What is the best way to explore the Italian Lakes?
By bike: The Italians in these parts are big on motorbikes and bicycles, so if you want to explore on two wheels, you'll be in good company. Cycling is also a great way to explore remote, off-the-beaten-track corners. By car: Hiring a car is the best way to reach all the nooks and crannies of the Italian Lakes.
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For a castle and Roman ruins, go to Lake Garda; for opulent villas and gardens, opt for Lake Como. Lake Como's town of Sirmione may be touristy, but it also boasts two popular sights: the imposing Scaligero Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and the ruins of the Grotte di Catullo, an ancient Roman spa.
Lake Como is undeniably a busy destination to visit during summer, so if it is the peace and tranquillity that you are after, then Lake Maggiore is a better option. But if you wish to explore the lakes with no crowds at all, then visit them in September.
The lakes feature colourful gardens, ancient hillside villas, harbours full of fishing boats and grand 19th century hotels all set against the backdrop of distant alpine peaks and azure blue water. Getting to the Italian Lakes by train is easy and the Alps offer fabulous scenery en route.
Getting around the Great Lakes without a carWith the train, you can easily reach Stresa, Como, Lecco or Peschiera del Garda. If you want to explore the lakes for a longer period of time without a car, a boat is the best way to get around, as there are no winding roads and no parking problems.
The Como–Brunate funicular (Italian: Funicolare Como-Brunate) is a funicular railway that connects the city of Como with the village of Brunate in Lombardy, Italy. The line has operated since 1894, and is used by both tourists and local residents.
Further north, one of the most beautiful areas to live on Lake Maggiore is the village of Cannero Riviera. The village is famous and appreciated for its particularly mild microclimate, which favours the flourishing of luxuriant Mediterranean scrub.
Bellagio. Probably the most renowned destination on Lake Como, Bellagio is another pretty town that you really cannot miss when visiting the area. Located right in the middle of the lake, Bellagio has the most unique setting that distinguishes it from any other town on Lake Como.
When to Visit. Tourist season on the lakes runs from Easter to October, but these beauty spots make for lovely viewing all year long. If you can pick any month to go, make it June or September; when the weather is hot, the water is warming up and the crowds are small.
Lago di Molveno in Italy is not only one of the best lakes for swimming, it is also the cleanest lake of all. The water in this crystal clear lake comes directly from the Presena gletsjer and is wonderfully refreshing. It is not a coincidence that the Molveno lake is also called 'pearl of the Dolomites'.
Lake Como is a must-visit to add to your bucket list if you love the mountains. Located in northern Italy's Lombardy region, the majestic Bergamo Alps surround the lake. Cloaked in green in summer and white in winter, these peaks provide beautiful scenery all throughout the year.
Lake Garda is easier to get to from Venice and Verona; Lake Como is closer to Milan. Lake Garda is east of Lake Como, so it's easier to get to from Venice and Verona.
If you want any kind of night life at all, stay in Como. There's more opportunity for hiking near Varenna, and that's the more scenic part of the lake, but you can get there by boat. Touristy doesn't begin to describe Bellagio and Varenna. If you want any kind of night life at all, stay in Como.
Good to know: Because of its central location and great boat connections, Bellagio is one of the best places to stay for exploring Lake Como. In the high season, you can visit most of the nicest towns of Lake Como by taking a 10-30 minute ferry from here.
There are five official legs of the Sentiero del Viandante route: from Lecco to Abbadia, Abbadia to Lierna, Lierna to Varenna, Varenna to Dervio, and Dervio to Colico. Lecco is your starting point, the less glamorous city on the eastern point of Lake Como.
The Price of visiting Lake Como and Lake MaggioreThe Italian Lakes are definitely not a budget destination, however, there are ways to make a trip there more affordable. Due to the increased popularity, Lake Como is more expensive than Lake Maggiore in terms of accommodation and food.
Visit the 3 Borromean IslandsThe Borromean Islands are one of the most popular things to see on Lake Maggiore. They're little islands located in the centre of the lake, and you need a boat to go out to them. You can easily jump on the public boats and do a tour, or there are ferries going across regularly.
5.5 Euros (return) is good value for a climb of over 500 metres to have great views of Como and the lake. The cable car can be rather crowded though. Funicular is very nice when up to make sure you walk in to town see some of the churches and buy souvenirs. Train carts are hot not much ac but the view is great.