Lombardy, land of lakes: from the famous Lake Como to the lesser-known but equally charming Lake Idro, this region offers lake beauties in its territory like few others can. The lakes to visit in Lombardy are many, each with its unmissable towns and characteristic villages. Especially in spring, Lombard lakes are a perfect destination for day trips and weekends of pure relaxation: the trees are full of buds, ready to sprout and paint the land with a multitude of flowers. In short, it's time to think about walks around the mountains and lakes, picnics in the sun and outdoor lunches.
Here are our tips for the most beautiful lakes in Lombardy to visit, for all lovers of history and nature.!
The Most Beautiful Lakes in Lombardy
The region with the most lakes in Italy offers truly rare beautiful bodies of water. Not just places to take a boat ride or go mountain biking along the trails,but also destinations to relax and admire the territory with its curiosities, ancient villages.
Here are some of the most beautiful places to discover on the Lombard lakes:
Lake Como
Let's start with Lake Como,the star of all Lombardy lakes, and perhaps the most visited. The lake is a spectacle all year round, both in winter when the surrounding mountains are covered in snow, and in summer when the sun shines brightly and the deep blue waters invite you to take a dip.
But perhaps it is in spring that the lake shows its best side. It is not yet full of tourists, the trees in the gardens of luxury villas are in bloom, and you can appreciate the “Mediterranean” atmosphere of the area, with palms, olive trees, and citrus.
If you look at Lake Como on a map, you will immediately see it has the shape of an inverted Y. At the ends of the two southern branches are Como and Lecco,the two main towns of the lake. Como is a great place for a day trip from Milan,and perhaps the easiest and best place to enjoy the atmosphere of the Lombard lakes even if you don't have a car or prefer to travel by train.
On a sunny day, Como is perfect for an afternoon walk: you can first stroll through the historic center, then take a walk along the lakeside heading north.
There are many attractions worth stopping for in Como, including the Cathedral and the Tempietto Voltiano, a scientific museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electric battery. What makes Como special is the atmosphere: motorboats and boats cross the turquoise expanse of the lake while swans float lazily, the sun shines, and you feel as if you've jumped into a postcard.
If you walk along the Como lakeside, you will notice a funicular heading up the mountain on the right. Take it and you will arrive at Brunate, a small village offering a breathtaking view of the lake (and not many tourists in sight). But if you really want a unique and private view of the lake, walk another two kilometers to the Faro Voltiano. on the right. Take it and you will arrive at Brunate, a small village that offers a breathtaking view of the lake (and not many tourists in sight). But if you really want a unique and private view of the lake, walk another two kilometers to the Faro Voltiano.
Another place to visit on Lake Como is the magical villa that appears in the Star Wars films, where Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala get married. Yes, because this is actually Villa del Balbianello, a historic villa located near Lenno, about half an hour's drive north of Como.
And for all climbers, mountaineers, and trekking enthusiasts, there is Lecco, a great place for a Sunday walk, just like Como, but also one of the best climbing spots in Northern Italy..
There are several cliffs near Lecco,but Galbiate and the Placche di San Martino are perhaps the best known. So whether you are an experienced climber or want to learn your moves on the rocks, Lecco is the place for you.
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is the westernmost of the Lombard lakes, straddling the border between Lombardy and Piedmont.Most of the famous places are on the Piedmont side, including the dreamy Borromean Islands and Mottarone.
Yet, the Lombard side also has some notable attractions. Varese, which is actually not on Lake Maggiore, is the closest main city and is currently experiencing a sort of ‘renaissance’ thanks to an active street art scene. From Varese, you can easily head to the two attractions we recommend on the Lombard side of Lake Maggiore:the Rocca di Angera and the Hermitage of Santa Caterina.
The Rocca di Angera is a 13th-century castle overlooking Lake Maggiore and the town of the same name. It is also known as Castello Borromeo, named after the wealthy Milanese family that still owns it.
The castle is a beautiful sight on a spring day and is a great place to learn about medieval architecture and the military history of the area. It also houses the Medieval Gardens and a doll museum.
