• Lakes
    • Active & Green
    • Art & Culture

The loveliest island in the Lakes

Visit the islands of the Lombard lakes: a dip in little enchanted worlds.

Lombardy is famous for its lakes, but we should not imagine them as simply areas of water among the mountains, because many of them contain surprises that we might describe as.. freshwater pearls.

Between the lakeside and garbed with enchantment of nature, these jewels are the islands, which from the lake look landwards, proud of their undisputed splendour.

In the midst of Lake d'Iseo is Montisola, a green oasis amidst the waters, with its heart torn between the Brescia and the Bergamo sides.

An island to be visited without a car – they are absolutely forbidden. A walking tour or a bike ride will bring you into contact with nature, where woods and olive groves intermingle, against a background of colourful flowers. The island has 12 historic centres and a highest point of 600 metres, at Cure, where the Sanctuary of Ceriola is located. If you get as far as this village you can also taste a local product - salami, made by hand using a traditional technique. Its ingredients are a waning moon, a cellar and some dry wood. And don't miss Siviano, with the Martinengo Tower, or Peschiera Maraglio with its fishermen's houses.

Lake Como has the beautiful island of Comacina, with its mediaeval spirit. Indeed Italian mediaeval art is said to have its origins here, centre of the stonemasons, known as the Magistri Comacini.

A place set in a decidedly Mediterranean frame, scented by jasmine and olive green in colour. On landing, the church of S. Giovanni Battista and the Sacro Monte Ossuccio, UNESCO sites, are worth seeing. The island is also home to the Antiquarium Archaeological Museum, created inside the Hospitalis complex that once gave hospitality to pilgrims and to the poor.

The island of Garda is situated on the Brescia side of the lake of that name. Its history is linked to St. Francis, who so liked its natural spirit that he indicated it as the ideal place for his brotherhood and for their chosen lifestyle. It is equal in beauty to the other islands described above. Private property of the Cavazza family, guided tours are organised to show visitors the island's heritage and the stately home there.

On the same topic

Centomiglia, sailing challenge on the Garda

Centomiglia: the most important sailing event in Garda and known throughout Europe.
  • Lakes
Centomiglia, sailing challenge on the Garda

5 lakes to be explored

Not just big lakes: discover 5 other small stretches of fresh water in Lombardy
  • Lakes
Lago d'Idro

Canyoning in Valmalenco

A unique canyoning route in the Alps
  • Lakes
Speleocanyoning nel torrente Cormor in Valmalenco

Visit Monte Isola

It is perhaps unsurprising that Monte Isola was given the name it was.
  • Lakes
Monte Isola

Lago Maggiore 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)
  • Lakes
Lago Maggiore Storie antiche

Explore Lake Idro and its surroundings

At an altitude of four hundred metres, Lake Idro is a place of peace, nature and history, and is the coolest and most secluded of the Lombard lakes
  • Lakes
Explore Lake Idro and its surroundings - in Lombardia

Botanical garden and lakeside of gardone riviera

Splendid village of Lake Garda, an exceptional place, among botanical gardens and memories linked to Gabriele D'Annunzio.
  • Lakes
Botanical garden and lakeside of Gardone Riviera

5 Thing-to-do in Colico

The perfect place for your outdoor holiday on Lake Como
  • Lakes
colico cose da fare

The most beautiful villages on Lake Lugano - What to see

Among enchanting villages, nature reserves and ancient villas, Lake Lugano is the ideal destination for a weekend of pure well-being. Find out more.
  • Lakes
The most beautiful villages on Lake Lugano - What to see

Weekend on Lake Garda

  • Lakes
Weekend sul Lago di Garda

Lakes in Lombardy: 5 unmissable experiences

5 consigli per una giornata indimenticabile: da Gardone Riviera all’Isola Comacina, alle sponde perfette per chi ama la bici
  • Lakes
Laghi in Lombardia autunno

5 Thing-to-do in Gravedona

Visit Gravedona ed Uniti, a cozy town in North Lake Como
  • Lakes
gravedona

Lake Garda Photo Gallery

Photo exhibition to tell the beauty of this territory.
  • Lakes
Discovering Lake Garda with pictures, from A to Z

The Lario for sporty visitors

Walking, water sports, hiking, cycling, climbing, canyoning... Enjoy a summer on the move between Como, Lecco and the Larian Triangle
  • Lakes
The Lario for sporty visitors

Guide to the seven lakes of Varese province

  • Lakes
Panorama del Lago di Varese e Comabbio dal Forte d'Orino

Lakeside and centre of gargnano

Gargnano: one of the most beautiful historical centers of Lake Garda.
  • Lakes
Lakeside and centre of Gargnano

Dream beaches on Lake Garda

For an escape from the August heat in Lombardy, why not visit these 5 heavenly beaches on Lake Garda?
  • Lakes
Dream beaches on Lake Garda

3 LAKES TRAVEL CARD

Through Italy and Switzerland discovering the lakes area.
  • Lakes
3 LAKES TRAVEL CARD

Lago di Garda: 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
  • Lakes
Lago di Garda, lungolago Zanardelli

the archaelogical palimpsest of Comacina

We explore the island of Comacina on Lake Como.
  • Lakes
Comacina Island, Lake Como