Experience Italy's Lakes District, where serene waters meet Alpine vistas and charming towns. Lake Como, known for its dramatic scenery set against the foothills of the Alps, is a haven of tranquility and elegance. Explore the picturesque towns of Bellagio, Varenna, and Como, where you can wander through cobblestone streets, dine in lakeside restaurants, and visit historic sites like the Villa Carlotta and Villa Melzi.
Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, offers a more vibrant atmosphere with its bustling lakeside towns, such as Sirmione, known for its thermal baths and medieval castle, and Riva del Garda, with its charming old town and windsurfing spots. The lake is surrounded by lush olive groves and vineyards, offering a taste of the region's culinary delights. Don't miss Lake Maggiore, with its enchanting Borromean Islands, each featuring beautiful palaces and gardens. The quaint lakeside towns of Stresa and Verbania are gateways to exploring this scenic area, rich in art and history.
The lesser-known but equally captivating lakes, such as Lake Orta and Lake Iseo, offer a more intimate experience. Lake Orta's medieval village of Orta San Giulio and the mystical island of San Giulio provide a peaceful escape, while Lake Iseo is known for its nature reserves and Franciacorta wine region.
Head to the north of Italy and you'll find stunning alpine lakes, the most famous of which is Lago di Como. But there are plenty of lesser-known bodies of water in the region that rival the beauty of Como—let this guide take you to the islands of Maggiore, the crystalline waters of Garda, and beyond.
With mountain views, sapphire waters, pine-wooded slopes, and islands brimming with botanical gardens, the Italian Lakes are in many ways Italy at its dreamy best. Here lakefronts are lined with medieval towns and grand belle époque villas, beaches for swimming and sunbathing, and promenades made for aimless strolls. Visit the Italian Lakes, and you'll happily master 'il dolce far niente': the art of doing nothing.
From north to south to the islands, Italy has a prime coastline with some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful beaches. You can find stretches of pebbles and sand in lakes surrounded by mountain peaks, lagoons with wetlands and colorful villages, hidden bays enveloped by cliffs, and scenic gulfs and coves. Combine a little adventure with relaxing on the beach, or spend your entire day zipping around the seaside searching for the dolce vita.
Italy has its fair share of beautiful lakes, but the most popular area to relax along freshwater is the Northern Lakes District. Here, you'll find the big three: Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Lake Maggiore (amongst others). Of all the scenic pools, Como and Garda steal the show with their dramatic mountainous surroundings, posh grand villas, and elaborate garden terraces. You can explore impressive waterfront castles, charming cobbled streets in historic villages, and even the famed Amarone wine region.
Being active in Italy is easy, and it's a great way to dive a bit deeper into the cultural essence of the country. You can hike and explore lakes in the north, walk the cliffs of Cinque Terre, the Italian Riviera, and the Amalfi Coast, and take full advantage of the warm, crystalline waters with swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking excursions. With so much diversity, you can quickly build an adventurous dream trip for any interest or ability!
Italy may be the most family-friendly destination, with so much diversity in history, environment, and activity. Plus, kids love Italian food like pizza, pasta, and gelato! From kid-friendly hikes and boat trips to interactive city tours with scavenger hunts to hands-on workshops, you can easily keep your little ones entertained and engaged. Follow the steps of Marco Polo, become archeologists in Pompeii, zip through Rome on a golf cart, and learn how to sculpt like Michaelangelo. The sky's the limit for kids in Italy!
Load the family into the car and hit the road for this trip through lovely Northern Italy, ideal for school-age children and families who want to manage their own budget and schedule. You'll start in fashionable Milan for a culture and history lesson before cruising around the glittering shores and garden villas of Lake Como. Then head to the park-filled shores of Lake Garda, Italy's most family-friendly lake, before heading back to Milan for your departure.
Fall in love with northern Italy's great lakes on this seven-day romantic vacation. Begin in Venice with a dreamy sunset gondola ride, then travel to Lake Como, where a home-cooked meal awaits. You'll explore both Como and Lake Maggiore with a private skipper, who'll share the best sights and places to eat, before zipping over to Lake Orta on the back of a Vespa. Collect souvenirs in Stresa, and join an offbeat culture tour that ends with a wine tasting in a lesser-known town.
Eight to 10 days is a great length for an Italy trip with stops in Lake Como, Milan, and Lake Garda. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in a week, which makes for a fast-paced journey. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some favored itinerary extensions include Verona or Rome. Keep reading for more inspiring Lake Como, Milan, and Lake Garda itineraries.
