Guide to the Best Italian Lakes to Visit

2nd December 2025

Best Italian Lakes to Visit When to Visit the Italian Lakes Experience The Italian Lakes the Easy Way Our Italian Lakes Tours Request a Brochure

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Best Italian Lakes to Visit When to Visit the Italian Lakes Experience The Italian Lakes the Easy Way Our Italian Lakes Tours Request a Brochure

There’s a particular kind of magic to the Italian Lakes. Step off the coach and the first thing you notice is the light – a gentle shimmer over calm waters, mountains dusted with snow in the distance and palms swaying along elegant promenades. Grand villas peek through cypress trees; manicured gardens run down to the shoreline, and small ferries link lakeside towns where café tables catch the afternoon sun.

These lakes in Northern Italy have drawn travellers, artists and celebrities for centuries. Some shores feel cinematic – and even familiar. Lake Como’s glamorous towns and elegant boat landings have appeared on screen in everything from classic films to modern TV dramas. Other lakes are quieter, where time seems to slow and the rhythm of local life takes over.

Our guide will help you choose the Italian Lakes experience that suits you, from classic elegance to peaceful, low-key shores. If you enjoy the benefits of an escorted tour holiday, consider Travelsphere’s Secret Lakes of Italy – our Italian lakes tour that takes in serene, lesser-known waters – or our Lake Como tours for exploring an iconic destination at a gentle pace.

Italian Lakes To Explore

Lake Como: Timeless Elegance and Mountain-Backed Shores

Lake Como is arguably Italy’s best-known lake. It is located in northern Lombardy and has a distinctive Y shape, with three long arms meeting in the middle. Steep, wooded slopes rise straight from the water, and elegant villas sit on the shoreline, their gardens reflected in the lake. Pastel-coloured waterside towns look like film sets.

In Como town, the marble cathedral catches the light, and narrow medieval streets open onto café-lined squares.

Take a ferry to Bellagio, where you can wander stone stairways lined with small shops and look out to Belle Époque villas along the shore. It’s easy to hop across to Varenna for a relaxed stroll along the lemon-scented waterfront and quiet lanes.

If you enjoy architecture and gardens, don’t miss Villa Carlotta’s art-filled rooms, terraced grounds and the cliff-top setting of Villa del Balbianello.

Top tip: Count on your Travelsphere Holiday Director for day-to-day timing and guidance on ferries and optional excursions while you enjoy the stunning lake views, boat rides and leisurely coffee stops.

Tremezzo am Comer See in Italien - Tremezzo, Lake Como, Lombardy in Italy

Isola dei Pescatori, fisherman island in Maggiore lake, Borromean Islands, Stresa Piedmont Italy, Europe.

Lake Maggiore: Island Gardens and Gentle Days by the Water

Lake Maggiore pairs a serene surface and mountain backdrop with classic resort towns and the enchanting Borromean Islands.

Travelsphere’s Magnificent Maggiore & Lake Como guided tour is a perfect example of Lake Como holidays you’ll remember forever as you explore elegant towns like Baveno, where paths lead past grand hotels, little piers and café terraces perfect for enjoying relaxing drinks.

But the most significant draw of Lake Maggiore is out on the water – the Borromean Islands, each with its own character. Isola Bella is home to a Baroque palace with theatrical terraced gardens that tumble towards the lake, while Isola Madre has formal gardens with peacocks on its lawns and rare trees. You can opt for a private cruise to visit both islands.

When evening comes, cross the lake to Isola dei Pescatori for dinner (an included highlight), where restaurants line the waterfront and the lights of the shore shimmer across the bay.

Top tip: Staying close to ferry landings, as Travelsphere does in Baveno, makes free time simple, and sociable dinners on tour are ideal for making friends with fellow travellers.

Lake Garda: Big Views, Breezy Towns and Effortless Variety

Italy’s largest lake blends Alpine drama in the north with Mediterranean warmth in the south.

An excellent ferry network links towns that each have their own character – from spa-town elegance to mountain-edge adventure. Choose medieval Sirmione for cooling gelato and steamy thermal waters, Riva del Garda for long promenades and a breezy, outdoorsy feel, or Malcesine for cobbled lanes and a castle above the harbour.

Take the rotating cable car from Malcesine to Monte Baldo for the perfect view, and enjoy the high-meadow air and lake panoramas.

Garden lovers have their pick at Lake Garda, from lakeside parks to the art-peppered Heller Garden at Gardone Riviera.

Top tip: With well-signed waterfront paths and frequent ferries, Garda invites independent exploring in your free time while you enjoy Italian lakes holidays such as our Secret Lakes of Italy tour.

