Lakes of Italy
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 21 January 2024
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Away from the seaside towns and the major cities, it's the Lakes of Italy that provide some of the country's most spectacular scenery and welcoming holiday resorts.
The most famous lakes are the three in the north of Italy between the Alps and the River Po. In terms of size, Lake Garda is the biggest by far, covering an area of 370 km² and encompassing the three regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige/South Tyrol. Around the edges of the Lake are some of Italy's most prestigious resorts such as Sirmione, Limone, Riva and Malcesine to name but a few. |
Lake Braies, Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol
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Although Lake Como at 146 km² can't quite match the size of Lake Garda, it can make a very good case for being the most aesthetically attractive. Completely contained within the region of Lombardy and a short distance north of Milan, Lake Como can boast the likes of Bellagio, Varenna and the city of Como itself around its shores.
Completing the trio of "Great Lakes of the North" is the beautiful expanse of Lake Maggiore which covers an area of 146 km² with its western shore in Piedmont, the opposite side in Lombardy and its northern reaches entering Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is surrounded by a similar number of lakeside resorts as the other two main lakes but can also boast the beautiful Borromean Islands at its centre.
There are dozens of other beautiful lakes in northern Italy with the very best of those detailed further down this page. However, if we continue the trail in terms of size, we must head south to the central region of Umbria where we find Lake Trasimeno. Here there's a distinct change of atmosphere away from the swish resorts of the north, Lake Trasimeno is a much quieter affair with resorts to match.
Completing the trio of "Great Lakes of the North" is the beautiful expanse of Lake Maggiore which covers an area of 146 km² with its western shore in Piedmont, the opposite side in Lombardy and its northern reaches entering Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is surrounded by a similar number of lakeside resorts as the other two main lakes but can also boast the beautiful Borromean Islands at its centre.
There are dozens of other beautiful lakes in northern Italy with the very best of those detailed further down this page. However, if we continue the trail in terms of size, we must head south to the central region of Umbria where we find Lake Trasimeno. Here there's a distinct change of atmosphere away from the swish resorts of the north, Lake Trasimeno is a much quieter affair with resorts to match.
Lake Garda
Limone sul Garda
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Lake Como
Varenna, Lake Como
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Lake Maggiore
Isola dei Pescatori, Lake Maggiore
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Lake Trasimeno
Lake Trasimeno, Umbria
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Lake Bracciano
Anguillara Sabazia, Lake Bracciano
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Lake Orta
Pella, Lake Orta
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Lake Iseo
Lake Iseo, Lombardy
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Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano, Lombardy
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Lake Tenno
Lake Tenno, Trentino Alto-Adige
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Lakes of Fusine
Lakes of Fusine, Friuli Venezia Giulia
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Italian Lakes by Size
1. Lake Garda (Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige/South Tyrol)- 370 km²
2. Lake Maggiore (Lombardy, Piedmont)- 210 km²
3. Lake Como (Lombardy) - 146 km²
4. Lake Trasimeno (Umbria) - 124 km²
5. Lake Bolsena (Lazio) - 114 km²
6. Lake Iseo (Lombardy) - 65 km²
7. Lake Bracciano (Lazio) - 57 km²
8. Lake Lesina (Puglia) - 51 km²
9. Lake Lugano (Lombardy) - 49 km²
10. Lake Orta (Piedmont) - 18 km²
There are two large artificial lakes in Sardinia which aren't included in the above list for that reason. If they were included, Lake Omodeo at 29 km² would be in 10th place and Lake Coghinas at 17.8 km² would be just outside the top ten in 11th place.
