Lake Como: Elegant towns, historic villas and unforgettable scenery

Lake Como is one of northern Italy’s best-known destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Steep mountains rise straight from the water, while colourful villages cling to the shoreline. Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio may be the most famous, but almost every lakeside town has its own character.
The scenery changes constantly. Whether you’re driving along the shore, relaxing on a terrace or crossing the lake by ferry, every turn reveals another spectacular view. That ever-changing landscape is one of the reasons visitors keep coming back.

Three towns you shouldn’t miss

Bellagio sits where the lake’s three branches meet. Its narrow streets, stone stairways, flower-filled balconies and lively piazzas make it one of the most photographed places on Lake Como. Around almost every corner you’ll catch another glimpse of the water.
Across the lake lies Varenna, a smaller and quieter town with a more relaxed atmosphere. Stroll along the lakeside promenade, explore the gardens of Villa Monastero or simply enjoy one of the cafés overlooking the water.
Menaggio offers something different again. Its broad waterfront promenade creates a lively but unhurried atmosphere, while hiking trails into the surrounding mountains begin just outside the town. It’s an excellent choice if you’d like to combine lakeside charm with time in nature.

Historic villas and life on the water

Lake Como is famous for its magnificent villas. Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello are the best known, but many smaller villas and hidden gardens contribute just as much to the lake’s distinctive character.
Life on Lake Como has always revolved around the water. Ferries are more than just a way for visitors to get around—they’re part of everyday life for local residents as well. Seeing the lake from the water gives you a completely different perspective and is one of the highlights of any visit.

Three towns, three different personalities

Although Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio are all located on the same lake, each has its own atmosphere. Bellagio feels elegant and vibrant, Varenna is quieter and more romantic, while Menaggio offers a relaxed mix of outdoor activities and traditional Italian lake life. Together they show why Lake Como continues to attract visitors from around the world.

Who is Lake Como best suited for?

Lake Como is ideal for travellers who enjoy variety, beautiful scenery and charming towns with plenty to explore. Spend your days visiting historic villas, taking boat trips, enjoying long lunches by the water or wandering through narrow streets lined with cafés and boutiques.
For the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds, consider visiting in spring or early autumn. April to June and September to October are often the most rewarding months to experience Lake Como at its best.

Lake Maggiore: Spacious landscapes, beautiful islands and a slower pace

While Lake Como is known for its dramatic mountains and glamorous lakeside towns, Lake Maggiore feels more open from the moment you arrive. The shoreline is broader, the mountains seem less imposing and there’s a greater sense of space. The pace is slower too, making it a favourite for travellers who enjoy a more relaxed holiday.
That doesn’t mean there’s less to see. Quite the opposite. Historic towns, botanical gardens, islands and panoramic viewpoints are scattered all around the lake, making every day feel different.

The Borromean Islands

No visit to Lake Maggiore is complete without seeing the Borromean Islands. Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori lie just a short boat ride apart, yet each has its own distinct character.
Isola Bella is the most famous. Its magnificent palace and terraced Baroque gardens have attracted visitors for centuries and remain one of the highlights of northern Italy.
Isola Madre offers a quieter experience. The island is known for its botanical gardens, where exotic plants, colourful flowers and centuries-old trees thrive in the lake’s remarkably mild climate.
Then there’s Isola dei Pescatori, the smallest of the three. With its narrow lanes, family-run restaurants and traditional fishing village atmosphere, it feels refreshingly authentic and provides a wonderful contrast to the grandeur of the other islands.

Stresa: the lake’s classic resort town

Stresa is undoubtedly the best-known town on Lake Maggiore. Its elegant lakeside promenade, historic hotels and views across the water towards the Borromean Islands have attracted visitors for well over a century.
From here, regular boats connect the islands throughout the day. The nearby cable car to Mottarone offers another unforgettable experience, with sweeping views across Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and, on clear days, as far as the Alps.