Learn more about Lake Garda with our helpful guide to Italy’s largest lake.

Town of Malcesine on Lago di Garda skyline view, Veneto region of Italy

View from the lake of Iseo on the town of Sulzano

Lake Iseo: The Serene Alternative to Como

Turquoise waters within a mountain amphitheatre, pretty lakeside towns and car-free villages make Lake Iseo a calm, characterful lake to visit.

Embrace the slow life here – enjoy a morning coffee on a waterfront piazza, take a scenic cruise past the tiny Loreto and San Paolo islets, and wander among Monte Isola’s olive groves and stone chapels.

If you’re a foodie, try a lunch of lake sardines with lemon, fresh bread and a glass of chilled Franciacorta wine. End your meal with the local stracciatella gelato, invented in the nearby city of Bergamo. The name, which means ‘little shreds,’ refers to the delicate strands of dark chocolate drizzled into creamy milk gelato.

Top tip: Lovere can be an excellent base – its pastel facades, cafés and small galleries are right by the water, and you’re minutes from ferry landings for easy trips around the lake.

Lake Idro: Quiet Shores Between Iseo and Garda

Tucked between its famous neighbours, Lake Idro is intimate and unspoiled. It is defined by clear waters, forested slopes and little villages – all encouraging the simple pleasure of lakeside walks and relaxed lunches.

Stroll along the lakeside promenade at Crone, then follow the routes to small chapels and viewpoints to enjoy the uncluttered scenery.

Top tip: Idro works beautifully as a day trip. With a Holiday Director handling the practicalities, you can enjoy your visit – why not try a simple lunch of local lake fish or a fresh panino?

Aerial view of lake Idro near Garda in Italy.

Lake Ledro: High-Altitude Blue Without the Crowds

Encircled by alpine peaks, Lake Ledro offers clear, deep-blue water and easy lakeside paths that trace the shore in a satisfying circuit.

The air is slightly cooler here, creating the perfect atmosphere for a refreshing midday stroll or a rejuvenating swim in the warmer months. Lake Ledro’s history is as intriguing as its setting – a Bronze Age village site and museum sit just off the shore, with reconstructed stilt houses to explore.

Aim for Pieve di Ledro and settle at a trattoria for a lunch of mountain favourites – hearty polenta, cured meats and a glass of regional red – before taking a leisurely stroll back along the path as the daylight moves across the ridges.

Top tip: On Travelsphere’s Secret Lakes itinerary, you’ll sit down to a sociable lunch here, so sharing your new experiences and stories with fellow travellers is easy.

Lake Molveno: Dolomites Drama and Crystal Clarity

Set beneath the jagged spires of the Brenta Dolomites, Lake Molveno pairs crystal-clear waters with a charming town of wooden balconies and artisanal shops.

If time allows, ride the cable car to Pradel for sweeping views of the Brenta peaks and meadows. Once back in town, settle in at a local trattoria for plates of polenta and mountain cheeses, then enjoy a relaxing drink as you watch the daylight soften across the water.

Top tip: Molveno is wonderfully straightforward to explore – paths are clearly signposted, cafés are plentiful and the lake circuit is intuitive.

Molveno town and Molveno lake, an alpine lake in Trentino, Italy

View from Baselga di Pine on Lake Serraia

Lake Serraia (Piné Plateau): Gentle Nature Loops and Woodland Air

A high-meadow lake at 974 metres, Lake Serraia offers mountain tranquillity with reeds, meadows and forest tracing a calm shoreline, making it a classic “secret lake” stop that restores the senses.

It’s an easy place to wander around – a flat 4km circuit around the lake is easy to follow and well-kept. Walking around Lake Serraia clockwise means you can stop at the wooden jetties to watch the light ripple across the water and take in the quiet mountains in the background.

Top tip: Visitors often extend their walk to neighbouring Lake Piazze for a change of mood. Benches and small cafés dot the shoreline, so you can easily pause for a coffee or a simple lunch.

Levico Terme and Lake Levico: Stunning Spa-Town Calm

Levico Terme is home to Habsburg-era villas, tree-lined promenades and a long, narrow lake beneath wooded slopes. It’s easy to slip into a slow rhythm here – start with a wander through the Old Town, ducking into artisanal shops and cafés before pausing at the Santissimo Redentore church and moving onto the lake.

Lake Levico is perfect for anyone looking to gently while away the hours. Expect lidos with neat jetties, cafés serving up unhurried coffees and drinks, and an inviting lakeside path underneath plane trees.

Top tip: Build in some wellness time. The town’s historic thermal tradition continues with modern treatments and soothing pools, perfect for a mid-trip reset.

