Torino's privileged location, at the foot of the Alps, gives access to one of the most beautiful lake systems in Italy. Perfect for a summer getaway or a romantic escape, the Piedmontese lakes can be reached in one or two hours by car and offer breathtaking landscapes.
Lago di Orta is perhaps Piedmont's best-kept secret. Smaller and less touristy than its neighbour Maggiore, it has an intimate, secluded charm. The village of Orta San Giulio, with its quiet alleys and frescoed palazzi, looks out onto Isola di San Giulio, a Romanesque jewel reachable in a few minutes by boat. The Sacro Monte di Orta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, towers over the lake with its frescoed chapels dedicated to Saint Francis.
Lago Maggiore is the great classic. The Borromean Islands — Isola Bella with its Baroque palace and Italianate gardens, Isola dei Pescatori with its colourful little houses and fish restaurants, and Isola Madre with its botanical garden — are among the most visited attractions in northern Italy. Stresa, on the Piedmontese shore, is the perfect base for exploring the lake.
Lago di Viverone, just 50 minutes from Torino, is the ideal choice for those looking to relax without straying too far. Its calm waters are perfect for windsurfing, rowing and swimming, while the shores offer picnic areas and lidos. The prehistoric pile-dwelling site, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shows that these shores were inhabited as far back as 5,000 years ago.
For those visiting Torino who want to explore the surrounding area, combining a morning in the city with an afternoon at the lake is the perfect plan for a complete Piedmontese day.