When to go to the Italian Lakes?
→ The detailed month-by-month page, with real weather records
Best time: April to June and September to October
At a glance
Why go to the Italian Lakes?
The lakes of northern Italy offer concentrated dolce vita in an alpine setting. Lake Como unfurls its patrician villas and terraced gardens between mountains that plunge into dark water, a landscape that has seduced travellers since the Grand Tour. Bellagio, Varenna and Villa del Balbianello form a romantic triangle unrivalled in Europe.
Each lake has its own character, and that is what makes the region so rich. Lake Maggiore cultivates Belle Époque elegance around Stresa and the Borromean Islands, Baroque palaces set on the water. Lake Garda, larger and sunnier, mixes the Roman peninsula of Sirmione, the lemon trees of Limone and water sports beneath Monte Baldo. Tiny Lake Orta, meanwhile, remains a well-kept secret.
Finally, it is a disarmingly easy destination. Milan is a short flight from much of Europe, trains reach Como, Stresa and Desenzano in under an hour from the city, and scheduled ferries make a fine substitute for a car. You can combine two lakes in a week, add a day of shopping in Milan, and come home feeling you have been on a great journey without the long hours in the air.
Map of the Italian Lakes: what is where?
The map shows the 6 places covered in this guide, to picture the distances and plan your route.
- Bellagio
- Varenna
- Como
- Sirmione
- Stresa (Borromean Islands)
- Orta San Giulio
How much does a trip to the Italian Lakes cost?
The lakes are pricier than the Italian average, with Bellagio and the grand hotels leading the way. Stay in the less popular villages and use public trains and boats, and the bill becomes very reasonable again.
| Style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €75-110/day | B&B or campsite on Garda, picnics, public boats, free sights |
| Comfort | €130-200/day | Lake-view hotel, waterside restaurants, boat pass, villa visits |
| Premium | €350+/day | Historic grand hotel, private varnished-wood water taxi, gourmet restaurants, spa |
Cards are accepted everywhere; just bring a few coins for car parks, lockers and short crossings.
Is the Italian Lakes safe?
The Italian lakes are a very safe destination, popular with families and couples from all over the world. Just keep an eye out for pickpockets on trains from Milan and on crowded landing stages in summer. On the water, stick to the marked swimming areas: the lakes are deep, storms can whip up waves quickly and scheduled ferries have right of way. By car, the lakeshore roads around Lake Como are narrow and winding, so take care with buses and cyclists.
What to see and do in the Italian Lakes
- Bellagio
- Villa del Balbianello
- Varenna
- Sirmione
- Borromean Islands
- Malcesine and Monte Baldo
- Lake Orta and San Giulio
- Como and its cathedral
Bellagio
The pearl of Lake Como occupies the point that separates the lake's two arms. Its stepped lanes climb between silk shops, gelaterias and ochre façades. The lakeside gardens of Villa Melzi are superb in spring when the azaleas and rhododendrons bloom. The waterfront terraces invite you to an aperitivo facing the mountains. Ideally, arrive by boat from Varenna or Como: the crossing is part of the pleasure.
Villa del Balbianello
Set on a wooded promontory near Lenno, this is the most romantic of Lake Como's villas. Its terraced gardens, loggias and sculpted umbrella pines have served as a set for Star Wars and James Bond. A visit to the gardens can be extended to the interiors, preserved as they were left by their 20th-century explorer owner. Arriving by water taxi from Lenno is a moment out of time. Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays; booking recommended.
Varenna
On the east shore of Lake Como, Varenna is the lake's most endearing village, more intimate than Bellagio. Its lovers' walkway runs along the water between colourful houses and moored boats. The gardens of Villa Monastero stretch along almost two kilometres of shoreline. In the evening, when the day-trippers leave, the village recovers a rare gentleness. Varenna-Esino station makes it a perfect car-free base, an hour from Milan.
Sirmione
The Sirmione peninsula juts four kilometres into Lake Garda, guarded by the Scaliger Castle and its battlements rising from the water. At the very tip, the Grottoes of Catullus, ruins of a vast Roman villa, overlook turquoise water. The sulphurous thermal springs have delighted spa-goers since Antiquity. The pedestrianised old town is overrun in summer: come early or stay the night. Jamaica Beach, at the foot of the ruins, is one of the most photogenic spots on the lake.
