Italy is known for its beautiful scenery. Its four famous lakes--Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Lake Lugano--are frequently visited by tourists. The towns surrounding the lakes are home to some of Italy's most beautiful gardens and historic architecture, and have been popular tourist destinations since the Roman Empire. Fishing and watersports are also common activities for visitors to these lakes.
Lake Lugano lies on the border of Switzerland and Italy. The lake is 22 miles long and about one mile wide. Most of Lake Lugano is located in Switzerland, except for the southern tip, which is located in Italy. The lake has a bridge connecting the Italian town of Melide with the Swiss town of Bisonne. The largest city that is situated on the lake is Lugano, an Italian-speaking Swiss city that retains much of its Italian culture. Both the Italian and Swiss towns surrounding the lake have an abundance of old world architecture and charm.
Lake Como is 30 miles long and is located near Milan in northern Italy. The two largest towns surrounding the lake are Bellagio and Como, located on the southern tip of the lake where it branches into two parts. Bellagio is a famous tourist destination, with hotels, gardens, ferries and boardwalks, and has been called the most beautiful city in Italy. Como is a bustling town, home to the historic Duomo Cathedral and soccer team Calcio Como.
Lake Maggiore is located on the border of the Piemonte and Lombardy regions of Italy, with the northern part of the lake located in Switzerland. The lake is the second largest in Italy, and has been popular with tourists since the early twentieth century. The town of Stresa is located on the western side of the lake, and boasts large villas and gardens. Stresa also has a cable car that will brings guests 4,000 feet up to the top of Monte Mottarone. The Borromean Islands are located in the southern part of the lake, and consist of three separate islands: Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori and Isola Madre, each one featuring exquisite gardens.
Lake Garda is the largest of Italy's lakes. The most famous lakeside towns are Riva, Limone and Malcesine, all of which tend to get very crowded, especially during the summer months. Riva is a resort town filled with spas, hotels and shops. Limone and Malcesine offer more cultural pursuits, with museums and historic architecture. Lake Garda is a popular destination for windsurfers, who congregate near the northern end of the lake in the city of Torbole. There are also many tiny fishing villages located around the lake, which have kept their old Italian culture.
