The Italian Lakes are the perfect way to enjoy low-key Italian luxury on the water, incredible views, and much milder temperatures than at the sizzling Italian coastline.
If you’re looking for an Italian Lake break, then it’s likely that you’ll make a beeline for Lake Como. Just like everyone else!
But I’m here to tell you that that might not be the best idea.
Here’s why it’s time to forget the crowds and overrated glamor of Lake Como and explore a lesser-known, low key, and downright beautiful Italian lake instead.
I’m talking about Lake Maggiore.
Move Over Lake Como? Why It Might Not Be The Best Choice
Lake Como is the most famous of the Italian Lakes, thanks to its outstanding beauty, abundance of historical attractions, and celebrity connections.
George Clooney famously lives in a mansion on the lake, and celeb couples such as John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski said ‘I do’ by the lake too.
But where there are celebrities and an international reputation, there are crowds. And boy is Lake Como crowded in the summer!
Lake Como receives 1.4 million tourists a year and locals struggle under the weight of the visitor numbers.
In April local authorities proposed introducing a Venice-style entry fee to combat this overtourism.
Measures that haven’t been introduced yet but which seem inevitable given the overwhelming crowds.
You won’t experience any of these problems at the lesser-known Lake Maggiore.
Enter Lake Maggiore: The Perfect Alternative To Lake Como
Lake Maggiore is breathtakingly beautiful and is so big that it straddles two countries.
Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy and the largest in southern Switzerland. It sits to the south of the Alps, meaning you’ll enjoy epic mountainous views.
Between June and August, temperatures around Lake Maggiore range between 20°C – 30°C (68 F – 86 F), making it the ideal temperature for water activities such as swimming and boating.
Of course, unless you’re lucky enough to be traveling on a yacht, you can’t actually stay on the lake itself.
So you’ll need to stay in one of the towns that fringe the lake instead.
One of the most picturesque and popular spots is the town of Stresa. This sits on the western, Italian side of Lake Maggiore, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
Stresa boasts beautiful churches, authentic Italian markets, and woodland walks with panoramic lake views. It is an incredible place to escape the hustle and bustle of the most popular Lake Como towns and villages.
Incredible Islands To Explore
One of the things that makes Lake Maggiore so unique and a standout feature is its islands.
If you’re visiting Lake Maggiore then there are 3 main islands that you need to know about. These are Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola dei Pescatori.
Each island has its own unique charms and each is worth visiting, but for very different reasons!
If you’re a history nerd like me, then you’ll want to know that all 3 of these islands were historically owned by the Borromeo family.
They are one of Italy’s most powerful noble dynasties, and they have a fascinating history in their own right.
If beautiful gardens and lush verdant greenery is your idea of a good time then you need to visit Isola Madre which boasts a botanical garden packed full of tropical plants.
Isola Bella is where the Borromeo family home is located. This is a palatial building surrounded by typically Italian terraced grounds which tourists can explore.
Baroque grottos, stunning marble fountains, and free-roaming peacocks are a particular highlight.
For an unusual slice of Italian life, Isola dei Pescatori should be your pick. This island boasts a fishermen’s village, and although the community has only 57 people, it is active, vibrant, and authentically Italian.
Visiting the islands is incredibly affordable. You can take a Borromeo islands tour leaving from Pallanza for € 16,90 ($18.40) per adult and € 8,50 ($9.30) for children aged between 4-12.
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