The Italian Lakes in 3 days
Between the Alps and the Lombardy plain, Lakes Como, Garda and Maggiore line deep water with grand villas, lush gardens and pastel villages. You go by boat from Bellagio to Villa del Balbianello, wander the lanes of Sirmione and land on the Borromean Islands, with Milan as the gateway.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Bellagiofree · about 2 hCobbled lanes stacked on the point between Lake Como's two arms, with silk shops and ice-cream parlours, and the lakeside gardens of Villa Melzi.
- Afternoon
Varennafree · about 1 h 30Colourful houses on Lake Como's eastern shore above a walkway at water level, and the gardens of Villa Monastero, planted with cypresses and agaves.
- Late afternoon
Villa del Balbianelloabout 1 h 30A villa on a promontory near Lenno, used in Star Wars and Casino Royale, with terraced gardens, parasol-clipped trees and a lakeside loggia.
Day 2
- Morning
Como and its cathedralabout 2 hA Gothic-Renaissance cathedral, a busy old town and a historic funicular up to Brunate, with views over the lake and the Alps.
- Afternoon
The Borromean Islandshalf a dayOff Stresa: Isola Bella's baroque palace and ten terraces of gardens with white peacocks, Isola Madre's botanical garden, and lake fish on Isola dei Pescatori.
Day 3
- Morning
Lake Orta and San Giulioabout 2 hOrta San Giulio, a car-free village of painted mansions, faces an island basilica reached by boat; above it, the Sacro Monte is UNESCO-listed.
- Afternoon
Sirmioneabout 2 hA peninsula on Lake Garda entered past the moated Scaliger Castle, ending at the Grottoes of Catullus, the ruins of a vast Roman villa.
- Late afternoon
Malcesine and Monte Baldoabout 2 hMedieval lanes below a Scaliger castle on Garda's eastern shore, and a rotating cable car up to 1,760 metres on Monte Baldo, above the lake.
Where to sleep in the Italian Lakes
- Ostello Bello Lake Como · €45 a night
- Hotel Marco's · €120 a night
- Hotel Firenze · €120 a night
- Hotel Du Lac · €190 a night
- Albergo Milano · €210 a night
- Hotel Florence · €220 a night
- Grand Hotel Tremezzo · €850 a night
- Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni · €700 a night
- Hotel Villa Cipressi · €320 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.