Italy may be famous for its postcard-worthy cities, filled to the brim with ancient architecture and world-famous art, but those in the know will never overlook the Italian countryside, particularly the Italian Lakes.
In fact, they make the perfect addition to anyone visiting Venice, Verona or Milan (or even St Moritz in Switzerland!) so that you have the perfect balance of city break and countryside escape. Just a short drive out of these historic hubs and you’ll find yourself in beautiful countryside, passing by quaint towns to reach one of the many lakes in the region.
There’s the largest of the bunch, Lake Garda, with its dramatic mountainous backdrop reflected in serene blue waters. It has numerous lake-side restaurants, gelaterias, cafes and boutiques set inside colourful buildings and is the perfect place to grab an ice cream and sit in the Italian sun to watch the world pass by, as locals meet friends for caffè and families take kayaks and paddleboards out onto the water.
There’s also Lake Como, Garda’s chic and sophisticated younger sister, which is popular with the likes of modern celebrities such as Madonna and George Clooney (who loves it so much he bought a villa there!) as well as 19th century poets Byron, Shelley and Wordsworth, with the latter describing it as ‘a treasure whom the earth keeps to herself’.
These might be the two best-known Italian Lakes, but there are many others in the region. There’s Lake Maggiore which cuts through the Alps into Switzerland and is bordered by beautiful national parks - here you'll find the Borromean Islands which we take a boat ride to to visit their beautiful old buildings. Also worth a mention is Lake Orta, which is often hailed as the region’s prettiest lake, but it’s also relatively unknown so you can enjoy serenity and scenery - on our itinerary we take a boat trip on Orta to San Giulio island so that you can enjoy its natural beauty from the water.
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Italian use the Euro, having adopted the currency in 1999. They were one of the first countries to adopt the Euro, along with Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
Lake Como
Set in the Lombardy region, at the foothills of the Italian Alps, Lake Como is one of the deepest in Europe and its glittering waters and glamourous towns ooze la dolce vita. Punctuating the shoreline are charming villages and historical villas flanked by impeccably manicured gardens that are bursting with colour come spring. While the lake is accessible to day-trippers from Milan, every town and village around its edge is more spread out than Lake Garda’s, making Lake Como appear less popular.
Lake Garda
Just an hour’s drive from Verona, Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and one of the country’s must-see spots. Bordering three distinct regions – Lombardy, Trentino Alto-Adige and the Veneto – expect to find pretty resort towns and lakeside beaches. Its southern shore is characterised by gentle hills carpeted in olive groves and vineyards, with charming lakefront villages that have attracted their share of poets, artists, writers, and politicians over the centuries, from DH Lawrence and Goethe to Mussolini.
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore, nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps, is the second-largest lake in Italy. It is situated in the regions of Piedmont and Lombardy in Italy, as well as in Switzerland. In the past, it was a famous destination for European aristocrats on their Grand Tour. However, today, it is considered a more serene alternative to the glamorous Lake Como and less crowded than Lake Garda.
Lake Orta
Lake Orta, located to the west of Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, Italy, is often considered one of the country's best-kept secrets. It was once known as the Lake of San Giulio, after the patron saint of the area, and is situated in one of the most untouched regions in Italy. Despite being less popular, the lake is just as beautiful as the others, with charming medieval villages, faded waterfront villas, and an island monastery. If you are looking for a quaint and uncrowded getaway, Lake Orta is the perfect destination.
Lake Iseo
Lake Iseo is a smaller lake located in Lombardy, situated between Brescia and Bergamo cities. It is often referred to as the little sister of Lake Garda. The area is perfect for leisure cycling with excellent bike routes, and the town of Iseo features fantastic shops. Visitors can enjoy ferry rides across the waters of the lake while enjoying the peaceful and serene surroundings. And, for wine lovers, the region of Franciacorta hits the southern tip of the lake and produces one of Italy’s best sparkling wines.
