Italian Lakes Villas for Rent

Explore our handpicked luxury villas on the Italian Lakes, around Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda.

25 matching villas

Attraction details

Italian Lakes

Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda lie in northern Italy, surrounded by lakeside towns, gardens and mountain scenery. A villa holiday here brings together days on the water, leisurely lunches and the pleasure of a beautiful home to return to.

Discover our handpicked luxury villas on the Italian Lakes, from historic waterfront residences to contemporary homes with private pools. Our collection includes holiday rentals around Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda, with options for couples, families and groups of friends.

Choose a home by the water for life close to the lake, or a hillside setting with panoramic views and space to unwind. Find the lake and villa that suit the holiday you have in mind.

Outdoor dining terrace with views across Lake Como towards the mountains
Lake Como: time together overlooking the water.

Lake Como: historic villas, gardens and exploring by boat

Choose Lake Como for its dramatic scenery, historic residences and days exploring waterfront towns. A boat outing, a garden visit and lunch overlooking the lake can make a memorable day without a packed itinerary.

Our collection includes homes around Blevio, Lenno, Ossuccio, Menaggio and San Siro, alongside elevated settings such as Pigra. Bellagio and Varenna are possibilities for outings, depending on your base and transport arrangements.

Decide how you want to enjoy the lake each day. A waterfront property can put the water at the centre of your stay; a hillside estate offers a different perspective. Compare the route to restaurants, boat departures and the lakeshore.

Explore our Lake Como villas

Island village on Lake Maggiore with boats and mountains beyond
Lake Maggiore: island scenery and lakeside towns.

Lake Maggiore: island gardens and elegant lakeside towns

Choose Lake Maggiore for a holiday combining villa time, garden visits and outings to the Borromean Islands. Stresa, Baveno and Verbania provide different starting points for exploring the lake.

Our selection also includes homes around Lesa and Cannero Riviera. Think about whether you would enjoy walking to the waterfront for dinner or returning to a more secluded setting above the lake.

The Borromean Islands and the gardens of Villa Taranto are highlights to build a few days around, leaving plenty of time for the pool, terrace and meals at home.

Explore our Lake Maggiore villas

Lake Garda seen from the shore between steep mountain slopes
Lake Garda: open water and mountain scenery.

Lake Garda: lakeside living and an active holiday

Choose Lake Garda for a mix of villa relaxation, waterfront towns and outdoor activities. You can spend your days by the pool, explore a different town or arrange time on the water.

Our homes include settings around Torri del Benaco, Garda, Cavaion Veronese and Toscolano Maderno. A property near a town offers a different daily rhythm from a villa among the surrounding hills.

The northern lake offers opportunities for sailing and windsurfing. Choose your shore around your main interests: distances and journeys matter when planning outings from your villa.

Explore our Lake Garda villas

Think about the moments you most want to enjoy at home: breakfast overlooking the water, afternoons swimming or dinner together in the garden.

Lakefront or lake view

A lake-view property overlooks the water; a lakefront property stands beside it. Direct swimming access, a private jetty and boat pickup are separate features to confirm for each home.

Private pools and outdoor space

Compare pools, shaded terraces, gardens and dining areas. For spring or autumn stays, check pool opening dates and whether heating is available.

Family holidays and larger groups

Look at bedroom arrangements, bathrooms and any accommodation in separate buildings. Comfortable space to gather matters as much as the total guest capacity.

Historic or contemporary

Period interiors and established gardens create a different atmosphere from open living spaces and modern architecture. Choose the style you will enjoy spending time in.

May, June and September

Worth considering for a mix of villa time, boat outings and sightseeing. Weather varies, so include some flexibility in your plans.

July and August

A summer holiday centred on outdoor living. Prioritise shade and bedroom comfort, and book popular experiences ahead.

Spring and autumn

Rewarding for gardens, towns and quieter days at home. Check seasonal opening dates and boat timetables, particularly outside the main summer period.

Explore your chosen lake at a comfortable pace. A few well-chosen outings leave time to enjoy the villa itself.

Lake Como

Consider the gardens and museum of Villa Carlotta, a visit to Villa del Balbianello, or a boat trip between lakeside towns.

Lake Maggiore

Combine a visit to the Borromean Islands with a separate outing to Verbania and Villa Taranto.

Lake Garda

Choose towns and activities near your base. Sailing, windsurfing and walks can add variety to a holiday built around the lake.

For a private boat outing, discuss the departure point, duration and stops you would enjoy. Confirm whether pickup at the villa is possible rather than assuming every waterfront home has a suitable landing.

Some evenings deserve no journey home after dinner. Make the most of your terrace or garden with a relaxed meal together.

Explore local menus for lake fish, risotto and regional specialities, alongside food shops and markets for meals at home. Around Garda, local wine and olive oil can also become part of your days exploring.

