The 5 Largest Lakes in Italy | USA Today The 5 Largest Lakes in Italy The Borromeo Islands are among Lake Maggiore's major attractions. (Photo: Andy Sotiriou/Photodisc/Getty Images ) What Are Some Unique Landforms in Italy? Italy counts more than 1,500 lakes, but most of the largest are in the north, where the Alps form a mountainous boundary with countries farther north. Three of the lakes -- Garda, Maggiore and Como -- rank as Italy’s largest, while the fourth- and fifth-ranked lakes -- Trasimeno and Bolsena -- lie farther south. Garda Lake Garda -- Lago di Garda in Italian -- has an area of 143 square miles, making it the country’s largest lake and also the third-largest in the Alps, surpassed only by Lake Constance and Lake Geneva. Its borders touch on the Italian regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. Despite its mountain location, Garda is well-sheltered by the high peaks and enjoys a Mediterranean climate, allowing citrus and olive trees to flourish at its southern end.

The northern end was Austrian territory until 1919 and maintains a strong German-speaking character today through the thousands of Austrian and German tourists who vacation in the area. Maggiore With an area of 82 square miles, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second-largest lake. The lake’s 34 mile length forms part of the boundary between the regions of Lombardy and Piedmont, while the international border between Italy and Switzerland also crosses the water; the northern end is in the Swiss canton of Ticino. One of the lake’s most popular attractions is the picturesque town of Stresa and the three Borromeo Islands just offshore, which you can visit by boat. The narrow lakeside roads are very busy in the peak summer season, but the lake is just as beautiful in spring and autumn, when the roads are quieter. Como Lake Como is the third-largest Italian lake, with an area of 56 square miles. It’s easily reachable from Milan, 25 miles to the south, and as a result is popular with locals looking to escape from the crowded city.

Como is also popular with celebrities -- film star George Clooney and businessman Richard Branson have homes there, and part of the James Bond film “Casino Royale” was filmed at a lakeside villa. Trasimeno While Garda, Maggiore and Como in the Italian north are the country’s largest lakes, Trasimeno is the largest on the Italian peninsula south of the Po river. Just 10 miles west of the city of Perugia, it has an area of 49 square miles, but its maximum depth of just 20 feet illustrates how different it is in comparison with its much deeper northern neighbors. Many Italians are aware of Trasimeno from school history lessons, because it is the site of a bloody defeat for the Romans in 217 B.C. when an army led by Hannibal killed around 15,000 Roman soldiers. Today it's a national park with lots of hiking trails for walkers. Bolsena Bolsena has an area of 44 square miles and owes its existence to a hollow formed in the crater of an extinct volcano.

It is the furthest south of the five largest lakes and spreads out to the southwest of the city of Orvieto in the province of Lazio. The lake gives its name to a small lakeshore town. The fertile lake makes fishing one of the main local industries, but you’re also likely to see vineyards and olive groves around the lake if you visit. References Best Italian Lakes to Visit on Your Vacation Lake Como Lake Como is Italy's most popular lake and a top romantic destination. With fairly temperate weather, Lake Como can be visited any time of year. The lake is surrounded by beautiful villas and resort villages as well as hiking paths and it's popular for boat trips, water activities, and photography. Lake Como is in the northern Italian Lakes District between Milan and Switzerland. continue reading below our video Before Your Road Trip, Watch This © 2009 by Martha Bakerjian Lake Garda Lake Garda is Italy's largest and most visited lake and is popular with families. Picturesque villages, medieval castles, and lakeside promenades dot the shoreline. The lake has a diverse landscape with beaches along the southern shores and rocky cliffs above the northern shoreline.

Its clear water makes it a good place for swimming, sailing, and wind-surfing. Near the lake you can visit Gardaland and other amusement and recreational parks making it a good place to take kids. Lake Garda is in northeastern Italy between Venice and Milan. Lake Trasimeno Lake Trasimeno is in central Italy in the Umbria region near Tuscany, just about at the center point of mainland Italy. Trasimeno is Italy's largest non-Alpine lake and is fairly shallow. The lake was the site of a famous battle between Hannibal and Rome. There are several interesting, historical towns around the lake and the large island, Isola Maggiore, famous for its lace-making is a good place to visit. One of the prettiest towns is Castiglione del Lago with a medieval center and castle by the lake. There are beaches around the lake. Lake Orta The small lake of Orta is west of Lake Maggiore in the northern Italian lakes district. In the past Lake Orta was a popular retreat for poets and artists.

