Lake Orta Holidays

Holidays to Lake Orta take you to the best kept secret of the Italian Lakes in Northern Italy. It remains one of the most untouched areas in Italy, and one of most beautiful. The incredible architecture of the town of Orta San Giulio, with its pastel coloured buildings, picturesque streets and lakeside location add to the enchanting island of Isola San Giulio to make this destination a real hidden gem.

Perfect for couples, this lakeside retreat offers a peaceful break and a chance to casually wander around taking in the scenery and culture. For historians and culture seekers, there is plenty to intrigue and entertain; visit the UNESCO-protected Orta Sacro Monte, a collection of centuries-old chapels located in Orta San Giulio or the Church of Santa Maria Assunta on the western side of the lake, with its striking classic medieval façade.

Stay in one of our superior hotels to make your stay truly unforgettable. Hotel Giardinetto offers a tranquil retreat on the shores of Lake Orta. Enjoy dinner on the lakefront terrace and relax by the pool after a day spent exploring the area.

Explore Lake Orta like no other

With 95 years of experience, at Citalia we know Italy better than anyone else, helping you to enjoy Lake Orta like no other.

Visit San Giulio Island and take the ‘walk of silence’ around the island. If you are lucky you may hear the hauntingly beautiful chants of the Benedictine nuns as you circumnavigate the small island. Explore the island’s charming little church with its wonderful frescoes and get a feel for the spirituality of the island; the perfect trip for those seeking true calm.

For those wanting to travel further afield, Lake Maggiore is 19km away and is home to Isola Madre, a magical island which is a botanical garden on water. Part of the Borromean archipelago, this island is home to a mixture of exotic plants, flowers and birds such as peacocks. It’s easy to spend an afternoon experiencing the restaurants and little shops, and taking in the stunning views from the island

Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30, Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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Destinations:

Pettenasco

Just two miles along the coast from Orta San Giulio lies Pettenasco, a tiny lakeside comune best noted for its handful of excellent restaurants.

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Handpicked Hotels in Lake Orta

Discover the real Lake Orta while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Italian Lakes, Lake Orta

Hotel Giardinetto

Restaurant terrace situated on the lake front
Tranquil location in Pettenasco, with its own private boat landing stage

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Things to do in Lake Orta

As one of the smallest Italian lakes, Lake Orta has stayed off the radar, helping to preserve its natural charm and peaceful nature. With its pretty lakeside towns, picturesque views and stunning local cuisine, it has everything you need for a relaxing holiday away from the crowds.

Take a day trip to Omegna, a town at the lake’s northern tip, and wander along the riverside passageways and over beautiful bridges, exploring the historic centre. The perfect place to experience real Italian culture, Omegna is a local town with local people – you won’t find any tourist shops here. Great for cyclists too, there are plenty of circular routes to enjoy such as the 40km loop around Lake Orta.

Build your Lake Orta holiday beyond your hotel and take a train to Milan, Italy’s fashion capital. A contrast to quaint Lake Orta, the city offers sophisticated shopping, historic architecture and world-renowned galleries, a must-see while you’re in the region.

Things to doChurch of Santa Maria AssuntaCelebrated for its Romanesque architecture, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (St Mary of the Assumption) has stood proud in the village of Armeno, on the western side of Lake Orta since the 11th century.Find out more about Church of Santa Maria Assunta

Things to doIsola San GiulioThe famous island of San Giulio is situated in the middle of the Lake Orta, opposite the village of Orta San Giulio.Find out more about Isola San Giulio

Things to doSacro Monte di OrtaA UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, the Sacro Monte di Orta (sacred mountain of Orta) is a Roman Catholic religious site where 20 chapels dating as far back as the 16th century stand, depicting the life of St Francis of Assisi through well-preserved murals and sculptures.Find out more about Sacro Monte di Orta

Things to doVisit Lake MaggioreThe beauty of Lake Maggiore has been well-documented throughout history, with its clear waters said to have come from the teardrops of unrequited lovers.Find out more about lake maggiore

Flight Information

The closest airport to Lake Orta is Milan Malpensa (MXP). Direct flights to Milan are available from Birmingham, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton and Manchester and take approximately 2 hours.

When to go

Lake Orta is a summer destination, with the season generally running from April to October. Temperatures are at their hottest in July and August and this is when Orta is at its busiest. The climate in the spring and autumn is still warm which makes it perfect for visiting at the beginning or end of season too. For those who want to avoid the busiest crowds but still enjoy warm temperatures, May, June and September are ideal months to visit.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.

On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.

On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Lake Orta Specialities Lake Orta is a tranquil getaway and while it is one of Italy’s smaller lakes, it is by no means lacking in fine dining experiences and speciality dishes.

For those wanting to try some local dishes, pasta with donkey or horse meat is a delicacy of the area and will give you a real flavour of authentic Italy. Traditional Italian dishes like these are deeply rooted in the Italian culture, with the recipes often passed down from generation to generation. Many restaurants in the area serve these authentic dishes alongside more conventional choices if you prefer.

Lake Orta Specialities Cheese lovers will be in their element with local cheeses which are a real jewel of local cuisine. Every town and hamlet in this northern Italian region produces its own cheese specialty so it’s a real must-try for those visiting the area. Try Murazzano for a rich cheese with an aromatic taste or Robiola di Roccaverano, a fresh cheese with a delicate taste which is excellent when paired with local red wines.

Lake Orta Specialities The wines of the Piedmont region are mostly created from the Nebbiolo grape and tend to be red. Two of the most popular varieties include Barolo and Barbaresco as they complement the strong flavours of Lake Orta’s traditional cuisine. Making wine in Italy is an art so make sure you sample the different varieties on offer while in the home region.