Travel guide Iseosee
Comfortable temperatures (almost) like the Mediterranean
Lake Iseo enjoys an almost Mediterranean climate. The summers are dry and warm, while the winters are mild and humid. The Alpine peaks often remain white until well into June. In the lower altitudes, temperatures can be up to 15 °C higher. The best time to travel for a beach and
lakeside holiday at Lake Iseo is between June and September. The air warms up to daily highs of 30 °C, and the lake's water reaches pleasant temperatures of 24 °C in July and August. On sunny winter days, the mercury can sometimes crack the 10 °C mark, but low-pressure systems over the Mediterranean often bring rain to northern Italy.
Hearty and traditional Italian cuisine
The
Lombardy region is a true gourmet paradise. Here, excellent Alpine cuisine meets Mediterranean delights; hearty home-style and country cooking meets delicate fish dishes. A typical appetizer is Pizzoccheri, pasta made from buckwheat flour, similar in appearance to tagliatelle but shorter and thicker. For the main course, try Cassoeula, a hearty stew originating from the rural cuisine of the Po valley. It contains all the parts of the pig that were not fine enough for the aristocratic tables and is enriched with lots of savoy cabbage. A winter dish that warms body and soul. As for fish, Lake Iseo is abundant in trout and pike. Just south of the lake is the wine-growing region of Franciacorta near
Monticelli Brusati. Italy's finest sparkling wine, which outshines many Proseccos, comes from this area. In accommodations with your own kitchen, you can also cook delicious dishes yourself.
A paradise of water, mountains, and islands
Look forward to a relaxing
mountain vacation at Lake Iseo, a true insider tip compared to
Lake Garda and
Lake Como. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of vineyards, olive groves, chestnut forests, and orchards at a leisurely pace. On the Bergamo side of the lake, there are several small beaches for swimming, boating, surfing, sailing, and fishing. Along the coast, small river valleys alternate with steep cliffs and narrow gorges. From May to September, numerous events take place around Lake Iseo, including concerts, theater performances, and sailing regattas. A must-see is a trip with the lake shipping company to Monte Isola (Island Mountain). This island towers more than 400 meters above the lake, featuring a small village, the sanctuary of Madonna della Ceriola, and numerous hiking trails. From the Island Mountain, you can enjoy breathtaking views across the lake and the surrounding peaks. The northern part of Lake Iseo (Alto Sebino) belongs to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Vallecamonica - Alto Sebino. Hike through the Bergamasker Alps and visit Lovere.
Lake Iseo - Art Deco and classic boats
Of the lakeside towns in northern Italy, Sarnico offers the most sights for an exciting vacation filled with excursions. Sarnico is located in the Lombardy region on the southern shore of Lago d'Iseo and boasts a well-preserved medieval old town with impressive palaces. Definitely worth a visit! Take a tour of Italian cultural history from your vacation home or apartment on Lake Iseo. The town features numerous Art Deco-style buildings by architect Giuseppe Sommaruga, commissioned by the Faccanoni family. Their villa lies within a sprawling park on the lake's shore. In Sarnico's cemetery, you'll find the Faccanoni mausoleum, also designed by Sommaruga using only local stones. The church of San Martino is also well worth a visit. The lower part of the campanile dates from the late 16th century, while the main part of the church, built in the Roman Baroque style, dates from 1727. Lake Iseo gained worldwide fame through the traditional Carlo Riva shipyard. The wooden Riva motorboats are classic motorboats steeped in history. Rent cozy accommodations or a beautiful lake view vacation home in a wonderful landscape, like in Riva di Solto, or an apartment with a lake view, garden, terrace in a prime location and enjoy a relaxing holiday tailored to your personal wishes with your family at Lago d'Iseo.