Driving a Rental Car Along the Lakes of Northern Italy

Milan is the largest city in northern Italy and has no fewer than three airports. The main airport is Malpensa Airport. Closer to the city is Linate Airport, and finally, Bergamo Airport, which is mainly used by budget airlines. Many tourists land at one of these three airports for a city trip to Milan, but they also serve as gateways to vacation resorts on the lakes of northern Italy or—in the winter—to the ski resorts in the Italian Alps.

These Italian lakes have been a popular destination since Roman times. That’s not surprising, since they’re absolutely stunning and surrounded by forested slopes and towering mountains. Why limit yourself to just one spot on such a lake? Rent a car in Milan or Bergamo and take a trip through the natural beauty and past castles, palaces, and other sights around Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Orta.

It’s wonderful to wander through the narrow streets of Bergamo or the glamorous city of Milan, but after that, it’s time to see more of the equally impressive surrounding area. So it’s time to hit the road in a rental car and explore the lakes! We’ll describe the road trip starting from Bergamo, but if you’re arriving at Malpensa Airport, you’re better off doing the route in reverse. If you’re arriving at Linate Airport, you can choose where you want to start. We’ve also included ferry connections. Most rental companies have no issue with you taking your rental car on a ferry across the lakes. But to be on the safe side, check with the rental company when you pick up your car.

LAGO DI COMO (Lake Como)

Lecco

From Bergamo, drive west on the SS342 to Cisano Bergamasco, then take the SS639 along Lake Garlate toward Lecco. For the first beautiful viewpoint, turn right onto Via S. Gerolamo in Vercurago. Continue along this winding road until you reach the parking lot at the end. There, a steep staircase leads up to the ruins of a small castle and a chapel dedicated to Saint Jerome. The view from there is magnificent.

Lecco is located where the Adda River flows out of Lake Como and is a perfect base for mountain hikes, such as the one to Monte Resegone. A small cable car runs up the mountain, from Versasio to Piani d’Erna. The gondola ride alone is worth the trip, as it offers panoramic views of Lecco and the surrounding mountains. Once at the top, there are well-marked hiking trails, and it’s a great spot for a picnic. The strangely shaped rocks and gorges of the Grigne mountain range, north of Lecco, are popular among rock climbers.

Bellagio

In Lecco, cross the Ponte Alessandro Manzoni and turn right shortly afterward. You’ll then be driving on the SS583, which runs right along Lake Como with spectacular views. It’s a fairly narrow road, so you can’t just stop to enjoy the view; keep an eye out for coves or other spots where you can park your rental car.

After twenty kilometers, you’ll arrive in the charming town of Bellagio, located roughly in the middle of Lake Como. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y, and Bellagio sits at the tip of the peninsula between the two branches of Lake Como. The town center is a maze of steep, stepped streets lined with boutiques, outdoor cafes, and restaurants. Bellagio is a town best explored at your own pace. The tourist office offers free maps with walking tours. The longest walk takes you through neighboring villages, but there’s also a route past the graceful old patrician mansions in town, such as Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi d’Eril. You can’t go inside either of them, but you can explore the beautifully landscaped parks surrounding them. The most famous street in town is Salita Serbelloni. Once you’ve climbed all the way to the top, turn around and you’ll see Bellagio’s famous view.

The small harbor of the fishing village of Pescallo lies a bit apart from Bellagio, behind a high hill, and is therefore not as crowded. In the winter, you’ll practically have the village to yourself; in the summer, you can go swimming or rent a boat for a trip across Lake Como.

Varenna

Leave your rental car in Bellagio and take a passenger ferry to Varenna on the eastern shore of Lake Como. You can’t buy a ferry ticket online—only at the terminal. Varenna started out as a fishing village, but these days it relies on tourism for its income. It’s just as picturesque as Bellagio—and you can see that even from the water: colorful houses surrounded by lush greenery. Your leg muscles will be put to the test in the narrow streets and stairways lined with pastel-colored houses on both sides. The walking path along the lake’s shore is a bit easier.

High above Varenna stands the Castello di Vezio. The castle was built in the twelfth century to protect the village from the frequent wars and raids of the Middle Ages. You have a view of the entire central part of Lake Como, and then you understand why the castle is situated in this strategic location.

North of Varenna lies a deep, narrow gorge formed fifteen million years ago by melting glaciers. Footbridges are anchored along the high rock walls of this Orrido di Bellano, making it very easy to admire the ravine and the waterfalls. In the evening, the gorge is beautifully lit. From the church on Piazza S. Giorgio, clear signs point to the start of the walking trail into the gorge.

