Lake Orta

Photo of Lake Orta
Credit: Image by Fabio Valeggia from P
Photo of Lake Orta
Credit: Image by Gabriele Leonardy fro
Photo of Lake Orta
Credit: Image by Kristina Spisakova fr
All hotels in Lake Orta Apartments & villas in Lake Orta Find more hotels in Lake Orta

About Lake Orta

Tucked away beside Monte Mottarone, Lake Orta is Italy’s under-the-radar gem, quieter than Como yet just as enchanting. Perfect for travelers seeking charm without the crowds, it offers a delightful mix of hotels: romantic boutique stays in Orta San Giulio’s cobbled lanes, stylish lakeside boltholes in Pella, and relaxed family-friendly options near Pettenasco. Whether you’re after rustic elegance, sleek design, or a laid-back retreat, Lake Orta has the kind of places you’ll want to keep secret.

Less built up than its famous neighbors, Lake Orta is the kind of place where you can truly unwind, soaking in the views and enjoying the calm without the usual crowds. At the heart of it all is Orta San Giulio, a charming town with narrow cobbled streets, Baroque facades, and a hilltop 15th-century church. It’s also known for its excellent food scene, so you’ll find plenty of cozy restaurants and bars to linger in. From the waterfront, you’ll see Isola San Giulio change with the light—by night it glows as if it’s floating above the water. Whether you’re a foodie, a romantic, or simply someone looking for a peaceful retreat, Lake Orta has a way of capturing the imagination.

The Best Places to Stay on Lake Orta

For lake views

  • Casa Fantini is an 11-room boutique retreat on Lake Orta’s shore, with dreamy views of Isola San Giulio. Floor-to-ceiling windows, monochrome elegance, private balconies, and spa-like bathrooms set the tone. Breakfast is served, with family-friendly suites and lakeside trattorias just steps away.

For romance

  • Across the lake in Orta San Giulio, Vila Crespi dazzles with ornate grandeur—marble, velvet, and antiques in a 14-room villa. Terraced suites overlook the water, the award-winning restaurant impresses, and the romantic setting makes it our top pick for honeymooners.

For a lakeside escape

  • Once a convent, Hotel San Rocco now blends lakeside serenity with modern comforts. Its 80 rooms range from traditional charm—tiled floors and panelled ceilings—to sleek contemporary styles. Many boast lake views, plus there’s a spa, making it ideal for relaxation and water adventures.

For families

  • La Darbia offers 20 unique hillside apartments above Lake Orta, with spectacular views and space for families. Each has a kitchen, living area, and terrace; plus there’s a restaurant, breakfast delivery, playgrounds, and a heated saltwater infinity pool—seclusion with easy access to Orta’s buzz.

For foodies

  • Hotel Il Giardinetto is a waterfront restaurant-with-rooms in Pettenasco, its 59 pastel-hued rooms and suites all opening to lake-view balconies. Bright from the water and serene inside, it’s famed for its inventive regional cuisine and unbeatable position right above Lake Orta.

For great value

  • Overlooking Lake Orta in Orta San Giulio, La Bussola has 42 rooms, a terrace restaurant, pool, and gardens running to the water. Comfortable, family-friendly, and affordable, it’s a relaxed base for lake explorers.
  • Locanda di Orta is a nine-room townhouse in Orta San Giulio, with exposed beams and stone. Balconies (some with hot tubs) overlook the town, while the rooftop bar and excellent restaurant are the real highlights. Stylish, intimate, great value and family-friendly.
  • La Contrada dei Monti is an affordable townhouse conversion in Orta San Giulio, offering 17 cozy rooms with terracotta floors, beams, and fireplaces. Communal spaces are warmly grand, and the courtyard restaurant serves regional favorites. A charming budget-friendly option near the lake.

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.

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The best hotels in Lake Orta

La Contrada dei Monti

La Contrada dei Monti

Lake Orta

Located along a cobbled Piedmont lane provides a traditional stay in this historic town. Bright rooms are decorated in yellows and period pieces with terracotta tiles, exposed stone walls and beamed ceilings. Local and continental food can be enjoyed indoors or in the sun. Do note there is no wifi.