Levico Terme and the Lake - Trentino Italy

When to Visit the Italian Lakes

The Italian lakes are beautiful throughout the year, offering travellers a new perspective to enjoy each season.

Spring (May – June) – wildflowers fringe the paths, ferries ramp up to frequent schedules and daytime temperatures hover between 15–24°C. It’s ideal for gentle walks, strolling through villa gardens and unhurried boat trips without peak-season bustle.
Summer (July – August) – brings plenty of sunshine and a more lively air. With temperatures ranging from 25–32°C, it’s the perfect time to indulge in swimming, outdoor dining and long evening strolls.
Autumn (September – October) – offers calmer shores and harvest colours. Temperatures are around 14–24°C by day and cooler in the evenings, which can be ideal conditions for lakeside walks.
Winter (November – March) – this time of year the lakes are quieter. You’ll love the snowy mountain backdrops and Christmas markets that fill the piazzas. Plan for 5–12°C days.

Read our guide on the best time to visit Italy to help plan your perfect getaway.

What Should I Pack?

When packing for a trip to the Italian Lakes, build your wardrobe around layers. If travelling in the cooler seasons, light knitwear and a windproof jacket will keep you comfortable, as will a smart-casual outer layer for evenings out. A wrap or light jacket over breathable trousers or dresses will do in warmer seasons.

Cushioned walking shoes with a decent grip are a good idea for the cobbled streets and hiking lakeside paths. Sandals could offer a welcome break in the evenings or on slower days.

Experiencing The Italian Lakes the Easy Way

The Italian lakes reward unhurried days, but getting the most from them involves ferries, island timings, mountain roads and busy garden entry windows – especially in peak season. On an escorted tour, you simply enjoy the best bits while Holiday Directors handle the logistics:

Travelsphere brings over 60 years of touring expertise, with Holiday Directors and Local Guides who know the lakes intimately – where to stand on the boat for that perfect view, which café is genuinely local and how to time a garden visit at its quietest.
Itineraries are carefully crafted, balancing time together and time to yourself – so you can follow your curiosity without worrying about the next connection.
Departures are guaranteed, and your booking is financially protected, so you can confidently choose your favourite escorted tour.

Explore our full selection of Italy tours.

Travelsphere’s Italian Lakes Tours

Travelsphere offers several ways to explore Italy’s lakes and their charming local communities.

On our Secret Lakes of Italy tour, you can enjoy a Lake Iseo cruise to car-free Monte Isola, quiet hours on Idro and Ledro with a trattoria lunch, crystalline Molveno, and serene Lake Serraia. Based in Levico Terme, you will ride Bergamo’s funicular and toast a farmhouse dinner in Franciacorta with local wine.

If you want to combine sightseeing with relaxation, our Magnificent Maggiore & Lake Como guided tour is for you. Settle into your relaxed base in Baveno and enjoy several classic lake days involving trips into Como town, a cruise to Bellagio and dinner on Isola dei Pescatori. Optional highlights include a private Borromean Islands cruise, Lake Orta, the Centovalli railway to Locarno or Zermatt via the Simplon Pass.

Let us take you there

New Dates Added
Secret Lakes of Italy
Discover the scenic beauty of northern Italy’s secret lakes, where tranquil waters, unspoiled nature and delicious cuisine await.

Return flights

7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels

11 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
8 days from

£1,499

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New Dates Added
Magnificent Maggiore & Lake Como
Discover the allure and mesmerising natural beauty of Lake Maggiore and be wowed by the captivating charm of Lake Como.

Return flights

7 nights half-board in a 3-star hotel

14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and welcome drink
8 days from

£1,499

was £1,649

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Treasures of Tuscany & Florence
This relaxing tour takes in the iconic monuments of Pisa and Florence, beautiful medieval towns, and the stunning vineyards of Chianti.

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7 nights in a 4-star hotel and 13 meals

13 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 light lunch, 5 dinners
8 days from

£1,399

was £1,599

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The Italian Riviera, Portofino & the Cinque Terre
Revel in the glamour and scenic highlights of the Italian Riviera as you explore by road, rail and boat.

Return flights

7 nights half-board in a 4-star hotel

15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners and welcome drink
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£1,699

was £1,899

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Grand Tour of Italy
Part of the Royal Geographical Society collection, travel from top to toe and explore Italy’s famous landmarks. Visit iconic cities Venice, Florence and Rome and discover the hidden gems of Pompeii, Sicily and more.

Return flights

14 nights in 4-star hotels

23 meals: 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 8 dinners
15 days from

£3,149

was £3,349

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