanctuary. We absolutely loved visiting the sanctuary of San Romedio and totally recommend it if you enjoy nature, history, and places steeped in spirituality.
Braies Lake (Trentino-Alto Adige)
This is probably the most famous lake in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. While the area is a true green paradise, in the high season it becomes quite crowded. The place is wonderful and a must-see, whether you are a nature lover or a culture enthusiast.
Lake Trasimeno (Umbria)
I feel that Lake Trasimeno doesn’t get the traction it deserves. It’s located in an absolutely dreamy countryside and the whole area is steeped in history. Drawing its name from the romantic and tragic myth of Agilla and Trasimeno, this lake is surrounded by fantastic towns such as Castiglione del Lago, Città della Pieve, and Magione.
A great attraction in this Italian lake are its many islands, but those that you can actually visit are two (and totally worth it): Isola Polvese and Isola Maggiore.
Lake Omodeo, Sardinia
Granted, this is not one of the most famous lakes in Italy tourist-wise, but it’s quite famous among experts in the field because for a long time, it has been Europe’s largest man-made lake.
Created in the early 20th century with the building of the dam of Santa Chiara where even the king of Italy came for the inauguration. This lake has a bizarre history, the reason why, under its water, are the remains of a town that was moved uphill and fully submerged to give space for this artificial basin.
It’s surrounded by lovely towns such as Sorradile, Bidonì, Tadasuni, and Ula Tirso, but also ghost towns where people live only nine days a year during the festival devoted to the local saints.
Lake Bracciano (Lazio)
Lake Bracciano is one of the most famous lakes in the Lazio region and is easy to reach from Rome. From the city, in fact, you can reach Bracciano and Anguillara by train but while Anguillara lies right on the shores, Bracciano requires a hike to get to the lake or a local bus. Nevertheless, Bracciano is a beautiful town and worth a stop to visit the famous Odescalchi Castle and walk around its cobbled alleys.
Lake Bolsena (Lazio)
Lake Bolsena, too, is in the Lazio region, more precisely in the Tuscia area not far from Viterbo.
Of volcanic origins, it’s surrounded by the Volsini hills and beautiful towns like Marta on the very shores, offering a great walk, Montefiascone, a historical town known for its wine and as the belvedere on the lake due to the fantastic view, Capodimonte, and medieval Bolsena itself.
If you are a sports person, you will love joining canoeing tours, horse riding excursions, fishing, and hiking along the Via Clodia and Via Francigena
Do you need help planning your Italy holiday?
Check out my travel services: whether you need a vacation package, a Rome tailor-made itinerary or an itinerary to discover the island of Sardinia, I’d love to help!
