• Lake Orta

A tranquil lake surrounded by green woodland and high mountains, the smallest of the four northern Italy islands, 30 km west of Stresa and Lake Maggiore.

The main attractions around the lake are the Medieval village of Orta San Giulio and Isola San Guilio.

Visit the beautiful Medieval village of Orta San Giulio, close to Isola San Giulio, to enjoy  Renaissance and Baroque lovely townhouses, and villas and palaces with beautiful gardens.

Enjoy Piazza Motta at the village center with its nice arcaded buildings and small cafes, or have a swim or sunbathe at the Orta Beach Club.
From Piazza Mario Motta, walk up hill or drive to the 15th century Baroque Chiesa dell’Assunta.
Continue up hill to Sacro Monte di San Francesco where 20 small chapels dedicated to St Francis of Assisi are scattered on the cliffs, some with wonderful frescoes.
The views down to the lake are fascinating.
You can also take a one hour walk on the trail around the village and the surrounding hill near the lake’s shore.

Isola San Giulio
A small island near Orta San Giulio, is a short ferry ride away from the lake’s coast.
It’s a small island home to the 12th century Romanesque Basilica di San Giulio with its beautiful frescoes, paintings and sculptures, a bell tower, a 19th century bishop’s palace, and the Benedictine abbey. The island is surrounded by a narrow tranquil trail, the “way of silence and meditation” which is worth while strolling.

Take a half day tour from Stresa and enjoy the lake, the beautiful village, and the Island.

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Isola San Giulio (San Giulio Island), Orta Lake, Novara, Piedmont, Italy

Reflections on the Lake Orta, Piedmont, Italy

People in a restaurant in Lake Orta, Piedmont, Italy. With the nearby Unesco site Sacro Monte and San Giulio island, Orta is a popular destination for small-scale tourism