Italian Lakes

Italy has a number of larger lakes, mostly in the north and middle part of the country, which are popular holiday destinations for either the local Italians escaping city life, or for overseas tourists wanting the benefits of a holiday near water but not wanting to be by the often crowded coastline. The northern lakes are also cooler in the summer than the sometimes oppressive heat of the coast and certainly away from the stifling heat of the cities. The lakes often have beautiful backdrops and all the advantages of a vibrant waterside life.

The larger Lakes in the north include Lake Garda bordering the province of Veneto, Lake Lugano bordering Switzerland, Lake Como close to Milan and Lake Maggiore also close to Milan and popular with Italians getting away for weekends and short stays. The water In Lake Garda and Lake Como is reportedly much clearer than the water of Lake Maggiore. Further south there are two lovely Lakes with Lake Trasimeno near Perugia in Umbria, and Lake Bolsena north west of Rome in Lazio.

Lake Como has the shape of an upside-down letter 'Y'. The towns of Como and Lecco sit at the bottom west and east forks of the 'Y' and Ballagio sits in the upside-down crevace. Como itself is a busy town with many tourists due to the proximity to Milan. Travelling outside there are some very pretty lakeside villages in which to stay and enjoy the environment for Argegno, Lenno and Menaagio on the northwestern side, to Bellagio and Lecco in the south. Lake Como is fed mostly by the Adda River, which enters the lake near Colico in the north and flows out at Lecco. This geological formation makes the southwestern branch a dead end, and so Como, unlike Lecco, is often flooded.

To rent holiday villas and apartments around Lake Como use the following links: Lake Como Apartments and Villas.
Lake Garda runs from north to south with a narrow end in the north enclosed by steep mountains and a flat area surrounded by farmland in the south. Lake Garda contains five islands, the largest being Isola del Garda. Nearby there is Isola San Biagio, also known as the Isola dei Conigli ("Island of the Rabbits"). Both of these islands face San Felice del Benaco, on the Brescian side, where there are some lovely private villas. The three smaller islands are Isola dell'Olivo, Isola di Sogno and Isola di Trimelone. The main tributary is the Sarca river, while the only emissary is the Mincio River.

For holiday villa and apartment rental around Lake Garda please click on Lake Garda Apartments or Lake Garda Villas

Lake Trasimeno in Umbria is the largest lake in peninsular Italy with a surface area of 128 square kilometers, which is just slightly less than that of Lake Como. Interestingly, unlike most lakes, no major river flows directly into nor out of Lake Trasimeno, and therefore the water level fluctuates significantly according to rainfall levels and the seasonal demands from the small towns, villages and agricultural enterprises dotted round the shore. Historically, Lake Trasimeno was known as the lake of Perugia due to its importance for the whole of north-western Umbria and for the Tuscan Chiana district. There are three islands in the lake. The second largest, Isola Maggiore, is the only inhabited one.

To stay around Lake Trasimeno click on the following link: Apartments Lago Trasimeno