This small town on Lake Iseo's southern shore has medieval streets, a 12th-century castle, and weekly markets. The lake ferries connect to Monte Isola, Europe's largest lake island.
Iseo, a small town on Lake Iseo's southern shore in Lombardy, sits two hours from Milan. Walk through its medieval streets to find stone arcades and 13th-century tower houses, or climb the 12th-century Oldofredi Castle for lake views. At the port, ferries depart regularly to Monte Isola, where you'll find car-free villages and ancient churches perched above the water.
Train and Bus Connections
The train from Brescia to Iseo runs every hour and takes 25 minutes. When driving from Milan airports, take the A4 motorway east towards Brescia, then follow signs to Iseo. You'll find the train station five minutes from the town center, and the bus terminal connects to lakeside villages like Sulzano and Sale Marasino.
Monte Isola Island Life
Monte Isola's eleven villages climb slopes rising 600 meters above sea level. With no cars allowed, you'll walk on cobblestone paths or ride local buses between fishing hamlets. Walk up to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Ceriola at the summit for panoramic views of Lake Iseo and the Alps. Catch a ferry every 20 minutes from Iseo's port to Peschiera Maraglio, the main village.
Iseo's Medieval Center
Stone arcades surround Piazza Garibaldi, where architect Vantini created the neoclassical Town Hall in 1830. Walk through narrow alleys past 13th-century tower houses. On Fridays from 8 AM to 1 PM, local vendors fill the market with Bagòss cheese from Val Bagolino, Franciacorta wines, and seasonal produce.
Swimming and Water Sports
Lake water warms to 24°C (75°F) from June through September. You can learn sailing at Circolo Velico or paddle along the shoreline. A 3-kilometer lakeside path connects swimming areas between Iseo and Predore, while cyclists can use dedicated lanes on the eastern shore.
Franciacorta Wine Area
In the hills south of Iseo, 117 wineries produce metodo classico sparkling wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Visit between August and October to see the grape harvest and tour the cellars. Follow marked walking paths through the vineyards, choosing routes from 2 to 15 kilometers.
Food in Iseo and Clusane
In Clusane's restaurants, try the local specialty of lake tench baked with polenta made from local corn. During July's three-day tench festival, local cooks demonstrate traditional recipes. At Iseo's Friday market, look for Silter DOP cheese from Val Camonica, fresh lake fish, and vegetables from nearby farms.
