Fonteno and Riva di Solto (north-west shore)
Most of our Iseo homes are in Fonteno, a hill village on the Bergamo side with views down over the lake and Monte Isola, and the smaller Lago di Endine just behind. Riva di Solto, below it on the shore, has a small harbour and the Bögn, layered limestone cliffs that drop straight into the water. Lovere is about 15 minutes away for shops and restaurants. Bergamo airport is around an hour away.
Best for: Couples and families who want wide lake views and quiet
Not for you if: You want to walk down to the lake: Fonteno is high above the water, up a steep, winding road.
Lago d'Idro (Idro, Anfo and the Valle Sabbia)
Lago d'Idro is a narrow mountain lake north-east of Brescia, between Lake Garda and the Trentino border. The water is cool and clear, with beaches at Idro and Anfo and afternoon breezes that suit windsurfing and sailing. Above Anfo, the Rocca d'Anfo is a large Napoleonic-era fortress open for guided visits. Salò on Lake Garda is around 40 minutes away, and Verona and Bergamo airports are each around an hour and a half.
Best for: Families and windsurfers who want a small mountain lake
Not for you if: You want lakeside cafés and boat trips: Idro is quiet, with little on the water beyond beaches and sailing.
Iseo and Provaglio d'Iseo (south shore and Franciacorta)
Iseo is the lake's main town, with a long promenade, ferries to Monte Isola and a station on the line to Brescia. Just south, the Torbiere del Sebino is a nature reserve of peat-bog pools with boardwalks, watched over by the monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa at Provaglio d'Iseo. Beyond lie the vineyards of Franciacorta, where cellars make sparkling wine by the champagne method and offer tastings. Bergamo airport is around 40 minutes away.
Best for: Couples who want a lakeside town, wine tasting and a railway station
Not for you if: You want mountains on the doorstep: the south end is gentler, with vineyards and reed beds.
Sulzano and Sale Marasino (east shore, facing Monte Isola)
Sulzano is the closest point to Monte Isola, an island of fishing villages and walking paths where visitors cannot bring cars. The crossing takes a few minutes and boats run often. Sale Marasino, just north, has a lakeside path and a small beach. The Brescia to Edolo railway follows this shore, so you can reach Iseo or Brescia without driving. Bergamo airport is around 50 minutes away.
Best for: Families who want quick ferry trips and a train along the shore
Not for you if: You are bothered by traffic noise: the main road and the railway both run along this shore.
Lovere and Grignaghe (north end)
Lovere is an old town at the lake's northern tip, with a harbour, a lakeside piazza and the Accademia Tadini art gallery. Across the water, Grignaghe is a medieval hamlet at around 900 metres above Pisogne, where the church of Santa Maria della Neve has frescoes by Romanino. Paths lead up from Grignaghe towards Monte Guglielmo. The Val Camonica rock carvings, a World Heritage site, are about 40 minutes north. Bergamo airport is around an hour away.
Best for: Walkers and art lovers who want a lake town and mountain trails
Not for you if: You want to swim from the house: Grignaghe is a mountain hamlet at around 900 metres.
