Lake Orta, a picturesque place to relax

Italy is one of the most popular countries in the world when it comes to tourism. With a rich history, impressive architecture and an unforgettable culture, this country offers a wide range of tourist options for all travellers. In northern Italy, tourists can discover the beauty of Lake Orta and the surrounding region.

Lake Orta, located in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, is a particularly beautiful and peaceful place, perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy nature and history.

Orta is located just 2 hours from Milan. It is a small town surrounded by mountains and has a population of about 3,000 people.

Lakeside towns

The town of Orta San Guiliano is the best known and offers a superb view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Other lakeside towns include Pettenasco and Omegna, which offer a wide range of dining and shopping options, as well as generous green space for walking and relaxing.

Lake Orta, a secret place in northern Italy

Lake Orta,Italy is considered a secret place, about which even many Italians have never heard, yet those who have discovered it and have been there at least once, will certainly want to go there twice. In the past, the area of Lake Orta was named after St. Giuliano, considered the protector of the whole region. For a very long time this area has been shrouded in obscurity, as it is one of the smallest and least known lakes in northern Italy.

The truth is that the location seems like something out of a fairy tale and is a very peaceful environment in addition to the picturesque places.

By boat on Lake Maggiore

Tourism in Northern Italy: Activities in the lake area

What can you do at Lake Orta?

Lake Orta offers a variety of activities for all who visit this place.

From lakeside walks, to renting a boat or a rowboat to explore the lake, to visiting churches and monasteries, Lake Orta offers endless opportunities to enjoy the beauty and history of this place.

Top 5 most popular activities for day trips to Lake Orta

Lake Orta is a popular destination for day trips. It can be reached by car, train or boat. Day trips can involve many activities including swimming, cycling, hiking and sightseeing.

  1. Swim:  Swim on one of the public beaches or rent a boat and go out on the lake.

      2. Cycling: ride on one of the paved bike paths around town or rent a bike and explore the off-road trails.

      3. Hiking: explore the surrounding countryside with plenty of scenic trails to choose from.

      4. Sightseeing: Visit some of Lake Orta’s historical sites, such as churches or houses rich in architectural beauty.

       5. Fishing 

What’s it like fishing on Lake Orta?

Lake Orta is the only lake in Italy that has no islands on it. The lake is famous for its fishing and gastronomy, with many restaurants offering fresh fish. Lake Orta is also home to many species of birds, including the white-throated kite, black kite and common kite.

On Lake Orta you can catch some of the best white, trout and rainbow trout in Europe. Fishing on Lake Orta is truly amazing, with breathtaking views of the Alps

 Why it is an iconic place for tourists from all over the world

Like Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta it is a source of inspiration for many artists, including the Italian writer Petro Chiari, who was inspired in his writings by Lake Orta and its surroundings, calling this area “God’s watercolour”, because here you can see a great diversity of colours, many houses have multicoloured facades and more.

Beautiful summer days under the “Watercolour of God”

Lake Orta has also become a source of inspiration for many photographers, but especially for young people in love or married couples who choose to do their photo shoots in the lake region. The predominant blue and green colours capture your spirit and charge you with positive energy.

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Lacul Orta