From the charming village of Orta San Giulio you can visit the one island in the lake or climb Sacro Monte, or the sacred mountain, where there's a sanctuary built in 1591 and small chapels dedicated to Saint Francis. Names of Waterways in Italy | Getaway Tips - azcentral.com Names of Waterways in Italy by Tammie Painter Share on Facebook Whether you prefer boating on lakes, lounging by the sea or punting through canals, Italy is a country that satisfies anyone who loves the water. In addition to drawing tourists, Italy's diverse waterways played strong roles in the country's rich history -- and some show off the engineering skills of ancient Italians. Learning the major waterways of Italy not only helps you to orient yourself, but it also helps you to understand the country and its influences. The Surrounding Seas Much of Italy extends from Southern Europe and is surrounded by seas. On the western side of the country, the Ligurian Sea flows between the northern mainland and the French island of Corsica. From Corsica to the island of Sicily is the Tyrrhenian Sea. If taking a cruise that arrives or departs from Cittavecchia, you'll sail through this sea.

Going further west and south, you'll reach the Mediterranean Sea. Between the toe and heel of the boot on Italy's southern coast is the Ionian Sea. On Italy's eastern side lies the Adriatic Sea that separates Italy from Croatia. The Major Rivers Many of Italy's most famous cities grew up along the banks of the country's major rivers. The Tiber River flows 252 miles from the Apennines, through Rome and to the Tyrrhenian Sea. In Florence, you'll find the Arno River that runs 150 miles to the Ligurian Sea. Crossing the Arno is the famous Ponte Vecchio, a bridge lined with jewelry shops. At just over 400 miles long, the Po is the longest river in Italy. The Po valley in northern Italy is one of the most fertile areas of the country. Italian Lakes In northern Italy at the borders of Austria and Switzerland, tourists flock to Italy's lake district. Three of the most popular lakes -- Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano -- are located near Milan. Near to Verona is Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, which is edged with olive and lemon groves as well as castles and lakeside resorts.

The largest lakes in Italy are serviced by passenger ferries to make it easy to get from one lake town to another. The Canals When someone mentions Venice, canals are often the first thought that comes to mind. The first canals in Venice were built in the fifth century. Today, over 150 of these Venetian waterways now crisscross the entire city. To move about Venice, you can make use of the 400 or so bridges or hire a vaporetto to cruise through town. Milan also has a series of canals that form a rough ring around the city. In the 12th century, the canals were formed by linking irrigation ditches and moats to improve trade and the flow of goods. Tour boats now cruise the canals from April to September. References Lake Garda, Italy: the glories of Italy's largest lake - Telegraph Telegraph Articles Lake Garda, Italy: the glories of Italy's largest lake 'Why don't we hear more about Garda?

Italy's largest lake, blessed with a benign climate and diversity of landscape' Lee Langley 9 March 2012 • 12:00am In 1921 Ezra Pound wrote to James Joyce from a pink-walled hotel that still today overlooks Sirmione's harbour on Lake Garda: "Dear Joyce, I'd like you to spend a week here with me. The location is well worth the journey – both Catullus and I can guarantee it!" It is still worth the journey. It was another poet – Tennyson – who drew me to Garda. Or, rather, Tennyson and Catullus together, touching hands across time. The English poet's moving description of a visit to the ruins of the lakeside home of the "tenderest of Roman poets" fired my imagination. The shores of Garda are studded with pretty harbour towns, but it was Sirmione I wanted to see, perched on a narrow strip of land two miles long, reaching into the lake from the southern shore.

