Lake Orta
Lake Orta, in Piedmont, is known for San Giulio island, the village of Orta San Giulio on the shore and the Sacro Monte above the water.
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Lake Orta, also called Lago d'Orta or Cusio, lies in Piedmont, west of Lake Maggiore, and was carved by glacier ice. It has two basins that run north to south, and the northern one is the deepest, reaching about 143 metres. Eight municipalities share its shore: six in the province of Novara and two in Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. Orta San Giulio, the main lakeside resort, is built on a peninsula on the east shore.
San Giulio island lies in the middle of the lake, and boats from Orta and Pella carry you to it. Its picturesque buildings are the lake's main attraction. Above the water sits the Sacro Monte di Orta, one of the Sacri Monti spread across Lombardy and Piedmont. UNESCO added the group to its World Heritage list in 2003. Other sights include the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso and the Torre di Buccione. Boats connect several lakeside towns, and the Domodossola-Novara railway runs along the east shore, with stops at Orta-Miasino and Pettenasco.
Lake Orta in five
- Take the boat to Isola San GiulioA short ferry hop from Orta leads to the island's basilica and the quiet path around it. Check the boat operator's timetable and the basilica's visiting hours.
- Walk up to the Sacro Monte di OrtaThe Sacro Monte's chapels are a UNESCO World Heritage site above the village. Allow time for the uphill walk and wear shoes with grip.
- Plan the last leg from Orta-Miasino stationThe station is a few kilometers from the village. Check the bus or taxi options before you arrive, especially in the evening.
- Arrive before 10am or after 5pm on summer weekendsDay-trippers from Milan crowd the main street at midday, so go early or stay the night when the village quietens.
- Pair it with Lake MaggioreThe two lakes are about 30–40 minutes apart by car, so Orta can be a half-day on a Maggiore trip.Lake Maggiore
Need to know
- Airport
- Milan Malpensa (MXP), about 50–60 min by car
- Getting there
- Train to Orta-Miasino from Novara, then a bus or taxi; or drive
- Getting around
- On foot in Orta; lake boats; a car for the shores
- Best base
- Orta San Giulio
- Time needed
- Half a day to 1 night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh2°Low-6°Quiet, coldJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cold
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low-4°Quiet, coldFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cold
- MarchRain11 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh6°Low-2°Spring startsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 165 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low1°Gardens, showersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Gardens, showers
- MayRain20 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low5°Blossom, mildMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 238 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Blossom, mild
- JuneRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low10°Warm, busyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, busy
- JulyRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low12°Peak weekendsJulyRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak weekends
- AugustRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low12°Peak, crowdedAugustRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 227 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak, crowded
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Warm, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 309 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh6°Low-1°Wet, closedNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 171 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, closed
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Quiet, coldDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cold
Average daily high and low in Orta San Giulio, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lake Orta
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- 1°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Lake Orta
02:34 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today14°8°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed12°9°15%Wednesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Thu11°9°15%Thursday: Rain. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Fri11°9°50%Friday: Rain. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Sat12°8°40%Saturday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Sun12°2°30%Sunday: Rain. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated 10:37 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Lake Maggioreabout 30–40 min by carStresa and the Borromean Islands.Read the guide
- Isola San Giulioabout 5–10 min by boatA quiet island with a basilica.
- Milanabout 1.5 hours by train and carA long day; better as a stop on the way.Read the guide
Before you go to Lake Orta
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Rules for Lake Orta, 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 the basilica on San Giulio island and other churches.
- Check with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you buy antiques, since some need an export licence to leave the EU.
Plan around Lake Orta
Piedmont's lakes and the wider north of Italy
Read the guideLake MaggioreThe bigger lake next door, with the islands
Read the guideGarda vs Como vs MaggioreThree lakes compared on cost, scenery and access
Read the guideLake ComoVillas and mountains, a little further east
Read the guideMilanThe big-city base, about 1.5 hours away
Read the guideLanghe, Roero & MonferratoPiedmont wine hills to the south
Read the guideLake Orta FAQ
Is Lake Orta worth visiting?
Yes for a quiet half day or a night: a small lake, a pretty village and an island. It lacks big sights, so it suits couples and travelers who want calm more than a long list of attractions.
How many days do you need at Lake Orta?
Half a day is enough for the village and the island. Stay one night to see the village after day-trippers leave, and add a second only if you plan hikes or lake drives.
How do you get to Lake Orta from Milan?
By train to Novara and then the Novara to Domodossola line to Orta-Miasino, then a bus or taxi. A car from Malpensa takes about 50–60 minutes.
Is Lake Orta better than Lake Maggiore?
It is smaller, quieter and easier to see in a day, while Maggiore has more boats, gardens and hotel choice. Many visitors do both in one trip.
When is the best time to visit Lake Orta?
May, June and September for mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer weekends are busy, and some places close in winter.