Lake Orta is separated from its ’much larger sister’, Lake Maggiore by the Monte Mottarone, an impressive peak with a cable car and a cheese producing industry. But it’s not the mountains, or its comparatively diminutive size that prevent folk from visiting Lake Orta; it’s because it is so overshadowed by its showier siblings, Maggiore, Garda and Como, that many visitors just miss it out, and never give themselves the chance to fall head over heels in love with this spot. And those people who have fallen in love with Lake Orta are reticent to wax too lyrical about it, lest their serene and charming patch of picturesque paradise end up altered by fame. So the best places to stay on Lake Orta are somewhat of a secret. Our Gurus are sharing their favourites with you, including converted townhouses in Orta San Giulio, glamorous villas in the hills, contemporary hotels in Pella, and a collection of family-friendly apartments close to Pettenasco.

Lake Orta’s verdant, and mountainous setting, fair weather and beautiful architecture are cut from the same cloth as the other lakes in the region, and the view is made extra picturesque by the island in its centre, often shrouded, almost magically, in mist. But Lake Orta is much less built up than its neighbours, with long expanses of woodland, and direct access to the water at many places along the shores. So it's ideal for a lakeside escape complete with proper peace and quiet.

Orta San Giulio is the lake’s largest town, and the best place to stay on Lake Orta if you like to be in the thick of things. It’s not a big centre, but it's got a reputation for excellent regional cuisine. As well as bars and restaurants, the narrow streets of Orta San Giulio are lined with the faded elegance of Baroque and Romanesque architecture including a 15th century church atop the hill, and a Romanesque basilica. If you stroll along the waterfront you’ll see the changing face of the island, Isola San Giulio, which by night is lit up so that it looks as if it’s floating in mid air. As well as foodies, Lake Orta is great for romantics, painters and photographers, and anyone whose soul yearns for picturesque peace.

The Best Places to Stay on Lake Orta

For Lake Views

• Casa Fantini is a super stylish choice, right on Pella’s Lake Orta shore, with idyllic views across to Isola San Gulio. Not large, but very spacious, this eleven room hotel is beautifully decorated. Each room, and the communal spaces, have huge windows, elegant design furniture, and a soft monochrome colour scheme. Each room has a private balcony, and huge, indulgent, bathroom. There’s no restaurant, but they offer breakfast, and you’re surrounded by places to eat and drink. Some of the rooms would suit families too.

For Romance

• On the other side of the lake, in Orta San Giulio, you can almost imagine the Vila Crespi staring back at the Casa Fantini, this time from a higher elevation and more ornate surrounds. The Villa Crespi is a gloriously grand period villa, complete with opulent antiques and plenty of marble, velvet, gilt, walnut and crystal. The Villa has 14 rooms and suites, the most romantic come with four-poster beds, and all have terraces with lake views. The restaurant has won a slew of awards, and the beautiful grounds run all the way down to the water’s edge. It's our pick for honeymooners.

For a Lakeside Escape

• The Hotel San Rocco has been converted from a convent, retaining its sense of serenity, and incredible lakeside position, but adding a wonderful collection of creature comforts. Today the hotel has 80 rooms and suites, and a spa and treatment centre. We like the rooms with views best, and there are many of them to choose from. We also like the rooms with more traditional details — panelled ceilings and tiled floors, for example — but there are more contemporary options too. Perfect for relaxing and exploring the water.

For Families

• La Darbia is a collection of 20 private apartments, running up a hill on the eastern shore of Lake Orta, north of Orta San Giulio. Staying here puts you just out of the way of the busiest parts of the lake, but close enough to them to enjoy the buzz when you want to, and the views are incredible. Each apartment has been uniquely imagined from the collection of original old buildings, but they all offer a fully-equipped kitchen, and separate living space. Many of them can easily accommodate two adults and two children. You can have breakfast delivered too, and the hotel has a very good restaurant. There are two playgrounds on the property (one with a zip line), as well as plenty of beautiful spots to sit and enjoy the view, and a heated saltwater infinity pool.

For Foodies

• The Hotel Il Giardinetto is a restaurant with rooms right on the waterfront, in fact on top of the water, on the road north out of Pettenasco. Bright white when seen from the water, each of the 59 rooms and suites has a balcony overlooking the lake; inside, the rooms are decorated in a range of pastel colours, with comfortable details. The restaurant is known for its creative regional cuisine.

For Great Value

• Comfortable and charming, La Bussola, is close to the lake-edge in Orta San Giulio, with lovely views, and a garden that runs all the way down to the water. It has 42 rooms and suites, a terrace restaurant, and a pool, and is a good choice for families and lake explorers on a budget.
• The Locanda di Orta is a charmingly converted townhouse in the heart of Orta San Giulio, tall and narrow, with just nine rooms and suites, featuring original exposed stone and beams, and simple decor. Our favourite rooms have private balconies with charming views — one of the suites has a balcony with a private hot tub — but all the rooms are comfortable, and offer great value. The highlight, however, is a rooftop bar, where they also serve nibbles from the excellent restaurant. Family friendly too.
• La Contrada dei Monti is a charming, and super affordable traditional townhouse conversion just back from the water’s edge in Orta San Giulio. Its 17 rooms and suites are cosy, and feature everything you need to make yourself at home, plus some lovely original features to look at: terracotta tiles, exposed beams and stonework, and original fireplaces. The communal areas are too grand to be called cosy, but they offer a warm, fire-lit welcome. The restaurant serves regional recipes, plus continental additions, in either the sunny courtyard or dining room.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Villa?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Milan’s airports, Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate, are the closest airports to Lake Orta. Your best route depends on your start and end point, but to Pettenasco, which is around the lake’s ’waist’, the journey from Milan Malpensa takes around 50 minutes in the car or taxi, or around three and a half hours by public transport. Milan Linate is a longer journey by road, about an hour and ten minutes, however it’s only around three hours by train. There are plenty of other rail connections to explore, Milan included.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Summer is the most popular time to visit Lake Orta. It’s much loved by Italian families, and local European families, and everyone who appreciates natural beauty, and woodland walking trails. If you’re not restricted by school holidays, it’s worth considering May through June, and September and October to visit Lake Orta, because it’s especially green and verdant in spring, and beautifully copper golden come autumn. You’ll get some rain in both of these windows, but you’d be unlucky to have so much that it spoils your trip. Easter and Christmas are always wonderful celebrations in Italy, but it does get chilly on the lake.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Piedmont or the best places to stay in Lombardy
• You might also like to refine your search by the kind of holiday you’re planning, and focus on the best wine hotels in Piedmont for example
• You could also expand your search to include the other local lakes and consider the best places to stay in Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, or cross the border to Lake Lugano
• Alteratively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.