Sirmione, with its cobbled streets, its 13th-century castle and, above all, the ruined Roman villa lying at the tip of the promontory: the Grotte di Catullo – not a grotto, but that's what the early Venetian explorers called it when they came upon what they thought were natural caves in the thick undergrowth, not realising they had stumbled on a vast treasure, the most important Roman site in northern Italy . (Theo Richmond) Shortly before she died in Paris in 1977 Maria Callas told a friend how much she missed Sirmione – over the years she retreated regularly to her villa on the lake to escape from the stress of the limelight. But the town is no longer the haven of peace it was when she knew it. Today, holidaymakers swarm off the ferries, settle at waterfront cafés, line up for multicoloured, gravity-defying cones of local ice cream and jostle their way through the tiny, winding streets. As well as the usual trinket shops, Sirmione has thermal baths and a health centre with hot springs and treatments.

It is best visited in spring or late summer; in high season the town centre is engulfed by tourists. Whenever you go, a few hundred yards from the harbour the crowds dwindle and calm descends. From here you can walk or take the trenino, a little toytown "train" up the gently sloping road, past glimpses of a grand hotel secluded in shady grounds, until you reach the headland and the entrance to what has become accepted, despite some academic doubts, as the Catullus family villa. And here Tennyson's dream comes to life: the Roman poet's olive-silvery "all-but-island", with purple flowers cascading from the crumbling walls. Around lie the ruins, reclaimed from the rubble of the centuries. What might have been an atrium is now a grassy, undulating olive grove, surrounded by pillars, arcaded colonnades, stables, baths and rooms; the triple-arched "window of paradise" frames a view of azure water. The honey-coloured stone dazzles in the bright morning, glows rosy at sunset, softening to a pastel grey as the light leaves the sky. It is a place to visit and revisit, wander and explore.

Winding paths are lined with hedges of fragrant rosemary interspersed with bushy bay trees, scented herbs underfoot. Below, at the foot of the cliffs, lies a long, narrow beach, the sand shelving into the waters of this inland sea. Here, Sirmione retains its healing calm. Why don't we hear more about Garda? Italy's largest lake, blessed with a benign climate and diversity of landscape, with Venice to the east and Milan to the west, remains curiously uncelebrated, overshadowed by Como with its famous gardens and villas, though Garda has so much to offer. The north end is edged with jagged mountains at its sword-narrow tip – the Altogarda, which once formed a border between Italy and Austria, and where today hardy types enjoy windsurfing, paragliding, mountain walking and climbing. The northernmost points, Riva and Torbole, charmed Goethe, who called the view "a precious spectacle". Writers have sung Garda's praises over the centuries. Halfway down, at Gargnano, DH Lawrence and Frieda lived for several months – a marble plaque identifies the house.

"The lake lies dim and milky," Lawrence wrote, "the mountains are dark blue... the sky glistens... the light burns gold." As the lake widens, it changes character, with almost Mediterranean settings of open-air cafés, pebble beaches and picturesque harbours, a Janus-faced landscape as fir and pine trees give way to olive and lemon groves. Lawrence wrote of the "exquisite scent of lemon flowers", and described ancient limonaie – huge greenhouses with removable roof planks to protect the trees in winter. Visit in spring and Garda's lemon trees should be in fragrant bloom. This ladle-shaped expanse of water, 50 miles long and 11 across at its widest, is a holiday destination now (it even has Gardaland, a huge theme park, nearby to keep the children occupied), but in earlier centuries it carried more commercial traffic: goods and travellers were transported across the lake and, according to Virgil, "the waters could heave with waves and roar like a sea in tempest". No such storms while I crisscross from town to town on the frequent and punctual ferries.

The blue waters are ringed by slopes of vineyards in the lower basin, the local speciality – Bardolino – a blend of corvina, rondinella, molinara and sangiovese grapes. There are oenophile holidaymakers who drive from vineyard to vineyard, enjoying their tastings, happily ignoring the literary associations and the little sailing boats tacking from shore to horizon. The trick to getting the best out of Garda is to find a congenial base and spend leisurely days exploring the lake, picking out what each little town has to offer. Tennyson's poem began: "Row us out from Desenzano," and he chose his base wisely: the guidebooks have been unfair to Desenzano, the largest of the lakeside towns, just a short boat ride from Sirmione, though it's a ferry now, no boatmen on hand to "row us out". The guides describe it somewhat patronisingly as "a good transport hub". It is much more, with a rich old quarter, lively cafés, surprisingly good restaurants, a 12th-century castle looming above the port, and the ruin of a substantial Roman villa, with fine mosaic floors.