Gardens shaped by a mild climate

One of the things that surprises many visitors is the vegetation around Lake Maggiore. Thanks to its unusually mild climate, palm trees, camellias, magnolias and other Mediterranean plants grow alongside alpine forests.
That combination gives the lake a character all of its own. Even though you’re surrounded by mountains, many parts of the shoreline have an almost Mediterranean feel.

Historic towns beyond Stresa

Although Stresa attracts most of the attention, there are many other towns around Lake Maggiore that are well worth exploring. One of them is Angera, on the quieter southern shore of the lake.
The town is best known for the Rocca di Angera, a remarkably well-preserved medieval fortress overlooking the lake. From its towers and gardens, you’ll enjoy sweeping views across the water and the surrounding hills.
Angera itself has a very different atmosphere from the busier resorts on the western shore. A pleasant lakeside promenade, a compact historic centre and a handful of welcoming cafés make it an enjoyable place to slow down for a while. Rather than feeling like a tourist resort, it feels like a town where everyday life simply happens beside the lake.
That also makes Angera an excellent base for exploring the region.

Cascina Canée

A stay at Cascina Canée in Angera adds tranquility, hospitality, and authenticity to a holiday on Lake Maggiore. This small-scale accommodation is situated in a green, rural setting, a short distance from the historic center of Angera and the lake. The atmospheric rooms, personal welcome, and extensive breakfast ensure a relaxing stay. Furthermore, Cascina Canée distinguishes itself with culinary experiences, such as dinners featuring local products and cooking workshops where the flavors of the region take center stage. Thanks to its peaceful location and ideal base for excursions, this is a place where real Italian life can be fully experienced.

Stresa, the Borromean Islands and many of Lake Maggiore’s highlights are all within easy reach, while your evenings are spent in a quieter and more relaxed setting.

Who is Lake Maggiore best suited for?

Lake Maggiore is perfect for travellers looking for a balance between sightseeing and relaxation. It offers beautiful scenery, elegant gardens, historic towns and plenty of opportunities to explore, yet rarely feels as busy as Lake Como.
If you enjoy taking your time, discovering places at your own pace and combining nature with culture, Lake Maggiore is an excellent choice for a holiday in northern Italy.

Lake Orta: Quiet charm and one of northern Italy’s best-kept secrets

Of the three lakes, Lake Orta is the smallest and the least visited. For many travellers, that’s exactly what makes it so special.
There’s no sense of hurry here. Instead of busy promenades and crowded cafés, you’ll find quiet squares, small family-run restaurants and peaceful lakeside paths. It’s the kind of place where you stop for a coffee without looking at your watch, or spend an afternoon simply watching the light change across the water.
Lake Orta doesn’t compete with the larger Italian lakes. It offers something entirely different: space to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Orta San Giulio: the heart of the lake

The village of Orta San Giulio is the cultural heart of Lake Orta. Its narrow cobbled streets, historic buildings and small piazzas invite you to wander without any particular destination in mind.
Because most of the historic centre is pedestrianised, exploring the village feels wonderfully relaxed. Around every corner you’ll discover artisan shops, inviting cafés and quiet spots overlooking the lake.
From Piazza Motta, the main square, boats make the short crossing to Isola San Giulio. The journey takes only a few minutes, yet the island feels like a world apart.
Home to a centuries-old Benedictine monastery, Isola San Giulio is known for its peaceful atmosphere. A path circles the island, offering beautiful lake views and moments of remarkable tranquillity.

Walking, viewpoints and taking your time

Lake Orta rewards travellers who prefer exploring at a slower pace. Walking trails lead through woodland, small villages and scenic viewpoints overlooking the lake.
One of the highlights is the Sacro Monte di Orta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its series of chapels is surrounded by ancient trees and quiet paths, with frequent views stretching across the lake and towards the mountains beyond.
Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, Lake Orta encourages you to slow down. It’s a place for long lunches, leisurely walks and afternoons spent beside the water.

