The 7 swimmable lakes of South Tyrol

Commonly known as South Tyrol (Alto Adige), the autonomous province of Bolzano is the northernmost of the provinces in the Trentino-Alto Adige region and in Italy, and among its many natural beauties, it features just as many swimmable lakes. Are you ready to discover them with us?

Lake Caldaro (Lago di Caldaro) Located in the Oltradige area about 20 km from Bolzano, Lake Caldaro stands as the largest natural body of water in the autonomous province. Of alluvial origin and, according to one of the legends, generated by the Lord's weeping, the basin is fed by underwater springs and is characterized, due to its swim-friendliness, by numerous tourist establishments, also favoring sports activities like windsurfing and sailing. For more information about the lake, click here.

Monticolo Lakes (Laghi di Monticolo) - Lake Grande and Lake Piccolo Located on Monte di Mezzo about 16 km from Bolzano, the Monticolo Lakes, both swimmable and of glacial origin, are situated in an area rich in forests and are distinguished by their size:

• Lake Grande (Lago Grande): Located in a largely wooded area, it is approximately 700 meters long and between 200 and 300 meters wide. Given its suitability for swimming, it is characterized by numerous tourist facilities and ports for renting rowing boats. To the south of the lake, there is also a prehistoric, now abandoned, settlement known as the Colle Joben fort, which many consider an astronomical observatory.
• Lake Piccolo (Lago Piccolo): Located in an entirely wooded area, it is characterized by a semicircular shape and a diameter of about 300 meters, with small bathing establishments placed on its sides.

Lake Costalovara (Lago di Costalovara) Located on the Renon plateau about 12 km from Bolzano, Lake Costalovara is a small alpine lake considered one of the cleanest freshwater lakes in Italy. Created naturally, it was later artificially enlarged by means of an earthen dam and is currently inhabited by numerous fish species and suitable for swimming.

Lake Fiè (Lago di Fiè) Located on the Fiè plateau about 25 km from Bolzano, the Fiè Pond (Laghetto di Fiè) is a small alpine lake surrounded by fir trees and fed by a spring known as the "blood of the Sciliar," due to its location in an area where animal sacrifices were performed in prehistoric times. Despite its 1,056 meters of altitude, the lake is swimmable thanks to the high temperatures reached during the summer months.

Lake Santa Maria (Lago di Santa Maria) Located in the Valle di Non about 44 km from Bolzano, Lake Santa Maria (or Lake Tret) is a small alpine lake near the autonomous province of Trento and particularly known for its beauty and its suitability for swimming.

Lake Varna (Lago di Varna) Located in the Isarco Valley a few kilometers from the municipality of Varna in the province of Bolzano, Lake Varna is characterized by a surface area of about 1.5 hectares, a maximum depth of 3.5 meters, has no tributaries, and features a very important marine protected area nearby for bird migration stopovers. Also known for its swimming suitability, the lake is reachable in various ways, including the new cycle path which, in the area, follows one of the medieval routes known as the Cammini di Santiago (Ways of Saint James). Don't miss the wonders of South Tyrol and immerse yourself fully in its natural beauties!