Luxury Villas in the Italian Lakes

About the Italian Lakes

The Italian Lakes is one of our favourite places in Italy. It comprises six main lakes – Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Iseo, Lake Lugano and Lake Orta – but there are a number of smaller lakes dotted between these too such as Lake Varese or Lake Monate. Each lake definitely has its own unique vibe. But what they all have in common is stunning scenery, charming lakeside villages and clear blue lake waters.

Lake Maggiore

Our favourite of the Italian Lakes, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second largest lake. It actually falls into both Italy and Switzerland. Ascona and Locarno in the north fall into Swiss territory whilst towns such as Stresa, Arona, Luino, Cannobio and Cannero are on the Italian side of the border.

Arguably it is most famous for the Borromean Islands that sit just off the shore of Stresa. These islands are comprised of Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. The latter is the only one of the islands still inhabited today, famous for its excellent fish restaurants. Isola Madre and Isola Bella are both famous for their beautiful gardens (and their resident white peacocks), best viewed in the Spring as well as for their incredible Baroque palaces. However, these are not the only islands on Lake Maggiore. There are actually 11 islands in total.

Lake Maggiore is also home to other beautiful gardens on shore such as Villa Taranto, famous for its tulip festival each Spring. It is also where you will find the beautiful Santa Caterina del Sasso monastery clinging to the rocks. Reached either by road or also by boat during the summer months, the monastery is entrusted to the care of the Benedictine monks and contains some important well-kept frescoes dating from the XIVth to the XVlllth century.

And there are also some beautiful lakeside towns and villages on Lake Maggiore too. Not only that, but outdoor and sporting enthusiasts will love the activities on offer. From hiking to cycling, windsurfing to water-skiing, from skiing to tobogganing and from paddle-boarding to paragliding, there are an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy.

But, of course, if you prefer a more sedate pace on holiday, simply opt to relax on the many lakeside beaches or lidos instead. Or take a ride up in one of the main cable cars to the top of the mountains that circle the lake to just take in the views.

Whatever your interests, there is an incredibly diverse range of things to do on Lake Maggiore. Check out our full guide to Lake Maggiore.

Lake Como

Lake Como’s beauty is long renowned. It was an important destination centuries ago as part of the Grand Tour and visitors continue to flock to its shores today. In fact, its popularity has arguably only increased in recent years, driven in part by George Clooney who purchased Villa Oleandra on Lake Como and seemed to invite a never-ending list of celebrities to stay, adding to the lake’s perceived glamour. Certainly, Lake Como is one of the busiest of the Italian Lakes and if you’re visiting in the Summer months, you will need to be organised and book activities in advance to avoid disappointment.

Like Lake Maggiore, Lake Como also has an array of picturesque lakeside villages to explore, among them Menaggio, Bellano, Bellagio and Varenna as well as the city of Como itself. It also has outdoor activities to enjoy including a couple of excellent golf courses. However, perhaps what Lake Como is most famous for is its sumptuous lakeside villas and gardens. These include Villa Melzi and Villa Carlotta, home to both a fascinating museum along with 8 hectares of botanic gardens. Also of note are the gardens at Villa del Balbianello, famous for their intricate terraced gardens. Visitors  may recognise it as it has served as the backdrop for numerous films including films within the Star Wars and James Bond franchises.

Check out our full guide to Lake Como for more inspiration on what to see and do during your stay.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, positioned in between Milan to the west and both Verona and Venice to the east. Its sheer size means that there is quite a dramatic contrast between the landscape and its northern and southernmost points. For example, in the north, it sits at the foot of the Alps and so the landscape is more mountainous and dramatic. However, at the other end of the lake, the geography is much flatter. That said, wherever you choose to base your stay, it’s all extremely picturesque!

The south eastern part of Lake Garda is often recommended to first time visitors. Towns such as Bardolino or Garda itself certainly have excellent boat links to the rest of the lake allowing you to sightsee easily. That said, Sirmione to the south is probably the most popular town on Lake Garda thanks to its picturesque town centre. This is also where you will discover the Scalinger Castle. We also love nearby Peschiera del Garda too. Or, you could opt instead for some of our favourite towns and villages further north to use as your base. These include Cassone di Malcesine, Limone sul Garda and Riva del Garda. Incidentally, the latter is one of the best places to enjoy windsurfing  on the lake if you are a water sports fanatic. And actually, if you prefer the mountains and outdoor activities, then you may well be better off in the northern part of the lake instead.

That said, there are opportunities to enjoy plenty of outdoor sports all around Lake Garda. Garda by Bike, for example, is a project very much still in progress but ultimately will ensure that there will be a 140 km cycle path around the lake by the end of 2026. And, with Gardaland, one of Europe’s biggest theme parks, situated here, there is plenty to lure families to the area too.

Our guide to the top 50 things to do on Lake Garda should keep you busy during your stay!

Best time to visit the Italian Lakes

The Italian Lakes are certainly busiest in the peak Summer months of July and August when people head to the lakeside beaches and lidos. But they’re popular from early Spring through to late Autumn. Visit at these times to see the Italian Lakes at their most colourful. The lakes can be a surprisingly good place to visit during the Winter too, particularly if you enjoy winter sports. After all, there are plenty of opportunities to ski in the mountains around the lake.