Italian Lakes Road Trip

The Italian Lakes Road Trip is a 332km journey through some of the most beautiful parts of Italy, starting in the city of Milan and ending in the city of Bergamo. This four-day trip is best done in the warmer months of the year, when the weather is perfect for taking in the sights and exploring the countryside. Along the way, you will visit the towns of Orta San Giulio, Locarno, and Como, each with its own unique character and history. Throughout the journey, you will experience breathtaking views of the Italian lakes, including Lake Orta and Lake Como, and have the opportunity to visit some of the most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region. You will also find plenty of opportunities to visit the local beaches and explore the area's historical sites and monuments. The Italian Lakes Road Trip is a great experience for drivers of all levels. The roads are in excellent condition, and the trip can be managed on a moderate budget. You will get the most out of this trip if you take your time to explore and appreciate the beauty of the Italian countryside. The memories you make on this trip will last a lifetime.

Milan, Italy is a great place to start your Italian Lakes Road Trip. It's the second largest city in Italy and a major transportation hub, making it easy to get around the country. You can take advantage of the city's many cultural and historical attractions, such as the Duomo di Milano, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and the La Scala opera house. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is Milan Malpensa Airport (IATA: MXP), which has excellent connections to many destinations worldwide. There are car rental services available at the airport, which makes it easy to start your road trip right away. This is a great way to begin your Italian Lakes Road Trip, as Milan is close to some of the most stunning lakes in the country. Take some time to explore the city before heading out to Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Garda, all of which offer breathtaking views and plenty of activities. Enjoy the stunning scenery, take a boat trip, or simply relax on the banks of the lakes.

Start your road trip adventure in Milan, Italy and take a scenic drive to Lake Orta. This 46 km journey will take you less than an hour and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Italian countryside. On your way, you will pass by some of Italy’s most historical sites, including UNESCO Heritage sites. As you make your way to Lake Orta, take some time to explore the quaint village of Orta San Giulio. Take a stroll along the cobblestone streets and visit some of the local shops, restaurants, and churches. Don’t forget to take a boat ride to the nearby island of San Giulio and admire the stunning views of the lake. After a day of exploring, you will be sure to have many memories to take home with you. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the “Itinerary” of this stage.

Start your road trip adventure in the enchanting town of Orta San Giulio! Located on the eastern shore of Lake Orta, this charming destination is the perfect place to begin your journey. With its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and stunning views of the lake, you’ll be inspired to explore more of the region. From Orta San Giulio, you’ll drive just 23 km to Stresa, a beautiful lakeside town situated on the western shore of Lake Maggiore. During your drive, be sure to take in the stunning views of the lake and the surrounding countryside. Once you arrive in Stresa, you’ll find plenty of attractions to explore. Visit the historic Villa Pallavicino Park, stroll along the lakefront promenade, or take a boat ride to the Borromean Islands. For a unique experience, consider a guided tour of the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, a luxurious 19th-century villa. There is also plenty of shopping and dining opportunities to enjoy in Stresa. As you plan your trip, be sure to check out the “Itinerary” section of this stage for more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route.

Embark on a thrilling journey through the Italian-Swiss border! Start your adventure in Stresa, Italy, and drive through the picturesque Tronzano, and end your journey in Locarno, Switzerland. Enjoy the 55 km drive, which will take you fewer than two hours, and take in the breathtaking views of the Italian and Swiss countryside. Along the way, you can visit historical sites such as the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso in Orselina, the St. Anthony of Padua Church in Tronzano, and the Church of San Biagio in Locarno. For the more adventurous, you can also explore the nearby mountains and lakes. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the Itinerary of this stage. So what are you waiting for? Get your car keys ready and start your road trip now!

The stage of your road trip that starts in Locarno, Switzerland and ends in Varese will take you through the Unione dei Comuni Ovest Lago Var. The 85 km journey will take you fewer than 2 hours and you will be able to witness some of the most stunning landscapes and historical sites in the area. The first stop of your trip should be the beautiful Monte Brè. From here, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Maggiore and the Alps. You can also explore the ruins of the old castle and the church which are located on the top of the mountain. After this, you can continue your trip and visit the small villages of the Valle Verzasca. Here, you can take a walk and admire the stunning views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. Your next stop should be the beautiful town of Ascona. Here, you can explore its historic center and visit the old churches, the castle, and the beautiful lakefront promenade. After this, you can continue your journey and visit the picturesque village of Sonogno. Here, you can explore the old stone houses, the churches, and the stunning views of the valley. Your final destination is the city of Varese. Here, you can visit the beautiful old town, the churches, and the stunning views of the lake. You can also explore the nearby mountains and take a walk in the city's parks. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your trip!

Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Varese to Como? This 29km journey will take you less than an hour, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the most spectacular sights and attractions in Italy. Start your journey in Varese and explore the beautiful Villa Panza, a stunning neoclassical villa surrounded by a lush park. Then, take a stroll through the breathtaking Giardino Botanico del Lago di Comabbio, a botanical garden with a stunning lake. Continue your journey to Como and marvel at the majestic Duomo di Como, a beautiful cathedral with a bell tower. Then, explore the enchanting Villa Olmo, a neoclassical villa with lush gardens and a magnificent view of the lake. On your way back to Varese, take a few minutes to admire the breathtaking views of the lake from the Lungolago di Como. Don’t forget to take your time and enjoy the sights and attractions of this amazing route. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check the “Itinerary” of this stage. Have a great trip!