Your whole family can fully engage with Italy on this adventurous itinerary, ideally suited for teens with energy to spare. You'll begin in Venice, where you'll craft Carnival masks and explore the secret passages of the city's famous landmarks. After a stop to wander the streets of Verona, you'll head to the park-lined shores of Lake Garda, filled with attractions for all ages. Finish the tour in the Tuscan city of Siena, your base for hot air balloon rides, hikes, and more.
During this 7-day trip, you'll experience the best of Milan and explore two of the most amazing lakes in Northern Italy, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. Discover the picturesque villages of Bellagio and Como, and visit elegant villas, historic churches, and ride a funicular to mountaintop Brunate at sunset. On Lake Maggiore, stay in the charming town of Stresa, and enjoy a boat ride to Isola Bella, "the beautiful island". In Milan, delve into Italian culture, history, and art when visiting the Gothic Duomo and hip neighborhoods.
Let the beauty of the Italian Lakes sweep you off your feet on this 10-day romantic vacation. Holiday bliss begins in Venice with a dreamy sunset gondola ride; then, it's time to hop between the colorful lakeside towns of Lombardy. Start with a cable car ride above Garda, the largest lake, then visit Como, where you'll feel like an A-lister with a private boat for the day. Finally, meet a home cook on the shores of Maggiore and jet out to the Borromean Islands to explore opulent palaces and gardens.
On this 8-day trip, you'll get to explore the cultural capital of Milan as well as two of the most beautiful lakes in Northern Italy. Discover Milan's Renaissance art and Gothic architecture with visits to the Duomo and Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" painting. Explore the villages of Lake Como and Lake Maggiore by boat. Visit the magnificent villas in Bellagio and learn how to make fresh pasta in Como. On Lake Maggiore, hop from the charming town of Stresa to Isola Bella, "the beautiful island". Ride a cable car and enjoy panoramic views over the lake at sunset.
Dramatic mountain scenery, quaint stone villages, and lakeside vistas await on this 12-day self-drive adventure through northern Italy. Starting in Milan, you'll explore the city and zip over to Switzerland via the scenic Bernina Express before grabbing the keys to a rental car. Start the ignition and journey north to admire the serene beauty of Lake Como and Lake Garda with boat trips and lakefront dining, then tour the picturesque Prosecco Valley and end in Venice with a classic gondola ride.
On this 9-day trip starting and ending in Milan, discover two of the most beautiful lakes in Northern Italy. Explore Lake Como by boat, and visit the elegant villas in the villages of Como and Bellagio. On Lake Maggiore, be charmed by the picturesque town of Stresa and the island of Isola Bella, and enjoy panoramic views over the lake with a cable car ride. While in Milan, hit all the highlights including the Duomo and Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" painting.
Families with older kids and teens who want to get out and explore (and find the perfect backdrop for their photos) should give this two-week trip through the Veneto and Tuscany a try. It starts in Venice, where you'll explore secret palace passageways, craft your own masks, and hop between tiny islands. See Verona by bike and Lake Garda by boat, and take an Alpine day trip into the Dolomites. Wrap up in the Tuscan cities of Siena and Florence with a hot-air balloon ride, gelato-making, and more.
Wheel your way through northern Italy on this road trip with stops that school-aged children and parents can enjoy, with timing adjustable to your own preferences. You'll start amid the Renaissance influences of Florence, then set out into the Tuscan countryside and Chianti Valley on winding olive- and vineyard-lined roads. From there, head to the coast to wander the beaches of the Italian Riviera and then up to Lake Como to explore its luxurious shores. Wrap up your Italian sojourn on the playful shores of Lake Garda before you return to Florence.
During this 10-day trip, you'll experience the best of Milan and visit two of the most beautiful lakes in Northern Italy. Admire the mix of Gothic and Renaissance art and architecture in Milan, and taste local street food. On Lake Como, enjoy a guided tour of the traditional lakeside villages of Varenna and Bellagio, and take the scenic route by boat to the town of Como and visit its cathedral. On Lake Maggiore, discover the picturesque town of Stresa and the island of Isola Bella, and take a cable car ride for views out over the lake at sunset.
Find your inspiration on this 15-day luxury trip through northwest Italy. Bask in the sun-baked hues of Portofino, rich culinary scene of Piedmont, and churches of Turin. Then, continue high into the Alps and down to the indulgent villas of Lake Maggiore and its Borromean Islands, where carefully cultivated beauty can be found around every corner.
