If you enjoy spending time near a lakeside watching the sun rise or set while breathing fresh air, far away from the hustle and bustle of big city centers, and if you are thinking of purchasing property in Italy, this article will provide you with an overview of everything you need to know about the nicest lake views specifically in northern Italy, and what the real estate market there has to offer. Please note that there are many other lakes in Italy which are worth visiting, however, in this article we have selected the most stunning lakes in northern Italy exclusively.
Perhaps the most well-known Italian lake among foreign tourists is Lake Garda, which is located between 3 northern regions: Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino Alto-Adige. The lake is particularly popular among Germans; there are a number of reasons for this: firstly, Lake Garda is easy to reach from southern Germany (Munich) or Austria (Innsbruck), there are also good transport links and cities like Verona, Milan, Venice and Padua are just a couple of hours away. Secondly, the beautiful villas and colorful houses, olive and lemon trees dotted around the lake, and the high mountains coupled with the deep blue waters of the lake make it a truly picturesque location. Interestingly, Lake Garda is considered to be an area with some of the longest- living population thanks to its climate and natural environment. Lake Garda is also famous for watersports, such as sailing and windsurfing, to name a few. If you are considering purchasing a property near Lake Garda, the southern part of the lake is idyllic, particularly near the towns of Desenzano del Garda and Sirmione; however, it’s also very touristy. Thus, it goes without saying that in the weekends the area can be quite lively and busy. The eastern side of the lake, near the gorgeous towns of Bardolino, Malcesine, and Lazise, is the most expensive area to purchase property. In fact, prices per square meter range from 4,000 to 7,000, sometimes reaching 10,000 euros per square meter.
Property prices near Lake Garda are very similar to the ones near Lake Como, the deepest among all lakes in Italy. Lake Como is situated in Lombardy and it is well-known abroad not only for its beauty, but also because many American actors have chosen to purchase property there. It is also very famous in Italian literature because the novel I Promessi Sposi by Alessandro Manzoni (1785-1873) is set in Lecco, in the southern tip of Lake Como. In 2014 The Huffington Post ranked it as the most beautiful lake in the world due to its microclimate and fairy tale towns and neoclassical villas backed with lush gardens, which make it very popular among British tourists; on the other hand, Lake Maggiore is popular among french tourists. Prices per square meter for properties near Lake Como range from 4,000 to 5,500 euros.
Lake Maggiore is located on the southern side of the Alps. The lake divides its banks between Piedmont, Lombardy and the Swiss canton of Ticino. It is well-known for its stunning villas and botanical gardens, and for being the second largest lake in Italy. The climate is mild both in the summer and during the winter. Its most popular attractions are on the western shore; among these are the three magnificent Borromean Islands. Many consider Isola Bella to be the most attractive island due to its Italian-style baroque garden with terraces 32 meters high and covered with luxuriant vegetation. Isola Madre is also considered a botanical garden on water; the villa on the island is far less flamboyant than the palace on Isola Bella but it is worth visiting due to its collection of marionettes and background sceneries for puppet shows, as well as for 17th century paintings and porcelain. Finally, the third Borromean Island is L’Isola dei Pescatori (“Island of the Fishermen”), which is the only Borromean Islands to be inhabited all year round. Unlike the other two islands, there are no villas nor gardens on L’Isola dei Pescatori, rather, the island is home to a small village characterized by a little square enclosed by narrow and winding alleys. As far as prices are concerned, prices per square meter for properties around Lake Maggiore range from 2,900 to 4,500 euros.
If you are eager to purchase a property in these areas, bear in mind that the price will increase as you get closer to the lakeside. It is also worth mentioning that if you buy a property in a municipality around the lake, you will need to consider the municipality’s rules and regulations with regards to building and renovating. There are also norms regulating the style of the properties around the lake.
In conclusion, location is key to valuable real estate and waterfront properties are the most coveted real estate in the world. Without a doubt, Italian lakes offer not only peace, romance and charm, but also a great choice of properties and some of the best long-term investments. For more information about this topic feel free to watch our podcast below. Finally, if you would like more information about the process of purchasing a property in Italy, send us an email at info@italianrealestatelawyers.com. We will be happy to assist you!
