Tourists have been coming to Laghi (Latin for lakes) since the time of the Roman Empire. They’re still there. This is for a good reason. There are 10 most beautiful lakes in Italy. Many of these lakes are in mountainous areas in northern Italy. They look like they belong on a postcard. Without a doubt, they’re beautiful and enchanting tourists, so please come back.
10 most beautiful lakes in Italy
1. Lake Lugano
It’s twice as pretty because Lake Lugano is in the middle of Italy and Switzerland. With the Alps right next to the lake, it’s no surprise that tourists love it. In several places, the glacier lake is stretched out with arms that make it look even more beautiful. No matter which way you look at it, Lake Lugano is very beautiful. You can take a boat ride on the lake or a lift up a mountain to see more of the area. People like to fish in Lake Lugano, or they can go to Monte San Giorgio and look for fossils.
2. Lake Bracciano
A lot of people who like water sports go to Lake Bracciano. You can scuba dive, fish, boat, windsurf, lay out in the sun, or swim there. You can bring sailboats, but they can only hold four people at a time. There is a park all around Lake Bracciano where you can do many outdoor sports. The lake is a great place to spend the day from Rome because it is so close to the main city. Volcanic activity made the lake, and the water in it is used to store drinking water for Rome. If you get tired of being outside, check out the cute town of Bracciano, which has an old castle.
3. Lake Bolsena
Sitting on the hills above Lake Bolsena, it seems like you can see for miles. Maybe not, but this lake in the middle of Italy is beautiful to look at. There are several islands in this big lake. Bisentia is the biggest and has Etruscan ruins and pretty buildings. Black volcanic sand can be found on the beaches because the lake is in a volcanic crater. You can fish, swim, or watch birds, like egrets and gray herons, at Lake Bolsena. A good place to stop on the way between Rome and Tuscany is the lake.
4. Lake Ledro
There are bigger lakes in Italy than Lake Ledro, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. This mountain lake in Trentino is surrounded by woods and has clear water, making it one of the cleanest in Trentino. In the summer, the water is warm enough to swim and ride boats. It might be hard for mountain bikes to ride around the edges of the lake. People mostly know the lake for the Bronze Age homes that were found when the water level was dropped to make room for a hydroelectric dam.
5. Lake Trasimeno
Lake Trasimeno in central Italy is a lot like the Great Salt Lake in Utah in some ways. They both let water in but not out. This lake in Umbria is only about 5 meters (16 feet) deep and is very muddy. Hannibal beat the Roman army here in 217 BC, and the lake’s many defenses show that it was in a good spot and had a rough history. In September, there is a fish festival where people come to watch fish being cooked in a big pan that can fit two tons of fish per hour. Around Lake Trasimeno are farms with wineries and olive groves, which give it a beautiful, peaceful feel.
6. Lake Maggiore
Like Lake Maggiore, this lake is claimed by both Italy and Switzerland because it is on their border. Maggiore, which means “great lake” in Italian, is Italy’s second-biggest lake. It is on the southern side of the Alps. It has a Mediterranean temperature, which lets you grow plants from other places. The lake looks especially nice when the hills are full of flowers. Going up in the Mottarone cable car is a good way to see this 64-km (40-mile) long lake and its islands. On the lake, you can also go on a boat or ride a bike around it.
7. Lake Como
Lake Como is the place to go if you love seeing famous people. Since the Romans built the first houses on Lake Como, it has been a popular place for tourists to visit. A lot of famous people have vacation homes near the lake. You might see George Clooney with his kids there. This lake is one of the deepest in Europe, at 400 meters (1,300 feet). If that sounds more interesting to you, learn more about it here. People come here to see the scenery, check out Villa Carlotta, or try some gelato in the town of Como. There are ferries that connect the towns along the lake.
8. Lake Garda
The largest lake in Italy is Lake Garda, which is in northern Italy. It was formed by glaciers. People love to take vacations at this beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. There are several islands in the lake. In 1220, St. Francis of Assisi built a convent on Isola del Garda. The lake itself looks like a fjord, and the boat makes going from one town on the lake to another fun. Along its edges are orange and lemon trees, as well as olive fields that make the scenery nicer. People who like to bike, boat, windsurf, or just wander around the cute island towns like to visit the lake.
9. Lake Iseo
Many people like to visit ancient towns in northern Italy. A trip to Lake Iseo can be a nice break. Lake Iseo is thought to be one of Italy’s secret gems because it is surrounded by forests and vineyards. Lake Como is much busier with tourists, so this one is much quieter. However, it’s just as beautiful as its bigger sisters, Lakes Como and Garda. You can take a boat to the beautiful Monte Isola, which is the largest inhabited island in a lake in southern Europe. There are no cars allowed on the island, but you can ride a mule to the church.
10. Lake Orta
Journalists from the time of Balzac and Browning to more recent ones have said that Lake Orta is magical and a hidden gem among the lakes in northern Italy. The scenery really is beautiful, and the Isla San Guilio stands out like a bright star. The area is named after San Guilio, who is its patron saint. The cobblestone streets of the island are great for taking a slow and romantic walk. Make sure you see the church from the 1100s or the colorful market. For peace and quiet, Lake Orta is the place to go. It’s a sea of calm surrounded by woods and mountains, and it’s only an hour’s drive from busy Milan.
