The largest lake in Italy is Lake Garda, which spans three regions: Veneto, Lombardy, and Trentino-Alto Adige. It is followed by Lago Maggiore, shared between Lombardy and Piedmont, but also extending into Switzerland. In third place by surface area, but first in terms of depth (exceeding 400 m), is the famous Lake Como, located in the Lombardy region. According to many opinions, it is the most beautiful lake in Italy. In the same region is Lake Iseo, less visited compared to the other famous northern lakes, but equally beautiful. On this lake is Monte Isola, the largest island on Italy's lakes.

Other beautiful lakes in the north include Lake Orta, in Piedmont, and Lago di Braies, a small alpine lake with green waters, located between mountains at an altitude of about 1,500 m, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. Also worth visiting are Lake Santa Croce in Veneto and Lake Cavazzo, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

In central Italy, in the Umbria region, is Lake Trasimeno, the fourth-largest lake in the country. On its shore lies Castiglione del Lago, which is part of the association I Borghi più belli d'Italia, bringing together the most beautiful villages and small towns in Italy.

In Lazio is Lake Bolsena. It is the fifth-largest lake in Italy, but the largest of volcanic origin.

The largest lake in southern Italy is in the Puglia region. It is Lake Varano, which is also the largest coastal lake. Nearby is Lake Lesina.

A special mention goes to Lake Scanno, in the Abruzzo region, a lake surrounded by forests, notable for its heart-shaped form.