Monte Isola, near to Europe’s
largest inland Island
With European primacy as the largest island on a lake, it can be reached by ferry from Sulzano,
a town overlooking Lake Iseo.
This quaint island is home to one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, home to shops, restaurants with
wonderful gardens, bars, and breathtaking landscapes.
Monte Isola can also be visited by walking it entirety by renting a bicycle.
Monte Isola, near to Europe’s
largest inland Island
With European primacy as the largest island on a lake, it can be reached by ferry from Sulzano,
a town overlooking Lake Iseo.
This quaint island is home to one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, home to shops, restaurants with
wonderful gardens, bars, and breathtaking landscapes.
Monte Isola can also be visited by walking it entirety by renting a bicycle.
HOW TO REACH IT
The largest lake island in Europe, with its landscape of villages and hills, heights and ports, is all to be seen – whether on foot, by bicycle or by bus.
Declared one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, characterized by narrow streets and alleys, the history of the island has its roots in the fishing industry, a fundamental sector for the economy of its inhabitants.
Easily accessible thanks to Boario station, just a two-minute walk from our centre, the trains to reach this pretty town run approximately every half hour.
(Consult the timetables via this link: https://www.virail.it/treni-boario_terme-sulzano)
Tickets for rail transport can be purchased in coffea shops near the station; if this is not possible, there is the possibility to buy them directly on board or on the appropriate website: Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets (thetrainline.com)
After about half an hour of travel you reach the Sulzano station, where after having dismounted , head towards the water and you will see the Montisola by ferry: this is the easiest port for the crossing, thanks to the frequency of trips, both day and night. Tickets for lake transport can be purchased directly on board and you arrive in the award winnning town of Peschiera Maraglio. It is also possible to reach the island starting from Sale Marasino, arriving at Carzano via a ferry.
Carzano is a locality known above all for the renowned “feast of the cross”. It is celebrated every five years and takes place in two small medieval villages, Carzano and Novale, which are festively decorated with arches covered with pine branches and handmade paper flowers by the locals.
Sale Marasino (on main land) is made up of two formerly separate municipalities: Sale, on the lake shore, and Marasino, which is located on a hill. The church of San Zenone is very popular, dedicated to the saint who, according to tradition, protects fishermen.
Ferry timetables and fares can be consulted at the link: https://www.tuttomonteisola.it/orario-traghetti/#
There are also scheduled boats that connect the island with Iseo. You can also embark from the other ports of the lake in spring and summer. For info: https://navigazionelagoiseo.it/en/
The journey to Peschiera Maraglio takes about 5-10 minutes. This ancient municipality took its name in the middle of the century. XIX, in honor of the Maraglio family. Built in the early Middle Ages as a fishing station alongside Iseo, it is still one of the most famous places for the production of fishing nets, much underestimated but in great demand. The locality, which has been called the “land of fishermen” for years, is included in the list of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, and many tourists interested in its monuments arrive there.
HOW TO REACH IT
The largest lake island in Europe, with its landscape of villages and hills, heights and ports, is all to be seen – whether on foot, by bicycle or by bus.
Declared one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, characterized by narrow streets and alleys, the history of the island has its roots in the fishing industry, a fundamental sector for the economy of its inhabitants.
Easily accessible thanks to Boario station, just a two-minute walk from our centre, the trains to reach this pretty town run approximately every half hour.
(Consult the timetables via this link: https://www.virail.it/treni-boario_terme-sulzano)
Tickets for rail transport can be purchased in coffea shops near the station; if this is not possible, there is the possibility to buy them directly on board or on the appropriate website: Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets (thetrainline.com)
After about half an hour of travel you reach the Sulzano station, where after having dismounted , head towards the water and you will see the Montisola by ferry: this is the easiest port for the crossing, thanks to the frequency of trips, both day and night. Tickets for lake transport can be purchased directly on board and you arrive in the award winnning town of Peschiera Maraglio. It is also possible to reach the island starting from Sale Marasino, arriving at Carzano via a ferry.
Carzano is a locality known above all for the renowned “feast of the cross”. It is celebrated every five years and takes place in two small medieval villages, Carzano and Novale, which are festively decorated with arches covered with pine branches and handmade paper flowers by the locals.
Sale Marasino (on main land) is made up of two formerly separate municipalities: Sale, on the lake shore, and Marasino, which is located on a hill. The church of San Zenone is very popular, dedicated to the saint who, according to tradition, protects fishermen.