The cathedral has an unconventional Last Supper by Tiepolo, and the tiny, arcaded Venetian harbour, almost landlocked, is one of the most picturesque on the entire lake, lined with tables for eating outdoors. A hundred yards along, the port quayside is busy with ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils. A short walk away are pebbly beaches, umbrellas, recliners. Frequent trains can whizz you to Verona in half an hour. Spoilt for choice, we harbour-hop from Desenzano: one day to Lazise, with its castle rising from the water's edge, restaurants tucked close beneath the crenellated walls and red Venetian houses; then to Salò, with its arcaded waterfront and curving, tree-lined promenade. It was in Salò that Mussolini briefly set up the unofficial headquarters of his doomed "Italian Socialist Republic".

At Gardone Riviera, poised high above the lake, with sweeping views of parkland and shoreline, Gabriele d'Annunzio, Italy's flamboyant soldier-poet, egomaniac and lover of women, built his own dream republic, a vast, dazzlingly eccentric estate called the Vittoriale, which spreads across an entire hillside. Just one example of d'Annunzio bravura: a complete boat, cut up, brought in by train and reassembled, lies stranded like a beached whale high on the hill among the trees. The rambling house with private museum is a must-see oddity, filled with d'Annunzio's bizarre collections – 10,000 objects, many connected with the women in his life. Crammed into the rooms are paintings, statues, stained glass, antiques, books, musical instruments, gleaming vintage cars. The propeller of his seaplane hangs from a ceiling. One room is an Arabian tent with gold and black damask walls; nearby a flamboyant Art Deco dining room has a gilded turtle on the table.

Each little town brings discoveries: a church rich with Renaissance frescoes, ancient walls, a botanical garden, a flower-lined promenade, a ski lift soaring high into the mountains and, of course, the local red wine – and where better to taste it than Bardolino, elegant and potently pretty, relaxed but classy; a 19th-century feel to the esplanade with its Edwardian villas and decorative wrought-iron gates. Umbrella-shaded tables cluster at the water's edge; cool, dark wineries line the main street. One, a cavernous cantina with a minstrel gallery stacked with barrels, is part of the Loggia Rambaldi overlooking the marina. Tables outside are ranged round the elegant, four-square 16th-century building, now a ristorante. Step inside and you find a dining room, exquisitely proportioned, the vaulted ceiling supported by a forest of slender columns. Lunch deserves to be lingered over, particularly the seafood. Unlike the kitchens of Venice, where restaurants are often geared to undemanding tourist trade, Garda's are the real thing.

This lower end of the lake, with its Mediterranean flavour, lulls the visitor into a sense of leisure. The unhurried pace of life, the agreeable nature of the small journeys, stepping on and off the ferries, bobbing up and down on the blue water – it's all part of the easy, Italian dolce far niente, the sweet idleness of life where ferry timetables are all you need to worry about, and the world of conflicts large and small can be, for a while, forgotten. Lake Garda essentials Verona, Milan and Brescia are the nearest airports for the southern part of Lake Garda – try ba.com , easyjet.com and ryanair.com . There are train or bus connections to the lake (eg, trains from Verona to Desenzano every half-hour, journey approx 40 min). Ferries and hydrofoils call at the lakeside towns throughout the day; information/ticket kiosks can be found at the jetties. The faster boats cost more. Pick up a timetable and plan itineraries with ferry schedules in mind. Some passes cover several journeys.

