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It can be difficult to decide which are the prettiest lakes in Italy because they’re all a great option to spend a weekend away from city life. Despite being known mostly for pizza and ancient ruins, Italy has a ton of pretty lakes at its disposal and are a great option for a scenic holiday.
You’ve probably heard of some of the more famous Italian lakes such as Lake Como, commonly referred to as a playground for the rich. Apparently even George Clooney has a holiday home here.
However there are a large amount of other stunning lakes to discover, many of which are situated in Northern Italy. You should base your Italian lake choice on what you actually want from a holiday.
Peace and quiet?
Famous views?
Suitable for hiking?
Hopefully this article will help you find the perfect Italian lake for you!
Quick Info for Italy
Currency: Euro
Language: Italian
Daily budget: 100 euros a day. You may spend a bit less, or a lot more, depending on the accommodation you book and the food you eat.
How to get around: For tourists both buses and trains are a convenient way to get around, with buses sometimes being a little more expensive. If you’re catching the train, make sure you validate your ticket otherwise you may get a fine.
Electronics: Italy uses 2 or 3 pronged plugs so if you need to buy a plug adapter you’re best to get a two pronged adapter. This way you can use all it in all sockets. Voltage wise, Italy runs on 110V. You will need to check the guidelines for your products as if they’re suitable for 220V only, you’ll need a voltage converter to avoid trouble.
Is Italy Safe?: Italy is a pretty safe country for tourists. It has the normal hassles of a tourist destination such as pick pockets, but most travelers will enjoy their holiday without any hassle. Just keep an eye on your belongings, and stay alert if someone near you is acting weird.
Lake Misurina
Situated near Auronzo di Cadore in the province of Belluno, Lake Misurina is the largest natural lake of the Cadore. Boasting a picture postcard setting, the small lake is surrounded by pine forests with a dramatic backdrop of the Dolomites. The picturesque lake is the ideal destination for a relaxing day out spent enjoying activities such as boating and hiking.
How to get there:
- Car: Aside from taking the bus, the easiest and fastest way to get to Lake Misurina is by renting a car. The drive is approximately 24km.
- Day Tour: There are a ton of day tours that visit Misurina if you’re short on time.
Lake Como
Lake Como is located in the industrial region of Lombardy and is generally a favorite holiday destination from Milan. There’s plenty to do along the shores of the lake, with its abundance of fantastic scenery, cultural events and activities. Visitors can also enjoy the small islands scattered across the lake that serve as pretty oases for the local wildlife.
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Lake Como is by catching a train from Milan heading to either Sondrio or Tirano.
Lake Lugano
Located between Italy and Switzerland, Lake Lugano is a stunning glacial lake that is elongated with arms at several points. With the Alps running down its shores, the lake is very scenic from any vantage point you view it from. Visitors can take a boat ride across the lake, enjoy some fishing or search for fossils on Monte San Giorgio.
How to get there: To get to Lake Lugano, you can take a bus or train from Milan to the main station in Lugano.
Lake Iseo
Lake Iseo is the little sister to Lake Garda, both of which are situated within the Italian province of Brescia. Iseo delights with its quaint beauty and Monte Isola, its island mountain and the largest of its kind in Europe. Visitors can enjoy wonderful cycling routes around the lake, along with daily ferries that transfer you across the calm waters.
How to get there: To reach Lake Iseo, fly to Brescia or Bergamo, take the bus into town then continue via bus or train.
Antorno Lake
Lake Antorno is a small lake situated in Cadore about 2km north of its more famous sister, Lake Misurina. The lake boasts a majestic landscape with the famous Dolomite mountain peak of Tre Cime di Lavaredo as a backdrop. Visitors to this alpine glacial lake can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and activities such as hiking and fishing.
How to get there: You can access Lake Antorno by first flying into Cortina d’Ampezzo town and then taking the bus to Misurina Genzianella.
Lake Orta
Located in the Piedmont region, Lake Orta is surrounded by verdant mountains that offer stunning panoramas of the surrounding area. Picturesque and quaint, the lake features the island of San Giulio which is almost entirely occupied by an abbey. Named after the patron saint, San Giulio is the main attraction here which combines nature and culture in amazing ways.
