Destination Details: The Lakes.
Photo: The Wedding Tale
Where is it?
The Italian Lakes are a group of large lakes lying on the south side of the Alps. They are located in northern Italy and also partially in southern Switzerland. It includes Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Lake Varese, Lake Lugano, Lake Como, Lake Iseo, Lake Idro, and Lake Garda. The three largest are Lake Garda (largest in Italy), Lake Maggiore (largest in southern Switzerland) and Lake Como.
Airports
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Turin Airport (TRN). Milan is closer to Lake Como, being just over an hours drive and Turin is a little further out taking just over 2 hours to drive.
A private taxi from Milan to Lake Como would be roughly 220 euro for 2 people.
Another option is to take the direct train from Milan to Lake Como (Como San Giovanni) with Trenitalia trains which takes roughly 1 hour. If you pre-book via thetrainline.com a one-way ticket is as cheap as £4.35 (bargain!)
Lake Como - Photo: Hand Luggage Only
Lake Como
The most well known lake is Lake Como, probably thanks to George + Amal (yes, first-name basis). Lake Como is a large lake surrounded by world-famous towns like Lenno and Bellagio. You can explore by the single road that goes round the whole lake, or take a boat to zip around. Lake Como is a world-renowned destination wedding spot and a seriously stunning backdrop for your big day.
Dinner spots
Gelato at La Fabbrica del Gelato - take a private taxi boat for the best gelato around.
Places to stay
There are thousands of options! But here are some of our faves:
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and has numerous small islands, some of which are home to wedding venues.
The lake is blessed with a benign climate and diverse landscape, with Venice to the east and Milan to the west. Lake Garda remains curiously uncelebrated, overshadowed by Como with its famous gardens and villas but Garda really does have a lot to offer. Desenzano is a great base for exploring the lake as most of the lake's best beaches are along this southern shore.
Verona, Milan and Brescia are the nearest airports for the southern part of Lake Garda. There are also great boat services and rail options too.
Stay: Lefay Resort and Spa
Eat: Ristorante la Casina www.ristorantelacasina.com
Lefay Resort
Lake Maggiore
One of the best lakes in Italy for a leisurely holiday is Lake Maggiore. Of course, visitors can still enjoy walking, mountain biking and boat trips, but the pace of life feels slower here, and elegant villages and towns on Lake Maggiore’s shores are peaceful. Worried there won’t be much to do? Far from it. If you’re a foodie fan, there’s a great choice of first-class restaurants. For culture vultures, museums are filled with paintings and sculpture. The destination makes a good base for tours of the Italian lakes and faces the stunning Borromean islands, where on Isola Bella you’ll find a jaw-dropping belle-époque villa. A ride up the Monte Mottarone cable car delivers panoramic views.
Stay: Hotel Verbano
Eat: Il Sole di Ranco
Lake Orta
A smaller lake but stilling packing a punch. From the magical lakeside village of Orta San Giulio, with its myriad of lanes, half-timbered shuttered homes and Moorish palace, to the famous fresco-painted houses of Miasino, it delivers! Perfect for an intimate lakeside wedding.
Stay: Al Dom Bed and Breakfast
Eat: Ristorante Bocciolo
Al Dom Bed and Breakfast
Lake Iseo
Lake Iseo is a quiet place offering excellent trekking and mountain biking opportunities near the cities of Brescia and Bergamo. A wonderland of temperate weather, vine-blanketed hills and historic castles.
Stay: L’Albereta
Why get married here?
Easy access / transport routes: Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) makes getting to The Lakes straightforward for you and your guests.
The scenery: the scenery in The Lakes can’t be replicated anywhere else in the World! The beautiful azure waters and Alpine backdrop will take your breathe away and make for some really stunning photos.
Travel in style: you could arrange a lake cruise as part of your day, maybe after the ceremony to get to your reception venue or you could arrive in style to your ceremony by speed boat.
Glamour: the lakeside villas have bucket-loads of old-school Italian opulent glamour. Very great-gatsby-esque…but in Italy!
Photo: MIKI Studios
What types of venues are there?
From five-star lakeside hotels and historic villas to local albergos and trattorias that are a bit more off the beaten track, there is an array of options in The Lakes. The lakeside venues tend to be the most popular and they are often available as a day rental.
We love
Villa Giulia Al Terrazzo, Lake Como
Villa Mazzucchelli, Lake Garda
Villa Geraneo, Lake Maggiore
Villa Claudia Dal Pozzo, Lake Maggiore
Price - $$$
Many Lake Como venues have set programmes for weddings, for example start and end times, as well as set catering packages and sometimes even music and tent providers. These set suppliers often come at a premium which could push your budget up.
Any negatives for this region or things to consider?
Many of the venues are day rental only. This means you don’t have the benefit of hosting guests at your venue or having an extended three day celebration with pre and post wedding events.
Lake Como tends to be more expensive so you could try the other lakes that are slightly further out and get more for your money, for example Lake Garda, Lake Iseo or Lake Maggiore.
The best time of year for wedding here is May. The end of summer tends to bring more light rain showers.
Are you planning a wedding in The Lakes? Or thinking about it? Join the conversation in our private couples Facebook group : meet other couples in the same boat and get tailored advice from the La Lista Team.
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Written by Beth Butler, marketing person and lover of all things weddings; with a particular passion for beautiful photography, muted florals and a good cup of tea.
