Secret spots: Under-the-radar places to visit in the Italian lakes

Best for: Camera-clicking views
A 45-minute ferry trip from Stresa is the Rocca di Angera, also known as Borromeo Castle, a 12th-century castle that watches over the waterfront town of Angera. Your camera finger will be twitching in no time as you look out over Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands, and wander among cypress trees, scented herbs and colourful blooms in the garden. Inside, lots of the rooms still look just like they did in medieval times, with bright patterns painted on the walls and ceilings. And you can pop into the toy museum to see a collection of over a thousand historical toys – including some of the earliest mechanical dolls ever made.

Best for: Lake dips

With its swimming-pool-clear water, Lake Ledro’s the perfect place for a dip – and it’s just a short hop from Riva by bus. When you’re not splashing in the shallows, flick out your towel on one of the four beaches and lie back with a holiday read. Or walk or cycle your way along the shoreside trail to visit an ancient Neolithic settlement that’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The original buildings are long gone, but you can look around a reconstruction to get a feel for what they looked like.

Best for: Art and architecture

For a peaceful walk and a unique cultural experience, head to the top of San Nicolao hill on the east side of Lake Orta in Orta San Giulio. A complex of 20 Roman Catholic chapels are spread out across the summit, and there’s a route you can follow which takes them all in while giving you spectacular views of the lake, San Giulio Island and the surrounding woodland. Construction of the chapels began way back in the 16th century, and the commune is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. From chapel to chapel, admire the many artworks which illustrate stories of the saint’s life.

Best for: Meals in the mountains

Near the top of the Pradel-Palon chairlift above the north end of Lake Molveno is Rifugio La Montanara – a mountain hut where you’ll lunch with knock-your-walking-socks-off views. Enjoy a light breeze and the sunlight poking through the larch trees while you sit out on the terrace, taking in the dramatic peaks of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park in the distance.

Before you know it, you can be digging into the likes of fresh pasta, cured meats, Trentino cheeses, polenta cooked over a wood fire or homemade cakes. Secret family recipes and seasonal ingredients are the key to La Montanara’s delicious, fresh dishes, and the prices are reasonable too – so don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to come back for more.

Best for: Picnics in the sun
This little lake is the perfect place for lunch with a view, so pick up some tasty Italian nibbles and take the 30-minute bus ride from Riva. The water gets its see-it-to-believe-it turquoise colour from the white stones on the bottom of the lake and the sunlight reflecting off the green trees around the shore.

After you’ve eaten, you can take a 30-minute stroll to visit the medieval hamlet of Canale di Tenno. Abandoned after World War II, it’s now home to a thriving community of artists – and with its cobbled alleyways, courtyards and stone buildings, it’s regularly counted as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages.

Best for: Motoring masterpieces

Moto Guzzi is to motorbikes what Ferrari is to cars – and the brand is based right here on Lake Como. Mandello del Lario’s a 1-hour ferry trip ride from Bellagio, and is where Europe’s oldest manufacturer has made its two-wheeled racers since 1921. Inside the museum, you’ll learn the history of the company, from dominating racing in the 50s and 60s to breaking world speed records. But the real highlight has to be the collection of 150 motorbikes, including lots of rare models and prototypes.

Best for: A peek into the past

Back in the Middle Ages, the Toscolano river that flows into Lake Garda powered a booming papermaking business. Catch the shuttle from the centre of Maderno to see the old mills and look around the museum to learn all about the history of the local industry – and also find out what techniques are used to make paper these days. Then afterwards, round off your visit with a walk through the forests where the wood for the paper came from back in medieval times.

Best for: Scenic strolls

Take a 90-minute ferry from Baveno for a day of easy-going ambling in one of Lake Maggiore’s most scenic spots. You could start your visit with a saunter along the promenade, catching the scents of citrus fruit and flowers as you go. And above the village are shaded trails that wind between vineyards and through woods, with little wayside shrines dotted along the way. Then back in the village, cap things off in true Italian fashion by sipping an aperitif in a local bar. Now that’s la dolce vita.

Best for: Wildlife walks

Up for a walk on the wild side? Tread the trail going through this protected site on the southern shores of Lake Levico. You’ll discover a rich habitat which includes reedbeds, marshland, black alder forest, wet meadows and a whole host of interesting bird, animal and plant species. But you don’t have to know your coot from your moorhen to appreciate this spot – the natural beauty and tranquillity is something everyone can enjoy.

Check out our latest Italy deals to start planning your next getaway. And if you need help deciding which lake takes your fancy, check out our full guide to the Italian lakes.  

Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays.

Authors: Marty Fraser-Turner

Last updated: 29/01/2025