Borromean Islands
Off Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, three islands form a unique ensemble. Isola Bella carries a Baroque palace and ten terraces of gardens roamed by white peacocks. Isola Madre hides a lush English-style botanical garden. Isola dei Pescatori, the only one inhabited year-round, lines up fishermen's lanes and waterside trattorias. Public and private boats shuttle back and forth all day from Stresa. Allow a full day for all three.
Lake Orta
Thirty minutes from Lake Maggiore, little Lake Orta is Piedmont's best-kept secret. Orta San Giulio, its main village, is a gem of cobbled lanes and painted palazzi, free of cars. Offshore, the island of San Giulio and its basilica seem to float on the water; you walk around it along the lane of silence. The UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte overlooks the village with its Baroque chapels. The atmosphere is infinitely more peaceful than on the big lakes.
How many days, and which itinerary?
Allow 4 to 5 days to explore one lake in depth, a week to combine two, for example Como and Maggiore or Como and Garda.
🗺️ Day-by-day itinerary · 📓 Free printable Italian Lakes guide (PDF) · 🌍 All of Italy
Romantic Como (4 days)
Base yourself in Varenna or Bellagio, with days on the boats between Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta and the three villages in the middle of the lake, plus half a day in Como for the cathedral and the Brunate funicular. The great classic for couples.
Two lakes in a week (7 days)
Three days on Lake Como, a transfer via Milan (one night and an evening in the city), then three days between Stresa, the Borromean Islands and an escape to Lake Orta. The perfect balance of glamour and gentleness.
Garda for families (6 days)
Base yourself in Sirmione or Malcesine: Scaliger Castle, Grottoes of Catullus, the cable car up Monte Baldo, a day at Gardaland or the Varone waterfalls, and the villages of Limone and Riva del Garda by boat. The most fun-filled lake.
Getting there and getting around
Direct trains from Milan: Como (40 min), Varenna (1 hr 05 min), Stresa (1 hr) and Desenzano for Lake Garda (50 min); often simpler than driving.
The Navigazione Laghi ferries are the real way to get around the lakes: day passes €15-25 depending on the zone, frequent sailings from April to October.
A car is only useful for touring Lake Garda or reaching hilltop villages: narrow lakeshore roads and expensive parking (€2-3/hr) around Como.
Funiculars and cable cars not to miss: Como-Brunate, Stresa-Mottarone and the rotating cable car from Malcesine up Monte Baldo.
Where to stay in the Italian Lakes?
Three-star hotels with lake views in Varenna, Stresa or Malcesine: €120-190 a night, book early for a room on the water side.
B&Bs and flats in the villages on Como's east shore or around Desenzano: €80-130, the best value for money.
Historic grand hotels on Lake Maggiore and in Bellagio (Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées, Villa Serbelloni): from €400, for a special occasion.
Campsites and holiday residences on the shores of Lake Garda, around Peschiera and Lazise: €35-60, the family option par excellence.
Our places to stay, stop by stop, at three budgets →
What to eat in the Italian Lakes?
Lake fish: perch Milanese-style on risotto in Como, dried lake sardines (missoltini) and grilled whitefish.
Perch risotto and polenta in lakeside trattorias, allow €15-20 a dish with a view of the water.
Garda lemons and olive oil, to taste in Limone sul Garda, with the Lugana and Bardolino wines produced on its shores.
Aperitivo at sunset, a spritz or a glass of Franciacorta, the most pleasant tradition on the lakes (€8-12).
Entry requirements
Schengen area: an ID card or passport for EU citizens, 90 days visa-free for UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports.
Rules change: check your own government's travel advice before you go.
Frequently asked questions about the Italian Lakes
When is the best time to visit the Italian lakes?
From late April to June, when the gardens are in bloom, and September-October for soft light and thinner crowds. July-August are hot, lively and noticeably more expensive; from November to March, many hotels and boats run at a reduced pace.
What daily budget should I plan?
Around €75-110 on a budget, €130-200 for a comfortable stay with a lake-view hotel and restaurants, and a great deal more in the grand hotels of Bellagio or Stresa.
How do you get around?
Train from Milan, then scheduled ferries: the ideal combination, especially on Lake Como. A car only becomes useful for touring Lake Garda or getting off the beaten track.
How many days should I allow?
Four to five days to explore one lake in depth, a week to combine two with a stop in Milan in between.
Which lake to choose: Como, Garda or Maggiore?
Como for romance and villas, Garda for families, sunshine and sporty activities, Maggiore for Belle Époque elegance and the Borromean Islands. Tiny Orta will appeal to those fleeing the crowds.
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