5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit the Beautiful Monte Isola Italy

Have you heard of Monte Isola, Italy?

It’s not a well known destination in Italy.

But I think it should be — because it’s gorgeous.

Like stunningly gorgeous.

Intrigued?

I thought you might be.

Let’s find out more about this beautiful destination in Italy.

 

Where is Monte Isola?

So Monte Isola is both an island and a town — well, a collection of villages and hamlets —  in the province of Brescia which is in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.

And specifically this island is located in the middle of Lago d’Iseo, Lake Iseo.

Monte Isola is actually the highest European lake island and the largest Italian one with an area of 12.8 square kilometers/4.9 square miles.

There are approximately 1800 residents spread over 11 villages and hamlets.

Now the collection of towns also encompasses 2 other wee islands —  Loreto and San Paolo.

But most of the folks live on Monte Isola.

Cars are banned on the islands.

Residents use motorcycles and mopeds to get around as well as bicycles.

There are public buses that do run on Monte Isola.

So now that you know where this island is, I know you want to know all about it and why I think you should go.

 

Why you should visit Monte Isola

Gorgeous location

As you can imagine an island in the middle of lake is about as gorgeous as it can get, right?

Wrong.

Add in some mountains surrounding that lake and now you have an even more amazing location.

That’s right.

Lago d’Iseo is surrounded by mountains.

This lake actually sits in a valley known as the Val Camonica.

Lake Iseo is truly one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy and it doesn’t see the the hoards of people like Garda or Como or Maggiore.

It’s small, intimate.

Monte Isola really has a location that is hard to beat.

 

Charming towns

I’ll be completely honest — I only spent about half a day on Monte Isola so I only experienced one of the towns — Peschiera Maraglio — on the island.

Although I did walk through the little hamlet of Cure which is part way up the trail to Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola.

Cure is very small but very cute!

Peschiera Maraglio — often just referred to as Peschiera — is a fishing village.

It sits right by the lake on the southeast corner of the island and is one of the more popular towns on the island though not the biggest.

It’s easy to ferry to and from the towns along the lake shore such as Iseo and Sulzano.

I fell in love with Peschiera as it’s charming as hell with its colorful buildings and winding cobblestone lanes that lead up and up.

Siviano is the main village — as well as the largest — located on the northwest corner of Monte Isola.

It also sits right along the water.

Here you’ll find the town hall.

Carzano is another village that is situated on the water.

Located in the northeast corner, Carzano is decorated with thousands of paper flowers every 5 years.

That could be worth seeing!

Sensole is another village — well this one might be considered a hamlet.

It sits in the southwest corner of the island.

You’ll find some small towns and hamlets inland as well.

But the best towns to explore are along the shores of Lago d’Iseo as you’ll find more accommodation, restaurants and shops.

 

Religious buildings

Monte Isola has its share of churches and sanctuaries.

After all this is Italy!

I visited the Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola.

The shrine/sactuary of Madonna della Ceriola stands at 600 meters/1969 feet.

So guess what you have to do to get there?

Yup.

Walk — up!

The trail is good and easy to follow.

But it does gain some elevation!

Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola sits above the hamlet of Cure.

It was built in the 13th century and it is located on the highest part of the island.

That’s right.

600 meters above sea level.

But the views are amazeballs!

From the sanctuary you’ll be awed by the entire Lago d’Iseo — from Sarnico to Pisogne and Lovere.

It’s so worth the trek up.

And the sanctuary itself is quite lovely with some paintings and frescoes.

Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Michele is in Peschiera. 

Epic fail on my part as I missed this.

This Baroque church was blessed in 1648.

It also has some beautiful frescoes on the walls and ceiling — because this is Italy — and it has some notable wooden carvings.

In Siviano be sure to check out Chiesa Parrocchia dei Santi Faustino e Giovita.

Built between 1740 and 1754, its clock tower is visible for miles.

And because this is Italy there are more — you guessed it — beautiful frescos!

If you go to Carzano then you’ll want to visit Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista.

This church was built in the second half of 18th century.

As you might guess from the name, it’s dedicated to John the Baptist, the protector of fishermen.

The main relic in this parish church is the Holy Cross.

From the photos, I’d also say the paintings on the ceiling are magnificent.

You really can’t go wrong with any churches or religious buildings in Italy.

Monte Isola is no different!

 

The “Great Outdoors”

As I walked the Sentiero Del Santuario Della Madonna Di Ceriola — the trail up the the sanctuary — I walked through trees.

Even as I ferried over to the island, I noticed how green Monte Isola is.

It really is a place to get a bit lost in nature, la natura.

There is a trail you can take around the perimeter of the island.

It’s 9.4km/5.9mi so it is totally doable.

A lot of folks cycle this as it’s a wonderful way to see Monte Isola and Lago d’Iseo.

And there are trails through the interior — such as the trail to Santuario Della Madonna Di Ceriola — that you can tackle on foot.

You’ll find yourself walking through trees, little hamlets, vineyards and orchards.

Of course, you’ll have Lake Iseo to gaze upon as well as those stunning peaks that surround it.

*Sigh*

Pretty perfect, right?

 

Off the tourist track

Lago d’Iseo and its main island, Monte Isola, are a bit off the main tourist path.

Now there are Italians and savvy Europeans who know about this romantic lake and island.

And there are a few Americans who find their way here.

But it’s not like Lago di Garda or Lago di Como which are both pretty damn popular.

Lago Maggiore is also a fairly well-known lake in northern Italy.

But Lake Iseo is less visited.

And by default, so is Monte Isola.

As you know I love finding destinations that aren’t on the main tourist trail.

Monte Isola and Lago d’Iseo are one of my favorite “finds” from my 2019 travels.

Now being off the tourist trail and being an island that does not have cars, I would recommend Monte Isola to those of you who are more active and adventurous — although you can use the buses.

I just think it’s better suited for a more adventurous type of travel.

Another piece of advice: stay a night or 2.

I think this would be a fabulous way to really experience the island.

I made a day trip from where I was staying not far from the town of Iseo which was fine.

It gave me a enough time to hike up to the Sanctuary and wander about Peschiera.

But I would have loved to have rented a bicycle and cycled the perimeter or even walked it.

And to stay the night and enjoy the quiet at night and the peace of a morning, well, I think this would be pretty special.

 

How to get to the island

The only way to reach Monte Isola is by ferry boat.

Navigazione Lago d’Iseo‘s routes link many of the towns along Lago d’Iseo (the main one is Iseo) with Monte Isola’s harbors — Peschiera Maraglio (the main one), Sensole, Carzano and Siviano Porto.

There are some non-stop routes from Sulzano to Peschiera Maraglio and Sale Marasino to Carzano that are also available.

The ferries aren’t as frequent at night.

And do check as more ferries run in summer than in winter.

The boat ride is inexpensive and will depend on where you board the ferry.

But it shouldn’t be more than €4-10 round trip.

 

Beautiful destination, right?

Monte Isola definitely wowed me!

I was surprised at the natural beauty and the charming villages and hamlets.

I would love to spend a couple of nights on this gorgeous island in Lago d’Iseo.

How about you?

Are you now intrigued by this off the tourist track destination in northern Italy?

I hope so!

 

Booking.com

 

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating although some places are slowly opening up. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC. I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home and stay safe!

 

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