April 6, 2025, 9:04 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The absolute favorite destination among the northern Italian lakes for holidaymakers from Germany is still Lake Garda. However, there is another body of water just 70 kilometers away that is significantly smaller but in no way inferior to Lake Garda in terms of beauty and fantastic surroundings with many hiking trails. We are talking about Lake Iseo.
Lake Iseo (Italian: Lago d’Iseo) is rarely mentioned when German tourists talk about their vacation experiences at the northern Italian lakes. But anyone who has experienced the benefits of the lake, which is located in a narrow mountain valley to the north-east of Brescia, is guaranteed to want to return there a second time.
Since Lake Iseo was the setting for one of the last major art installations by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in 2016 with the “Floating Piers,” it has definitely been put on the tourist map. Nevertheless, it is much quieter than Lake Garda, which is around 70 kilometers away.
Ideal Location and Beautiful Beaches
Lake Iseo is located in Lombardy and, like Lake Garda, is only a few kilometers from the Milan-Venice freeway and just under half an hour away via the provincial roads from Bergamo and Brescia. It is also not far from Como and Lake Como.
Perfect for Swimming and Water Sports
There are several official beaches on the shores of the lake. In the small town of Iseo at the south-eastern end, for example, and in Sarnico in the south-west. There are also free stretches of beach, for example in Marone. According to the website Bresciatourism.it, this is also known as “Piccola Tahiti” — little Tahiti — due to its beauty. Lake Iseo is also popular with water sports enthusiasts, surfers, and sailors due to its favorable downdrafts.
The Most Beautiful Places on and Around Lake Iseo
The pretty village of Riva di Solto on the west coast of Lake Iseo is particularly famous for its vineyards. There are plenty of vacation homes and bed and breakfasts to be found among the olive groves and vineyards. Other vacation resorts on the lake are Iseo, Sarnico, Sale Marasino, Sulzano, Parzanico, Predore, Lovere, and Pisogno.
Lake Iseo can be completely circumnavigated by car on a romantic lakeside road that leads through many tunnels carved directly into the rocks and mountain massifs.
The Island of Monte Isola
Excursion boats depart from the jetty at the small harbor to the pretty island of Monte Isola in the middle of Lake Iseo. This is the largest island in an inland body of water in Europe and offers hiking trails and many romantic spots. The Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola church is also worth a visit. It is located at one of the highest points on the island and offers a great view of the lake and the coast.
If you want to treat yourself to something good, visit the Castello Oldofredi in the village of Peschiera Maraglio on Monte Isola. Here you can dine wonderfully with a view of the lake and, if required, stay overnight at moderate prices.
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Best Time to Visit
Even though Lake Iseo is still relatively unknown in this country, it is also very busy here during the high season. It is, therefore, advisable to spend your vacation here outside the summer vacations if possible. Spring and late fall are also ideal for hiking, boating, and exploring the pretty island towns.