Begin your road trip in the beautiful city of Como, Italy, and take a journey that will take you through the Spartiacque Lago di Como/Fiume S. and end in the picturesque village of Bellagio. This route is only 29km and can be driven in under an hour, so you can take your time to explore the many sights along the way. Start your trip in Como and visit its stunning lakeside views, its historic churches, and the fascinating Museo Didattico della Seta. For a unique experience, take a cable car ride up to the top of the mountain for a breathtaking view of the lake and city. As you drive through the Spartiacque Lago di Como/Fiume S., you will be surrounded by stunning mountain views, lush forests, and picturesque villages. Be sure to take some time to explore the area, as it is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Finally, end your journey in Bellagio, with its cobblestone streets, its amazing views of the lake, and its many restaurants and shops. Be sure to visit the beautiful Villa Melzi and the fascinating Villa Serbelloni, both of which are full of history and culture. This is just one stage of a larger tour, and more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So what are you waiting for? Start your road trip today!

Embark on a road trip from beautiful Bellagio, Italy, to Bergamo, a journey of only 64 km that will take you less than two hours. Your first stop is Lecco, a town located on the banks of Lake Como. Here, you can admire the old town centre, with its churches, monuments, and museums, as well as take a boat ride to explore the lake. Once you're done, continue your journey to Bergamo, a city with a rich cultural heritage. Take a walk through the historic centre, visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, and explore the city's many churches and museums. In addition, you'll find plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy during your stay. As you travel along this route, don't forget to take in the stunning views of the Italian countryside. For more information on attractions, accommodation, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check the itinerary of this stage.

End your "Italian Lakes Road Trip" in the beautiful city of Bergamo in Italy. Bergamo is a fascinating city located in the Lombardy region of Italy with a lot to offer the traveler. It is known for its grand architecture, museums, churches and monuments, as well as its stunning natural beauty. To start your exploration, make sure to visit the old town of Bergamo, the Città Alta. Here you will find a wealth of history and culture, with the grand Piazza Vecchia, the stunning Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the Colleoni Chapel. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy, as well as shops and galleries. In the new town of Bergamo, the Città Bassa, you will find the modern side of the city. Here you can explore the museums and galleries, such as the Accademia Carrara, or take a stroll along the banks of the River Serio. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars, as well as shops and markets. No visit to Bergamo would be complete without a visit to the nearby Lombardy lakes. Here you can enjoy a day of swimming, sailing, kayaking and much more. For those traveling by air, Bergamo is served by the closest international airport, Orio al Serio (BGY). End your "Italian Lakes Road Trip" in the beautiful city of Bergamo and explore its fascinating history and culture, as well as its stunning natural beauty. Make sure to take the time to explore all the area has to offer and you won't be disappointed.

It would be great if our adventure idea sparked your creativity and imagination.
Our itinerary can be used as a template that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with diverse tourist attractions.
If you are planning on travelling by car in Alps, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a number of elements to remember to make your adventure smooth and safe. These tips will surely become useful for travellers who are interested in renting a car or renting a camper in Alps.
It is essential to be mindful of the local road rules when driving around Alps. Alcohol is best to be avoided at all if Alps is your travel destination. Tourists ought to remember that the allowed level of alcohol in blood is rather low and amounts to only 0.5‰. The speed limit that cannot be exceeded when travelling around the urban build-up areas is 50km/h. When travelling outside the cities, you should stick to the maximum allowed speed of 90km/h. On highways, avoid driving faster than the speed limit of 130km/h. Driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your vehicle with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher heavily increase the safety.
The majority of travellers are also interested in the travel expenses of the whole road trip. Depending on the budget option that you go for, the total expenses during the whole adventure may vary. A wide range of budget configurations is showed below.
We estimate that the cheapest option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 332km across Alps may cost roughly 50 EUR. Economy accommodation options may cost you around 264 EUR. Tourists who take advantage of this option will spend about 192 EUR on restaurants and food. Travellers will have to pay about 180 EUR if they choose the budget car rental offer as well. Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to approximately 506 EUR without vehicle rental and 686 EUR with car rental.
When it comes to the standard offer, you should be prepared to pay the maximum of 63 EUR on the fuel needed to cover the itinerary. If you are into standard accommodation options, you should remember that the expenses can amount up to more or less 418 EUR. Holidayers may expect that the standard option in terms of restaurants and food will cost around 288 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard rental vehicle should expect a cost of roughly 324 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total roughly 1,093 EUR for holidayers who would like to try vehicle hire and 769 EUR for those who are not interested in renting.
The available premium option has been prepared with the most demanding holidayers in mind. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total more or less 1,573 EUR for holidayers who are considering car hire and 769 EUR for those who do not need a hire car. Travellers who want to cover the itinerary in a premium rental car should expect a cost of roughly 432 EUR. In the premium version of the adventure, the cost of the gasoline needed to cover all stages around Alps is around 75 EUR. Tourists who are interested in top services in all aspects of their itinerary should expect to pay about 384 EUR for restaurants and food and around 682 EUR for accommodation.
Our trip is also a marvellous opportunity for all camper enthusiasts. When it comes to this travel means, you will pay up to approximately 900 EUR. If you are wondering about the money that has to be spent on gasoline during the whole tour, it will amount to around 88 EUR. Holidayers who choose camper hire should expect to pay about 220 EUR for overnight stays and approximately 192 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs shows all the above details in a straightforward manner.
The showed part of Alps is best to be visited between April and June. If you like Italian Lakes Road Trip, check out other beautiful road trips and scenic drives that we offer on our website. The great variety of travel opportunities will surely cater to the needs of the most demanding drivers.