Lake Orta - Italy’s Favourite Lake

Lake Orta and the other Italian lakes were recently selected by a top travel company as being amongst the Top 10 Lakes and Mountains destinations in the world. Visiting this lake it is easy to understand why.

Lake Orta is the nearest of the major Piedmont lakes to Turin. The lake has been an inspiration to poets and writers for centuries and is without doubt the most romantic lake in Italy and one of the most romantic places on earth.

I have spent many a weekend here with my wife - staying in various apartment and villas (click here to view one of the places we have stayed).

Invariably we have come back feeling relaxed, closer and more at peace. Many the Piedmont couple who plan an autumn or early fall wedding here and for good reason.

Thankfully Tom Cruise didn’t decide to marry here, he has probably never heard of the lake and no doubt neither has the rest of Hollywood which is a good thing. Let only us cognoscenti know about it and let them go to Rome, Florence and Venice or Lake Como with the other tourist masses. Lago di Orta – to give it its Italian name, is 13.5kms/ eight miles long and surrounded by mountains covered in lush vegetation.

The setting alone is breathtaking but the jewel in the crown, so to speak, is undoubtedly the island of San Giulio in the middle of lake Orta dominated by its thirteenth century basilica and convent – more on that later!

The place to begin though is Orta San Giulio on the shores of the lake. A charming car-free town and not at all touristy – most of the Italian tourists to the lake are the local people from Piedmont and the well heeled from Turin. Orta San Giulio is also the place to stay.

If you are going for longer, in a family group or having a fall wedding it is probably better to rent an apartment or villa. (these are our recommended places) If you are just spending a romantic weekend then the seventeenth century convent –don’t worry it’s now a hotel- called the Albergo San Rocco is your best bet.

The hotel has great views over lake Orta and a private boat to take guests out to the the island of San Giulio. The restaurant in the hotel serves good food, representing Italian cooking from across Italy and is fantastic at hosting weddings.

For more genuine local fare, far cheaper prices and a far more rustic and down to earth atmosphere try the Taverna Antico Agnello (Via Olina 18). Very popular amongst the local Piedmont people of the area.

The central piazza of Orta San Giulio with its frescoed sixteenth century town hall built on stilts provides lovely views at night right across the lake towards the island of San Giulio which is lit up gorgeously.

From the centre of town you can follow the 1.5km “Motta” path that leads up to Sacro Monte. Sacro Monte is a Piedmont religious complex built between 1591 and 1700 and consisting of twenty chapels.

The chapels have carvings and frescos that reflect the saint’s life. On the other side of lake Orta high up on the hill is the eighteenth century church of the Madonna del Sasso

From Orta San Giulio boats run across to the island, or if you are feeling more energetic you can rent a boat and row yourself over – not difficult as even I managed it. The island is completely dominated by the basilica which is spectacular both from outside and inside.

The walls are covered by frescoes going back four hundred years and a the silent broody quality tends to put one in a very contemplative type of mood, which I suppose is the intention. Walk around the little lane surrounding the basilica, admiring as you go the beautiful villas of the lucky people who are fortunate to own a villa here. If I had the money I would own one too. If you have the money check out our property page to see what might be available.

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