With multi-colored houses with galleries and cafes, wrought-iron balconies, and gates lining the cobbled alleys of the gorgeous little medieval town of Orta San Giulio, finding things to do on Lake Orta becomes easy.
Although my origins are from the neighboring lake of Lago Maggiore, we all admit to ourselves that the village of Orta San Giulio, or just Orta, is one of the most picturesque towns in all the lake districts. There’s no denying this. Just a 30-minute drive from my town of Feriolo, Lake Orta has a few hidden treasures as well. Not as many as Lake Maggiore, but Orta San Giulio makes up for that. Orta San Giulio’s history goes as far back as being the headquarters for the Duke of Novara in the late 6th century giving it a medieval feel with a traditional Italian lake district vibe.
Quick Navigation: Things To Do In Lake Orta
Parking: Finding parking here is incredibly difficult in the summer and even more so on the weekends. Luckily, even if you have to park far away, a tram can take you directly to Orta San Giulio. My recommendation would be to come in the mornings on a weekday.
1. Chiesa di San Rocco, Via Bossi
If you got lucky and managed to find parking like my Mom and I, make sure to put at least 2 hours in the parking meter–and that’s the minimum in my opinion. As you walk down the hill signs will point you in the direction of Orta’s entrance. You will first come across one of Orta’s smaller churches, the Church of Saint Rocco. It was built in 1631 by those who wanted to free themselves of a plague that had struck Italy. It is dedicated to Saint Rocco via a beautiful fresco located in the church. The church isn’t too ornate compared to others, which makes it quite charming.
2. Apparition of Saint Pio, Via Bossi
What makes this church even more special though is the apparition of Saint Pio on an old house from the 700s located directly in front of the Church of Saint Rocco. If you look up at the last floor, next to the balcony, people claim that you can Saint Pio in the now dilapidated wall. A local priest decided to honor this apparition by placing a statue of Saint Pio in the nearby courtyard and a book where visitors could write their thoughts. Some claim they’ve even been healed after visiting the apparition…either way, it’s definitely worth a visit. Where you able to see it? I was, but my mother was not.
3. Hotel San Rocco, Via Motta
Continue down Via Motta and you will come across what I find to be one of the most beautiful hotels in the lake district, Hotel San Rocco. I remember the first time I came across it years ago, I claimed it would be the perfect place for a wedding. I still do.
The hotel has a beautiful floating dock extended beyond it’s lakeside terrace. Non-guests of the hotel can grab breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, or aperitivo in the evening. You can see the neighboring docks in the distance, boats that moor up to the floating dock for breakfast, and the island of Orta San Giulio in the distance. It’s truly a stunning and breathtaking place.
4. Isola San Giulio
The hotel owns a beautiful pink palace to the side, which you can reserve for events and special occasions. A beautiful courtyard covered by trees ends with an ornate iron wrap around balcony facing the colorful island of San Giulio, or Isola San Giulio. Today the island is home to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery of Benedictine nuns. It has a cloistered convent and basilica built in the 4th century.
5. Comune di Orta San Giulio
Right next to Hotel San Rocco is the beautiful public Comune di Orta San Giulio, where a couple was actually getting married. I think it’s one of the most beautiful municipalities in the area. A beautiful arch leads to a hidden garden with a iron gate opening up to Lago d’Orta and Isola San Giulio. A small balcony overlooks a moaring next to the municipality.
6. Walk down the main strip
The main promenade or walking road in Orta is made up of a number of streets that all connect with one another. They are ultimately one long narrow street, but different parts of it have different names. The street begins near Hotel San Rocco and the Comune di Orta San Giulio and is called Via Motta. Via Motta then turns into Via Bossi, where Church of Saint Rocco and the apparition of Saint Pio can be found. As you continue down the road becomes Via Olina and you come across a small road with cafes and salumerie or delicatessen called Largo de Gregori (pictured below).
Eventually the road opens up to Piazzetta Ernesto Ragazzoni. Before you reach the piazza you’ll walk by a cute tucked in and busy cafe called Cafe Arts Wine & Food (pictured below on the left). The inside has a open aired courtyard where people can dine. I’ve personally never been because I’m always short on time when in Orta, but it’s on my list. They are known for their chocolate desserts so if you have a sweet tooth stop by for one.
You finally arrive to Piazzetta Ernesto Ragazzoni, a small piazza with a few boutique shops, cafes, balconies with touring flowers spilling over the edge, and salumerie.
7. Piazza Mario Motta
The main square in Orta is Piazza Mario Motta. Cafes and bars line the square with the Broletto or Community Palace as the centerpiece. The Broletto is an old middle age fresco structure, sitting on top of stilts and arches, with the city crest embed on the front. This is where power was exercised back in 1582. The Broletto and piazza overlook Isola Orta San Giulio and the lake. At the end of the piazza, a number of fresco and pastel-colored houses and cafes line up the square and cobbled alley.
On Wednesdays the square has its local market where food, clothing, shoes, accessories, and leather goods are sold.
8. Santa Maria Assunta
To end your walking tour of Orta, you need to make one last effort and make your way to the top of Orta. On a main road directly from Piazza Mario Motta, you’ll see a bright and bold yellow church at the top of the hill. This is the church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1485. Not only is the church itself stunning, but the views of Orta from above are worth the uphill battle.
Orta San Giulio is a stunning jewel on Lake Orta and worth a day trip or 2 from your home base on Lake Maggiore. The view of the stunning island from each viewpoint will make you fall in love with Italy’s lake region instantly. To see it at it’s finest, weekdays and mornings are the best time to visit.
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