Local buses also link the towns, cheaper but not always following scenic routes, and in high season traffic can be heavy. In Desenzano, the three-star Hotel Piroscafo ( hotelpiroscafo.it ) is right by the lake, with tables outside on the old Venetian harbour; double rooms from €80 (£67). In Sirmione, the refurbished four-star Hotel Eden ( hoteledensirmione.it ) has lake views and a private jetty for sunbathing; double rooms from about €100 (£84). Some of Garda's lemon gardens can be visited. The limonaia at Porto di Tignale is due to reopen at Easter (0039 0365 7144). At Torri del Benaco, the castello houses a 300-year-old limonaia. In June, Bardolino holds a wine festival and Malcesine a fish festival. Check for further details with local tourist offices. The Best Lakes in Italy - Photos - Condé Nast Traveler The Best Lakes in Italy Email to a Friend Italy’s rolling countryside and coastal towns , plates of pasta, and ancient sites are well documented (and well visited).

But its more than 1,500 lakes? Not so much. From the country’s largest lake to its most star-studded, consider this your guide. Subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler The Best Lakes in Italy Italy’s rolling countryside and coastal towns , plates of pasta, and ancient sites are well documented (and well visited). But its more than 1,500 lakes? Not so much. From the country’s largest lake to its most star-studded, consider this your guide. Lake Garda Halfway between Brescia and Verona, Venice and Milan , Garda—at 143 square miles—is Italy’s largest lake, and reputedly sees seven percent of all visitors to the country. What not to miss: Ride a cable car to the top of Mount Baldo for a view at the lake's expanse; seek spa treatments in Sirmione and Bardolino; order a plate of carne salada, or salted beef, in Riva del Garda; and take a tour to the island Isola del Garda, where, around 1220, St. Francis of Assisi founded a monastery.

Lake Como Counting George Clooney among its acolytes (the Hollywood star owned a villa here), Lake Como is as equally known for its dramatic scenery as it is for its luxury resorts. To escape the crowds, ascend the mountain via funicular to Brunate, 1,600 feet above the lake, and continue the trek on foot to Faro Voltiano, a remote lighthouse from which you can see Switzerland. Down the mountain in Como, sit for an hour (or two) over cappuccino at Cremeria Bolla, which opened in 1893, and then walk it off with a stroll along the lake's picturesque waterfront. Lake Bracciano Twenty miles northwest of Rome , Lake Bracciano owes its origins to volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Today, it is one of the cleanest lakes in Italy due to strict monitoring from officials and its status as a drinking water reservoir for Rome. Tour one (or both) of the lake's main attractions: Castello Orsini-Odescalchi, considered one of the best-preserved castles in Italy, and the Italian Air Force Museum, which has an excellent collection of Italian aircraft and details national contributions to the industry.

Lake Maggiore Flanked by the Pennine, Lepontine, and Lugano Alps, Maggiore—Italy's longest lake and its second largest—is known for its exotic gardens on Borromean and Brissago Islands, Santa Caterina del Sasso (one of the country's most spectacular monasteries), and the baroque Palazzo Borromeo, where Napoleon stayed with his wife in 1797. The Sacred Mountain of Ghiffa, one of the nine Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy UNESCO World Heritage Sites , draws a fair amount of pilgrims, and literature aficionados will remember the lake from its scene in Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell To Arms. Lake Trasimeno A change in scenery from the lakes in northern Italy, Trasimeno sits in Umbria, on the Tuscan border. It is a veritable paradise for both nature enthusiasts and gourmands alike: woods, vineyards, and olive groves surround the shallow lake, which is rich in fish, and the uninhabited island of Polvese serves as a public park. Of architectural note?

Castiglione del Lago, which sits on the southwest corner of the lake and primarily comprises The Fortress of the Lion, a 13th-century castle built on a limestone promontory. Tip: Craftsmanship is also strong in the area, and traditional Irish lace—introduced in the 1900s—makes for a memorable souvenir. Lake Idro Lake Idro is a seven-mile glacial lake in the provinces of Brescia and Trento. No engines over 10 horsepower are allowed, which makes the lake a favorite for sailors, swimmers, surfers, and fishermen bent on hooking trout. Mountains and countryside with hiking trails surround the lake, with three main villages (Bagolino, Bondone, and the Village of Idro) serving as its main points of development. Take a boat out on the lake, or head up to Rocca d'Anfo, a fortified military complex built by the Venetian Republic in the 15th century. Lake Bolsena Camping, agrotourism, and bed-and-breakfasts abound on the shores of Lake Bolsena, Europe's largest volcanic basin.

