Lakes Northern Italy: Historic estates for sale

Find a historic dream property in the popular lake region

The northern Italian lakes, which extend across the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont and Trentino-Alto Adige in northern Italy as well as the Swiss canton of Ticino, are known for their sophisticated lake and Alpine panorama. Aristocrats, artists, industrialists and intellectuals from all over the world have valued the region as an inspiring retreat since the middle of the 19th century. The result was a fascinating landscape with glamorous lakeside promenades, magnificent villas and extensive gardens, the fascination of which continues to this day: The lakes are not only among the most important tourist destinations in Italy - for personalities from the worlds of politics, business, art and entertainment in particular, a lakeside residence is a symbol of luxury, elegance and an exclusive ambience.

Lake Como

Lake Como and its high density of magnificent villas and gardens, which are particularly numerous in the middle of the lake, are associated with a typically Italian place of longing.

The lake is generally divided into three sections: Western shore, southern shore (also known as the "central part") and the eastern shore. In terms of both the number of historic villas and tourism, the western shore with the city of Como and the southern shore with the world-famous vacation resort of Bellagio form the center of the lake. The east bank is less sophisticated overall, but has a few garden gems such as Villa Cipressi.

The eponymous city of Como is still the most important center for silk processing in the whole of Europe.

Tip: When viewing properties on Lake Como, you should also take the opportunity to explore its often hidden places that are invisible from the road. Various providers offer you the opportunity to discover magical corners in nostalgic boats.

Lake Maggiore

The Lake Maggiore is bordered by Italy and Switzerland. The western shore, especially with the Borromean Islands and the prominent location of Stresa with its splendid Grand Hotels, forms an equally sophisticated environment. Here, visitors and potential buyers can discover magnificent palaces and botanical gardens. Investors and property developers can explore an exclusive selection of famous villas in unique locations, such as the Industrialist Villa Poss or the Villa Gianfranco Ferrè, which, however, require special attention and economic usage concepts.

Lake Garda

On the shores of the largest of the Upper Italian Lakes, numerous castles, palaces, and historic villas can primarily be found in historical cities such as Garda, Malcesine, Limone sul Garda, Gardone Riviera, or Sirmione. Notable historical buildings include Villa Feltrinelli, Palazzo Bettoni, and Scaliger Castle in Sirmione.

The Lake Garda continues to be a cherished region for leisure activities with a large following. Particularly in the northern part, sailing and windsurfing are popular, while the surrounding areas offer extensive outdoor activities. This makes Lake Garda an internationally sought-after region for vacation or second homes.

Living by the lake in northern Italy: How much is a lakeside villa?

Prestigious image, mild and Mediterranean-subtropical climate, high quality of life, and a unique landscape make lakefront properties in Northern Italy particularly sought after, both among affluent locals and international buyers.

Naturally, prices for historical properties in the Upper Italian Lakes vary depending on location, size, or historical value, but they undergo only minor fluctuations. The structural condition often plays a secondary role, so potential buyers should not expect significant discounts even for properties in need of renovation and restoration.

Regarding villas, purchase prices typically start at around 1 million euros for smaller estates. Exceptional prestige villas with very large plots can easily be worth higher double-digit million amounts.