Lakeside Haven With Private Pool & Hot TubN°001
Lake Como, Italy
Private PoolHot Tub
From $17,018 per night
The Italian Lakes are a string of glacial waters at the foot of the Alps, framed by villas, gardens and mountain villages. Renting a luxury villa in the Italian Lakes places you on the shoreline with private pools, lake views and concierge care, ideal for refined, unhurried summers.
- Lakefront villas with private pools, jetties and terraced gardens
- Iconic settings on Lake Como, Lake Garda and the Lombardy hinterland
- Belle Epoque towns, grand hotels and historic botanical gardens
- Alpine peaks, watersports and lake cruises within easy reach
- Under two hours from Milan, with dedicated concierge support
Known forLakefront villas, formal gardens, Belle Epoque resorts and Alpine backdrops on Lake Como and Lake Garda
Best time to visitLate April to early October, with May, June and September the most temperate
Nearest airportMilan Malpensa (MXP) and Milan Linate (LIN) for Como; Verona (VRN) and Bergamo (BGY) for Garda
Ideal forCouples, multi-generational families and groups seeking lakeside luxury and easy access to Milan
Sophisticated Lakefront Living With Private DockN°002
Italian Lakes, Italy
Hot TubSaunagarden
From $11,076 per night
Modern Villa With Pool and Lake ViewsN°003
Italian Lakes, Italy
Private poolSaunagarden
From $10,983 per night
Extraordinary Villa in Sala ComacinaN°004
Lake Como, Italy
Private PoolSea View
From $10,465 per night
3 BR - Elegant Flat With Cathedral ViewN°005
Lake Como, Italy
From $10,465 per night
Oasis of Calm Villa Overlooking Lake ComoN°006
Italian Lakes, Italy
Private PoolSea View
From $10,384 per night
61homes available
1–10bedrooms
up to 20guests
44with a pool
Events not to miss in Italian Lakes
- Late June
Festa di San Giovanni, Lake Como
Fireworks over the water near Isola Comacina and a flotilla of illuminated boats mark Como's most atmospheric festival. Watch it from a lakeside terrace or a private launch.
- July to September
Stresa Festival
Lake Maggiore's long-running classical music festival stages concerts in villas, churches and on the Borromean Islands through the summer.
- Early September
Centomiglia Regatta
Lake Garda's historic hundred-mile sailing race fills the water off Gargnano with sails, a spectacle best enjoyed from the western shore.
- Late September to early October
Festa dell'Uva, Bardolino
Bardolino celebrates the grape harvest with tastings, food stalls and fireworks on Lake Garda's eastern shore, a fine finale to the villa season.
Italian Lakes through the seasons
- Spring (March – May)
Camellias, gardens and quiet shores
The great lakeside gardens of Villa Carlotta, Villa Taranto and Isola Bella burst into bloom while the ferries and shore roads remain pleasantly calm.
- Summer (June – August)
Lake life in full swing
Private boat days, lido swimming and long dinners on the water's edge. A villa with a pool above Como, Garda or Maggiore is the definitive Italian summer.
- Autumn (September – November)
Harvest colours and mellow light
Vineyards around Garda and Franciacorta turn gold, the water stays warm into September and restaurants reclaim their local character.
- Winter (December – February)
Misty lakes and Alpine day trips
The quietest, most romantic season: fireside villas, uncrowded lakeside towns and skiing within reach in the mountains above Como and Garda.
The Area
The Italian Lakes sit across Lombardy and neighbouring regions, where deep glacial waters meet the southern edge of the Alps. Lake Como is the most celebrated, an inverted-Y of steep, wooded shores dotted with pastel villages, grand villas and cypress gardens around Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. Lake Garda, the largest, is broader and sunnier, ringed by olive groves, vineyards and lemon terraces from Sirmione to Riva del Garda. Inland, towns such as Azzate and the wider Varese countryside offer a quieter, green hinterland. Together the lakes pair Alpine drama with Mediterranean ease, an unmistakable light on the water and a long tradition of villeggiatura, the Italian art of the leisurely summer retreat.
Where to Stay in Luxury Villas in the Italian Lakes
Choice of lake shapes the holiday. For classic glamour, Lake Como rewards a villa around Bellagio, Tremezzina or the Como shoreline, with terraced gardens and direct water access. Lake Garda suits those wanting more sun and space, with elegant homes near Sirmione, Salo and the Gardone Riviera. The Lombardy and Varese hinterland, including Azzate, offers privacy, greenery and quick links to Milan and Malpensa. Liguria and the coast lie within reach for those combining lakes with the sea. Smiling House offers a curated collection of luxury villas across these settings, many with private pools, lake views and staff, supported throughout by a dedicated concierge.
Things to Do
The lakes invite slow exploration. Cruise between villages by ferry or private boat, calling at Bellagio, Varenna and the Isola Comacina. Tour celebrated gardens at Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi and Villa del Balbianello, or the islands of Lake Maggiore nearby. Lake Garda adds windsurfing and sailing in the breezy north, the Roman ruins and thermal waters of Sirmione, and family days at lakeside parks. Walkers and cyclists take to the hills above the water, while the Alps offer higher trails and, in season, skiing within a drive. Vineyards in Franciacorta and the Valtellina reward day trips for tastings.
Dining and Nightlife
Lakeside dining is a quiet pleasure here, built around the catch of the day. Look for missoltino and lavarello from Lake Como, risotto and polenta, and the lemons and olive oil of Garda's western shore. Waterfront trattorie and a scattering of refined, Michelin-recognised tables sit alongside aperitivo terraces where Aperol and Franciacorta sparkling wines hold court at dusk. Nightlife is understated rather than frenetic, centred on long dinners, piano bars and elegant hotel lounges in Como, Cernobbio and Gardone. For livelier evenings, Milan and its restaurants, bars and culture lie a short drive or train ride to the south.
When to Visit
The Italian Lakes are at their best from late spring to early autumn. May and June bring blossoming gardens, long light and comfortable warmth before the peak crowds. July and August are hot and lively, ideal for swimming, boating and poolside days, though the most popular villages grow busy. September is a favourite of regulars, with warm water, softer light and the first vineyard harvests. April and October are quieter and cooler, good for walking and gardens. Many villas open from spring through to October, making shoulder season a rewarding time for a private lakeside stay.
Getting There
The lakes are among the most accessible luxury destinations in Europe. Lake Como sits under an hour from Milan, served by Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo airports, with frequent trains to Como and Varenna. Lake Garda is reached easily via Verona, Bergamo, Brescia and Milan, with the A4 motorway running along its southern shore. The Varese and Azzate hinterland lies beside Malpensa, convenient for international arrivals. Once at the lake, ferries link the main villages, while private boats and drivers are easily arranged. Smiling House can coordinate airport transfers, car hire and on-water transport as part of its concierge service.