Here, there is everything from black sand beaches to bird watching (look for egrets, grey herons, swans, and more), but the nearby Church of Santa Cristina may be one of the lake's most celebrated sites: In 1263, a priest reportedly the subject of a miracle here, and his blood-stained relics remain in the Cathedral of Orvieto's golden shrine. Clear ITALIA - Spotlight On ... The Lakes of Italy Lake of Como The Lakes of Northern Italy The lakes of the North, at the foot of the majestically mountain chain of the Alps, are mainly of glacial origin. Among these are Lake Garda (the largest lake in Italy), Lake Como (the deepest), Lake Maggiore, Lake Iseo and Lake Orta. The environment around these lakes is mostly alpine, and is ideal for winter holidays, thanks to the mitigating action of the waters and the presence of the mountains. The Other Italian Lakes In Umbria, Lake Trasimeno is Italy's fourth-largest lake. In Latium, to the north of Rome, the province of Viterbo contains two charming lakes: Lake Bolsena and Lake Vico.

In the Alban Hills (Colli Albani) there is Lake Albano, South East of Rome and Lake Nemi located east of Rome. Lake Bracciano lies just at North West of Rome In the following pages we will cite the most beautiful and well-equipped lakes of Italy, with an itinerary including the history, art, nature and daily life of an important part of the Italian peninsular Lombardy: The Lakes Region - Lakes - Travel ideas You are in Home / Travel ideas / Lakes / Lombardy: The Lakes Region Lombardy: The Lakes Region Panoramic Shot of Lake Maggiore Lago Maggiore - Santa Caterina Monastery Lake Garda - Villa Cavazza-Borghese Lake Garda - Sirmione - Aerial View Lake Garda - Malcesine Lake Iseo - Rock of Loreto Lake Iseo - Montisola Lombardy , with its grand lakes and numerous small basins, offers a unique mix of charms to lovers of lake tourism. Staying on Lake Garda , Lake Como , Lake Maggiore or Iseo (just to name the largest and most famous), means immersing oneself in all the flourish of a lush nature that also has the power to renew the mind and body.

The gorgeous landscapes of Lombardy’s lakes bring together the fascination of villages lost in time, near-ancient castles and monasteries, superb villas, places rich in history and character, and intriguing museums. Athletics enthusiasts also have at their disposition a choice of “open-air gyms” where they can practice sport in water, air or on land: swimming, canoe, windsurfing, rock-climbing, mountain-biking, trekking, horesback riding, hang-gliding, rafting and golf are just some of the activities on offer. The blessed geographic position of each lake permits a completely relaxing vacation that is, if one so wishes, near to city centers that are highly important in terms of art, history and culture – i.e. Milan , Brescia and Mantua .

Foodies and those passionate for fine cuisine could possibly be overwhelmed by the choice in store for the mas well: restaurants all over the lake district serve all the typical delicacies, including a long list of lake-inhabiting fish (carp, whitefish, trout, pike, and white bass), plus the excellent Garda olive oil, asparagus from Rogaro and Drezzo, and DOC wines like Chiaretto, Bardolino and Lugana. All the lakes invite tourists to a singular and particular experience, beginning with Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. Here, the magnificent scenery was enough to inspire celebrated personages the likes of Catullus, Dante Alighieri, Goethe, Byron and Stendhal. The communities facing the lake – Sirmione , with the Rocca Scaligera and Grotto of Catullus, and the Gardone Riviera , with its magical Art Nouveau buildings, Bogliaco, Campione and Limone .

