A Week in the Lakes of Northern Italy : Tranquil 7 Day Itinerary

There is nothing quite like the mountain air, calm waters, and convivial lake-side towns of the Italian lakes. From the dramatic landscapes of Lake Como, to the tranquility and grandeur of Lake Maggiore, and the historic villages of Lake Garda – a week in the lakes of northern Italy will fill your cup.

We have road-tripped around Italy several times, but we seem to keep gravitating towards the north of Italy, and the stunning landscapes of the northern lakes and the Dolomites.

Ideas for a week in the lakes of northern Italy

Here are some suggestions for spending a week in the lakes, including lengths of time at different destinations and some lesser known gems that you may not have considered.

I would recommend spending 2-3 days at each of the big lakes if you’ve only got a week. If you have more time, then add in time at Lake Orta, Iseo and Varese. The best time to visit the northern lakes of Italy is May, June and late September and into October.

The great thing about the big lakes is they have ferries that allow you to be based in one place, yet still explore more of the area. Seeing the lakes from the water is particularly special.

Lake Maggiore

I make no secret of the fact that Lake Maggiore is my favourite of the big lakes of northern Italy. There is a tranquility about the lake and surrounding villages. An inexplicable calm and geniality makes Lake Maggiore a lovely place to start your lakes visit.

The small ferries around the lake stop at the delightful Borromean Islands (Isola Madre, Bella and Pescatore); and each town on the lakes edge has a different vibe and story. Grand old Stresa has a long promenade with huge Victorian hotels dotted along. You can also catch the Stresa-Alpino-Mottarone Cable car; from the top you can sometimes see 7 lakes: Maggiore, Orta, Mergozzo, Varese, Comabbio, Monate and Biandronno.

Where to stay in Lake Maggiore

It’s best to stay near to a ferry stop, to make sightseeing easier. The area of Verbania-Pallanza is a lovely mix of accessibility, amenities and calm. With restaurants, cafes and bars all along the promenade, a lakeside walk, a ferry terminal, and a large market on Friday – it is bustling yet relaxed.

During the summer there are live music events, and the fountain in the calm bay is beautiful day or night. The Hotel Belvedere and Hotel San Gottardo are part of the Pallanza Hotel group, and these two hotels sit front and centre opposite the ferry terminal and promenade gardens.

Half of Lake Maggiore is in Switzerland, so you can easily drive or take a ferry up to Locarno to explore too.

If you want a relaxing holiday, spend 2-3 days out of your week here in Lake Maggiore.
If you want a busy holiday of sightseeing, see below for different ratios spent in each place!

Lake Como

Como is a lake of two halves. Lakeside mansions and celebrity culture are juxtaposed with sleepy hillside villages and dramatic mountainous landscapes. People flock to the insta-famous streets of Bellagio, but sometimes overlook the quiet gems of Lierna or Piona.

Ferry or boat tour hopping down past the famous James Bond filming locations and celebrity mansions is definitely a fun activity. But there are areas of outstanding natural beauty and tranquility all around Lake Como that are worth seeking out.

For a fun family day out, head to Spiaggia di Piona in the north of the lake. For a gorgeous walk through a narrow gorge with waterfalls and a suspension bridge, visit Orrido di Bellano on the east side of the lake.

Lake Como has suffered a little from over-tourism (in certain spots like Bellagio), and I would never visit during the height of summer. But if you are visiting then, just temper your expectations and know it will be busy.

Spend 1-2 days in Lake Como. A day spent visiting the various villages, mansions and grand gardens; and one day enjoying the natural wonders…

Where to stay in Lake Como

I’m a fan of the smaller, more remote and locally owned hotels. They are a little more rough around the edges, but are much better value and have more character than bigger city hotels. Perfect for the budget traveller, the Hotel Tre Rose is a family run establishment with amazing views out over the western fork of Lake Como.

You will always be competing with the visitors from Milan, who flock to Como on the weekends; so it can sometimes be hard to find quality well-priced options. But mid-range hotels include the Seta Hotel in the centre of Bellagio; or La Tana Rooms in Lenno, not far from the famous Villa del Balbianello, featured in James Bond’s Casino Royale.

Lake Garda

The queen of the lakes, Lake Garda, has something for everyone; plus fantastic accessibility to other great cities like Verona nearby. History, great cycle paths, campgrounds, fancy hotels, and restaurants of all budgets are plentiful.

The hills around southern Lake Garda rise up in a gentler manner than Como; and the vast sweeping views are taken advantage of with hotels and accommodation options at varying heights. The lake is awash with historic fortifications, ancient Roman ruins, castles and long promenades with bars and restaurants spilling out.

Our favourite things to do are enjoying a drink at the beach bar at Spiaggia del Prete in Sirmione; having dinner at the old port at Desenzano; having a beach day at Padenghe sul Garda; or exploring the roman ruins at Villa Romana and Grotte di Catullo. Ferry-hopping from place to place, which allows you to enjoy the views of each place from the water.

Spend 2-3 days in and around Lake Garda. There is so much to see and do, you’ll fill it easily!

Where to stay in Lake Garda

The options for accommodation in Lake Garda are endless, and it really depends on your budget and transport preference. We enjoy being a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the tourist centres, and don’t mind driving a short way to catch the ferries. This allows us to save money too.

The Hotel Marolda is a great value option, with free parking, not far from the centre of Sirmione. Or try the lush Villa Rosa Hotel, a 4-star neo-classical villa near the lake and not far from downtown Desenzano. In the north of Lake Garda, the Grand Hotel Liberty is a classy and central luxury option.

How to spend a week in the lakes of northern Italy

While I would recommend 10 days or more in the area if you can, I understand those precious annual leave days are hard to come by. This 7-day itinerary for the northern Italian lakes will give you a great flavour of the area. But I warn you, it will leave you wanting more! If you have extra days, I’d pay a visit to Lake Orta – a haven of hikes, cycle routes and calm dinners at dusk. If you have

No matter where you visit, the lakes of northern Italy are a magical place to spend time. There is a reason why the area is the weekend playground for Italians and Swiss alike – it has so much to offer. And I didn’t even mention the gelato, aperitivos, pizzerias and such on offer! If you have visited and have a favourite spot, leave your tips in the comments below…

There are so many wonderful food traditions in Italy,
it really does exemplify the power of travel!

All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.