HV1557152286
Pella
Other Lakes
Our pick in Other Lakes
The Hidden Voyage guide
Lake Orta and the Smaller Lakes
Intimate lakes, island monasteries and romantic villas away from the crowds.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Ideal stay
4 to 7 nights
Fly into
MXP · BGY · LIN · VRN · TRN
Getting around
Car recommended
Our villas here
3 private villas
Why go
Why choose Lake Orta and the Smaller Lakes
Beyond the famous three, northern Italy hides a string of smaller lakes that feel wonderfully unhurried. Lake Orta, with its island monastery and cobbled lakeside square, is the most romantic of them; Lake Iseo pairs a car free island with the sparkling wines of Franciacorta; and tiny gems such as Mergozzo, Varese and Ledro offer clear water and real peace.
These lakes suit travellers who have already seen Como and Garda, or who simply prefer authenticity to glamour. Villas here tend to be more secluded, restaurants more local and the pace slower. They work beautifully for couples, writers, cyclists and families looking for calm swimming and easy day trips to Milan, Bergamo or the larger lakes.
Ideal for: Small weddings, Couples, Quiet stays · Slow and secluded
Our villas of the month · October 2026
Chosen this month by our team
HV10548
Italian Lakes
Other Lakes
Our pick in Other Lakes
HV10373
Vacciago di Ameno
Other Lakes
Our pick in Other Lakes
Getting there
Airports and arrivals
MXP
Milan Malpensa
about 45 minutes by car to Orta San Giulio
best for Lake Orta, Mergozzo and Varese
BGY
Milan Bergamo (Orio al Serio)
about 40 minutes by car to Iseo
best for Lake Iseo and Franciacorta
LIN
Milan Linate
about 1h by car to Iseo, about 1h15 to Orta
city airport with frequent European flights
VRN
Verona Villafranca
about 1h30 by car to Lake Ledro
for the Trentino lakes
TRN
Turin Caselle
about 1h30 by car to Orta San Giulio
alternative gateway for western Piedmont
- Trains on the Novara to Domodossola line stop at Orta Miasino, a short walk above Orta San Giulio.
- The Brescia to Iseo to Edolo railway runs along the eastern shore of Lake Iseo, stopping at Iseo, Sulzano and Marone.
- Frecciarossa trains on the Milan to Venice line stop at Brescia, about 30 minutes by car from Iseo.
- Small public boats serve Lake Orta and Lake Iseo, with frequent crossings to Isola San Giulio and Monte Isola.
We arrange private transfers, drivers, boats and helicopters for every villa.
Where to stay
Choosing your base
Orta San Giulio
Couples, romantic escapes
A beautifully preserved village of frescoed palazzi and a lakeside piazza facing the island of San Giulio.
Western shore of Lake Orta
Privacy, sunsets
Pella and the villages opposite enjoy evening sun and the best views back towards Orta and the island.
Iseo and Sulzano
Families, wine lovers
Lively lakeside towns with boats to Monte Isola and vineyards on the hills behind.
Franciacorta
Gastronomy, cycling
Rolling vineyards, castles and wine estates just south of Lake Iseo.
Mergozzo
Swimmers, families
A tiny village on a clean, quiet lake beside Lake Maggiore.
Lake Ledro
Active families, hikers
A clear mountain lake above Riva del Garda, surrounded by forests and trails.
Positions are approximate: the exact address is shared once your stay is confirmed.
What to see
The highlights
01
Isola San Giulio, Lake Orta
A small island occupied by a Romanesque basilica and a Benedictine convent of cloistered nuns. Its single loop street is known as the Way of Silence.
02
Sacro Monte di Orta
A wooded hill above Orta San Giulio holding twenty chapels dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. It is part of the UNESCO listed Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy.
03
Monte Isola, Lake Iseo
One of the largest inhabited lake islands in Europe, largely free of private cars. Walk or cycle between fishing villages and climb to the sanctuary at the summit.
04
Franciacorta wine estates
Italy's leading traditional method sparkling wine region lies just south of Lake Iseo. Many estates offer tastings and cellar tours.
05
Torbiere del Sebino
A peat bog nature reserve near Iseo, rich in birdlife and water lilies. The adjoining San Pietro in Lamosa monastery is worth a stop.
06
Lake Ledro pile dwellings
Remains of Bronze Age lake dwellings belong to the UNESCO listed prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps. A museum with reconstructed huts brings the site to life.
07
Sacro Monte di Varese
A cobbled pilgrims' path climbs past fourteen chapels to a hilltop village with views over the Varese lakes. It is also part of the UNESCO site.
What to do
Experiences worth planning for
Boat to Isola San Giulio
Short crossings from Orta's piazza take just a few minutes and run frequently in season.
Franciacorta tasting by bicycle
Cycle quiet lanes between wine estates and stop for a glass at each cellar.
