Which Italian Lake is Best to Visit? Let's be honest, the Italian Lakes are as scenic as they are idyllic. Crystal clear water flanked by mountains and vineyards, mild climates, pretty towns, great food and fantastic shopping… these lakes have got a lot to showcase.
It does not have to be expensive, but can be if you want it to be expensive. Typically I pay abot €11 for lunch in a bar and about €15 for dinner in a trattoria for dinner in the evening (both including wine). Restaurants will be more expensive.
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.
Lake Garda and Lake Como – two supremely beautiful locations, flanked by gloriously ornate homes and hotels. Check in to one of these, and you'll be living the Italian highlife in no time.
Big is beautiful when it comes to the Italian Lakes. But small is perhaps even more beautiful, and certainly more intimate and less visited. So forgo the major lakes – the famous trio of Como, Maggiore and Garda – and consider instead the largely unsung quartet of Idro, Iseo, Varese and Orta.
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.
The lake is wonderful to swim in with crystal clear water and average water temperatures in the peak Summer months between 21 and 26 degrees. In most parts of the lake, the water slopes gently away from the shore, making it safe for even younger children.
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.
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.
In general, with the exception of the Como area, swimming is possible in most of the lake. But be careful, because swimming in Lake Como is not without risk, mainly for two reasons: the water temperature is generally lower than that of the sea, and if you dive when it is very hot outside, your body may suffer.
Now, keep in mind that the waters of Lake Garda come from melting snow and ice from the mountains, so the water can be quite cold during the winter and spring months. It starts to warm up in May though, enough to enjoy a swim.
Many think that Lake Como is a good stop for a couple of nights and then they should move on but they are mistaken. 2-3 days are not enough to explore Lake Como and its surroundings! Lake Como is the perfect location for a longer stay – even a week or more – in Northern Italy.
The best time to visit Lake Como and its surrounding areas would be from April to October, when the weather gets warm and mild. The territory is characterized as having a subcontinental climate, with cold winters and muggy summers; humidity is particularly high throughout the whole year.