Explore the back roads and small villages that characterize the countrysides of both Italy and Greece on this three-week road trip. You'll visit well-known highlights, like Florence, charming Tuscan hill towns, and the first Olympic site in Olympia, as well as some places a bit off the beaten path: Romeo and Juliet's Verona, the medieval villages of the Peloponnese, the wineries of Nemea, and more. With full control of the daily driving schedule, you'll have time to plan for spontaneous stops for coffee, for shopping at roadside markets, and for late-afternoon beach breaks.
This twelve-day itinerary in Northern Italy is perfect for adventurous travelers with some time to spare. Start in Milan, the fashion and cultural capital, to see world-famous art and shop for luxury and designer items. Explore botanical gardens and family restaurants in Bellagio, then tour the Borromean Islands and browse the lakeside market in Lake Maggiore. End at Lake Garda for a Dolomite day excursion and wine tasting.
Wake up in wonder every day of this 12-day trip plan through Northwest Italy. You'll fall asleep to the sounds of the sea in the resort town of Portofino, amid a renovated 17th-century monastery in Genoa, and high amid Alpine chalets as you make your way through the region's attractions.
From a Gondola ride through the Venetian canals to a skip-the-line admission to Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" fresco, this 21-day itinerary takes in all the high points of northern Italy. In-between, you'll hike the alpine foothills around Merano, drive the thrilling Stelvio Pass, and spend nine days exploring Lakes Giardia, Como, Maggiore, and Orta. End with four days of coastal hiking plus culinary experiences in Cinque Terre before a final day taking in the best of Milan.
Thirteen is considered a lucky number in Italy, so take time off and explore Northern Italy for thirteen days. Take in the history and amazing street food in Milan, then head to beautiful Lake Como for a week of sunshine, sprawling lakeside gardens, and wine tasting. Continue to Lakes Maggiore and Garda for Sunday mornings at the market, Napoleon-era villas, and the stunning Dolomite Mountains.
Take 13 days to travel in style through Northwest Italy. You'll get insider access to spots like a secluded monastery accessible only by boat, the classic wineries of Barolo, truffles of Alba, and Library of Turin. Head to the mountains, where you'll pass through the Doorway of the Zodiac to the Sacra di San Michele and into the ruins of a former Roman settlement before winding down on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
Spend two weeks exploring northern Italy at your own speed with this self-drive itinerary that allows you to choose the stops. You'll start off in the northern lakes, with Lake Como and Lake Garda offering boat tours past villas and amusement parks alike. Then make your way into Tuscany, where you'll ride a horse-drawn wagon through the countryside and explore the medieval walled city of Siena and famous art of Florence. Finish your trip in the Italian Riviera and colorful five villages of Cinque Terre.
Spend two relaxing weeks enjoying art, culture, and food. Shop for treasures at the Quadrilatero della Moda district and join the locals at the Navigli canals for high-energy nightlife in Milan. Spend four days on peaceful Lake Como, touring sleepy fishing harbors and learning to make the perfect pasta dish. Visit serene lakeside estates on Lake Maggiore, then end on Lake Garda for award-winning wine tasting and Tyrolean charm.
Soak up the enchanting countryside and cuisine of northwestern Italy with this luxurious two-week vacation. You'll taste wine and learn to cook Ligurian cuisine in Portofino and the Cinque Terre, then transfer to Piedmont for gourmet food and truffle hunting in the UNESCO-listed Langhe Wine Region. The Valle d'Aosta's up next with trips to Turin and the Alpine resort of La Thuile before a laid-back finale on Lake Maggiore has you cruising around the Borromean Islands by private boat.
Get away from the hustle and bustle on this 15-day Lakes District itinerary. See da Vinci's "The Last Supper" and catch a football game in Milan, then enjoy the city's buzzing nightlife. Tour resplendent summer villas on Lake Como, shop flea markets on Lake Maggiore, then end your trip on Lake Garda, where sunny beaches, charming Tyrolean villages, and the Valpolicella wine region await.
Take a five-day frolic through Italy and Switzerland with this itinerary. You'll split your time between lakes and mountains, often enjoying views of both simultaneously, as you take in waterfront historic sites, luxurious villas, and more.
This 6-day trip will immerse you in the bustling local life of Milan and the beauty of one of the grandest lakes in Northern Italy, Lake Como. Visit the villages of Como and Bellagio and be charmed by grand villas, romantic sunsets, and scenic boat rides. In Milan, explore the history of art at the Gothic Cathedral and see Da Vinci's Renaissance masterpiece "The Last Supper", and enjoy apertivos in vibrant neighborhoods.
Spend six days savoring the luxury of northern Italy and Switzerland on this trip. Whether you're wandering lakeside streets, hiking up the mountain trails, or taking in the views from outside your train window, you're sure to find something to delight you.
