Lago di Como
Lago di Iseo
Its Mediterranean climate means it has always been a tourist destination and holiday choice - the ruins of the Roman villas are a must-visit - and has allowed its long-standing tradition of citrus fruit growing, a story just waiting to be discovered. On the borders of three regions - Lombardy, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto - the "Benaco", the lake's ancient Latin name, is dotted with fortifications from different eras, historic remains of great interest.
Como, Cernobbio, Tremezzo, and Menaggio on the one side, Lecco, Varenna on the other. And, on the promontory that divides the lake to create its two branches and characteristic upside-down Y shape, Bellagio. The banks of the lake offer unforgettable days spent visiting its villas, promenades, parks and gardens, and places made famous by literature, with the Promessi Sposi ("The Betrothed") by Alessandro Manzoni in top place and already a favourite with the descendants of the European bourgeoisie in the nineteenth century.
A land of vineyards that produce the world-popular Franciacorta wines, but also a stage for curious natural phenomena, with edelweiss on the plains and pyramids of earth, the lake offers hugely exciting experiences, like a visit to the rock engravings in Valle Camonica, which preserves ancient forms of expression loaded with insight into prehistoric life. Monte Isola stands in the middle of the lake, perfect for walking or cycling around.
Lago Maggiore
Lago di Varese
Lago di Lugano
Lago d’Idro
The banks of this lake are in Piedmont to the west, Ticino to the north and Lombardy to the east. Trips and holidays on its eastern banks are all about relaxing and rediscovering nature. It offers amazing views, both on the lakeside and also from the surrounding high points. From erratic masses left by glaciation to streams that form waterfalls and grottoes, through to ringed towns on the coast, all with different stories to tell.
Just a stone’s throw from the city of the same name, framed by the mountains and their spectacular views, it can easily be explored by bike: the cycle path that runs right around the lake is about 27 kilometres long and feasible even for children. If you prefer to walk, the Campo di Fiori regional park is perfect, with its many paths and the Sacro Monte (UNESCO world heritage site). Varese will charm you with its villas and gardens.
Located in two countries - Switzerland and Italy and in two provinces - Varese and Como - this lake has protected its treasures for millions of years. Deep underneath Monte San Giorgio there are thousands of fossils (UNESO world heritage site), to be admired there or in the museum in Besano. Whereas Monte Orsa preserves the trenches of the Cadorna Line, defence works from World War One. Everywhere you look the backdrop is breath-taking.
Set into the frame of the pre-Alps and the Brescia Piccole Dolomiti mountains, this lake is a paradise for lovers of peace, quiet and sport. Walks in the woods or bike trips can be alternated with days spent relaxing on the beach or on the waters of the lake. Windsurfing is also possible thanks to the Ander, the wind that blows constantly, especially in the afternoon. One must-visit place is the Rocca d’Anfo, which covers an entire mountain.
Lombardy’s lakes are a wealth of history and can be discovered either on a trip around their banks or with a journey into the surrounding areas. They offer amazing experiences to suit all tastes, to be savoured slowly, off the beaten track. There are plenty of ideas and suggestions, starting points for trips that take you into the beauty of still unspoilt nature, and allow a close up look at masterpieces of art and architecture or simply give you a chance to really relax.
Lakes Experience
History, culture, sport, food and wine specialities… and, above all, wonderful scenery. A journey into discovery of the seven biggest lakes in Lombardy.
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LAKES EXPE RIENCE / Map
Photo credits Walter Capelli / Alberto Locatelli / Mauro Magliani / Laura Rabachin
Lago di Garda
Lakes Experience #inLombardia -------- Map
LAKES EXPE RIENCE
Experiences on Lago di Como Charmingly seductive
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Experience on Lago di Lugano
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LAVENO
13 Experiences on Lago Maggiore
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TREMEZZINA
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Clear cool water
FERROVIA RETICA DEL BERNINA TIRANO
COLICO
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BELLAGIO VARENNA BREMBO
CAPO DI PONTE INCISIONI RUPESTRI
5 LECCO
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SERIO
VALLE CAMONICA
PARCO DEL MONTE BARRO
COMO
LOVERE
LAGO DI VARESE
LAGO DI ISEO
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LAGO D’IDRO
LIMONE SUL GARDA
1 TREMOSINE
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ADDA
BERGAMO
Unspoilt landscapes
Experiences on Lago di Garda
MONTE ISOLA
SARNICO ISEO
Artist’s brushstrokes
MONZA
CANALE VILLORESI
SALÒ
ORIO AL SERIO
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POLPENAZZE AREA PALAFITTICOLA
CRESPI D’ADDA
BRESCIA
Old stories
MILANO
LAGO DI GARDA
GARDONE
FRANCIACORTA
MALPENSA
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Experience on Lago d’Idro
The pleasant isle
SONDRIO
VALSASSINA
LAGO DI LUGANO
VARESE
ANGERA
Prehistory and bubbles
VALLE D’INTELVI
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MONTE SAN GIORGIO
PARCO CAMPO DEI FIORI
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LUINO
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History, nature and...