Walk around Monte Isola
A path loops around the island, passing olive groves and fishing villages.
Swim in Lake Mergozzo
With motorboats banned, the water is calm and clear for long swims.
Cycle around Lake Varese
A flat cycle path of about 28 km circles the lake.
Outdoors
Nature and walks
Lido di Gozzano, Lake Orta
A grassy lido at the southern end of the lake, ideal for families.
Lake Mergozzo shore
Small beaches with exceptionally clear water.
Lido di Iseo
Lakeside lidos with pools and views to Monte Isola.
Lake Ledro beaches
Pebbly shores backed by forest, with mountain views.
Monte Mottarone viewpoint
The peak between Orta and Maggiore offers views over several lakes and the Alps.
Where to stay
Private villas in Other Lakes
At the table
Food and wine
What to eat
Sardine essiccate
Lake shad salted and dried on Monte Isola, eaten grilled with polenta.
Manzo all'olio
Slow cooked beef in olive oil, a speciality of Rovato in Franciacorta.
Salame di Monte Isola
A distinctive salami made on the island.
Tapulone
A rich donkey meat stew from Borgomanero, near Lake Orta.
Gorgonzola DOP
The blue cheese originates in the Novara and Lombard plains near Lake Orta.
What to drink
Franciacorta DOCG
Traditional method sparkling wine from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, among Italy's finest.
Curtefranca DOC
Still whites and reds from the same Franciacorta hills.
Ghemme DOCG
Nebbiolo based red produced a short drive south of Lake Orta.
Beyond the villa
Day trips
Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands
about 30 minutes by car from Orta
Baroque palaces and gardens on Lake Maggiore.
Bergamo
about 45 minutes by car from Iseo
A hilltop old town within Venetian walls.
Brescia
about 30 minutes by car from Iseo
Roman ruins and the Santa Giulia museum, part of a UNESCO site.
Milan
about 1h15 by car
Art, fashion and Michelin dining.
Val Camonica rock art
about 1h by car from Iseo
Italy's first UNESCO site, with thousands of prehistoric rock engravings.
When to go
The year, season by season
May to September.
Spring
Gardens and hills turn green and wild flowers fill the meadows. It is perfect for walking and cycling.
Summer
Warm water and quiet evenings, with fewer crowds than the major lakes. Weekends can be busy with day trippers from Milan.
Autumn
Harvest time in Franciacorta and golden light over the water. Mushroom and chestnut dishes appear on menus.
Winter
Very quiet and often misty. Many restaurants and hotels close, but the villages are atmospheric.
Weather month by month
Bars: hours of sunshine a day. Above: average daytime high. Shaded: the best months.
Full weather table
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime high, °C | 7 | 10 | 16 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 7 |
| Night low, °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Sunshine, hours a day | 3.3 | 4.6 | 6.1 | 6.6 | 7.6 | 9 | 10.1 | 8.5 | 6.6 | 4.6 | 3.2 | 2.7 |
| Rainy days | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Dry days | 26 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 25 |
Air: averages 1991 to 2020, Milan Linate weather station. The lake shores are a little milder than Milan in winter.. Dry days have less than 1 mm of rain.
Events through the year
September
Festival Franciacorta in Cantina
Wine estates open their cellars for tastings and events.
31 January
Feast of San Giulio, Orta
Orta honours the saint who, by tradition, founded the island's church, with celebrations on Isola San Giulio.
September to October
Grape harvest in Franciacorta
Estates around Lake Iseo bring in the harvest, with tastings and special events in the cellars.
Planning Lake Orta and the Smaller Lakes?
Tell us your dates and the group: we reply with availability and the full price, usually within one working day, and arrange transfers, chefs and boats.
Good to know
Practical tips
- Orta San Giulio's centre is closed to traffic; park in the car parks above the village and walk or take the small tourist train.
- Monte Isola restricts private cars; leave the car on the mainland and take the short ferry from Sulzano.
- Boat timetables on the smaller lakes are seasonal and services are reduced in winter.
- Franciacorta estates require booking for tastings; avoid Sundays in high season.
- Small towns charge a modest nightly tourist tax per person.
Questions
Lake Orta and the Smaller Lakes: frequently asked
Is Lake Orta worth visiting?
Yes, for its calm atmosphere, the island of San Giulio and the Sacro Monte. It is quieter and more intimate than the larger lakes.
How do I get to Monte Isola?
Ferries run frequently from Sulzano and Iseo, with the shortest crossing from Sulzano to Peschiera Maraglio.
What is Franciacorta?
A wine area south of Lake Iseo known for its traditional method sparkling wine, Franciacorta DOCG.
Which smaller lake is best for swimming?
Lake Mergozzo and Lake Ledro are known for clear water and calm conditions.
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