Tremezzo: Villa Carlotta

From Bellagio, take a short ride on the car ferry to Cadenabbia on the western shore of Lake Como. Then drive toward Tremezzo. Less than a kilometer from the ferry terminal is Villa Carlotta , and if you visit only one country estate on Lake Como, this is the one to see. This country estate was built in the seventeenth century and takes its name from the Prussian princess who received it as a wedding gift in the nineteenth century. The gardens are particularly impressive: terraces with flower beds, fountains, ponds, and marble statues. You’ll also find sculptures inside the villa, along with paintings, tapestries, and richly decorated furniture. From the balcony, you have a beautiful view of the Grigne Mountains on the eastern side of Lake Como. For children, there’s a scavenger hunt through the villa.

Greenway del Lago di Como

In the next destination, Lenno, a villa is also the main attraction. If you’re looking for something else to do in this area, you can explore (part of) the Greenway del Lago di Como . This is an 11-kilometer hiking trail that passes through some of the most beautiful spots between Tremezzo and Colonno. The trail actually starts earlier, in Griante, but that first section runs along the main road. From Tremezzo, you’ll follow a path through the hills above the towns along the shore of Lake Como. Along the way, you’ll pass through historic villages such as Bonzanigo and Campo. There are several parking lots along the route, and a bus also runs there. So you can easily park your rental car, walk part of the route, and then take the bus back to your car.

Lenno: Villa del Balbianello

Southeast of Lenno, Villa del Balbianello stands majestically on a green headland. The villa is accessible only on foot or by water taxi. You can park your rental car along Via Comoeda or on Via alla Torre. There are two fairly steep trails through a densely wooded hill. The most challenging trail runs along the top of the hill, where you’ll naturally enjoy the view. This area is also perfect for a picnic before or after your visit to the estate. By boat, the villa is accessible from a dock on Via Lomazzi in Lenno. You can park your rental car along Via Armando Diaz, about a five-minute walk away. Many people take the taxi boat to the villa—since it looks impressive from the water—and walk back to Lenno after their visit. The house houses a small museum dedicated to the adventures of its last owner, the explorer and mountaineer Guido Monzino, and also displays his collection of Chinese, African, and pre-Columbian art. If you want to visit this villa, it’s best to book tickets online; otherwise, there’s a good chance you’ll have to wait in line for a long time only to be told that tickets are no longer available.

Sacro Monte di Ossuccio

The towns right along Lake Como can get very crowded—especially during the summer months. To escape the crowds, take the one-kilometer climb to the Sacro Monte di Ossuccio. Along the path, small chapels were built in the 16th and 17th centuries, and there are life-size plaster figures depicting scenes from the Bible. At the top of the hill stands the small church, the Santuario della Madonna. It is one of the nine sacred mountains in northern Italy listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to their spiritual significance, the Sacri Monti are also exceptionally beautiful because of the way they have been skillfully integrated into the surrounding natural landscape of hills, forests, and lakes. Even if you’re not religious, this hike is a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle by the lake, with stunning views along the way and at the summit.

Pigra

If you’re driving into Argegno on the weekend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday), don’t miss the cable car ride to Pigra. It was closed for a long time but reopened in August 2024. Finding parking nearby is virtually impossible, but you can park your rental car at the marina, and from there it’s a five-minute walk back to the cable car’s starting point. Once at the top, you’ll enjoy the charming village of Pigra, as well as the hiking trails in the surrounding area through dense forests. One of the easiest hikes, yet one with the most breathtaking views, is the trail to Belvedere. The village’s residents were once called the “cats of Pigra,” and as you walk down the stairs and narrow streets, you’ll see many symbols, drawings, and photos of cats.

Via Vecchia Regina (SP71)

The closer you get to Como, the busier the SS340 becomes. While it’s certainly the fastest route along the eastern shore of Lake Como, if you have the time, turn left just before Torriggia to follow the old road (Via Vecchia Regina) toward Laglio and Carate Urio. This fairly narrow road is much quieter than the new one, and you’ll drive right along the water’s edge past stunning country estates. These were or are owned by such luminaries as composer Vincenzo Bellini, fashion designer Giovanni Versace, and movie star George Clooney. While the SS340 passes through a tunnel beneath Rovenna and Cernobbio, the SP71 lets you enjoy small historic hamlets and impressive villas.

