The Italian Lakes will forever be luring tourists to their tranquil shores; there’s something effortlessly romantic and seductive about a holiday in this part of Italy. From architectural masterpieces to picture-perfect scenery, you can find yourself traversing the alps one moment and gliding along a serene lake the next.
That isn’t to say the Italian Lakes aren’t thriving with cultural adventure and a vibrant lifestyle – theatre performances, open-air festivals, a diverse music scene and plethora of outdoor pursuits: walking, sailing and cycling… you can be sure when you stay in one of our expertly handpicked villas in the Italian Lakes, your holiday will be one to remember.
Discover the Oliver’s Travels way, where style and character define every handpicked villa in the Italian Lakes. Our destination experts curate unique homes in beautiful locations that are perfect for families and guaranteed to ‘wow’.
Once you book a holiday, the service doesn't stop there. Our Concierge Service means you'll be in good hands to arrange in-house chefs, fridge stocking, housekeeping, and so much more, to make your stay truly extraordinary.
Sat at the foot of the Alps and enjoying breath-taking mountain backdrops, the Italian Lakes is one of Italy’s most popular villa holiday destinations. With a fantastic climate year-round and some of the most picturesque towns and villages in the country, it also boasts excellent facilities for families and adventure sports enthusiasts.
Consisting of Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda, the Italian Lakes region benefits from a unique landscape that was formed during the most recent ice age and that has been thrilling holidaymakers since the Romans first started holidaying on its shores.
Each lake has something slightly different to offer, allowing you to tailor your holiday to your needs.
Lake Como
If you want more information, check the full Italian Lakes Travel Guide in our blog.
There are few places on earth where jaw-dropping natural landscapes are married to such elegant and attractive architecture.
Impressive lake views, delicious food, and luxury holiday villas in amazing locations. This handy guide to the top properties in each of the lakes should help you decide which one is the right for you. So take a closer look at what makes them so special, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with our concierge team if you want to learn more.
Impressive castles and fortresses, nature reserves and a wealth of outdoor sports are just a few of the things that make up the stunning Lake Maggiore. With an air of opulence about it, Lake Maggiore is an ideal Italian retreat.
Home to an array of lush gardens, a packed events calendar, ancient ruins, amusement parks and winding streets that are fun to get lost in – Lake Garda offers much more than just fun lakeside activities.
Upmarket, neoclassical and well-known for its silk production, Lake Como is a playground for the rich and famous. Dotted with a variety of charming towns and villages, you can while away your days appreciating the scenery, taking up water-sports and poking around the boutique shops.
While Lake Garda is the most family-friendly of the three major lakes, both Como and Maggiore also have plenty to offer. The waterfront location means that the kids can always hop in the lakes to cool off and many of our villas in the Italian Lakes are equipped with a private pool to keep them busy when you get back home.
Set back from the waterfront on the southern edge of Lake Garda, the Gardaland theme park is a popular draw for thrill-seeking families. With roller coasters, rides and plenty of attractions, it’s a great day out for kids of all ages. Alternatively, the Parco Natura Viva combines zoo, safari, and dinosaur exhibitions into a single, easy-to-reach adventure park.
Gardaland theme park
At the Italian Lakes, the star of the show is, of course, the water. Whether you rent a boat from the Turati Centro Nautico Lario on Lake Como or learn to windsurf at one of the many schools on the shores of Lake Garda, the kids are bound to love splashing around in the water.
Discover more information about things to do with family in the Italian Lakes in our blog.
If you’re a fan of beach holidays and looking for something a little different, heading to the lakes is a good way of shaking things up. The Italian Lakes offer a beach holiday with a difference, with spectacular pebbled beaches and coves set against a breath-taking lakeside backdrop.
Due to the size of the lakes, both weather conditions and beaches can differ drastically from one end of a lake to the other. For instance, the northern reaches of Lake Garda are renowned for the reliability of their afternoon winds, which have transformed the region into a major pilgrimage site for windsurfers from all over the world. At the south end of the lake, the wind dies off but is replaced by the hustle and bustle of Sirmione, a popular town that also boasts several lovely beaches.