Sample Northern Italy’s best wines - Lake Garda
Northern Italy is known for producing some of the finest red wines in the country - time spent in these best wineries in the region is never wasted. Valpolicella, which is a viticultural area located in the province of Verona, is situated near Lake Garda. The region is home to some agriturismo farms, which are an ideal spot to pause and relish a delicious locally sourced lunch while gazing at the scenic views of the vineyards and olive trees. During your visit, you can also taste the famous Valpolicella wines, as well as olive oils, while learning about the traditional production techniques that have been followed for years.
See Lake Garda by boat - Lake Garda
As the picturesque Lake Garda is 142.85 square miles in size - the biggest Italian Lake by surface area - and has a delightful array of more than 20 villages, the best way to see what the lake has to offer you is by boat. If you're up for some adventure, why not take a circular tour and feel the fresh wind in your hair while exploring the unique charm of each section of the colourful shoreline? It's an experience you won't forget!
Spend the day in Bellagio - Lake Como
If it’s Lake Como which has captured your heart, you'll love a visit to Bellagio. Once the haunt of European monarchs, today the attractive, pastel-coloured buildings, faded by decades of sunshine, line the lake shore and narrow cobbled streets and lanes climb their way to the hilly centre. This gorgeous spot is often regarded as one of Italy’s most beautiful towns. It's awash with colourful flowers Bellagio cannot be bettered for a long lazy lunch in one of the many lakeside restaurants, followed by a stroll perhaps amongst the many typically formal Italian gardens so beloved of romantics over the centuries, sprinkled as they are with fine, 18th-century sculpture.
Go island hopping - Lake Maggiore
You don't have to head to the sea, to enjoy a day of island-hopping. Lake Maggiore will grant you this experience, plus so much more! The stunning Borromean Islands were once owned by a Milanese Count who, in the 17th century, created the most amazing ‘belle époque’ villa on the largest island, Isola Bela. Even more impressive are the grounds, featuring ten interlocking terraces imaginatively planted with orange and lemon trees and other fragrant and colourful shrubs and plants. Don't forget to check out the palace’s unusual shell-encrusted grotto.
Riva del Garda - Lake Garda
Tucked away in the northernmost corner of Lake Garda, this charming town presents a Mediterranean vibe in northern Italy. Its Baroque architecture is framed by olive, lemon, and palm trees that add a touch of colour to the place.
Thanks to strong offshore winds, Riva del Garda is a favourite with windsurfing and sailing fans but water sports aren't the only thing on offer here. Culture enthusiasts can explore the civic museum located in the impressive 12th-century Rocca di Riva castle. It features exhibits that combine art and archaeology, showcasing the region's rich history.
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal times to visit the Italian Lakes thanks to its comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. The gardens that line the shores are at their most colourful between April and June with vibrant blooms and the rising temperatures are also a real draw.
The summer months of July and August see the highest temperatures, making this a great time to relax by the water, but it’s also when visitor numbers reach their peak. In September, the heat of summer subsides, making the lakeshores ideal for sightseeing. Hotels often shut down in winter when temperatures drop considerably from November to March.
Interestingly, Lake Garda has its own micro-climate which has mild winters, springs and summers. The weather and climate are also different between Upper Lake Garda and Lower Lake Garda. The constant winds of Upper Lake Garda make it the perfect place to try wind sports while Lower Lake Garda has calm waters, better for spending the afternoon watching the world go by from a lakeside cafe.
From fresh fish caught on the shores of the Italian lakes to delicious cheeses produced in the alpine mountains that dominate the landscape beyond the lakes, the cuisine in the Italian lakes is chock full of locally sourced ingredients and delicate flavours.
More generally, Italian food consists of ingredients and recipes going back to Roman times. Foods include pizza, pasta, risotto, meat, fish, vegetables, cheeses and gelato.
In restaurants and cafés, Tipping might not be the norm, like it is in North America, but it’s still appreciated, especially when the service has been particularly good. In taxis, tipping is not expected, but if rounding up the charge makes life easier, they won’t object!
71% of Italians are Christians, the main denomination in the country is Catholicism with 93% of all Christians in Italy reporting to be catholic – not surprising considering that the Vatican City is within the territory of Italy. 3% follow Islamic faith and while Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism account for only around 1% of the population combined.
