The 19 Best Budget Hotels in the Italian Lakes (2025)

Some of the best prices for travelling to the Italian Lakes can be found in the shoulder seasons, but if this is your first visit, then you might not want to risk the weather being anything less than perfect and spoiling those idyllic vistas. In which case our Guru’s investigation into how to do the Italian Lakes on a budget, and the best budget hotels in the region, is for you - we’ve narrowed it down to the 20 Best Budget Hotels in the Italian Lakes.

There are some stretches of waterfront which are less pricey than others, the north of Lake Como for example, and the south-eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, and these are good places to start. But it’s a shame if you stop searching there, for our Gurus have found some great ways to ‘do’ the Italian Lakes on a budget in some of the region’s most glamorous lakeside towns. Don’t discount Bellagio on Lake Como or gorgeous Gardone Riviera. Hotels and B&Bs in Lake Garda's Salò and Sirmione, and Lake Maggiore’s Stresa are also on our Guru’s list.

For a traditional stay

• Locanda Osteria Marascia is located in a quiet village just a short drive from Lake Como. This traditional hotel has a charming rustic chic feel with exposed beams, stone walls and antiques galore. The fantastic cellar restaurant serves home-made Italian dishes - the host's recipes have been perfected over five generations!

For a B&B

• Garni Gianmartin in Limone, Lake Garda, is a small B&B on the main square, just minutes from the beach. The rooms are simple and comfortable, and the suites have their own private terraces with lovely views.
• La Dimora del Garda, in Sirmione, Lake Garda, is a simple, sophisticated house that has four comfortable, air-conditioned rooms and an airy communal breakfast room. Each room has a small outdoor terrace. A charming stay.
• La Canarina B&B is a charming bed and breakfast in the heart of Como. Bedrooms are simple and airy with natural wooden floorboards and antique wrought iron beds, all overlooking a beautiful private garden. A good location to explore Como on foot with plenty to see from the doorstep and just 200m from the lake. 
• Da Gianni is a delightful B&B in an ancient building and a stunning location. Italian-style antique furniture, wooden beams and stone walls. An outdoor pool with a covered sitting area is perfect to catch up on some reading. Gourmet breakfast is included. A great base for exploring the area.

For self-catering

• Fondo La Campagnola Resort is a small resort comprising ten self-catering units on the outskirts of Gargano. All are done in traditional style and offer fully equipped kitchens and a private outdoor space, plus there's a lovely garden and pool. The ideal property for a longer stay and fantastic value for money.

For families

• Owned by the same family for four generations, the Albergo Olivedo is a gorgeous ten-room townhouse hotel right by Lake Como at Varenna. The decor is traditional, with stone floors, pastel walls and private balconies. Family friendly and laid back, the Albergo Olivedo also has a lovely little Italian restaurant.
• The Locanda di Orta in Orta San Giulio, Lake Orta, is a charming, traditional hotel with nine wonderful rooms and suites with stone walls and private balconies. There’s a rooftop gastro-bar and a bistro. The laidback feel makes this very family-friendly.
• Corte Mantovani is a short drive from Verona and just a few minutes from Lake Garda. This is a great location for those looking to get out and explore the area. Set in an old farmhouse courtyard, bedrooms have been decorated in a contemporary style with a rustic feel. With spacious family suites and a laid-back feel, this is a great family option.
• Tenuta Le Sorgive is a beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse on an organic agriturismo farm near Lake Garda. Explore the orchards and vineyards or head out on a pony trek through the surrounding hills. With all the activities on offer and plenty of space, this is very family-friendly.

For Lake Garda

• AQVA Boutique Hotel in Sirmione is a calm, modernist hotel with 18 neutral-shaded rooms, a peaceful garden and a small jetty. It's just 600 metres from Scaligero Castle and within a short stroll of Sirmione’s thermal baths.
• Gardesana, in the pretty fishing village of Torri del Benaco on Lake Garda, has 34 simple, comfortable rooms, great views and excellent food. It’s also great value.
• Relais Colle San Giorgio is a charming B&B facing Lake Garda. Four-poster beds, antique furniture and decorated with white drapes, it is beautifully romantic. Outdoors, there's an infinity pool and sun terraces with stunning views. Very eco-friendly; a true rural idyll. 
• Il Mosaico B&B, slightly set back from the Lake Garda waterfront, offers good value boutique accommodation ideal for those looking to explore the area by car. Comfortable, air-conditioned bedrooms are striking in moody palettes with all the mod cons.

For Lake Como

• Varenna’s Albergo Milano is a charming hotel in an enchanting lakeside setting. There is a collection of rooms, triples and apartments, all with stone floors, whitewashed walls and private balconies. There’s also a lovely restaurant. 

For Lake Maggiore

• The Hotel Cannero in Cannero, is an old-fashioned charmer, with spotless bedrooms, a lovely piano bar and lakeside terrace, and a pool and tennis court. Great buffet breakfasts and gracious, attentive service from the family who has run this hotel for decades.
• Foodies will love the Hotel Verbano, a restaurant with rooms in Stresa. There are 12 rooms, with romantic terraces overlooking the lake, and lively decor, with some charming old features and creamy colourings. Romantic and well priced.

For Lake Orta

• La Contrada dei Monti in Orta San Giulio is a small traditional hotel whose bright rooms feature stone walls and beamed ceilings. Simple, yet well-located, and very reasonably priced.
• Just along the lake’s shore, there’s the Hotel Il Giardinetto, a great restaurant with 59 rooms, right on the water. The food is gourmet, the sun decks hang out over the lake, and there’s a romantic atmosphere.

Still not sure where to book?

• Refine your search to the 12 Best Budget Hotels on Lake Garda.
• Browse all the best places to stay on Lake Garda.
• Consider the 10 Best Budget Hotels on Lake Como Hotels or all the best places to stay on Lake Como.
• Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.