Lake Orta 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

Lots of choice

You’re covered when it comes to beach time here with 12 different spots dotted around the shoreline. Riveria Beach is handiest for Orta San Giulio – walk 10 minutes from the centre and you’re there. Or you can hop on a boat, bus or take a taxi to discover everything from peaceful coves to spots with loungers, parasols, restaurants and activities on hand.

Sandy shores

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, so it’s the prefect place for kids to paddle. Lido Di Gozzano near Gozzano town is another sandy spot to spread out your towel. You’ve got great views down the length of the lake and there’s a diving tower if you fancy making a splash.

Pettenasco’s prom

Pettenasco’s a great pick if beachtime is a priority. You’ve got spots spread all along the town’s lakeside promenade, which come with great views of the tree-covered shoreline to boot. Pack your towel and swim things, then swing by the shops on the way to load up on supplies for a day spent unwinding by the water.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Thursday is market day in Omega – the bustling town at the northern tip of the lake. It’s one of the biggest in the area, with stallholders travelling from miles around to set up shop. Whether you’re looking for local crafts, farm-fresh produce or a second-hand steal, there’s nowhere better for a spot of holiday spending.

Mid-range buys

Orta San Giulio’s a great place to pick up a keepsake or two. Stroll its higgled-piggled streets to explore little shops selling hand-crafted gifts and local art. Or pop into a wine shop to grab a bottle of the local vino. When in Italy after all.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Enjoy a little dolce vita at the end of the day with a post-dinner stroll along the prom – the locals call it a passeggiata. If you’re in Pettenasco, Hotel Giardinetto has a knockout roof terrace where you can sip a sunset spritz. Or for a low-key spot in Orta San Giulio, try Al Boeuc wine bar to sip your way through some of the local vintages.

Lively evenings

Lake Orta locals like to take things easy of an evening – think nightcaps not nightclubs. If you do fancy a drink after hours, try Birreria il Cantuccio in Orta San Giulio. A local fave, this little bar has beers on tap, a friendly atmosphere and stays open ‘til 1am most nights

Food & drink

Eating out

Italy’s a cut above when it comes to food and drink – and Lake Orta’s no exception. From steaks to stews, the beef from the region’s Piedmont cattle is second to none. Or for a delicacy that goes way back, try Toma del Mottarone, a type of cheese that’s been made here since the Middle Ages. And of course, you can tuck into plenty of pizza, pasta and risotto too.

Cast off to Ristorante San Giulio

A boat ride away on San Giulio Island is this waterfront pick. The menu matches the setting, with lots of lake fish and seafood to tempt you – and there’s a sunny outdoor terrace, so you can watch the boats bob on the lake while you eat.

5-star fare at Restaurant Villa Crespi

Villa Crepsi’s one of Orta San Guilio’s most luxurious hotels, and its restaurant is just as good. The fine-dining food here has earned it three Michelin Stars, so expect recipes with heaps of plate-appeal and flavours to match. Try the tasting menu and enjoy a culinary road trip around Italy from the comfort of your seat.

Authentic flavours at Osteria San Martino

This tucked-away trattoria in Crabbia serves up classic Italian comfort food in a laid-back setting. Book a table and fill your boots with platters of antipasti, creamy shrimp gnocchi and sizzling steaks. Then round off your meal with some semifreddo – part mousse, part ice-cream, it’s light, sweet and oh-so creamy.

Getting about

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 town, the ferry point is on Orta Piazza. And further up the coast you’ve got boarding points on Pettenasco’s promenade and at Punta Di Crabbia near Crabbia town.

Trains

Both Orta San Guilio and Pettenasco have a regular rail service that’ll get you to Novara in around 40 minutes. From there, it’s a 1-hour train journey to Milan.

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. Down by the waterside are promenades where you can stroll and feel the lake breeze. Or head into the hills to explore the network of walking trails if you fancy covering more kilometres.

Walking

Walking

Whether you’re after an easy amble or something a little longer, you’ve got plenty of options around Lake Orta when it comes to walking routes. Lakeside proms hug the shoreline near most towns – just the thing for an after-dinner stroll. Or head further afield to take in hilltop views and heaps of natural beauty in the countryside surrounding the lake.

Stroll around the sites of Orta San Guilio

Take in lots of Orta San Guilio’s best bits on this leisurely loop around the town. Starting in the centre, make 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. After this, it’s down to the shoreline, where you can follow the prom around the peninsula and back to the centre of town. The whole thing should only take around an hour.

Pettenasco to Pescone waterfall circuit

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 – pack a towel so you can stop for a paddle. 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, where the waterfalls are. Then from here, it’s back to Pettenasco, passing through the hamlet of Pratolungo along the way

Facts about Lake Orta

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
Italian
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
2 to 3 hours from Gatwick

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