Lake Orta is a small lake in Piedmont, just west of Lake Maggiore, reached from Geneva Airport by a long, scenic drive through the Valais and over the Simplon Pass into Italy. It is quieter and more intimate than its famous neighbours, with the village of Orta San Giulio, the island monastery of San Giulio and a wooded hill of chapels, and AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you all the way from your flight to the lakeshore.
- Where: in Piedmont, west of Lake Maggiore, crossing the border into Italy
- Main village: Orta San Giulio, largely pedestrian
- The island: Isola San Giulio, with its basilica and a Benedictine community
- Heritage: the Sacro Monte di Orta, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Atmosphere: calm, unhurried, ideal for a few quiet days
A different kind of Italian lake
Lake Orta is far smaller than Lake Maggiore or Lake Como, and it has kept a slower rhythm. There are no large resort towns, only villages and wooded hills, with the water reflecting the mountains of the Valsesia in the distance. Painters and writers have long been attracted by its calm, and travellers who know the Italian lakes often describe it as a well-kept secret. The lake also has an unusual feature: it is one of the few Alpine lakes that drains northwards, flowing towards Lake Maggiore rather than south to the plain. Visitors come to walk, to eat well and to enjoy the light on the water, rather than for nightlife or busy beaches. It suits couples, photographers and anyone looking to slow down after a busy itinerary.
Orta San Giulio
Orta San Giulio sits on a small peninsula on the eastern shore and is the heart of the lake. Cars stay at the edge of the village, so the cobbled lanes, painted facades and wrought-iron balconies feel almost unchanged. The main square, the Piazza Motta, opens directly onto the water and is lined with cafés and arcades; its small town hall, raised on columns and decorated with frescoes, is one of the village's emblems. Narrow streets climb from the square to the parish church and on towards the Sacro Monte. In the evening, when day visitors leave, the village becomes very peaceful, and the view of the island lit up across the water is one of the lake's most memorable images. Arriving early in the morning, before the first visitors, is the best way to see the square and the waterfront in their quietest light. Local menus favour risotto, lake fish and Piedmontese cheeses, often with a glass of red from the nearby hills of Novara.
The island of San Giulio
Facing the village, a few minutes away by small boat, Isola San Giulio is almost entirely occupied by a Romanesque basilica and a Benedictine convent. According to legend, Saint Julius rowed across to the island on his cloak and freed it of serpents before founding a church there. The basilica contains frescoes and a carved pulpit, and it is open to visitors at set times. A single lane, known as the Way of Silence, circles the island, with signs inviting walkers to reflect as they go, and the atmosphere is calm and contemplative. Shuttle boats leave regularly from the Piazza Motta, and the visit can be combined with a walk in the village and lunch on the square.
The Sacro Monte and the surroundings
Above Orta San Giulio, the Sacro Monte di Orta is a wooded hill dotted with twenty chapels dedicated to the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, decorated with frescoes and life-size terracotta statues. It is part of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, a group listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hill also offers some of the best views of the lake and the island. Around the lake, the village of Pella on the western shore faces Orta, and the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary sits on a cliff above the water. Lake Maggiore and Stresa are close enough for a day trip, as is the Mottarone mountain between the two lakes.
Getting to Lake Orta with AirportsTransfers.ch
Lake Orta is hard to reach by train from Geneva, with several changes, so a private transfer is the most practical way to travel. AirportsTransfers.ch drives you from Geneva Airport over the Simplon to your hotel by the lake. Book online, see the fixed price per vehicle before paying, and settle securely by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur follows your flight, welcomes you in arrivals with a name sign and waits at no extra charge if you land late. Choose an E-Class or S-Class for up to three passengers, or a V-Class van for families or groups of up to seven, with child seats available on request. You can also book the return journey at the same time. Call or message +41 78 346 56 77, day or night.
