LivingTravelLake Trasimeno Travel Guide

Lake Trasimeno Travel Guide

The expanse of sparkling water surrounded by olive groves, rows of vineyards and thick forests known as Lake Trasimeno is one of the most popular destinations for travelers to the central Italian regions of Umbria and Tuscany. Trasimeno, the fourth largest of Italy’s lakes, is surrounded by small medieval stone villages perched on headlands jutting out of the water. Crumbling towers, Stoic fortresses, Renaissance churches, and contemplative abbeys dot the rolling countryside. The lake itself is colored by glowing sails and small pastel wooden fishing boats, set against the background of three beautiful lake islands, and its fiery orange sunsets are known to be some of the most spectacular in Italy. .

Lake Trasimeno Location

The lake lies within the Umbria region (see map), although the lake’s northern shore closely hugs the border with neighboring Tuscany. The Trasimeno basin extends west as far as Tuscany as Montepulciano and as far north as Cortona. The closest major city is Perugia, about 20 kilometers to the southeast.

Where to stay on Lake Trasimeno

Top-rated hotels in the lake villages include Hotel La Vela in Passignano sul Trasimeno , Bed and Breakfast Villa Sensi in Tuoro sul Trasimeno and Hotel La Torre in Castiglione del Lago . There are several campgrounds around the lake.

For self-catering apartments on an organic farm, Il Fontanaro has several guesthouse options near the village of Paciano, about 13 kilometers from the lake.

How to get to Lake Trasimeno

The two closest airports are the Aeroporto Internazionale dell’Umbria (San Francesco d’Assisi), about 35 kilometers southeast of Lake Trasimeno in Sant’Egidio, between Perugia and Assisi, and the Aeroporto di Firenze (Amerigo Vespucci), located on the outskirts of Florence, about 140 kilometers northwest of Lake Trasimeno along the Autostrada A1. Lake Trasimeno can be easily reached by car from the Autostrada A1 from Florence (Valdichiana exit) or Rome (Fabro or Chiusi-Chianciano Terme exit).

Several lake towns lie along the Milan-Florence-Rome railway lines (Castiglione del Lago, Chiusi-Chianciano Terme and Terontola stations) and Ancona-Foligno-Florence (Magione, Passignano sul Trasimeno and Tuoro sul Trasimeno stations). Check train schedules on Trenitalia.

Transportation to get around the lake

In addition to the above trains, local buses connect towns around the lake and ferries go to the islands. See Umbria Mobilita (only in Italian) or check the schedules in the cities. The lake is surrounded by a series of roads that alternate between stretches of road (mainly around the extreme north) and stretches of local road (mainly the extreme south).

When to go to Lake Trasimeno

The towns directly on the lake have a resort vibe, and outside of the peak season, which runs from April to October, visitors may find that many restaurants, accommodations, shops, and other services are closed or have limited hours. From spring to fall, the lake is packed with visitors who enjoy the mild weather, sunny beaches, and beautiful walking and biking trails, although the busiest months are the summer season, which includes June, July, and August.

Lake Trasimeno festivals

On the days surrounding the Italian holidays on May 1, the Coloriamo i Cieli festival fills the skies near Castiglione del Lago with brightly colored kites, as enthusiasts gather to fly their creations over Lake Trasimeno. In Passignano sul Trasimeno, locals celebrate the Palio delle Barche at the end of July, when runners dressed in medieval garb race through the streets towards the waters of the lake carrying their boats on their shoulders. In August, Città della Pieve has its own canopy, the Palio dei Terzieri , with archers trying to hit a “bull’s eye” on rotating wooden bulls.

During July and August, the Trasimeno Blues festival organizes music concerts, exhibitions and events in various cities and places around the lake.

Lake Trasimeno kitchen

The wine, olive oil, fish and legumes from the lake are famous for their excellence due to the microclimate of the Trasimeno basin. Trasimeno fagiolina, the heirloom legume that resembles black-eyed peas, is cooked in a creamy and flavorful soup or garnish that pairs well with freshwater lake fish , including tench . Other local fish include catfish, carp, eel, odor, shrimp, and perch. The extra virgin olive oil , Olio d’Oliva del Trasimeno, is produced from the extensive olive groves that line the slopes. Its fruity flavor, with a touch of bitter and spicy accents, is perfect for lake fish.

Pair this meal with Vino Colli del Trasimeno, one of the local red or light white wines.

Islas of Lake Trasimeno

  • The largest island in Lake Trasimeno is Isola Polvese , practically abandoned when it was bought in the early 1970s by the Province of Perugia, who established a natural park here in 1995. It is a mecca for nature lovers, including those bird watchers who enjoy the birds that populate the wetlands and hikers who explore the beautiful stretches.
  • On Isola Maggiore, the second largest island, visitors can visit the small medieval town, which was once a bustling center for hundreds of fishermen and their families, but is now home to fewer than 20 permanent residents. Isola Maggiore is known for its intricate Irish lace : there is a lace museum dedicated to this local art on the island, and for Castello Guglielmi , built on the remains of a monastery from 1328 that commemorates the stay of Saint Francis on the island during the 40 days on loan.

Cities to visit on Lake Trasimeno

  • Castiglione del Lago, a postcard-perfect resort town located on a small promontory jutting out into the lake, is one of the most visited destinations on the lake. This popularity is not a surprise, as its panoramic position over the water, the spectacular Rocca del Leone fortress with walkable parapets, an abundance of restaurants and shops, and the languid and friendly air make it a perfect base for visiting the surroundings or a day. travel.
  • As its name implies , Passignano sul Trasimeno is located right on the banks of the Trasimeno. Another popular destination, it is also the closest starting point for ferries heading to Isola Maggiore . Its beautiful historic center is crowned by a 14th-century castle and below it is a long stretch of beach and park covered in umbrellas where tourists lounging watch windsurfers and sailboats surf the waves. This is everything you would expect from a resort town.
  • Tiny, unpretentious, San Feliciano has none of the art and culture that draws visitors to its more picturesque neighbors, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a stop. Home to the Lake Trasimeno fishing cooperative, this is also one of the few places where you can see traditional flat-bottomed wooden boats and old men from the lake repairing their fine nets by hand.
  • It was in Tuoro sul Trasimeno where the historical crushing of Hannibal of the Roman soldiers led by Flaminio took place on June 24, 217 BC. For history buffs, the Percorso Storico Archeologico della Battaglia walking or driving route, marked by posters and viewing platforms with explanatory notes and maps, is a fascinating way to recreate this disastrous battle (for the Romans).
  • Monte del Lago is located on a tiny promontory above the waters of Lake Trasimeno. One visits this medieval stone center not to “see” but to “be”, immersing oneself in the slow pace and contemplative air of this quiet place surrounded on three sides by lake views. The town is located along one of the quieter stretches of the Grande Anello Trasimeno , or Great Trasimeno Ring, a walking or cycling path that runs around the circumference of the lake, alternating between dedicated trails (marked with signage for the “PCT – Percorso Ciclabile Trasimeno”, or Trasimeno Bicycle Route) and roads with traffic.

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