The Dreamy Italian Lake Trips To Book Now

Affordable: Laqua By The Lake 

With its pool overlooking the lake and chic interiors, this hotel offers perhaps the best value for money on this list. There are 18 modern apartments with neutral décor, Crittall windows and marble accents. Most have a private balcony or terrace, while some have lush gardens and a jacuzzi. Guests can kick back at the beach club, where you can use paddleboards, e-boats and e-bikes, and swim in the heated infinity pool. There’s a wellness area for treatments, plus a restaurant headed up by celeb chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo.  

Rooms from £130 per night. 

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Luxe: La Darbia

Just above the historic town of Orta San Giulio, La Darbia is a peaceful retreat that blends hotel-level luxury with the freedom of self-catering. Created by two architect brothers, there are 20 elegant suites surrounded by chestnut woods, Mediterranean gardens and a working nebbiolo vineyard. Each apartment features serene interiors, natural tones and a private terrace with panoramic views of Monte Rosa and the shimmering lake below. Guests wake to breakfast baskets brimming with local delicacies, and spend evenings sipping aperitivi in the garden or dining at the acclaimed restaurant, where head chef Matteo Monfrinotti showcases the best Piedmontese produce. With a saltwater pool, wine tastings in the Cantina and a slower pace of life, La Darbia is one of our favourite options on this list, and it’s just an hour from Milan.  

Rooms from £257 per night. 

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Lake Como’s little sister has more of a relaxed vibe – expect to see locals fishing at sunset and swimming on warmer days. Tucked between the cities of Brescia (famous for its excellent food scene and sparkling wine) and Bergamo, it is surrounded by scenic bicycle routes, while the town of Iseo has lots of boutiques for an afternoon of shopping. For the ultimate experience, book a private boat tour of the lake with  Bellini Nautica in one of its vintage boats – maybe a 1970s Riva Aquarama.  

The island mountain in the middle of the lake – Monte Isola – is the largest of its kind in Europe, and the village of the same name is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. The island is known for its traditional salami, extra-virgin olive oil and dried sardines, all best sampled in the many restaurants.

In the centre of Iseo, visit the churches of Pieve di Sant’Andrea and Santa Maria del Mercato, and the cobbled Piazza Garibaldi, which is lined with colonnaded buildings. The town is full of places to eat and drink, from scenic spots on the waterfront to wine bars and trattorias hidden down medieval lanes, and you don’t want to miss the open-air market on Fridays. On the southern shore of the lake, Sarnico is a lively town and popular for walks along the lakefront, while Pisogne on the lake’s north-eastern shore is a quaint old town full of narrow streets and ancient pastel-coloured buildings.  

Finally, the region of Franciacorta to the south of the lake produces one of Italy’s best sparkling wines. We recommend booking a day trip to visit the  Bellavista wine estate that’s owned by the nearby L'Albereta hotel. During a tour, you’ll learn about the estate before heading into the cellars for a tasting. 

Affordable: Castello Oldofredi

This is one of the few hotels on Monte Isola and offers excellent value for money. With great views of the lake, the hotel is set in a recently renovated mansion that has gained some spacious rooms in the main building, plus self-catered apartments overlooking the olive tree-lined garden. Guests can dine under parasols on the terrace, relax in the hammock in the garden, fire up the BBQ, or try activities like cooking classes or Pilates by the lake.  

Rooms from £60 per night. 

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Luxe: L'Albereta

This charming, family run hotel has been lovingly maintained over the last 30 years. Set in a beautiful 19th-century villa surrounded by the vineyards of Franciacorta, near the southern shore of Lake Iseo, the Relais & Château property has stunning views and oozes glamour. Its 53 rooms and suites vary in size and décor: some are contemporary, others feature period furniture, and a few have balconies overlooking the vineyards. One of the main draws here is the Espace spa that offers detox and wellness programmes with over 30 experts. Guests can relax by the indoor and outdoor pool, use the tennis courts, and explore the surrounding hills on the hotel’s bikes. The main restaurant, Leone Felice, serves a selection of typical Italian and regional dishes, while great pizzas are available at La Filiale, where celeb chef Franco Pepe heads up the kitchen.  

Rooms from £310 per night. 

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Just an hour’s drive from Verona, Garda is the largest lake in Italy and one of the country’s top tourist spots. Bordering three regions – Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and the Veneto – it’s a great base for exploring pretty towns, enjoying lakeside beaches and trying activities like water sports, cycling and hiking. For panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, ride the Malcesine cable car which ascends Monte Baldo. 

 Places not to be missed include Malcesine, a pretty town with cobbled lanes dominated by the medieval Scaligero castle; the Roman town of Sirmione with its Rocca Scaligera, one of the country’s best-preserved castles; and Limone, a cobbled town surrounded by citrus groves – walk along the ‘floating’ footpath suspended above the lake for exhilarating views. We’d also recommend visiting Riva del Garda, which sits beneath the Dolomite mountains and has lots of cool waterside cafés; and Torri del Benaco, one of the lake’s most beautiful villages, surrounded by remnants of 10th-century walls. 

Affordable: Grand Hotel Fasano

Hotels don’t come cheap here, but there are a few affordable properties, including the smart Grand Hotel Fasano, which offers the glamour and grand interiors of the luxe properties on this list, without the price tag. Set in a former 19th-century mansion, there are three excellent restaurants to choose from, as well as a small private beach with cabanas and sun loungers. 

Rooms from €380 per night. 

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Luxe: Borgo Tre

Borgo Tre is one of Italy’s most exciting new hotels. Taking over a renovated 18th-century farmhouse in the hills overlooking the lake, it’s surrounded by cypress and olive trees, with the town of Torri del Benaco within walking distance. Here, it’s all about slow living and reconnecting to nature. Guests can relax at the spa, enjoy yoga retreats and book experiences like Vespa road trips and guided hikes. There are six suites with private gardens and terraces, some with lake views while others have free-standing baths and space for multiple guests.  

Rooms from £515 per night. 

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