• Lifestyle
    • Lakes
    • Food & Wine

Aperitifs with lakeside views and atmosphere

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT

Summertime elegance is reflected in Lombardy’s lakes, far from the hubbub of the city, where you can carve out some magical moments surrounded by music and flavours.

Historic villas, panoramic terraces, and suspended lounge bars, immersed in the natural and architectural beauties of the Lombardy provinces overlooking the lakes.
Aperitifs become a multi-sensory experience, with glasses of wine, live music, and creative finger foods. 
Whether you want to enjoy panoramic views while on a romantic date or out for an evening with friends, we can give you five lakeside ideas to rediscover happy hour as a time for pure relaxation, in elegant locations on Lombardy’s lakes.
 

Panoramic terraces on Lake Como
On warm summer evenings, the terraces overlooking Lake Como become a privileged setting for an intimate sundown aperitif, when the sky is tinged with pink and the peaceful waters of the lake reflect these tones, transporting you into a timeless atmosphere. If you are looking for an elegant panoramic lounge, a roof garden with views and hanging terraces, the towns on the Como and Lecco rivieras offer the stunning sights for which they are known the world over, together with chic locations for exclusive experiences. Often these terraces are part of historic homes or boutique hotels, standing out for scenographic architecture that makes the most of the landscape without ever overpowering it.
Suspended lounge bars on Lake Iseo
The quiet, cosy charm of Lake Iseo makes it the perfect destination for aperitifs with a slower, more contemplative feel. You can accompany your evening with walks in the precious historic villages dotted around the lake, looking out over jetties and panoramic walkways with authentic lounge bars suspended over the water. The summer aperitif is an occasion to establish a more authentic link with the area and even the food and wine opportunities are there with local delights such as Franciacorta wine. A moment that brings together elegance and simplicity, where the natural landscape comes together to create a carefully curated convivial and welcoming private dimension. Lake Iseo offers a discreet and at the same time, memorable experience that is perfect if you’d like to enjoy raising a glass at sunset, in the provinces of Bergamo or Brescia.
Sunset boat ride on Lake Maggiore
If you want more than the usual happy hour experience, then why not choose a boat trip on Lake Maggiore? Sail about with no worries, sipping on elegant cocktails while you enjoy tasty snacks and the views of the marvellous historic villas and luxurious gardens dotted around the shores. This exclusive experience will take you into a romantic atmosphere where the views and the golden rays of sunset dancing over the waters create the perfect setting for a summer aperitif, to be enjoyed with cheese and honey, cured meats, and home-made vegetable pickles. Whether this is a first date, an evening with friends, or a special event, an aperitif aboard a boat on Lake Maggiore is the perfect and original way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the province of Varese.
On the beach at Lake Garda
Summer evenings on Lake Garda are all about aperitifs on the beach, where the view of the lake and the sweet sound of live music come together to create a unique atmosphere. All around, the Prealps of Lombardy frame the crystal-clear waters of the lake, create the perfect holiday feel, even only for an hour. With cocktails at six, Lake Garda is the very essence of summer in all its forms: accessible, authentic luxury, to be experienced barefoot on the beach. With lake fish and local wines, the chic atmosphere of the lounge bars and the slow holiday rhythm provide the ideal combination for enjoying an aperitif with friends, socialising, and getting to know the local area.
Garden bars and historic villas on Lake Como
For those of you who dream of an aperitif all about charm and elegance, then the historic villas looking out on Lake Como offer a totally delightful experience. With modern-inspo furnishings, Italian gardens and panoramic terraces, you can let the elegant, timeless atmosphere surround and surprise you. Romantic refuges with plenty of marble work and statuary, plus historic homes immersed in the green are transformed into ideal settings for aperitifs with lakeside views, glasses of wine, and elegant finger food. On special evenings, some of these villas open their doors to live acoustic sets and gourmet happy hours. Whether it's for an aperitif with delicious local nibbles or a cocktail with live music, you can rediscover the poetry of the lake, with a cinematographic effect.

On the same topic

Show all

10 good reasons to visit Milan

10 suggestions we are sure you will fall in love with Milan
Piazza Duomo a Milano
  • Lifestyle

10 Good reasons to visit Monza

Parco di Monza
  • Lifestyle

5 glamorous experiences in Lombardy

Lombardy offers glamorous experiences that combine the allure of luxury with the discovery of natural and cultural treasures
5 glamorous experiences in Lombardy - Barca a vela Lago di Como
  • Lifestyle

Mantua and Cremona

Two towns, two UNESCO heritage sites. Tips for a weekend between Mantua and Cremona
Scorcio Mantova
  • Lifestyle

Ski Area Valmalenco

50 km of slopes make up the ski area of Alpe Palù, which is the calling card of Valmalenco.
Ski area Valmalenco
  • Lifestyle

Historic cafes and pastry shops in Milan

  • Lifestyle

10 Good reasons to visit Varese

Varese Palazzo Estense
  • Lifestyle

Picnic time in Lombardy

Sunshine, warmth, green grass and a delicious spread: it's the perfect time for a picnic in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle

Brescia and Lake Iseo itinerary

Nicknamed the "Lioness of Italy", it displays great tourist qualities thanks to its rich artistic and environmental heritage
2 days in Brescia and Lake Iseo
  • Lifestyle

9 ideas for a romantic weekend in Lombardy

Skyline Mantua
  • Lifestyle

Made in Brianza

Furnishings, design, textiles, gastronomy. Brianza is - and always has been - synonymous with “know-how”.
Molteni Museum
  • Lifestyle

What to see in Lombardy

A remarkable artistic heritage, a variety of landscapes, rich cultural traditions... all waiting to be discovered!
What to see in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle

10 Good reasons to visit Lecco

Lecco
  • Lifestyle

Summer: camping is the thing to do in Lombardy

Camping holidays in Lombardy: discover the 4 trends for Summer
Estate 2021: il camping è di moda in Lombardia
  • Lifestyle

Bergamo: shopping and flavours

Shopping in Bergamo is divided between Città Alta and Città Bassa. The promise: artisan shops, historic cafes, fashionable shop windows
Bergamo
  • Lifestyle

Historical workshops and artisan traditions in Lombardy

An extraordinary journey back in time
Historical workshops and artisan traditions in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle

Milan: six trend-setting neighbourhoods

Art and architecture. But also sports and good food. Discover six neighbourhoods with us where Milan sets the trend.
Milan: six trend-setting neighbourhoods
  • Lifestyle

Brescia more than just shopping

The streets of the big names. The antiques market. The square for the aperitif. Choose how to spend your free time in Brescia
Center of Brescia
  • Lifestyle

September 2026 Events in Lombardy

September is a time for celebrations in Lombardy, with local specialities, traditional festivals and weekends spent outdoors
September 2026 Events in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle

Monza in a weekend

From the Treasure of Theodelinda to the thrill of the Autodromo. Discover Monza in 48 hours: a twospeed city. With amazing masterpieces
  • Lifestyle