Como

North of the city lie the hills of Campo dei Fiori, which served as the hunting grounds for the Dukes of Milan in the Middle Ages and are now a stunning regional park offering a blend of nature, religion, and culture. Just outside Varese, a two-kilometer-long walking trail begins, passing by fourteen small chapels. Many consider this the finest of all the Sacri Monti. To park your rental car, there are a few free parking spots on Piazzale Montanari and along the streets leading to it. If you’d rather not walk the sacred path, you can also drive your rental car to the hilltop village of Santa Maria del Monte, but you’ll have to pay for parking there.

In the western part of the park, you can walk to Forte di Orino. No, it’s not a fort (anymore), but it is a beautiful lookout point at an elevation of 1,130 meters. From the Irma restaurant (make sure not to park in spaces reserved for customers), it’s less than an hour’s walk along a fairly easy trail. Along the way, there are several natural springs from which you can safely drink. At the end, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful spots in the entire park, offering panoramic views of Lake Varese, Lake Comabbio, Lake Monate, and a small section of Lake Maggiore.

Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso

The elegant city of Como is situated at the southern tip of the western arm of Lake Como. The city center within the city walls (città murata) is compact and easy to explore on foot. Park your rental car in one of the parking garages around the historic center, such as the Autosilo Comunale or the Autosilo Valduce. The latter was built on top of the ruins of a Roman bathhouse! The Duomo stands in the central square; construction on it spanned centuries, giving the cathedral an interesting mix of styles: Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. Inside, you’ll find beautiful frescoes, tapestries, paintings, statues, and sculptures. Attached to it is the medieval market hall, with the Torre Civica bell tower next to it.

Como has a pleasant waterfront promenade stretching from the fountain at Villa Geno to the city’s most famous villa, Villa Olmo. Along the way, you’ll pass other beautiful villas and Tempio Voltiano, a neoclassical temple dedicated to Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery and after whom the unit of electrical voltage is named. The city was built on the wealth of the silk industry, and silk products are still made there today. Como is therefore a great place to buy silk products of the highest quality.

LAKE MAGGIORE

Varese / Campo dei Fiori

To be honest, the thirty-kilometer stretch through villages and suburbs between Como and Varese isn’t very exciting. Varese itself, however, is a beautiful city with an old and charming historic center, home to, among other things, the 12th-century Basilica di San Vittore Martire. This church, the bell tower next to it, and the buildings surrounding the square in front of it are beautifully illuminated in the evening. In and around Varese, you’ll also find several villas with extensive gardens, built by wealthy families starting in the 17th century.

From Varese, it takes 45 minutes by rental car to reach Leggiuno. This small town isn’t located directly on Lake Maggiore, but the Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso is. This 12th-century Catholic monastery is actually perched halfway above the lake. It’s a must-see if you’re in this part of Italy. There’s a large free parking lot along Via Santa Catarina, right near the entrance to the monastery, where you can then take the stairs or the elevator. It’s not just the location that draws visitors; the frescoes in the church are also impressive.

ValGrande National Park

Less than a 15-minute drive from the monastery lies Laveno, where you can take a car ferry across Lake Maggiore to Intra. That town is situated at the mouth of the San Bernardino River, which originates in the rugged mountains of the ValGrande National Park. A fantastic park that’s rarely visited by tourists! The main entrance is in Cigogna, but it’s only accessible by rental car from Verbania via a very narrow and winding road. Be especially careful at blind spots. It’s definitely worth the effort, though, because you’ll find yourself right in the heart of the national park, where you can follow various hiking trails, ranging from very easy to strenuous. The visitor center in Mergozzo is easier to reach; it also serves as a museum dedicated to the pink marble and granite found in this area. Incidentally, this little town is beautifully situated between Lake Mergozzo and the Toce River.

That first hotel was named after Stresa’s main attraction, the Borromean Islands, a group of small islands in Lake Maggiore. You can reach the islands by ferry or water taxi. Isola dei Pescatori, also known as Isola Superiore, is a former fishing village with narrow, winding alleys and tightly packed houses. There are many restaurants on this Fishermen’s Island that, naturally, serve mainly fish. The other two islands are privately owned and accessible only from late March through late October. Isola Bella features a large Baroque palace surrounded by terraced gardens. Isola Madre is quieter; there you can admire a 16th-century villa with a botanical garden.