While some private beaches require you to pay for access, the vast majority are free and open to everyone, allowing you to pick and choose your favourites. In many areas, a grassy waterfront replaces the traditional sandy beach – the perfect solution for those who love to be by the water but can’t stand sand getting everywhere.
Our villas in the Italian lakes usually come with their own pool, and if what you really want is for the coast to be nearby, we suggest you check out these villas near the beach.
Just a short distance from Riva del Garda, Spiaggia Sabbioni features pleasant grassy and pebbly spots.
Here, mornings are spent sunbathing and swimming. In the afternoon, when the town’s famous winds start to blow, it’s time for windsurfing and water-sports.
A great choice for families, Spiaggia Tifu sits aside the town of Limone sul Garda. The water is safe and suitable for younger kids, while the town’s many restaurants ensure you can always grab a quick bite to eat.
Only open from April through to September, the Parco Baia delle Sirene is a firm favourite amongst families due to its spectacularly still waters and green, open spaces. There’s even a kids’ club if you want a little peace and quiet!
Situated in Faggeto Lario, this small beach can get quite busy in the summer but is relatively relaxed at other times of the year. Visitors can rent sunbeds and the beach is well served by bars, cafes and restaurants.
A popular beach amongst in-the-know locals, the Pognana beach boasts a substantial grassy shoreside space and spectacular views. The walk down to the beach is long and involves tackling a lot of steps, so it’s probably not one for young kids.
If you want to escape it all and experience the wilder side of the Italian Lakes, Lake Maggiore’s Isolino beach ticks all the boxes. Unlike many other beaches, Isolino has been left to do its own thing, giving it a distinctly natural feel.
One of only two beaches in Piemonte to have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag accreditation, the pebbly Cannero benefits from an excellent beach bar. Unlike other beaches in the vicinity, it’s largely protected from the local winds.
Whether you’re a fan of sightseeing, a dedicated beach bum, or a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie, there’s an awful lot to keep you busy in the Italian Lakes region. The lakes have been a popular tourist destination for a long time and are well-equipped to meet all your holiday needs.
If you’re here to tour, there’s no better way to start your holiday than with a cruise on the lake. Take in the views, stop off at a few towns, grab a bite to eat, and soak up the lakeside ambience. The castle at Sirmione will give you a little historical context, and the villas and gardens of the Borromean Islands are certainly worth a visit.
While water-sports are an obvious focus for family holidays to the Italian Lakes, there’s also a great deal to keep you busy when you’re back onshore. Try your hand at mountain biking, hike through mountainous landscapes, or explore rugged canyons and discover a whole world of adventure activities.
Sirmione Castle
Check out these villas perfect for outdoor pursuits. And don’t forget to admire the views around you.
Lake Garda is something of a mecca for windsurfing enthusiasts. As decent winds can be expected most afternoons, both professionals and enthusiasts flock to the water from countries around the globe. Head to Nago-Torbole, Riva del Garda or Malcesine if you want to give it a go.
From the small city vibes of Como through to the tranquil, cobbled streets of Varenna, hopping between lakeside towns and villages is one of the great joys of visiting the Italian Lakes.
While those towns that line the northern coast of Lake Maggiore have a distinctly Swiss feel, Lake Garda is far more traditionally Italian. It’s this diversity of experience that makes the lakes such a fantastic holiday destination.
While Lake Garda is a little further afield, both Lake Maggiore and Lake Como are within day-tripping distance of cosmopolitan Milan. Stylish, sophisticated and a hub for commerce, culture and art, the city is a joy to explore and far more family-friendly than it’s given credit for.
If you want to be close to the main towns, discover these villas close to villages.
