Italian Lakes

Italy's great lakes sit where the plains of Lombardy and the Veneto meet the Alps: long, deep, glacier-carved lakes framed by mountains, with lemon and olive trees growing on their shores. This holiday brings together the three best known. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, Lake Como is the most dramatic, and Lake Maggiore is the longest, reaching north into Switzerland.

Why go

Take a boat from village to village, which is how most people get around. On Garda, walk through the castle gate into Sirmione and see the Roman ruins at the Grottoes of Catullus, then ride the rotating cable car from Malcesine up Monte Baldo. On Como, sit on the waterfront in Bellagio, wander Varenna's lanes and see the terraced gardens of Villa del Balbianello from the water. On Maggiore, spend a day on the Borromean Islands, with a Baroque palace and gardens on Isola Bella, a botanical garden on Isola Madre and a fishing village on Isola dei Pescatori. Verona, with its Roman arena, is an easy day out from Garda.

When to go

The season runs from spring to autumn. April, May, June, September and early October are the sweet spot: warm days, gardens in flower or autumn colour, and fewer crowds than in July and August, when the lakes are hot and busy. Many attractions keep seasonal dates. In 2026 the Isola Bella and Isola Madre palaces and gardens open from 12 March to 8 November, and the Monte Baldo cable car's summer season runs from 4 April to 1 November. Boat timetables are reduced in winter.

Getting there from the UK

Flights take around two to two and a half hours. For Lake Garda, fly to Verona. Transfers take about 1 hour 15 minutes to Sirmione and about 1 hour 45 minutes to Malcesine. For Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, fly to one of Milan's airports. Bellagio is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Milan airport by road, and Varenna has a direct train line to Milan. There are flights from London and from regional airports such as Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh. Tell us your airport and we will find the best route.

Where to stay

• Sirmione (Garda): a castle town on a narrow peninsula, with a thermal spa tradition. It's ideal for couples and short breaks.
• Malcesine (Garda): a medieval village on the east shore under Monte Baldo, good for walkers and anyone who likes a view.
• Menaggio and Varenna (Como): they face each other across the middle of the lake, a short ferry ride from Bellagio. They make the best base for exploring Como by boat.
• Stresa and Baveno (Maggiore): Belle Époque promenades facing the Borromean Islands, with bigger hotels, gardens and pools.

What to do

Take a boat round the Sirmione peninsula, or a half-day cruise past Garda's castles with a Bardolino wine tasting. Spend a day at Gardaland, near Peschiera, or take a day trip to Verona. On Como, join a shared boat tour of the villas or land at Villa del Balbianello. On Maggiore, hop between the three Borromean Islands.

Food and drink

Each lake has its own table. Around Garda you'll find olive oil, Bardolino red and Lugana white wines. Near Verona there's Valpolicella and Amarone. On Como, try risotto with perch and missoltini (sun-dried shad) with polenta. Everywhere, lake fish is on the menu, and a lakeside aperitivo at sunset is part of the day.

Good to know

• Currency: euro. Time: one hour ahead of the UK. Plugs: types C, F and L, 230 V. Language: Italian; English is widely spoken in hotels.
• Most lake towns charge a small tourist tax per night, paid at the hotel.
• Sirmione's old town is a limited-traffic zone. Hotels register your number plate if you drive in.
• Check the latest entry rules for UK passport holders on GOV.UK before you travel.

Tell us which lakes you'd like to see, and we'll put the stays, transfers and boat days together for you.