Lakes in Italy – In addition to the beautiful beaches, another wonder of our area is the omnipresent nature and the famous Italian lakes. Among the mountainous landscapes, the peaceful atmosphere of the lakeside villages and the crystal clear waters of different colors, you will be amazed!
10 Italian lakes to see at least once in a lifetime
Below is a selection of the most beautiful Italian lakes in the country, where you can go hiking or simply admire nature, while in some lakes you will also have the privilege of swimming.
Lakes in Italy are located in the pre-Alpine belt and in the Apennine area between Umbria and Lazio, the only exception being the two Apulian coastal lakes of Lesina and Varano, both with brackish and non-fresh waters.
Lakes in Italy
| Lake | Surface | Region |
| Garda (o Benaco) | 370 Km² | Lombardy, Trentino/South Tyrol, Veneto |
| Maggiore (o Verbano) | 212 Km² | Lombardy, Piedmont, Ticino (Switzerland) |
| Como (o Lario) | 146 Km² | Lombardy |
| Trasimeno (o di Perugia) | 128 Km² | Umbria |
| Bolsena (o Volsinio) | 114 Km² | Lazio |
| Iseo (o Sebino) | 65,3 Km² | Lombardy |
| Varano | 60,5 Km² | Apulia |
| Bracciano (o Sabatino) | 56,5 Km² | Lazio |
| Vico | 12,9 Km² | Lazio |
| Braies | 0.31 Km² | Trentino/South Tyrol |
* Artificial lakes are not included
#1 Lake Garda
Lake Garda
The largest of the Italian lakes is the ideal setting for practicing water sports: activities such as sailing, canoeing, water skiing and wakeboarding are possible in various locations on the lake, but above all the windiest areas of Torbole, Riva, Malcesine and Gargnano attract windsurfers and kitesurfers. Here there is also the possibility of taking foiling courses, to learn how to fly over water with a sail. The more daring can embark on canyoning, climbing and paragliding.
There are many cycle paths for all levels, such as the short but scenic Cycle Path of Dreams from Limone to Riva, the more challenging Ponale Path, from Riva to Lake Ledro, or the cycle paths from Peschiera del Garda to Verona and Mantua. There are also several trekking routes, including the paths that lead to Monte Baldo, the Campione del Garda ring and the ascent to Monte Telegrafo.
#2 Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore
Shared between Italy and Switzerland, second by surface after Garda, Lake Maggiore has all the credentials to ensure a dynamic and fun holiday. On its banks it is possible to rent canoes and pedal boats, practice sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting in the nearby Ossola valleys, paragliding and jump into the void with the zipline.
Lovers of two wheels can venture along cycle paths – such as the Toce cycle path -, go downhill in the Mottarone area, or mountain bike trails along the Cadorna Line. On foot you can follow the Chestnut Path or go up to Mottarone, in both cases starting from Stresa, walking along the Medieval Road from Cossogno to Cicogna or trekking in the Val Grande National Park. In the area it is also possible to practice skiing, golf and many other sports.
#3 Lake Como
Lake Como
Also known as Lario, the lake with its two branches – the Como and Lecco branches – offers an attractive prospect for those looking for a dynamic holiday. The upper lake and the coast of Mandello are the ideal area for kitesurfing and windsurfing. For sailing the most recommended places are the tourist ports of Domaso, Gravedona, Mandello, Lecco and Como.
It is possible to practice SUP, kayaking and canoeing (rental centers and lessons are possible in different points of the lake). Among the outdoor activities to be practiced in the area there is also trekking, with many paths for panoramic excursions, such as the ancient path of the Sentiero del Viandante, as well as climbing via ferratas, cliffs where you can practice climbing, canyoning, cycling, mountain routes. bike and downhill and several golf courses between Brianza and the lake.
#4 Lake Trasimeno (o di Perugia)
Lake Trasimeno
It is the largest lake in central Italy and is located in the north of Umbria, on the border with the Val di Chiana. Thanks to its width and shallow depth, Trasimeno is the ideal place to practice kayaking, take sailing lessons but also try adrenaline sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding and water skiing.
In Castiglione del Lago, Passignano and Tuoro sul Trasimeno it is possible to rent a sailing or motor boat to explore the lake and its three islands (Polvese, Maggiore and Minore). By bike or on foot you can take the Trasimeno cycle path, a ring about 70 kilometers long that runs almost entirely around the lake. Walkers can instead take the Via del Trasimeno, 160 kilometers in total in seven different stages.
