The Italian Lakes are where the Alps meet the Mediterranean — crystal-clear water, dramatic mountains, elegant villas, and gardens that have enchanted travellers from Roman emperors to Hollywood stars. Lake Como and Lake Garda are the crown jewels — two of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and easily accessible from Milan.
Lake Como — Italy's Most Glamorous Lake
Lake Como (Lago di Como) is shaped like an inverted Y, 46 km long and up to 410 metres deep — the deepest lake in Italy. Its shores are lined with pastel-coloured villages, Baroque villas with terraced gardens, and mountains rising 2,400 metres directly from the water. George Clooney's villa is here (Villa Oleandra in Laglio), as are centuries of aristocratic lakeside living.
Bellagio — "The Pearl of Lake Como" — sits at the fork where the lake's two branches meet. Flower-draped stairways, cobbled streets, and views in every direction. Take the ferry to Varenna (medieval charm, Villa Monastero gardens) and Menaggio (lakeside promenade, hiking trails).
Lake Garda — Italy's Largest Lake
Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) is the biggest Italian lake — 51 km long with an almost Mediterranean microclimate that supports lemon groves, olive trees, and even vineyards on its shores. The lake divides three regions (Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino), each offering a different character.
- Sirmione — a peninsula town with a fairy-tale castle rising from the water, Roman ruins (Grotte di Catullo), and thermal baths
- Riva del Garda — dramatic northern end, surrounded by 2,000m cliffs, paradise for windsurfing and cycling
- Limone sul Garda — lemon terraces and a spectacular lakeside cycling path carved into the cliff face
- Gardone Riviera — the eccentric Vittoriale degli Italiani, a poet's palace with a warship in the garden
Practical Tips
- Lake Como from Milan: Train to Varenna (1 hour, €7) or Como town (40 min, €5), then ferry between villages
- Lake Garda from Milan: Train to Desenzano (1 hour, €10), then ferry/bus to lake towns
- Ferry tip: Buy day passes for unlimited ferry hopping
- Villa del Balbianello (Como) — the Star Wars and Bond filming location, one of Italy's most photogenic villas
- Best time: May-September. Shoulder months (May, September) are ideal
Bring the Italian Lakes Home
The shimmering waters, the elegant villas, the mountains reflected in glass-calm lakes — northern Italy's lakeland is pure romance. Our MemBoards souvenir cutting boards capture the Alpine beauty of Como and Garda.