There are places that surprise because they seem to belong more to a story than to a map. Narrow alleys, houses overlooking the water and fishermen’s nets stretched out in the sun create an atmosphere reminiscent of the Cinque Terre. Yet we are not in Liguria: this village lives suspended in the heart of Lombardy, on Lake Iseo. It is called Peschiera Maraglio, and it is among the most beautiful and authentic villages you can visit in Italy today.
A timeless village in the heart of Lake Iseo
Reaching Peschiera Maraglio is already a small journey within a journey. You leave from the marinas of Sulzano or Iseo and in a few minutes by boat you land on Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Europe. No cars circulate here, and this detail helps keep an atmosphere of yesteryear intact. Walking along the shore, among the hanging nets and moored boats, one can clearly sense the breath of a community that still lives in tune with the lake.
Stories handed down by the inhabitants add to the charm and mystery: it is said that on stormy nights the lake reveals invisible presences, benevolent souls who watch over the fishermen. It is not uncommon for someone to swear they have seen sudden flashes on the waves, signs of an ancient bond between the water and those who inhabit it.
The magic of the Feast of the Holy Cross
Among the traditions that make Peschiera Maraglio unique is the Feast of Santa Croce, celebrated every five years and also known as the “Flower Festival.” The next edition will be right in 2025 and will once again transform the island into a true triumph of flowers and colors. Streets, squares and houses will be decorated with floral arches and colorful carpets, creating an enchanted atmosphere.
The festival begins on Sept. 8 but the centerpiece of the events is Sept. 14, the day when the procession with the Holy Relic passes through the villages of Peschiera Maraglio, Carzano and Novale di Monte Isola, among others. It is a moment that combines the sacred and the secular: on the one hand religious devotion, on the other the spectacular explosion of floral decorations that envelops every corner of the island, making it a unique and unrepeatable place.
Peschiera Maraglio between gastronomy and daily life
Visiting Peschiera Maraglio also means savoring a cuisine that speaks of the lake. The dried sardine of Monte Isola, now a Slow Food presidium, tells of an ancient tradition: it is carefully processed, left to mature and then served with polenta or in oil. There is no shortage of fish dishes such as whitefish and perch, accompanied by the extra virgin olive oil produced right on the island.
Daily life here preserves rhythms that seem forgotten elsewhere. The days begin with the tinkling of boats, continue with the hubbub in the square and end with the silence that falls at sunset. It is a suspended world that restores a taste for slowness.
What to see in Monte Isola besides the village
Peschiera Maraglio is the ideal gateway to discover what to see on Lake Iseo. A scenic path leads to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola, which dominates the entire area from above: according to legend, the Virgin chose that very spot to be able to protect all the communities on the lake with her gaze.
Those who prefer a gentler pace can rent a bicycle and ride the nine kilometers that encompass Monte Isola, past olive groves, small harbors and picture-postcard views. Each bend of the route offers a different panorama, between lush nature and views that look like paintings.
Why discover Peschiera Maraglio now
If Bellagio on Lake Como or Sirmione on Lake Garda are famous and crowded destinations, Peschiera Maraglio remains a more discreet gem, a refuge of authenticity. But on September 14, 2025, in a few days, this village will experience one of the most intense and spectacular moments in its recent history: the return of the Santa Croce Festival .
Discovering Peschiera Maraglio now means living an experience that is repeated only every five years: a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a village suspended between faith, traditions and mystery.
Where it is located and how to get to Peschiera Maraglio
Peschiera Maraglio can only be reached by boat, leaving from the marinas of Sulzano or Iseo: in just a few minutes of sailing, you find yourself immersed in a picture-postcard landscape. Once you disembark, no cars: on the island you move around on foot, by bicycle or by small electric buses.
Thanks to these modes of access, the visiting experience becomes a slow and immersive journey, perfect for savoring the magic of one of the most beautiful villages in Lombardy and discovering what to see on Lake Iseo without hurrying, among history, legends and breathtaking views.