It is hot; seaside beaches are filling up, but there is another option: proper beaches at altitude, where the water stays clear, and the air feels lighter. Italy has lakes with sand, mountain beaches, grassy banks and full facilities, all suitable for a weekend away.
In some places, a swim comes with a view of the Dolomites; elsewhere, there is the chance to enjoy a carefully prepared aperitif on an Alpine beach. Many of these spots are within easy reach, with straightforward routes and equipped areas open during the season.
- Val di Mello, Lombardy
- Lake Sirio, Piedmont: a free beach and trails
- Spiagge Alte, Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino: a Michelin-starred aperitif
- Lake Ledro, Trentino: beaches and water sports
- Lake Molveno, Trentino: well-kept beaches and a cable car
- Lido di Ascona, Switzerland: sand and parkland
- Lake Sainte-Croix, France: the Verdon’s great blue lake
- Lake Sanabria, Spain: Castile and León’s vast glacial beach
- Schwarzsee, Austria: warm water and a lakeside lawn
- Lake Bohinj, Slovenia: the calm of Triglav
Val di Mello, Lombardy
Val di Mello is a side valley of the Valmasino, in the province of Sondrio. It has meadows, woodland and a gentle stream leading to a small lake with fresh, clear water. The area is one of the places for wild swimming in the mountains, a Lombardy nature reserve with scenic views and mountain peaks reflected in the water.
During summer, visitors settle by the shore among conifers and smooth rocks, looking for a good spot for a quick dip. The valley is accessible and well suited to relaxed days, including a picnic in the cool. It is a classic summer refuge when the heat on the plains becomes too much.
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Lake Sirio, Piedmont: a free beach and trails
Between Ivrea and Chiaverano, Lake Sirio is the only one of the Five Lakes fed by springs. Its shores include a free public beach that is popular in the warmer months, with calm water and a peaceful atmosphere. The Marina di Ivrea area has food outlets, accommodation and sports facilities, as well as camping and parking.
A surfaced road makes it possible to walk all the way around the lake in around 40 minutes. Those in the mood for a longer walk can follow the Lake Sirio and Terre Traballanti loop, passing countryside, vegetable gardens and orchards.
Spiagge Alte, Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino: a Michelin-starred aperitif
In the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, where the Sarca stream forms a small Alpine lake, the Spiagge Alte experience is making its debut. Between 9 May and 17 September, a walk of roughly half an hour leads to a pale beach set among woodland and running water. There, a bartender prepares cocktails using extracts of mountain herbs and fruit.
The gourmet picnic basket changes for each date and is prepared by Madonna di Campiglio’s Michelin-starred restaurants: Il Gallo Cedrone, Stube Hermitage and Dolomieu. It is a small-group format combining nature, relaxation and high-end cooking.
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Lake Ledro, Trentino: beaches and water sports
A few kilometres from Lake Garda, Lake Ledro is valued for its water quality and the green scenery reflected on its blue surface. During summer, visitors swim and go sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding and canoeing, or explore small coves by pedalo. There are four main beaches: Pieve di Ledro to the north-west; Molina di Ledro in the Besta area, the largest and sunniest, with a lawn; Mezzolago in the north; and Pur in the south, which has a dog-friendly area.
The prehistoric pile-dwelling site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a museum dedicated to lakeside life 4,000 years ago. The valley is also the finishing point of the Sentiero del Ponale, one of Europe’s most scenic walking and cycling routes.
Lake Molveno, Trentino: well-kept beaches and a cable car
Repeatedly recognised by Legambiente and the Touring Club for its water, beaches and services, Lake Molveno lies around 40 km from Trento. It is a natural Alpine lake and a good place to sunbathe in the mountains, with 12 hectares of maintained beach and lawn areas, framed by the Brenta Dolomites.
Families have play areas, an Acqua Park, mini-golf, a children’s club and a pump track for getting started on mountain bikes. More active visitors can alternate tennis, canoeing, paddleboarding, boating and swimming in the Olympic pool, as well as walking beside the lake. The cable car runs between May and October to the Pradel plateau, providing access to trails in the heart of the Brenta range.
Lido di Ascona, Switzerland: sand and parkland
The Lido di Ascona, in the canton of Ticino, is among Switzerland’s largest beaches. It covers 40,000 m² within a park shaded by mature trees, with bars, restaurants and sports facilities. The sandy beach is around 600 metres long and equipped for a comfortable day by the water.
Wakeboarding and stand-up paddleboarding are available on the lake, with rentals operating during the season. A pedalo trip provides another perspective on the lakeside setting, with hills and villages dotted along the shore.
Lake Sainte-Croix, France: the Verdon’s great blue lake
Covering 2,200 hectares, Lake Sainte-Croix is the largest lake in the Verdon area. It was created in 1973, when a dam was built on the Verdon River between Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and is now a well-established lakeside resort. The water shifts between turquoise and emerald, while the shores alternate between equipped beaches and quieter sections shaded by pines and oaks.
A network of trails follows the lake within the Verdon Regional Natural Park. After a refreshing swim, the area’s wheat and lavender fields, along with villages such as Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, are within reach.
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Lake Sanabria, Spain: Castile and León’s vast glacial beach
In western Spain, Lake Sanabria is the largest lake on the Iberian Peninsula, covering 318 hectares and reaching depths of up to 51 metres. It was shaped by an ancient glacier whose tongues stretched for more than 20 km. Its shores have several sandy and pebbly beaches that are very busy in summer. The most popular are Viquiella and Custa Liago, both with sandy areas and facilities.
For a quieter setting, there are El Pato, El Folgoso, Los Enanos and Los Arenales de Vigo. The surrounding area has campsites and suitable places for picnics and easy outings, particularly at weekends.
Schwarzsee, Austria: warm water and a lakeside lawn
Just over 2 km from Kitzbühel, Schwarzsee is a moor lake and one of the warmest and most scenic in the Alpine region. Its emerald-green water invites summer swimming, with views of the Wilder Kaiser peaks, which rise above 2,000 metres. The shores have beaches with a large lawn of around 34,000 m² and a boat-hire service.
The lake has also hosted Triathlon World Cup races in the past, reflecting its sporting side. In winter, when it freezes, it becomes a setting for ice skating and hockey.
Lake Bohinj, Slovenia: the calm of Triglav
In Triglav National Park, in the Julian Alps, Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest natural lake. The atmosphere is quiet, with mountain huts and peaks reflected in its clear water. Natural beaches line the shore, providing places to sunbathe and swim away from the crowds of nearby Bled.
Boats can be hired to explore the shoreline, or visitors can take a short hike to Savica Waterfall. It is a destination suited to those after a proper dose of nature and a slower pace, without missing out on a refreshing dip.