Ferry timetables and fares can be consulted at the link: https://www.tuttomonteisola.it/orario-traghetti/#
There are also scheduled boats that connect the island with Iseo. You can also embark from the other ports of the lake in spring and summer. For info: https://navigazionelagoiseo.it/en/
The journey to Peschiera Maraglio takes about 5-10 minutes. This ancient municipality took its name in the middle of the century. XIX, in honor of the Maraglio family. Built in the early Middle Ages as a fishing station alongside Iseo, it is still one of the most famous places for the production of fishing nets, much underestimated but in great demand. The locality, which has been called the “land of fishermen” for years, is included in the list of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, and many tourists interested in its monuments arrive there.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO ON ISLAND
On the island there are many restaurants and shops that visitors can enjoy between one walk and another, and there is also the possibility of renting bicycles to visit and fully admire the places on the island (we advise you to go clockwise around Island (45 mins) to avoid steep climb).
For info see: Bicycle Rentals – Monte Isola (https://www.visitmonteisola.it/en/)
Starting from Peschiera Maraglio and following the coastal area, you can cross the rich vegetation and reach Sensole, defined as “the pearl of Lake Iseo” and whose name derives from “Sinus Solis” (inlet of the sun).
The road proceeds uphill and leads to Menzino, where the Rocca Oldofredi-Martinengo is located, in the past a medieval castle and currently a private residence. She was placed in this position to have full control of the island from north to south. Continuing north, you continue passing through Sinchignano and then Siviano, the capital of the island.
Continue downhill towards Carzano (there is a picnic spot on shoreland), connected with Sale Marasino on the mainland, and take the coastal road back to Peschiera Maraglio.
During this journey you can also admire the islands of San Paolo and Loreto, both small privately owned islands and therefore cannot be visited.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO ON ISLAND
On the island there are many restaurants and shops that visitors can enjoy between one walk and another, and there is also the possibility of renting bicycles to visit and fully admire the places on the island (we advise you to go clockwise around Island (45 mins) to avoid steep climb).
For info see: Bicycle Rentals – Monte Isola (https://www.visitmonteisola.it/en/)
Starting from Peschiera Maraglio and following the coastal area, you can cross the rich vegetation and reach Sensole, defined as “the pearl of Lake Iseo” and whose name derives from “Sinus Solis” (inlet of the sun).
The road proceeds uphill and leads to Menzino, where the Rocca Oldofredi-Martinengo is located, in the past a medieval castle and currently a private residence. She was placed in this position to have full control of the island from north to south. Continuing north, you continue passing through Sinchignano and then Siviano, the capital of the island.
Continue downhill towards Carzano (there is a picnic spot on shoreland), connected with Sale Marasino on the mainland, and take the coastal road back to Peschiera Maraglio.
During this journey you can also admire the islands of San Paolo and Loreto, both small privately owned islands and therefore cannot be visited.
ALTERNATIVE
An alternative variant for those willing to make more effort (attention Difficulty level high) is possible starting from Siviano: after a steep climb that leads to the ancient villages of Cure and Masse, known for the artisanal production of Montisola salami, you take a paved road that leads to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola. From here you can enjoy a stunning panorama.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola is a well-known destination, it represents the symbol of the promontory and from there you have one of the best views from Lake Iseo to Franciacorta.
It can be reached on foot with a walk of about an hour (Difficult), but also by bus to the Cure area, then adding only 20 minutes of walking before arriving at your destination. One-way ticket cost: €1.50 (tickets can be purchased directly on the bus).
For more information: https://www.tuttomonteisola.it/orario-bus/.
ALTERNATIVE
An alternative variant for those willing to make more effort (attention Difficulty level high) is possible starting from Siviano: after a steep climb that leads to the ancient villages of Cure and Masse, known for the artisanal production of Montisola salami, you take a paved road that leads to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola. From here you can enjoy a stunning panorama.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola is a well-known destination, it represents the symbol of the promontory and from there you have one of the best views from Lake Iseo to Franciacorta.
It can be reached on foot with a walk of about an hour (Difficult), but also by bus to the Cure area, then adding only 20 minutes of walking before arriving at your destination. One-way ticket cost: €1.50 (tickets can be purchased directly on the bus).
For more information: https://www.tuttomonteisola.it/orario-bus/.