  • Sights nearby - Visit the Sacri Monti churches, a colleciton of 16th and 17th century churches.
  • Sailing - Take a boat to San Giulio island and visit the Romanesque basilica.
  • Great walks - Along the ancient footpath at the Sacro Monte.
  • Lakeside - On Lake Orta
from $100 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Locanda di Orta

Locanda di Orta

Lake Orta

Charming, traditional, cheaper than most. Wonderful rooms and suites have stone walls, private balconies, good sized beds. The highlight - rooftop gastro-bar, wine cellar and bistro. Very family friendly and affordable.

  • Roof terrace - Fabulous gastrobar roof terrace.
  • Value chic
  • Views
  • Private Hot Tub - One of the suites has a private balcony with hot tub
from $89 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Hotel Il Giardinetto

Hotel Il Giardinetto

Lake Orta

Fantastic restaurant with charming rooms on the water of Lake Orta. Gourmet food on romantic terraces, sun decks overhanging the lake, pastel rooms with wonderful views over the lake. A romantic choice for an authentic Italian break.

  • Views
  • Romantic Break
  • Restaurant - Creative regional cuisine
  • Swimming Pool -
from $136 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
La Darbia

La Darbia

Lake Orta (Lake Orta)

This holiday village is nestled on a hill overlooking Lake Orta. The private apartments are bright and airy, featuring rustic furnishings, cozy linens and lake views; book Ca'da Sass for a private garden overlooking the lake. Take a dip in the pool before dining at the hotel restaurant; a chic stay.

  • Families - The self-catering apartments are great for families travelling with children; the kids' playground is a highlight too
  • Romantic Break - Couples love the romantic, rural setting of this resort and the thoughtful touches, like the daily breakfast basket
  • Country Escape - Set on a verdant hill overlooking Lake Orta, this hotel makes a great escape to the country
  • Sights nearby - Visit San Giulio Island on Lago d'Orta, a tiny island that is home to the basilica of San Giulio and a Benedictine monastery
from $137 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
La Bussola

La Bussola

Lake Orta

A great Three Star hotel with an excellent terrace restaurant, swimming pool and gardens. Stunning views over Lake Orta, large contemporary rooms and suites, and good meeting facilities. A great choice for a romantic and understated break.

  • Views
  • Lakeside
  • Restaurant
  • Great walks
from $142 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Hotel San Rocco, Lake Orta

Hotel San Rocco, Lake Orta

Lake Orta

Renovated lakeside convent with a great restaurant, spa, and relaxing views. Rooms and suites in contemporary style have stand alone bathtubs, parquet floors, and white furniture. Extensive spa perfect for relaxation. A good choice for spa breaks with fabulous views.

  • Views - Superb views over Lake Orta
  • Spa breaks
  • Wellbeing
  • Total relaxation
from $204 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Villa Crespi

Villa Crespi

Lake Orta

A glorious period villa with a fantastic restaurant and gorgeous gardens. Romantic bedrooms and suites have four poster beds, chandeliers, walnut floors and huge marble bathrooms. Stunning views over the lake from outdoor terraces. Very romantic, very good food.

  • Foodies - The restaurant has two michelin stars
  • Views
  • Romantic Break
  • Restaurant - With two michelin stars
from $263 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Casa Fantini

Casa Fantini

Lake Orta (Pella )

A stylish boutique hotel on the Pella side of Lake Orta welcomes design-conscious travelers into a contemporary and modern space with excellent views of the lake. Spacious rooms are decorated in monochrome tones with floor-to-ceiling windows and wonderfully indulgent bathrooms. A chic rural space.

  • Country Escape - A design-led hotel boasting a quiet and picturesque spot on Lake Orta
  • Great walks - Take long picturesque walks in the surrounding countryside (guides are on hand for those who wish)
  • Swimming Pool - Outdoor pool
  • Lakeside
from $416 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia