English Who hasn’t, at least once in their life, stood by the sea or a lake and thought: “If I ever buy a home, it would be right here”?
However, when it comes to actually moving, many important factors like property prices, year-round services, tourism levels, and transport connections are often overlooked.
If you want to live in Italy near a lake and find a spot that’s affordable and comfortable year-round, here are some towns you should consider.
Borgomanero – Lake d’Orta
Lake Orta, located in Piedmont, is probably one of my favorite lakes in all of Italy. I love it because it’s small, far less touristy than others, and surrounded by charming little towns like Orta San Giulio, Pella, and Arona (which is lovely but a bit more expensive).
Borgomanero isn’t right on the lake, but it’s just a 15-minute drive away and offers a high quality of life. It’s not touristy at all, making it ideal if you want to immerse yourself in authentic Italian living. The town is only 30 minutes from Milan Malpensa Airport and has everything you might need: public and private schools, supermarkets, parks, and even a central hospital. Property prices are affordable, with a 150 m² home averaging around €190,000.
Plus, it’s just 15 minutes from Lake Maggiore and about two hours from Sestriere, one of Italy’s most popular ski destinations in winter.
Verbania – Lake Maggiore
Verbania, also in Piedmont, sits right on Lake Maggiore. It’s just 45 minutes from Milan Malpensa and only 40 minutes from Borgomanero – so if you’re deciding between the two, you could easily visit both on the same trip.
Here, you’re dealing with a more popular lake, which means slightly more tourism and higher prices, but still far more affordable than nearby Stresa. A 150 m² home averages around €390,000, which is still a bargain compared to towns on Lake Como. Plus, it might also be easier to find job opportunities in tourism or hospitality, even if you’re still learning Italian.
Verbania offers great air quality, a calm atmosphere, and plenty of services: there are eight primary schools and kindergartens (not to mention middle and high schools), plenty of dentists and health clinics, and a train station with regional connections.
Valeggio sul Mincio – Lake Garda
Valeggio sul Mincio is a town of about 16,000 residents in the Veneto region, just 15 minutes from the southern shores of Lake Garda (near Peschiera del Garda). While it’s not directly on the lake, it sits along the Mincio River and is just a short walk from one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, Borghetto sul Mincio. It’s one of those places I always recommend to anyone passing through the area: set by the water, with old mills and charming legends like the one about tortellini, it’s absolutely rare to find a place with this kind of character.
Housing is still fairly accessible, with homes around €265,000 for 150 m². The town is also very well connected: just 18 minutes from Verona’s airport and about 50 minutes from Bergamo’s Orio al Serio, both of which offer excellent international connections.
Montefiascone – Lake Bolsena
Montefiascone is a peaceful town of about 12,000 people in the Lazio region, just 15 minutes from Lake Bolsena. The lake is small, intimate and almost untouched by mass tourism, which is ideal for those who value peace and quiet.
It’s the kind of area I’d recommend more to retirees or remote workers, as it’s very calm and job opportunities are limited if you don’t speak Italian. However, it’s only 75 minutes from Rome Fiumicino Airport, making travel fairly easy. And nearby you’ve got places like Viterbo, known for its medieval center, hot springs, and flower-filled streets.
Montefiascone has a strategic location near the border with Tuscany, and property prices are among the lowest on this list: a 150 m² home costs around €150,000.
Mandello del Lario – Lake Como
Mandello del Lario is a town of about 10,000 people on the eastern shore of Lake Como, in the province of Lecco. It’s well-known for its hiking trails and natural beauty, including the popular Cenghen Waterfall trail.
Unlike Como, Bellagio, or Varenna, Mandello offers a more affordable lifestyle while still benefiting from its lakefront location. It’s an hour from both Milan Malpensa and Bergamo Orio al Serio airports, and offers great air quality, green spaces, gyms, pharmacies, and other services. Property prices are relatively moderate for the area, a 150 m² home typically costs around €315,000.
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