Garda is a spot where vacationers can truly customize their entire trip and stay: from ancient borgoes to vivacious and crowded downtowns, from lakeshores that are perfectly-tailored to families to amusement parks, and from natural reserves to natural spas (such as the famous terme at Sirmione and at Lazise). Lake Maggiore , Italy’s second lake for extent, boasts spectacular views and a temperate climate, imposing mountains and green hills, forts and villas – all contributing to its status as an important touristic destination since the days of the “Grand Tour.” Lake Maggiore is also one of the most splendidly evocative locations in the world to practice windsurfing, while the surrounding greens are a great attraction for golfers. We highly recommend an excursion to the National Park of Val Grande , one of the foremost wilderness areas in Italy. Lake Como, with its upside-down Y form, gave to the world the inventor Alessandro Volta and the writer Alessandro Manzoni, who set the book I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed) the branch of the lake that contains Lecco. The lake’s center (i.e.

center of the Y) features perhaps one of the most famous and awe-inspiring Italian images in the world: the beautiful panorama that comprises the fantastic Villa d’Este (Cernobbio), Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi ( Bellagio ), and Villa Passalacqua (Moltrasio). Lake Como is the ne plus ultra in a number of aspects, and a paradise for those who enjoy practicing water sports, paragliding, trekking, horseback riding, mountain-biking, rock-climbing and golf (with 7 courses tucked into the surrounding greens). Lake Iseo , the smallest of Lombardy’s “great lakes,” sits between the Provinces of Bergamo and Brescia . Admittedly, the real pearl of Lake Iseo is Montisola , the largest lake island in all of Europe. With summer comes the possibility to partake in a variety of water sports and, with winter, the fun of ski awaits in nearby Valcamonica , just 30 kilometers (19 miles) away.

Useful Information Lakes in Italy – Italy Travel Guide DOWNLOAD NOW Lago di Como, or Lake Como – Lake Como , possibly Italy’s most beloved lake, is home to international celebrities and all kinds of beautiful people. It’s shaped more or less like an upside-down “Y,” and sits entirely within the Lombardy region. Lake Como towns worth noting are Como, Bellagio, Tremezzo, Menaggio, and Varenna. Lago Maggiore, or Lake Maggiore – Lago Maggiore is Italy’s second-largest lake, and one of its most popular with visitors. The lake stretches from the Ticino canton of Switzerland down into the Piedmont and Lombardy regions of Italy, and runs about 65km long. Some of the towns along the shores of Lake Maggiore which are worth noting are Stresa, Cannobio, Arona, Verbania, and Baveno. Lago di Garda, or Lake Garda – Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, and touches three northern regions: Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Lombardy. It’s about halfway between Venice and Milan, making it a great day-trip destination from either direction.

Notable towns along Lake Garda are Riva del Garda, Garda, Sirmione, Malcesine, and Desenzano del Garda. Lago d’Iseo, or Lake Iseo – Lake Iseo really takes a back seat to its more popular neighbor lakes, but if you’re looking for Italian lake charm without the tourist hordes this is definitely one to consider. This lake is entirely within Lombardy, and a few of the noteworthy towns along the shores are Iseo, Sarnico, Riva di Solto, Lovere, and Marone. Lago d’Orta, or Lake Orta – Lake Orta, in the Piedmont region of Italy, is another oft-forgotten Italian lake. It’s quite small, but it’s not far from Lake Maggiore so it’s easy to combine visits to both lakes. Some of the Lake Orta towns worth noting are Orta San Giulio, Omegna, Ameno, and Armeno. Lago di Lugano, or Lake Lugano – Lake Lugano lies mostly in Switzerland, but it ducks in and out of Italy on both ends. In Italy, the lake lies in the Lombardy region.

It gets its name from the primary Swiss town on its banks, but some of the Italian towns on Lake Lugano worth noting are Valsolda and Porlezza, and the “exclave” of Campione d’Italia, which is completely surrounded by Switzerland . original photos, from top to bottom, by: *Vly* , wagman_30 Five Lakes in Italy - Melange Travel Five Lakes in Italy written by robin March 17, 2010 When travelers think of spending time on the water in Italy, they generally think of vactioning on the beautiful Amalfi coast, in Venice or even on the Cinque Terre. And though those areas are undeniable beautiful, Italy has many equally picturesque lakes throughout the country. And though we certainly can’t cover all of them today – I have chosen five that might be worth a visit. Lake Como Located in Lombardy, Italy, Como is a 50 km glacier lake. It has a stunning panoramic view with its lakeside towns and snow-capped mountains in the distance. With the ferry service on the lake, you can get to the surrounding towns of Tremezzo, Bellagio, and Varenna.