LAGO D’ORTA

Orta San Giulio

To the west of Lake Maggiore and separated from it by Mount Mottarone (1,492 m) lies Lake Orta, perhaps the most romantic of Italy’s lakes, surrounded by dense forests. With a length of over thirteen kilometers and a maximum width of two and a half kilometers, you can drive around it in a day. But the question is whether you’d want to, because the medieval village of Orta San Giulio alone is so enchanting that you could spend hours there. This gem on a small peninsula is one of the Borghi più belli d’Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy). From Stresa, there are several options for driving your rental car to Orta San Giulio. You can take the road over the summit of Mottarone. It’s not as narrow as you might expect, but it does have some hairpin turns. Less winding is the route along the south side of the mountain, Via II Riviere. You can also opt for the major roads: from Stresa, take the SS33 northwest and then the SP229, which runs right along the northern part of Lake Orta.

The town center has very narrow alleys with intriguing nooks and crannies and is car-free. You can park your rental car in a lot at the entrance to the village along Via Panoramica. Don’t head straight into the village; instead, first follow the brown sign with a walking couple on it. That points to the cobblestone walking path via 11 Settembre. You can’t get any closer to the water than this! By the way, there’s an underground parking garage further down the road, where your rental car will stay nice and cool.

Isola San Giulio

If you drive further west along that river, you’ll come to the old village of Vigogno, which is dominated by the semicircular tower of the 14th-century Castello Visconteo. It’s not a large castle, but it’s exceptionally beautiful—and, what’s more, it serves as the gateway to ValGrande.

For an adrenaline rush, head to the Lago Maggiore Zipline in Aurano—though your heart might already be racing as you drive there, since this road is also very narrow with sharp hairpin turns.

Stresa

Of all the lakeside towns in northern Italy, Stresa has best preserved the atmosphere of the Belle Époque, especially along the waterfront promenade. It was a sleepy little village until the Omarini brothers built the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees there in the mid-19th century. Others followed their example. The European aristocracy also discovered Stresa and built luxurious country estates there.

Across from San Giulio lies the small island of the same name. Boats depart for the island from the small central square, Piazza Motta. According to legend, a man named Giulio, a Christian preacher, freed the island from dragons and snakes in the fourth century and built a Romanesque church there. The current Basilica di San Giulio dates from the twelfth century, and its interior features beautiful frescoes. Giulio’s remains are said to lie in the crypt. In the center of the island stands the enormous Benedictine monastery, Abbazia Benedettina Mater Ecclesiæ. In the evening, the monastery and the bell tower are illuminated, offering a beautiful view of them from Orta San Giulio.

Returning Your Rental Car

If you rented a car at Bergamo Airport, the drive back from Orta San Giulio to the airport is 130 kilometers. Malpensa Airport is much closer, just 45 kilometers away. Instead of driving all the way back, you can also opt for a one-way car rental. You’d pick up the rental car in Bergamo and return it at Malpensa Airport, for example. Or vice versa, taking this road trip in the opposite direction. To see which cars are available for this, enter different pickup and drop-off locations in our search form. We’ll then show you only the cars you can rent between those locations, including the one-way fee.

Rent a Car in Milan or Bergamo for the Ski Resorts

Combine la dolce vita with winter sports and rent a car in the winter to drive to the ski slopes. Lombardy’s scattered ski resorts are among the most remote in Italy, and Milan’s airports offer the fastest access. The nearest resorts are just a one-and-a-half to two-hour drive away, such as Montecampione, Castione della Presolana, Foppolo, and Schilpario.

Rental Cars and ZTL

In virtually all historic villages and towns in Italy, the center is a so-called zona a traffico limitato (ZTL). This zone is accessible only to residents’ and delivery vehicles. You are therefore not allowed to drive your rental car there. Never drive past a ZTL sign, because there’s a camera right behind it and you’ll be recorded without fail. The fines are steep! Sometimes the restriction applies only during certain hours (for example, during the day), but we recommend that you always park your rental car outside the ZTL to avoid accidentally being in the zone when it’s prohibited. However, you may drive in a ZTL if you’ve booked accommodations within the zone. In that case, you must provide the license plate number of your rental car to the rental company or the hotel.

Why Rent a Car in Northern Italy

There are many things to see and do in and around the Great Lakes of Northern Italy. Of course, you should explore the picturesque towns and villages, but you can also relax at one of the many lidos (beach areas) along the lakes. After admiring beautiful old villas and magnificently landscaped gardens, it’s also wonderful to people-watch from a terrace. Adrenaline junkies will find plenty to enjoy as well, with many exciting outdoor sports to try, from zip lines to paragliding. And, of course, we don’t need to tell you that these lakes are also great for water activities. In short, there’s something for everyone, young and old alike. Rent a car and discover it for yourself!