Lakes in Italy
#5 Lake Bolsena
Lake Bolsena
It is located in Viterbese, where Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany meet, and is the largest volcanic lake in Europe: Lake Bolsena is the ideal place for kayaking, windsurfing or water skiing as well as for diving and paragliding, for fishing, horseback riding and archery. In different points of the lake it is possible to rent canoes, pedal boats and sailing boats with or without skipper.
Not far from the lake passes the legendary Via Francigena, which can still be covered today on foot or by bike to Rome: from the Basilica of Santa Cristina, in Bolsena, stage no. 39 which reaches Montefiascone (18 km), between ups and downs in the vegetation and wonderful lake views.
#6 Lake Iseo
Lake Iseo
Not far from Franciacorta, Sebino (this is its real name) has a strong sporting vocation. On its waters it is possible to go sailing, canoeing, wakeboarding and SUP, kitesurfing (also with hydrofoil), windsurfing and paragliding. Lake Iseo is the perfect destination for cycle tourism lovers: its shores are almost entirely cycle-friendly (the cycle-pedestrian path from Toline to Vello is particularly impressive).
From Iseo it is possible to join the Oglio Cycle Route, 280 km from the Adamello Group to Franciacorta, and Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Italy among the main attractions of the lake, is also perfectly suitable for cycling. Among the trekking routes, the most scenic are those that lead to Corna Trentapassi and Monte Guglielmo, without forgetting the easy walk along the ancient Via Valeriana or the climb to the Ceriola Sanctuary, on the highest point of Monte Isola.
#7 Lake Varano and Lesina
Lake Varano
In the Gargano National Park, separated from the Adriatic Sea by a thin strip of land between dunes, holm oaks and pines, the lakes of Lesina and Varano are the largest lakes in southern Italy. They have fishy waters rich in sea bass, sea bream and especially eels, which make them a very popular destination for fishing lovers: it is possible to practice night fishing, fishing tourism (with tasting of the catch) and bird-watching (you can observe pink seagulls, flamingos , kingfisher and marsh harriers).
A nature reserve has been set up on the thin coastal strip that separates them from the sea, a protected area for animal repopulation, the starting point for guided excursions on foot or by catamaran. Along the 15 km of Bosco Isola, the strip of land that separates Lake Lesina from the sea, you can walk or cycle along the path. Inside the park there is also an adventure park.
#8 Lake Bracciano
Lake Bracciano
In central Lazio, in an area once occupied by the ancient Sabatini volcanoes, Lake Bracciano is a popular summer destination where it is possible to swim and practice water sports in peace: motor navigation is in fact prohibited (with the exception of authorized fishermen and public service ferry). On the lake it is possible to indulge in windsurfing, canoeing and sailing, fishing and scuba diving.
There is no shortage of excursions on foot or by mountain bike, for example on the paths of the Bracciano-Martignano Natural Park which includes the small Lake of Martignano, 4 km from Anguillara Sabazia, and along the Ciclovia dei Laghi, a ring of almost 8 kilometers that offers a panoramic view of the lakes, the Sabatini Mountains and the nearby Monti della Tolfa.
#9 Lake Vico
Lake Vico
Lake Vico, the ancient lake Cimino, is today one of the most beautiful and intact lakes in Italy characterized by a unique morphology and a blanket of greenery that extends from the valley over all the surrounding hills.
Lake Vico is today one of the highest Italian volcanic lakes above sea level, an ideal destination for nature lovers, families looking for relaxation, fishing lovers, hikers and more tenacious sailors. . But it is also a romantic destination for lovers, in every season of the year.
#10 Lake Braies
Lake Braies
With its green waters and mountains to protect it on all sides, it is among the most photographed in Italy: Lake Braies is a small alpine lake at almost 1,500 meters located in the valley of the same name, a side of the Val Pusteria. The lake is a strong attraction for trekking lovers: it is located at the foot of the imposing Croda del Becco (2,810 meters high), reachable along the path indicated with trail number 1 in seven hours of walking. There are also a lot of hiking trails that can be traveled within the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park.
On the other hand, the tour around the lake is easy and undemanding (lasting about 1 hour and a half), which can also be covered for the first part by bike. Rowing boats can be hired in summer; in winter, when the surface of the lake is frozen, curling competitions are held. In Val di Braies it is also possible to do alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and ski mountaineering.
