Andiamo Places
Lake Iseo and Monte Isola day trip from Bergamo or Milan
A day trip to Lake Iseo and Monte Isola from Bergamo or Milan: the lakefront and Piazza Garibaldi in Iseo, the ferry to the fishing village of Peschiera Maraglio on Monte Isola and the climb to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola, then Lovere at the north end of the lake with the basilica of Santa Maria in Valvendra, the Accademia Tadini, its old centre and the lakefront at the end of the day. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 day
Lake Iseo and Monte Isola in 1 day
Day 1
Historic centre of Iseo (Piazza Garibaldi and the lakefront)
Lakeside town with a lively square around a statue of Garibaldi, arcaded lanes and a long promenade facing Monte Isola.
Peschiera Maraglio (Monte Isola)
Fishing village on Monte Isola, one of Europe's largest lake islands, with a harbour of boats, narrow lanes and fish restaurants.
Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola
Small sanctuary on the summit of Monte Isola, reached by a steep path, with a view over the whole lake.
Basilica of Santa Maria in Valvendra
Renaissance basilica of the late fifteenth century on the edge of Lovere, with frescoes and paintings by artists from Brescia and Bergamo.
Accademia Tadini
Lovere's art gallery in a lakefront palace, with Italian paintings, porcelain and a funerary monument by Antonio Canova.
Historic centre of Lovere (Piazza XIII Martiri)
Old lakeside town at the north end of Lake Iseo, with steep lanes, medieval towers and a harbour square.
Lungolago di Lovere
Lovere's promenade along the water, a good place for an ice cream or an aperitivo as the evening light falls on the lake.
Watch: Lake Iseo and Monte Isola
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
From Milan, regional trains reach Brescia in about an hour; there the Brescia-Iseo-Edolo line runs along the lake to Iseo in about 30 minutes and on to Sulzano, for the short ferry to Monte Isola. From Bergamo, Iseo and Lovere are each about 40 minutes by car, and buses run to Lovere and Sarnico. Lake ferries link Iseo, Monte Isola and Lovere.
Staying in Bergamo or Milan? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Lake Iseo and Monte Isola
May to September is the season for ferries, swimming and outdoor tables, with the busiest days in July and August and on weekends. Spring and early autumn are quieter and mild for the climb on Monte Isola. In winter ferries are fewer and many restaurants close on weekdays.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Lake Iseo and Monte Isola on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Lake Iseo and Monte Isola on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Lake Iseo and Monte Isola on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Lake Iseo and Monte Isola
- Check the lake ferry timetable before you set out: boats between Monte Isola and Lovere are less frequent than the short crossing from Sulzano.
- Monte Isola has almost no cars; walk, rent a bike or use the small island bus between the villages.
- The climb to the Madonna della Ceriola is steep and takes about an hour; bring water and good shoes.
- Try the lake fish of the area, such as dried and grilled agone (shad), in the restaurants of Peschiera Maraglio.
- The Accademia Tadini opens mainly from spring to autumn and on limited days; check before planning the afternoon in Lovere.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to hello@andiamoplaces.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Accademia Tadini: unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Historic centre of Iseo (Piazza Garibaldi and the lakefront): Federicoiseo at Italian Wikipedia, Public domain
- Historic centre of Lovere (Piazza XIII Martiri): Ago76, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Peschiera Maraglio (Monte Isola): Luca Giarelli, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola: Luca Giarelli, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.