You’ll be able to experience the Italian lifestyle, which focuses on the lake and waterfront. Cafes, restaurants, nightlife attractions and beautiful beaches are all over. It’s no wonder that George Clooney owns a villa here – who can deny he’s got some great standards of taste! Actually, Lake Como is known for its attractively romantic villas and for being a popular spot for the wealthy since Roman times. Since this lake is actually the deepest in Italy at 1320 ft, it is a special historical tourist destination, a perfect place to visit! Lake Garda Lake Garda is also a glacier lake in the Lombardy region, and the largest lake in Italy at that. It is surrounded by the provinces of Trento, Breschia, and Verona. One of the most famous towns on the lake is Sirmione, known for its Virgilio and Catullo spas, as well as cultural life. There are also medieval castles near Lake Garda, like the 13th century Scaliger castle. Visitors can also go to the ruins of Grotte di Catullo (Grotto of Catullus), which was once an ancient Roman spa.

Sulfur springs, which are fabled to have healing powers are another popular option. And of course, if you go to Lake Garda, do not miss out on Gardaland , one of Italy’s most famous theme parks. It has roller coasters and water rides, including Escape from Atlantis, Magic Mountain, and Sequoia Adventure. On the lake itself, many people take up swimming, windsurfing, and sailing on its clear blue waters. Lake Lesina Lake Lesina is one of the largest in the south of Italy, although it’s actually a shallow lagoon. It links to the Adriatic Sea through two canals; Acquarotta and Schiapparo. Though it may be an unconventional destination, the lake is known for its eel population, which provides a rich income for local fishermen. If you ever want to experience fishing for an eel yourself, Lesina is teeming with them (my Dad used to fish for eel with his Grandfather, so I know people do it!). It is believed that the area was inhabited dating back to prehistoric times.

If you are looking for a less touristy lake, Lesina is great, because there are quite a few hotels, bed & breakfasts, as well as campsites in the area. Lake Trasimeno Formed by geologic fractures, Lake Trasimeno is 3 million years old. It is located in Umbria, and has always been an important environmental landmark for the region. It was actually the Etruscans who first inhabited the area of Lake Trasimeno. Speaking of the Etruscans, this lake was mentioned in the novel Under the Tuscan Sun – it can be seen from Cortona and other parts of Tuscany. Perhaps it is such a beautiful sight because of its surrounding hills rich in olive and fruit trees, or maybe it’s the lake’s three islands, Isola Maggiore, Isola Polvese, and Isola Minore. Both Maggiore and Polvese islands house ruined castles, like the Gugliemi Castle on Maggiore. Parts of the mainland area also have ruins to explore, such as the Vernazzano leaning tower, which is said to lean just as much, if not more than the leaning tower of Pisa.

Lake Trasimeno is an interesting area, full of Italian history as well as that famous Italian beauty. Lake Bolsena In central Italy, you have Lake Bolsena (often called Italy’s belly button because of its central location) which has volcanic origins and is actually a crater lake. Its two islands, Bisentina and Martana, were formed by underwater volcanic eruptions of the Vulsini. It is located in northern Viterbo, and was also an important resource for the Romans as well as the Etruscans. Many visitors comment on the clearness of the water—it turns out that the local government maintains the lake’s purity through an advanced purification system. Essentially, if you feel up to it, the water is pure enough to drink. Even local fishermen use water straight from Lake Bolsena to make a fish soup called sbrosia. Actually, the area is such a fishing haven, that during August, there is even a Bolsena Fish Festival. On top of that is the Montefiascone Wine Festival in the same month and the Bolsena Flower Festival on Corpus Domini day in June. Lake Bolsena is certainly a place you should see. Have you ever been to one of Italy’s lakes? Tell us about it!

Question: What is the largest lake in Italy?
Answer: Lake Garda