Lago Trasimeno
Lago Trasimeno is Umbria's largest lake, with three islands, medieval shore towns and shallow water for swimming.
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Lago Trasimeno is the largest lake in peninsular Italy, in western Umbria close to the Tuscan border. It is shallow, about 6 meters at its deepest point, so the water warms up quickly in summer. Three islands lie in the lake: Isola Maggiore, Isola Minore and Isola Polvese. Isola Maggiore has a small village and is reached by ferry from shore towns such as Passignano sul Trasimeno.
The shore towns are medieval, and Castiglione del Lago sits on a promontory with the lake on two sides. Its castle stands on the water. In 217 BC Hannibal defeated a Roman army near the lake's northern shore. People come mainly to swim, take boats to the islands and make day trips by car to Perugia and Assisi. Two nights is enough for the shore and one island. Late spring and early autumn suit the water well, though July and August are busiest.
Lago Trasimeno in five
- Take the boat to Isola MaggioreBoats serve the islands from towns on the shore such as Passignano and Tuoro, with other routes to Isola Polvese. Check the operator's timetable, since sailings thin out in the off-season.
- Base in Castiglione del Lago for the wallsThe old town sits on a promontory with a fortress and the Palazzo della Corgna. It is the best walking base on the lake, and the shore road loops around it.
- Swim from marked bathing areasThe lake is shallow and warms early in the year, but reeds and algae make some shores less inviting. Pick a marked beach and check the regional bathing-water notices.
- Circle the lake by car or bikeA road and a cycle route loop the lake. Allow half a day by car with stops, and longer by bike.Car rental and trains in Italy
- Pair it with Perugia and AssisiBoth are about 40–60 minutes away by car, so the lake works as a base for a few nights of Umbria.Perugia
Need to know
- Airport
- Perugia (PEG), about 30–40 min by car; Florence or Rome 1.5–2.5 hours
- Getting there
- Train to Terontola-Cortona or Passignano, or drive
- Getting around
- A car, lake boats and a cycle route
- Best base
- Castiglione del Lago or Passignano
- Time needed
- 1–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cool, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring startsMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Spring, showersAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, showers
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Warm, greenMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JuneClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low16°Swim seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Swim season
- JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh33°Low19°Hot, busyJulyClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh33°Low19°Hot, FerragostoAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, Ferragosto
- SeptemberClear10 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, quietSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Mild, harvestOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, harvest
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Wet, greyNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, grey
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cold, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Castiglione del Lago, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lago Trasimeno
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Lago Trasimeno
09:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°9°20%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Tue14°10°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°10°18%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Thu16°10°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri16°10°21%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Sat15°10°16%Saturday: Rain. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun17°8°12%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 07:22 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Apr–JunMaggio Musicale FiorentinoFlorence, a day trip
- Jun–JulFestival dei Due MondiSpoleto, a day trip
- Jun–SepSaracen JoustArezzo, a day trip
- JulUmbria Jazz FestivalPerugia, a day trip
Before you go to Lago Trasimeno
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Rules for Lago Trasimeno, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the hill-town churches around the lake.
- Many restaurants add a cover charge (coperto) to the bill, so check it before you add a tip.
Plan around Lago Trasimeno
Umbria, Tuscany and Lazio around the lake
Read the guidePerugiaThe Umbrian hill city, a short drive away
Read the guideAssisiBasilica of St Francis, about an hour from the lake
Read the guideOrvietoCathedral and cliff-top town to the south
Read the guideLe MarcheThe quiet Adriatic region across the Apennines
Read the guideItaly by train, off-peakFrecciarossa, Italo and regional trains compared
Read the guideLago Trasimeno FAQ
Is Lake Trasimeno worth visiting?
Yes for a calm Umbrian stop with swimming, boats and medieval towns. It is not dramatic scenery like the northern lakes, and the water is shallow, so it suits slow days more than sightseeing.
Where should you stay at Lake Trasimeno?
Castiglione del Lago for the walls and restaurants, Passignano for the train and boat to the islands, and a farm stay in the hills for quiet. A car helps in all cases.
Can you swim in Lake Trasimeno?
Yes, from marked beaches, mostly June to September. The water is shallow and warm, with reeds in places. Check the local bathing-water notices before you swim.
How many days do you need at Lake Trasimeno?
One day gives you the shore, a boat to Isola Maggiore and a lakeside meal. Two or three nights lets you add Perugia, Assisi or Cortona.
Can you reach Lake Trasimeno without a car?
Partly. Trains stop at Terontola-Cortona and Passignano, and boats link towns and islands, but buses between shore towns are sparse. A car or bike gives you the full loop.