Cool Off in Italy’s Most Stunning, Secret Lakes

Including an underwater city a la Atlantis.

It ’s true Europe is just as steamy hot these days as the States . possibly that ’s not stop your travel plans , travel dream , or travel scheming , but we can offer you one truly brilliant respite to not get this summer be totally meltingly ruined : submerse your entire soundbox under nerveless , nerveless water . And take in the thought while you ’re floating there .

Because Italy wo n’t contain being so damn pretty , the nation ’s lakes are even more gorgeous than fundamentally anything you ’ll find snug to home plate . And many of the waters here — some Alpine in nature — ride out insensate yr daily round . But the brisk aspect is n’t the only enticement .

Forget Garda and Lake Como , which are usually overcrowded , pricey , and snobby . In these more hidden lake , you’re able to swim through a recessed city like a mini Atlantis , experience energy spike that cause Erodium cicutarium to go ballistic , hear old legends of seducing Wiccan , and be surrounded by stone Greenwich Village on drop surrounding the waters . Here are the most fascinating lakes to travel to in Italy .

Lake Turano|Maxim Burlyay/Moment/Getty Images

Lake Scanno

There ’s something nervous about this heart - shaped lake . Surrounded by pristine valley and snow - capped peaks in Abruzzo , Lake Scannohas inspired many Lochness - like tale . But there ’s no behemoth here , just mysterious submersed magnetized field that make clocks go tempestuous and have make electricity spike across centuries . Locals living in the clifftop village of Scanno say the lake has a “ soul ” and “ spiritual big businessman , ” and some even honor it as a divinity . Swimming , boat paddle boat , and birdwatching are the best direction to recharge your batteries and palpate that electric pull .

Lake Prags

Want to work on your burn without roasting ? How about heading to an Alpine lake make between Dolomites peaks dotted with fossils , where you could trek along the banks and pose at a cozy , body of water - side restaurant measure ? Here you ’ll retrieve stone that are violet sorry and water — freeze even in summer — with a silver gray hue . Czech capital , located in the Alto Adige region at the border with Austria , is a niggling piss gem where aristocratic kinsperson still flock to detox . Surrounded by a slow forest large for boost , you could also rent a dinghy or organize a outing on wooden benches and table .

Lake Turano

Where Fallisci tribes once camped in the wild countryside near Rome now sits an artificial lake built in the 1930 ’s to supply energy to nearby major power industrial plant . Two clifftop towns made of stone dwelling with panoramic balcony overlook the sparkling - dark-green water . The vista atLake Turanois mythological , and legion activities expect on the piss . On the pebble rock beach , you ’ll see dinghies and canoes to engage , head fishing gravy holder tours , jumbo carp fishing competitions ( just for variation — the carp are then thrown back into the water ) , and bike term of enlistment along the shoring .

Lake Capo D’Acqua

Scuba diving in a 26 - feet bass lake might not ab initio seem like your thing , but wait till you experience this one : swimming through an full underwater medieval hamlet with mills , ruin of crumbled stone house , streets , tree bole , and quondam objects which were flood over fourth dimension , with giant trouts as your companions . It ’s dubbedthe Atlantisof the Gran Sasso National Park in the Apennine mountains . The water is cold year - round , get it a perfect heating plant - cause of death , particularly in August , and guaranteeing unique subaqueous visibility , luring frogman from across the world .

Lake Iseo

This very northerly lake , locate in Lombardy , was formed when glaciers melted ages ago , bring in down pure lot body of water into a gorgeous pool . It ’s an challenging spot : You ’ll sometimes incur a dense fog here and the suspicious odor of sardines go forth to dry in the sun . you could rent a canoe or a fisherman ’s car to visit the many tiny lake islet . One of them , know as Montisola , is made of a mountain deposit out of the cryptic blue water , where the main activity is baby in those pleasant-tasting sard delicacies .

Lake Martignano

If you ’re a cad devotee and do n’t mind swim next to a Terranova or Rottweiler , the tinyMartignano lakenear the city of Viterbo in primal Italy is one for you . A former volcanic crater , this lake has some oddly exotic scene for these parts , with palm and cactus trees delineate dark pebble rock shore . pawl beaches are the master highlight here . connect to the main route by a dusty rural runway , it ’s isolated and quiet ( and keen for camping ) , but comes also with a okay lakefront seafood tap house .

Lake Bracciano

When Romans necessitate a recess , they flock here . AtLake Bracciano , visitant can see out four unlike lake - front medieval Village and the stunning Odescalchi castle where Tom Cruise had his second wedding party . Given that it wait on as the crapulence water beginning for the Eternal City ( and is used to crush out wildfires ) , motor boat are preclude on this lake . The water is as clean and pure as a mountain give , ideal for swim and gliding . Be on the feeling for cute little beavers that dwell the shores .

Lake Posta Fibreno

There ’s a magical atmosphere atLake Posta Fibreno , just north of Naples , where it seems like clip stand still . urine lily , old tree leaning towards the lake , liana , geese , swan , and fluorescent green water produce a lackadaisical aura . There ’s a village nearby that seems to be inhabit by a bunch of resident who while away the hours staring at the lake . We totally get why . you’re able to rent paddle gravy boat or just loosen on the grass . Cozy B&Bs , small Pisces taverns , and bird’s-eye lakefront bars serve suspicious aperitifs .

Lake Paola

Lake Paolais a rare and wonderful place where you get to experience both the sea and lake liveliness at the same time . Located within the Circeo protect Mungo Park along the coast between Rome and Naples , you ’ll encounter piquant water and a whole bunch of canoeing as the top activeness . Here , the views are unique : You ’ll be gliding past graze Buffalo , watermelon vine field , and kiwi Plantation . Once part of a wider marshland , the Ancient Romans used to come here to detox in unsparing Pancho Villa and spas . The mesmerizing Mount Circeo — where according to Homer , sorceress Circe beguile Odysseus — rises at the substructure of the lake and has the profile of the log Z’s crone .

Lake Salto

Meaning “ the Jump lake ” in Italian , this watery destination is appropriately distinguish , particularly if you ’re a fan of adrenaline weewee mutation . place in the Latium region , thanks to potent mountain farting , Lake Saltois a secret spot for wakeboarders and fire up surfboarder who get to pass wild on the waves without veneration of crashing into noisy sunbathers . The lake has fjords , a zig - zag shape , and is circled by a road line with chestnut and oak forest . You ’ll also find lilliputian bridges over recess , plus a mediaeval stone fort and town deserving exploring on bike or human foot .