How to get there: You can hire a car in Milan and drive to Lake Orta on a journey which takes roughly one hour.
Lake Carezza
Set amid the towering mountain ranges of South Tyrol, Lake Carezza is easily one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes. The stunning lake boasts an amazing turquoise-blue color that stems from the abundance of rare algae within its waters. Visitors can also follow one of the hiking trails from the shore to explore the beautiful forests around the lake.
How to get there: From Bolzano, hire a car and then drive to Lake Carezza on a journey of about 35 minutes.
Lake Dobbiaco
Fed and emptied by the Rienza River, Lake Dobbiaco is located between the Sesto and the Fanes-Sennes-Braies nature park. A part of the Val Pusteria municipality, the lake is today one of the few wetland areas of the Alps. In spring, visitors can observe rare bird species, while summer is good for boating or going on the nature trails.
How to get there: Visitors can get to Lake Dobbiaco on a bus ride from the Dobbiaco railway station which takes about five minutes.
Lake Molveno
Lake Molveno is situated within the majestic setting of the Brenta mountain range and the Monte Gazza and Paganella massif. Lake Molveno is regarded as one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes for the quality of its waters, beaches and services. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing and swimming during summer, while winter is good for skiing and snowboarding in the surroundings.
How to get there: To reach Lake Molveno from the region, you can simply take a bus from the towns of Trento or Mezzocorona.
Lake Tenno
A jewel in the Trentino landscape, Lake Tenno is surrounded by dense forest with waters of an alluring azure-turquoise shade. Tenno boasts a nearly perfect round form and is embedded in a stunning landscape at the foot of Monte Misone. An oasis of calm, the lake is perfect for travelers seeking relaxation by swimming, taking walks or visiting the waterfall.
How to get there: Hire a car to reach Lake Tenno which is located just a quick half hour’s drive from Riva del Garda.
Lake Sorapiss
Surrounded by the Italian Dolomites, Lake Sorapiss is a beautiful mountain lake that can only be accessed via hiking. Its milky blue color and dramatic backdrop of rugged cliffs make Lake Sorapiss one of the region’s most impressive sights. If you’re visiting Lake Sorapiss during the warmer months of summer, you can enjoy some great hikes in the Dolomites.
How to get there: By far the simplest way to travel to Lake Sorapiss is by renting a car and driving from Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Fusine Lakes
Located in the province of Udine, the Fusine Lakes’ basin is one of the region’s most beautiful destinations. Nestled at the feet of Mount Mangart, the basin features two glacial lakes connected to each other by easy paths. The Fusine Lakes are a great starting point for hiking in the surroundings and taking in the amazing natural scenery.
How to get there: Hire a car from the city of Udine then drive to Fusine Lakes on a journey of about one hour.
Braies Lake
A pearl among the lakes of the Dolomites, Braies is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in Europe. Lake Braies is a breathtaking place with calm waters that offer up magical reflections of the Croda del Becco Mountain. Visitors can go trekking around the lake on a two hour hike and enjoy a variety of picturesque vistas.
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Lake Braies is by renting a car and driving from Venice on a 3-hour journey.
Lake Garda
Located to the north of Italy around Lombardy and Veneto, Lake Garda is one of the country’s most beloved destinations. On the beach and in cities scattered along its coast students celebrate, families go camping and hikers explore the hills. The area surrounding the lake impresses with its array of luxury hotels, splendid apartments, first-rate restaurants and stunning natural scenery.
How to get there: Reach Lake Garda from Milan or Verona by taking the train to Rovereto then a bus to Riva del Garda.
Lake Maggiore
Nestled beautifully at the foot of the Italian Alps, Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in the country. The lake has picturesque islands and splendid villas, along with several castles that add a breathtaking dash of architectural splendor. Visitors can also explore the surrounding areas which feature fascinating museums and natural reserves that make a holiday here worthwhile.
How to get there: To get to Lake Maggiore, you can take the train to Laveno which takes about one and a half hours.
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