Lake Orta holidays

Popular holidays

Natural beauty, historic towns and a host of activities to try – holidays to Lake Orta have the lot.

A storybook setting

The littler sister of nearby lakes Como and Maggiore, Lake Orta serves up scenery that’s fit for a fairy-tale – it’s even known to locals as the Cinderella Lake. Terracotta roofed towns dot the shoreline and the hillsides above are covered with leafy forests. Look closely and you can spot hamlets, villas and the tall towers of churches and tumble-down castles tucked among the greenery. And as the whole lake measures less than 14km from end to end, it’s easy-peasy to take it all in on a week’s holiday.

Boat hopping and town exploring

There’s somewhere different to discover each day here, starting with Orta San Giulio. Perched on a peninsula, it’s the kind of place where you can wander winding streets and find click-worthy views around each corner, from cobbled piazzas to flower-fronted villas. A boat-hop away is San Giulio Island, where legend has it Saint Giulio defeated dragons and founded a church that you can still visit today. Further up the lake are Pettenasco and Crabbia – a duo of waterfront towns with a laid-back feel and some great beach spots. And in the hills above is the rural village of Armeno, a great place to visit if you're looking for that get-away-from-it-all vibe.

Paddles and pedals

Whether it’s on the water or dry land, there’s a host of outdoor activities on the cards here. You can borrow pedalos and stand-up paddleboards at lots of the beaches. And for even more lake-themed fun, you can take the tiller and explore in a sailing dinghy too. Back on shore, you can swap boats for bikes and set off for some two-wheeled exploring. The tourist board website has lots of readymade routes that take in some of the area’s best bits. Just hire an e-bike and away you go.

Things to do

Lakeside promenade
Lakeside path
Lake bathing
Boat trips
Local ferries
Bike hire
Guided mountain walks
Nordic walking
Alpine flower garden
Waterfalls
UNESCO site
Open-air concerts
Outdoor pool
Tennis courts
Museums
Minigolf
E-Bikes
Caves

Popular hotels in Lake Orta

Top things to see and do in Lake Orta

Beaches

Riviera Beach

There are 12 different beaches dotted around the shoreline, and Riveria Beach is handiest for Orta San Giulio. Walk 10 minutes from the centre and you're there.

Miami Beach

Feel the sand between your toes at Miami Beach. A 2-minute taxi trip from Orta San Giulio, this golden strip catches the sun all day long and the beach slopes gently into the water.

Pettenasco promenade

Pettenasco's a good choice if beach time is a priority. The town's lakeside promenade has spots of beach all along it, with good views of the tree-lined shoreline.

Shopping

Bargain buys

The town of Omega hosts some of the largest markets on the lake. You'll find local crafts, farm-fresh produce and second-hand bargains here.

Mid-range buys

Orta San Giulio is a great place to pick up a souvenir. Stroll its meandering streets to explore little shops selling hand-crafted gifts and local art.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Enjoy a little dolce vita at the end of the day with a post-dinner stroll along the prom Ï the locals call it a passeggiata.

Lively evenings

Lake Orta locals like to take things easy in the evening Ï think nightcaps not nightclubs. Some local bars stay open till the early hours.

Food & drink

Local delicacies

The historic quarter of Orta San Giulio offers a choice of restaurants and family-run trattorias. Beef from local Piedmont cattle may well be on the menu.

On San Giulio island

Take a boat trip over to the island and you'll find places to eat. Lake fish and seafood are on the menu, as you'd expect.

Getting about

Passenger ferries

A fleet of three ferries criss-crosses the lake, with separate services linking up all the main spots along the shoreline, as well as San Giulio Island. In Orta San Guilio, the ferry point is on Orta Piazza. Further up the shore, you'll find boarding points on Pettenasco's promenade and at Punta Di Crabbia near Crabbia.

Trains

Both Orta San Guilio and Pettenasco have a regular rail service that'll get you to Novara in around 40 minutes.

On foot

With their winding, cobbled streets and paved piazzas, the Medieval towns that line the lake are the perfect places to explore by foot.

Walking

Orta San Guilio

Starting at the centre of Orta San Guilio, head for Via Corina Caire Albertoletti and follow it to the steps of the Chiesa dell'Assunta church. Keep heading uphill to the Monte Di Orta nature reserve, where you can soak up the greenery, not to mention great views of San Guilio Island.

Pescone waterfall

This 8km route from the centre of Pettenasco is mostly off road and you'll pass a pool with a tumbling waterfall along the way. It starts with a stroll through the neighbouring village of Crabbia, before following gravel paths around the base of Monte Barro. After around an hour or so, you'll arrive in Agrano and then Pescone, with the waterfalls.