One of Italy’s most beautiful villages

Orta San Giulio is officially recognised as one of I Borghi più belli d’Italia—Italy’s most beautiful historic villages—and it’s easy to understand why.
Flower-filled balconies overlook narrow lanes, small boutiques sit beside family-run cafés and the view towards Isola San Giulio is never far away. Yet despite its beauty, the village never feels staged or overly polished.
People still live here, children still play in the squares and local life continues much as it always has. That everyday authenticity is part of what makes Orta San Giulio such a memorable place to visit.

Who is Lake Orta best suited for?

Lake Orta is ideal for travellers looking for a quieter side of northern Italy. Rather than grand hotels and lively resorts, you’ll find intimate accommodation, welcoming restaurants and an atmosphere that encourages you to slow down.
Couples, walkers, food lovers and anyone who enjoys travelling beyond the best-known destinations often discover that Lake Orta becomes the highlight of their trip. It isn’t a place to tick off a list of attractions—it’s a place to savour.

Three lakes, three very different holidays

Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta may be located within easy reach of one another, but each offers a completely different kind of holiday.
• Lake Como is elegant, lively and ideal for travellers who enjoy beautiful towns, historic villas and a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and cultural sights.
• Lake Maggiore combines nature, history and beautifully landscaped gardens with a relaxed atmosphere. Its lakeside towns, islands and panoramic viewpoints make it perfect for travellers who like to explore at an unhurried pace.
• Lake Orta offers something quieter. It’s a destination for those who enjoy peaceful villages, slower days and a more intimate experience of northern Italy.
None of the three is better than the others. They simply appeal to different kinds of travellers.

Which Italian lake is right for you?

If you enjoy elegant lakeside towns, stylish hotels and days filled with sightseeing, Lake Como is likely to be your favourite. There’s always another village to visit, another villa to explore or another terrace overlooking the water.
If you’d rather combine beautiful scenery with gardens, islands and a more relaxed atmosphere, Lake Maggiore offers an excellent balance. There’s plenty to discover, yet the pace never feels overwhelming.
If your ideal holiday is about slowing down rather than seeing as much as possible, Lake Orta is hard to beat. Life moves more gently here, and that’s exactly what makes it so appealing.
Ultimately, choosing between the three isn’t about deciding which lake is the most beautiful. It’s about choosing the atmosphere that suits you best.

The best time to visit the Italian Lakes

Spring and early autumn are widely considered the best seasons to visit the Italian Lakes. Between April and June, as well as throughout September and early October, temperatures are pleasantly mild, gardens are in full bloom and the lakeside towns are noticeably quieter than during the height of summer.
July and August bring warmer weather and a livelier atmosphere. Ferries are busier, waterfront cafés fill up and the most popular destinations—particularly around Lake Como—can become crowded. Travelling outside the peak summer months usually means a more relaxed experience while still enjoying excellent weather.

Three lakes, each with its own character

One of the greatest pleasures of exploring northern Italy is discovering how different these lakes feel, despite being so close together.
Lake Como impresses with its dramatic scenery and elegant towns. Lake Maggiore invites you to slow down while exploring islands, gardens and historic villages. Lake Orta offers a quieter, more intimate experience where everyday life takes centre stage.
Whichever lake you choose, you’ll experience a side of Italy where the landscape shapes daily life in subtle but unmistakable ways. And don’t be surprised if one visit leads to another. Many travellers begin with one lake, only to return later to discover the others.

Planning your stay

Still deciding which lake suits your travel style best? Taking a little time to compare the atmosphere, scenery and nearby attractions can make all the difference.
Whether you’re looking for the elegance of Lake Como, the relaxed charm of Lake Maggiore or the peaceful beauty of Lake Orta, you’ll find that each lake offers its own unforgettable experience—and perhaps the perfect starting point for discovering northern Italy.

Curious which lake best suits your wishes? Let one of our travel advisors advise you. Together, you will find a destination and accommodation that fit your ideal holiday at the Italian lakes.