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina, on the other hand, is a functioning Benedictine monastery dating back to the 12th century. It has been restored and expanded over the centuries and has some interesting frescoes inside. But the view is what we really recommend going for: so beautiful it alone makes the trip worthwhile.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest and most varied lake in Italy. It offers history, nature, outdoor activities, beaches, and even its own amusement parks, like Gardaland (just to name the most famous). The shores of Lake Garda are divided among three regions, but on the Lombard side you will find some delightful and unmissable towns.
One of these is Sirmione, on the southern shore of the lake, right on the tip of a peninsula near the border with Veneto.A favorite holiday spot since ancient Rome,Sirmione was also home to the villa of the Latin poet Catullus. Later, the Mediterranean charm of Sirmione enchanted many other poets, like Tennyson and Joyce, and many holidaymakers who visit every year.
Yet, in spring the place is still wonderfully quiet. Visit the pretty Scaliger Castle on the lake shore, go to the thermal baths, or walk to one of Sirmione’s beaches for a picnic to remember, especially if you are lucky enough to be alone.
Tremosine is a small town near Brescia,in the northern part of the Lombard coast. If you like adventure, in Tremosine you will be spoilt for choice: paragliding,horse riding, canyoning, and kitesurfing are some of the adventures on offer, and it is the starting point for mountain walks visiting the trenches and battlefields of the First World War.
Then there is the unmissable Vittoriale degli Italiani: the lake house of the poet Gabriele d’Annunzio, eccentric and unique in the world. You will even find a plane hanging from a dome, a warship in the gardens, and a reproduction of a classical theater.
Lake Iseo
Lake Iseo is the smallest of the big Lombard lakes, but it has the largest island, Montisola, which measures 12.4 square kilometers.
Lake Iseo is a great option to immerse yourself in traditional local life and if you like trekking it is an excellent destination. The trails are not overcrowded and you can enjoy spectacular views of the lake when you reach the top. The villages of Presso and Marone are close to the starting points of some spectacular hikes.
Among the islands of Loreto, Monte Isola is another excellent choice for a day trip. There is a 9 km trail that goes around it, passing through the fishing village of Peschiera Marengo, and other hamlets where time seems to have stopped.
Lake Varese
Almost entirely flat, here you will find a bike path suitable for everyone that runs right around Lake Varese..
With its very varied landscape, the route alternates views of meadows and woods, water and mountains. The Campo dei Fiori massif descends towards the lake shores and the Alps are visible in the distance. And Monte Rosa stands out clearly on clear days!
Chestnut and beech woods, rock plants, and wildlife-rich marshes. The Campo dei Fiori park is a paradise for nature lovers, crossed by trails, some of which are themed. The Jubilee trail, for example, retraces the ancient routes traveled by pilgrims from Northern Europe to Rome, while the Verde Varesina is a multi-day walking trail that winds between lakes and the Varese Prealps. journey from Northern Europe to Rome, while the Verde Varesina is a trail to be walked over several days that winds through the lakes and the Varese Prealps.
Another walk takes visitors up to Mount Sacred Mount, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Those who love visiting churches and palaces will appreciate the Liberty villas, Abbey of Ganna and Rocca di Orino in the park.
Here you will find romantic and bucolic paths with fountains, gardens, and orchards. The park of the eclectic early 20th-century Villa Toeplitz in Varese extends over eight hectares and offers a constant series of different experiences. A large number of trails and paths wind through the park, allowing visitors to admire a variety of plants ranging from local to exotic species.
A few kilometers from the western shore of Lake Varese, Isolino Virginia is a wonderfully preserved example of one of the most important Neolithic pile-dwelling sites, dating back to 3500 BC.
Lake Idro
The small San Giorgio lake today, from the 17th century, is located in the center of the village. Its vault was frescoed by Tommaso Sandrini. He created an optical illusion that seems to double the height of the nave.
On the shores of the lake, where the Chiese river flows away downstream, is the church of Santa Maria ad Undas. It has a Romanesque apse, later absorbed into the 14th-century architecture that still remains today.