Looking for a welcome escape from Italy’s crowded hotspots this year?
If so, there’s an Italian paradise that boasts alpine landscapes, picturesque lakes and virtually no traffic – as cars are banned.
The northern Italian region of Lombardy is home to 15 significant lakes, 80 smaller ones, historic cities and picturesque islands.
Less than two hours from the popular Lake Garda, Lake Iseo stands out as a hidden gem, often overshadowed by its gltizy neighbour.
Dubbed the new ‘Lake Como,’ its waters surround Monte Isola, which holds the title of Europe’s largest inhabited island situated within a lake.
Here, visitors will encounter car-free villages, pastel-coloured cafés, the famed Franciacorta region, dramatic landscapes, and clear, swimmable waters.
While cars are banned across the island, there are plenty of walking routes that offer breathtaking views of remote fishing towns like Peschiera Maraglio, historical buildings, wild beaches, and lush mountains and forests.
A standout route is the 2km ‘olive tree walk’, which boasts, peaceful, panoramic views of the lake, charming medieval hamlets, and olive groves that produce local, specialised olive oil.
Discover Lake Iseo, a serene northern Italian paradise that surround Monte Isola, which holds the title of Europe’s largest inhabited island situated within a lake
Across the area, visitors are treated to car-free villages, pastel-coloured cafés, dramatic landscapes, and swimmable waters
Pictured: Chiesa di Santa Maria del Mercato in the town of Iseo, Lombardy, Italy
The trail takes around 30 minutes to complete – although there’s wide range of bars, restaurants, cafés and gelaterias that visitors can stop at for a drink or bite to eat along the way.
A lakeside picnic area along the path also provides a peaceful spot to rest, indulge, and enjoy a swim after the trek.
For a more exhilarating adventure, hikers can tackle the climb from Peschiera Maraglio up to the historic village of Cure – which offers magnificent views over the island.
Steeped in history and culture, the quaint neighborhood of Cure is renowned for its locally produced salami – perfect to fuel up on before ascending further up the mountain to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola.
At an altitude of about 600 meters, the aisleless Roman Catholic church features a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Also located in region is the compact city of Brescia, which is sandwiched between Milan and Venice, offering a quiet alternative Italy’s bustling hubs.
The city boasts the largest Roman archaeological area in Northern Italy and a UNESCO-listed monastic complex, Santa Giulia.
Another Lombardian gem that’s a must-visit for every wine lover is the hilly Franciacorta region – famed for producing high-quality, traditional-method sparkling wines, primarily using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc.
Although cars are banned across Monte Isola, there are plenty of walking routes that offer breathtaking views and hidden gems
One of the most popular walking routes is the ‘olive tree walk’, which boasts panoramic views of the lake, and olive groves that produce local olive oil
Pictured: The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola, an aisleless Roman Catholic church that features a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary
Brescia (pictured) is a charming city sandwiched between Milan and Venice in the region, offering a quiet alternative Italy’s bustling hubs
Located about an hour east of Milan, it features a landscape of vineyards, small villages, castles, and monasteries.
Getting to Lombardy – specifically Monte Isola – from the UK is a tad long-winded but relatively straightforward, with one-way direct Ryanair flights from London to Milan Linate Airport starting at £29.
From Milan Centrale station (a subway from the airport will take visitors there), a 36-minute train runs hourly to Brescia. From here, a 30-minute train will transport passengers to the port of Sulzano, where a 15-minute ferry to Lombardy runs every three hours.
It’s a must-visit for 2026 before the crowds catch on and start pouring in.
