Italian Lakes

The natural beauty of the Italian Lakes region, sheltering under the Alps, is matched by its historical legacy. Attractive lake villages and pretty towns offer a variety of fine art, architecture and cuisine, as well as opportunities for walking, cycling and watersports

1 Isole Borromee

With its intricate Italianate garden resembling a ship, Isola Bella is the most striking of this cluster of islands near Stresa; Isola Madre, the largest, has landscaped botanical gardens famous for its many azaleas, camellias and wisteria. Both islands also have remarkable Baroque Palazzo Borromeo buildings. The third island, Isola dei Pescatori, has cobbled paths, an authentic fishing village and the 11th-century San Vittore church, while tiny Isolotto della Malghera has little more than a beach.

2 Northern Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore (also called Verbano) narrows at its northern tip, with steep mountain ranges pushing in on the resorts and lakeside towns, as Italy melts into Switzerland. Attractive villages such as Cannobio and Luino dot the area, while further ahead there are well established Swiss destinations such as Locarno. The climate around the lake is ideal for sailing and windsurfing but also encourages the banks of camellias, rhododendrons and palm trees that line the shores, while the tiny islands of Sant’Apollinare and San Pancrazio lie just offshore in Switzerland.

3 Orta San Giulio

The westernmost of the Italian Lakes, Lake Orta (or Cusio) lies entirely within the region of Piemonte and is flanked by soft hills and steep, wooded slopes of chestnut trees. The highlight is the honey-coloured lakeside village of Orta San Giulio – a string of cobbled lanes, attractive Liberty villas and a fine Wednesday market. Above the village is UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte, an atmospheric sanctuary with views over the waters and, just offshore, the island of Isola San Giulio (with its 19th century Benedictine seminary) offers a retreat from the modern world.

4 Como