Why visit Lake Iseo?

Lake Iseo, the least known of the Italian lakes

If you want to get off the classic route of the big ones lacs from northern Italy while staying on theme, so when you pass through the Lombardie, take a detour to Lake Iseo.

This is a region where you can enjoy the coolness of a lake, the proximity of beautiful mountains and the cultural appeal of Lombardy's cities in a relatively small space. A very interesting break in your globetrotting journey through Italy, but also a destination in its own right.

Smaller than the other lakes of northern Italy, certainly, but its attractions lie elsewhere than in the space, light and immensity in which the great lakes bathe.

An island in the middle of the lake

Lake Iseo is first and foremost a mountain lake, and you can see that very well: surrounded by mountains and quite narrow… however, it has a particularity! An island, almost a mountain in fact, lies in the middle of this lake. And this island, aptly named Monte Isola (the Island Mountain) is a bit of a world apart because its size – the largest lake island in the Alps – has allowed its inhabitants to develop agriculture, livestock farming, etc… A real miniature island, in a miniature lake.

Walking on the shores of Lake Iseo

On the shores of the lake you will visit Liberty-style villas like in Sarnico, you will walk in old villages like in lovere, and you will enjoy the comfort of a bench at sunset in Iseo. To have a panoramic view of the lake, you will have to discover the belvederes above Esmate.

The more athletic will want to cover the 24km of the ancient Via Valeriana which runs through olive groves, from one chapel to another and from one hamlet to another on the eastern shore of the lake between Pilzone d'Iseo and Pisogne.

Other walks allow you to reach one of the seven Big Benches located on the heights of the lake, or to travel the 5km of coastal path between Vello and Toline or to admire incredible cliffs that fall sheer onto the lake or fairy chimneys lost in the forest. There is something for everyone around Lake Iseo.

So here is a summary of what you can find in the other great Italian lakes.

Lake Iseo, starting point for visiting eastern Lombardy

In addition, Lake Iseo is your starting point to explore the region and discover eastern Lombardy. You can go up the Camonica Valley, up to the Tonale pass topped with glaciers and from there into the region of Trentino, or simply to go and enjoy a good mountain meal near Ponte di Legno, this pretty historic village, which is also the first village to have created a ski resort, in 1911.

Italian culture bath from Lake Iseo

If you prefer gastronomy, do not hesitate to visit Franciacorta, south of Lake Iseo and its vineyards from which a very good sparkling wine is produced.

Finally, you are very close to two beautiful Italian cities: Brescia and Bergamo. A cultural break is a must.

In Brescia you can admire both a medieval and a Roman city. In Bergamo, the upper town is a medieval jewel, especially when in winter, in good weather, you can see the snow-capped Alps behind each monument.

If the experience of tourism on the shores of a lake has appealed to you, then do not hesitate to discover the lac de garde, which is not far away. You will find the vastness of the wide open spaces after having enjoyed the pleasures offered by this small country around Lake Iseo.

Activities not to be missed around Lake Iseo

Take advantage of scenery from the alleys and the small port of Lovere
Admire the Liberty style villas from Sarnico
Discover a car-free island in the middle of the lake: Monte Isola, reachable by boat from Tavernola.
Taste sparkling wine in the neighboring vineyards of the Franciacorta
Make a lake tour by boat after a walk in the center of Iseo.
Look for a beautiful perspective on Lake Iseo and Mount Adamello and its glaciers during hike at Monte Guglielmo.
Do a cultural break and go visit Bergamo and Brescia.