Lake Iseo: Slow Travel in Northern Italy

It all started while I was searching for accommodation near Lake Garda. The prices there were surprisingly high, so I began looking for more affordable places somewhere nearby. Completely by accident, I found a small hostel in the mountains. It was located around 70 kilometres from Lake Garda, but that did not bother me at all. I enjoy spontaneous trips and discovering unfamiliar places, so without thinking too much, I booked the hostel, even though I knew almost nothing about the area or the small village I was heading to. While checking the map, I also noticed another lake located quite close to where I would be staying.

Lake Iseo is probably the least known among its more famous neighbours, Garda and Como. It lies between the cities of Brescia and Bergamo, surrounded by the Alps. The village where I stayed was called Zone. Arriving there late at night and driving along the winding mountain roads, I still had no idea how beautiful the area actually was.

After checking into the hostel, I had dinner at the small restaurant downstairs, where they served delicious pizza, and then went to rest. The next morning, I stepped onto the balcony and was amazed by the view in front of me: a bright sunny day, fresh mountain air, birds singing, and the beautiful panorama of the lake in the distance. At that moment, I realised I wanted to stay there longer than I had planned, and that my trip to Lake Garda would have to wait.

Hiking above Lake Iseo

I soon went out to explore the surroundings. One of the first things I noticed about the area was the number of hiking trails. The village of Zone is actually a perfect starting point for exploring the surrounding mountains, with many scenic routes leading to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the lake and nearby peaks.

While walking through the area, I also discovered the Earth Pyramids of Zone, one of the most unusual natural attractions near the lake. These tall rock formations were naturally shaped over time by rain and erosion. Hidden among the forested hills, they feel surprisingly different from the rest of the landscape around the lake. It is a fascinating and quiet place to visit.

A quiet afternoon in Iseo

Later, I continued my journey down to the town of Iseo itself. Somewhere at the back of my mind, I expected to leave the quiet mountain villages behind and arrive in another crowded tourist destination full of people. However, I was genuinely surprised to find the town calm and peaceful. Walking through the town felt slow and relaxing. I visited a local church and bakery, slowly wandered through the small streets, and simply enjoyed the town's atmosphere, which felt warm, welcoming, and authentic.

Monte Isola and the sanctuary above the lake

In the middle of Lake Iseo lies Monte Isola, a quiet island where life seems to move more slowly. Small fishing villages, scenic paths, and beautiful lake views make it one of the most unique places in the area. Cars are almost entirely absent from the island, and the only way to reach it is by ferry.

I took a ferry from the town of Iseo to the village of Peschiera Maraglio on Monte Isola. During the ferry ride, beautiful views of the lake and mountains surrounded the boat from every side. My main goal was to reach the Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola, a small church and viewpoint located at the highest point of the island. Most visitors either walk or cycle there through the quiet villages scattered across Monte Isola.

Life on the island feels calm and unhurried. The walk to the sanctuary becomes part of the experience itself. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the views become. I walked slowly through vineyards, olive groves, and quiet corners of the island, occasionally stopping just to sit for a while and admire the scenery around me.

When I finally reached the sanctuary, beautiful panoramic views opened up in every direction. Sitting on the stone wall high above the lake, I felt a calm that perfectly reflected the atmosphere of Lake Iseo itself. In many ways, that feeling had accompanied me throughout the entire journey around the island, but standing there above the lake somehow made it even stronger.

For me, Lake Iseo became a place far from crowds and busy tourist routes, where everything felt slower and calmer. This trip reminded me once again that some of the most memorable travel experiences happen completely unexpectedly, without detailed plans or carefully prepared itineraries. Sometimes all you need is a bit of spontaneity and the willingness to discover somewhere new.