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LAGO DI COMO
LAGO MAGGIORE
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More than Manzoni
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The Little Word of the Past
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Bellagio, the pearl
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/ Map
Experiences on Lago di Iseo
DESENZANO DEL GARDA
SERIO
OGLIO
LINATE
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The wild side
The shadow of D’Annunzio
Castles and legacy
SIRMIONE
MONTICHIARI
Experience on Lago di Varese
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A jewel in the Alps
TICINO
LODI MINCIO ADDA
PAVIA MANTOVA CREMONA PO PO PO
SABBIONETA
LEGEND
CULTUR AND HISTORY
Lago di Garda 1 The wild side Towns perched on cliffs over the water, with dizzy views. And roads dug out of the rock, as harsh as… 2 The shadow of D’Annunzio From the Vittoriale degli Italiani to the fifteenth-century Cathedral in Salò, via the Valle delle Cartiere valley in Toscolano Maderno: all the spectacular sights around Gardone Riviera 3 Castles and legacy A land of pleasure and invasions, the lower Garda area has a wealth of historic sites, with roots dating back as far as the Bronze age
Lago di Como
Lago di Iseo
4 Charmingly seductive Described by Stendhal as ‘voluptuous’, the south-western branch of Lake Como charms with its gardens, villas and breath-taking views.
7 History, nature and.. From the recently rediscovered Roman spa in Predore to the Liberty architecture of Sarnico, via the enchanting town of Lovere and surprising natural phenomena
Bellagio, the pearl 5 One of the world's best-loved places, Bellaggio lies on the tip of the central headland, offering convenient ferry access to both branches of the lake
8 Prehistory and bubbles The Valcamonica rock engravings are as famous worldwide as the wine made in Franciacorta. On a journey of discover what else this area has to offer
6 More than Manzoni Together with Renzo and Lucia in the streets of Lecco. Then on to discover the eastern bank of the Como Lake. Start with Varenna
9 The pleasant isle Cars are not allowed on Monte Isola island, where visitors must walk or cycle as they explore the delightfully silent, narrow streets in its villages
Lago Maggiore 10 Unspoilt landscapes Monteviasco can only be reached on foot or by cableway from Ponte di Piero. This village is famous for its 18th century mills placed in a natural setting. Indeed, mother nature is sovereign in Alto Verbano 11 Artist’s brushstrokes Trompe l’oeil frescos, five centuries of pictorial cycles, spontaneous and organised murals: colour is everywhere in and around Laveno Mombello 12 Old stories Finds from the Iron Age, evidence of the Ice Age, monuments of industrial archaeology, dolls from the eighteenth century to date: lower Lago Maggiore (the Verbano area)
FOOD AND WINE EXCELLENCES
Lago di Varese 13 A jewel in the Alps Just six kilometres away, this natural city break offers unexpected views, from water to mountains. With true pearls such as the Gardens of Palazzo Estense, Villa Toeplitz, the artistic legacy of Villa Panza and the monumental park of Ville Ponti
Lago di Lugano 14 The Little World on the Past A place of cultural interest indeed with the landscapes of Fogazzaro’s novels, the fossils of Monte San Giorgio, the fortifications of World War land the secret places of Ceresio
EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
NATURE AND LANDSCAPE
FOR FAMILIES
Lago d'Idro 15 Clear cool water At the foot of the Piccole Dolomiti mountains, and surrounded by their wooded slopes, this is almost a mountain lagoon. Perfect for sport, it is the location for an incredible carnival
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