Planning a holiday to the Italian lakes and not sure which one to choose? After visiting Italy’s top three lakes – Como, Garda, and Maggiore – I’m sharing my impressions to help you decide which lake feels like the best fit for your trip.

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Which Italian Lake to Visit: Lake Como, Lake Garda or Lake Maggiore?

Are the Italian Lakes worth visiting?

While Italy is world-famous for its iconic landmarks, old charm, and delicious food – with destinations like Rome, Tuscany, or Cinque Terre topping every bucket list – no Italian itinerary feels complete without a visit to its lakes. Some travelers choose one lake for their getaway, while others plan a one- or two-week road trip to explore them all. However, in the list of all the Italian lakes, three destinations stand out as the most iconic: Como, Garda, and Maggiore.

If you don’t have enough time to see all of Italy’s lakes, you’ll face the tough decision of choosing just one. While I wouldn’t say there is a “best” lake in Italy, after visiting its three main lakes, I’ve put together this article to share my honest impressions of each. Although all of the Italian lakes are perfect for honeymoon trips, each one has a very different atmosphere. So, which Italian lake is the prettiest?

Top Destinations for Italian Lake Holidays

1. Lake Como – Hollywood´s Italian Favorite

Lake Como has become a favorite destination for Hollywood stars seeking Italian lake holidays. Since 2002, when George Clooney purchased a luxurious lakeside villa in the village of Laglio, other celebrities have followed suit, buying houses, hosting weddings, and visiting for summer vacations. This naturally attracted tourists eager to glimpse celebrity homes and experience the lake’s allure. As a result, it is now a bustling hotspot in summer, especially since it’s easy to visit Lake Como on a day trip from Milan.

The views around Lake Como remain absolutely stunning, but the atmosphere has changed over the years. If you enjoy the hype, trends, and don’t mind crowds hunting for celebrity homes, Como can be a lot of fun. For a calmer experience, visit in late autumn or early spring – this way, you can truly appreciate the lake’s beauty and understand why it captivates so many, beyond the influence of Hollywood and luxury accommodation prices. While I enjoyed my visit, Lake Como honestly isn’t my current favorite among the Italian lakes, especially for a summer trip.

Where to stay near Lake Como

Best value: Essentia Guest House | Epic luxury: Mandarin Oriental | Budget-friendly: Residence Caffè Maya

2. Lake Garda – The Biggest in Italy

There’s no better choice for a jam-packed Italian lake holiday than visiting the biggest one of them all – Lake Garda. If you take the gondola up to the mountaintop, you’ll get the most breathtaking views. You can walk to different points on the mountaintop to see the lake from all angles. My favorite part was meeting alpacas.

Once you come back down to earth from this heaven, you can visit Malcesine, a very cute lakeside village. It has its Italian charm, but you can tell it’s designed for tourists.So, if you want something more authentic, I’d recommend heading to other small towns around Lake Garda. If you have enough time, you can take a boat to the other side of the lake and visit Limone Sul Garda. The best thing about this Italian lake is that it’s so large that you can find a variety of unique places to see on Lake Garda.

Where to stay near Lake Garda

Best value: Hotel Meandro | Epic luxury: EALA My Lakeside Dream| Budget-friendly: Residence Ca Del Lago

3. Lake Maggiore – A Poets Inspiration

While Como has been loved by Hollywood, Maggiore has been loved by poets. Stendhal, Dickens, Dumas, and Hemingway visited the lake and the little town on its shores – Stresa – for inspiration and relaxation. From Stresa, you can travel to the three islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola Pescatori. The aristocratic Borromeo family acquired the islands in the 14th century, and today they still own Isola Bella and Isola Madre.

Isola Bella is a luxurious island with an Italian baroque garden and a gorgeous palace, where the world’s elite and aristocrats stayed during their visits to Lake Maggiore. Another island, Isola Madre, has all kinds of exotic plants brought from different parts of the world. This island isn’t as extravagant as Isola Bella; it’s considered the holiday home of the Borromeo family.

Isola Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island) is the only island that doesn’t belong to the Borromeo family. It’s also the only island that is permanently inhabited. This tiny island is absolutely charming with its narrow streets and various restaurants serving fresh fish caught the same day.

Lake Maggiore is definitely a unique place, full of charm, history, and luxury. As Stendhal once said, “If you had a heart and a shirt, you would sell your shirt and visit Lago Maggiore.“

Where to stay near Lake Maggiore

Best value: Castello Ripa Baveno | Epic luxury: Boutique Hotel Stresa| Budget-friendly: Isola Bella Apartments

Which Italian lake is prettiest?

All in all, if you have the chance, I’d highly recommend visiting all of the lakes, as each one is beautiful in its own way. However, my personal favorite is Lake Maggiore, because it has it all: various islands to explore, delicious restaurants offering fresh seafood, stunning botanical gardens with exotic plants, and a quieter atmosphere compared to Como and Garda.

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For more ideas to plan your epic Italian vacation check my Pinterest board – Italy Travel Tips and Destinations.

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