If you want to experience Lake Como as it once was, the closest you’ll come is the picture-perfect village of Varenna. With a small beach, colourful waterside buildings, and tiny cobbled lanes, it manages to remain relatively uncrowded.
Sitting on the Italo-Swiss border and encircled by green, forested hills, Como is one of the most picturesque cities in all of north Italy. Its outdoor markets, bustling piazzas and imposing churches mean that it’s a joy to walk around, while visitors can also jump on the Como-Brunate cable car if they want to enjoy a jaw-dropping panorama of the city.
Most famous for the breath-taking villas that line the hillsides overlooking the water, Bellagio is often referred to as ‘the Pearl of Lake Como,’ thanks to its remarkable beauty. While the town centre is packed full of shops, restaurants, and lovely local cafes, visitors can also enjoy the gardens at Villa Serbelloni or take a boat tour out on the lake.
Tucked into the shadow of Mount Baldo, Malcesine will capture your heart with its spectacular backdrop and picturesque streets. Home to some of Europe’s best windsurfing, the town is also the departure point for the Baldo cable car, which takes you up past the mountain’s famously diverse plant life, to a final height of 1760 metres.
There’s something a little bit special about Sirmione - perhaps it’s the town’s position atop a slender spit that thrusts out into the waters of Lake Garda, or the quaint, colourful houses. For those that like to fully relax, there’s also several spas that make use of the hot waters that run beneath the lake.
Perched on the banks of Lake Maggiore, Stressa is a small, striking town with a gorgeous lakeside promenade and a well-respected annual music festival. It’s also the closest town to the Borromean Islands – three compact isles with impressive gardens, extravagant palaces, and historic churches. All three can be reached via one of the local ferry services.
With a popular harbour and promenade, Cannobio’s waterfront is the perfect place to grab some lunch and watch the world go by. The old town boasts winding streets and plenty of shopping opportunities, with eye-catching piazzas to explore. Cannobio is also an adventure sports capital and a good place to rent any gear you need.
Public transport fans, rejoice – the Italian Lakes region is connected to an efficient network of ferries, buses and trains, making your car-free holiday dreams come true.
With a total of seven major airports spread across the Italian Lakes region, most international visitors can ensure they land relatively close to their accommodation, minimising transfer time. Milan Malpensa is most convenient for Lake Maggiore and also serves parts of Lake Como, too. Orio al Serio Airport is the landing site of choice for both Como and Garda, while Brescia and Verona airports can also be used to access Lake Garda.
While car rental is a possibility when visiting the Lakes, it’s not a necessity. In fact, traffic in the busier months can make driving around the waterfront more hassle than it’s worth. Factor in the excellent water transport that links the villages and towns around the lakes, and you may find that this is one family holiday where car rental is not a priority.
There are some picturesque and memorable train journeys to enjoy in the Italian Lakes region. In particular, the Lago Maggiore Express allows you to move from the water to the mountains, taking in the striking landscapes as you go. The train can also be a good way to transfer from one of the Milan airports if you’re not renting a car.
Public transport in the region is incredibly well organised and visitors can realistically plan their entire holiday around the network. Buses are one of the preferred means of transferring from the airport to our villas on the Italian Lakes. Both traditional bus and minibus services operate from all major airports and will typically connect to either the lakes themselves or a nearby train station to complete your journey.
Ferries and hydrofoil-boats are by far the most popular means of moving around all of the Italian Lakes. Relatively inexpensive and always reliable, the ferry services are an excellent way to explore your surroundings. Cruises and tour boats are also a great way to move from one town to the next, particularly if you’re in no rush to transfer and want to learn about the local area.
Bikes are a feasible option when moving along shorter stretches of lakefront, with cycleable areas at all three lakes, and most of the waterfront. Away from the more developed areas, you’re likely to encounter some steeper hills, so make sure to plan your journey in advance.
Ferry schedules are seasonal, so always to check that your boat service is running at the times you need it. Services can also slow down or stop during lunchtime, so factor this little break into your plans.