For a special evening, ask about a private chef for your chosen villa. Discuss menus, dietary preferences and costs in advance. Staffing and housekeeping arrangements vary by property, including which services are included in the rental.

Our concierge team can help you explore the options for your stay. Ask us about your chosen villa and the experiences you have in mind.

Choose the villa’s location around how much you want to drive. Walking access to restaurants and a boat departure point can make daily outings simpler.

Public boats serve towns across the lakes, with routes and frequency varying by season. Check the official boat routes and timetables for your chosen lake. A private boat or driver can offer more flexibility for particular outings.

Hillside properties may involve winding roads or steep walks. Compare the actual journey from the house to the waterfront, rather than relying on distance alone.

For a week, concentrate on one lake. If you want to experience more than one, consider dividing a longer holiday between two bases.

Which Italian lake is best for a villa holiday?

Como suits guests drawn to historic villas, gardens and boat outings. Maggiore offers island visits and elegant waterfront towns. Garda suits a combination of villa time and outdoor activities. The exact property and location matter as much as the lake.

Are all the villas directly on the lake?

No. Our collection includes waterfront homes and properties in elevated settings. Check the location and access details if being beside the water is essential.

Do all the villas have private pools?

No. Compare the facilities listed for each property. Where a pool is available, confirm whether it is private, when it opens and any heating arrangements.

Can we book a fully staffed villa?

Some properties offer staffing; others provide services by arrangement. Confirm the staff included, their hours and any additional costs for your chosen home.

Do we need a car?

It depends on the villa. A home within walking distance of restaurants and boat services may suit a stay with less driving. A hillside or more secluded property may make a car or arranged transport more useful.

Can we swim directly from the villa?

Only where the property’s access and local conditions allow it. A lakefront position or private jetty does not automatically establish a suitable swimming area.

Lake Como

You may not need a car
  • MXP Milan

    Malpensa Recommended

    From the US
    Direct, year-round
    From the UK
    Very frequent
    From Europe
    Everything
    Within Italy
    Excellent domestic

    The default, and the only Milan airport with proper long-haul. Straight up without touching the city.

    1 h Approx. journey time
  • LIN Milan

    Linate

    From the US
    None
    From the UK
    BA, frequent
    From Europe
    Wide network
    Within Italy
    Excellent domestic

    Small, central and quick to clear. Often the pleasanter arrival from within Europe.

    1 h 15 Approx. journey time
  • BGY Bergamo

    Orio al Serio

    From the US
    None
    From the UK
    Ryanair, frequent
    From Europe
    Ryanair network
    Within Italy
    Good domestic

    Cheap fares, longer transfer.

    1 h 30 Approx. journey time

Local knowledge The lake roads are narrow, slow and short of parking. Most guests do better with the ferries and the occasional taxi.

Lake Garda

Car essential
  • VRN Verona

    Villafranca Recommended

    From the US
    None
    From the UK
    Seasonal, frequent
    From Europe
    Good network
    Within Italy
    Some domestic

    The closest by a clear margin, and a small, easy airport.

    30–45 min Approx. journey time
  • BGY Bergamo

    Orio al Serio

    From the US
    None
    From the UK
    Ryanair, frequent
    From Europe
    Ryanair network
    Within Italy
    Good domestic

    Good for the western shore and usually the cheapest way in from the UK.

    1 h 15 Approx. journey time
  • VCE Venice

    Marco Polo

    From the US
    Seasonal direct
    From the UK
    Very frequent
    From Europe
    Wide network
    Within Italy
    Good domestic

    Worth it if you want a night in Venice at either end.

    1 h 45 Approx. journey time

Local knowledge The lake is large and the two shores are very different in character. Confirm which side the villa is on before choosing an airport.

Lake Maggiore

You may not need a car
  • MXP Milan

    Malpensa Recommended

    From the US
    Direct, year-round
    From the UK
    Very frequent
    From Europe
    Everything
    Within Italy
    Excellent domestic

    Unusually close — one of the shortest airport-to-villa transfers of any of our regions.

    40 min Approx. journey time
  • LIN Milan

    Linate

    From the US
    None
    From the UK
    BA, frequent
    From Europe
    Wide network
    Within Italy
    Excellent domestic

    Only when the Malpensa fare is poor.

    1 h 15 Approx. journey time

Local knowledge Stresa and the western shore are well served by trains and the lake ferries. A car helps but is not essential.

Journey times are approximate and vary according to the villa location, traffic and local road conditions. Flight routes: Summer 2026. Routes are the one thing here that changes every year, which is why they carry a date and the drive times do not.

Italian Lakes view

Need help choosing?

Get in touch with us. Tell us dates, guests, and style — we’ll help you find the most suitable villas for your trip to Italian Lakes.

Ask our concierge