Italy’s lakes have long been popular tourist destinations thanks to their stunning scenery, picturesque towns and the array of art and cultural attractions that they boast. If you’re not sure where to go for your next holiday to Italy, here are a few reasons why the lakes should be at the top of your list.
The scenery
It’s quite difficult to find anywhere as picture-perfect as the Italian lake district. Imagine vast bodies of calm water surrounded on all sides by mountains, often capped with snow. At various points along the shore, there are quaint towns and villages, many with buildings reaching right down to the water’s edge.
The most famous of Italy’s lakes are Como, Garda and Maggiore. As these are in the north of the country, some of them even stretch as far as the foothills of the Alps. It’s best to choose just one of these as the base for your holiday, as they each have so much to offer. You can find out more about accommodation in these locations here.
- Lake Gardamarjoleinknuit / Foter / CC BY-SA
At Lake Garda, which is the largest lake in Italy, there are rock formations that resemble fjords around its northern shores, while the glacial recession has left a gentler, hilly landscape around its southern end.
The culture, art and history
The shores and area surrounding the lakes are dotted with villages and towns, each with their own story to tell.
If you decide to stay around Lake Maggiore, for instance, you should explore some of the settlements that are home to monuments dating back to the medieval period. Carmine Superiore, on the lake’s western shores, is a fantastic example, with its houses perched high on a rocky outcrop, all surrounding its 14th century church.
Head to Como instead and you can spend an afternoon perusing the exhibits in the city’s Museum of Archaeology, which showcases finds dating from the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as pieces from Roman and Etruscan society.
Como is also a hotspot for art lovers, with its Civic Art Gallery displaying works dating from between the 14th and 17th centuries, as well as some modern pieces. Many of these have been taken from churches in the local area and brought together to create an impressive exhibition.
Around Lake Garda, there are a few historical and architectural sites you should not miss, including the Grotte di Catullo in Sirmione, where you will discover the well-preserved remains of a Roman villa looking out over the water.
The food
Wherever you go for your holiday in Italy, you can guarantee you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to mealtimes. All the lakes boast an array of eateries in the towns around their shores and many of these will serve up specialties from the local area. In Lake Maggiore, for example, you should sample Bettelmatt cheese – preferably with honey – or violini di capra, which is cured goat’s leg made in the Vigezzo Valley.
In Lake Garda, meanwhile, you can sample such delicacies as salada meat – a beef dish – and the Valeggio tortellini, handmade pasta that is only produced in Valeggio and Borghetto. The region surrounding the lake is also renowned for its olive oils and grappa – a strong liqueur.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what you can see, do and experience on a trip to one of Italy’s lakes, making these fantastic destinations for all kinds of holidaymakers.
