There are many beautiful lakes in the vicinity of Milan. Many travelers have heard so much about their charm that, coming to Northern Italy, they often try to make visiting the lakes one of the main elements of their tourist program. That is why BlogoItaliano decided to figure out which ones deserve attention in the first place.
In the deep hollow between the limestone highlands, there is one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy - Como - with a length of about 47 km.
Como
The Alps protect the pond from harsh winds from the north, so the climate on the shores of Como is particularly soft.
Since ancient times, it was considered a special chic in Italy to have housing in the vicinity of the Lake. Therefore, the Como coast today resembles a historical open-air reserve: many ancient medieval houses, castles and towers; incredibly beautiful tourist cities with a rich history - Lacco and Como - are located on the south coast.
Chic modern villas and medieval houses of noble merchants give this area a special touch, being a kind of business card in the vicinity of Milan. The lake is open for ship traffic, so tourists can try their hand at a wide variety of water sports, as well as mountain climbing and horse riding.
Ecology, mild climate and rich historical heritage make this natural corner a wonderful vacation spot for tourists of all ages. By the way, on the coast of Como are the residences of many famous personalities - Madonna, Ronaldinho and Sylvester Stallone.
From Milan, Lake Como can be reached by train, which leaves from Milan Central Station and arrives in 45-60 minutes. A taxi or rented car will take no more than half an hour. You can visit Como as part of a guided tour: a trip here is justly included in the list of the most popular excursions from Milan.
Maggiore
In northern Italy, in the hollow of the Lombard Alps, there is a beautiful Lake Maggiore, which formed on the site of a former glacier. It reaches 66 km in length and more than 10 km in width. This romantic lake is located on the border between Italy and Switzerland.
The main attraction of the reservoir are the four Borromean Islands - Isola Bella, Isola Dei Pescatori, Isola Madre and Isola San Giovanni, who managed to preserve the almost untouched virgin landscape and unique nature. The best resorts on the lake are Intra, Verbano and Stresa.
Lake Maggiore formed on the site of a former glacier
A feature of the lake is its unusual shape with meandering contours and a large number of island archipelagos. These geographical objects look very colorful, and also attract the genuine interest of many travelers.
You can get to Lake Maggiore in the vicinity of Milan by train or car. You can buy train tickets directly at the train station, it is better to rent a car in advance through one of the price comparison services, for example, Rentalcars.
Garda
On the outskirts of the province of Lombardy is another picturesque lake, surrounded by green sloping shores and the majestic slopes of the Alps - Garda. This is the largest lake in the country: its length is 52 km and its width is about 17 km.
The high toothed ridge of the Alps protects the pond from harsh northern winds and other adverse weather events, so vacationers can enjoy the mild and warm Mediterranean climate not only in spring and summer, but also in autumn. The gently sloping mountains are decorated with olive trees, lemon gardens and flowering ornamental shrubs spread out in the form of stepped terraces.
A mountain range protects Lake Garda from the north winds
Around the perimeter, Lake Garda is surrounded by many small towns and villages. In the spring, during the flowering of grasses, the valley is filled with incredible colors and fragrant aromas of flowers.
On the west bank of the reservoir for lovers of memorable entertainment, there is a Gardaland theme park with many various slides and other water activities, as well as an oceanarium.
Around the lake there are many attractions worth visiting. The most interesting of them is the city of Sirmione with healing thermal springs, located on the west bank, as well as Arco Castle and Catullus Grotto.
You can get to the lake from Milan by bus, train or car. More information about Lake Garda can be found here.
Useful articles
- All airports of Milan
- Lakes of Italy: the best selection
- One-day tours from Milan: where to go for 1 day
Title photo by: Matteo Durastante
