Holidays in Lake Trasimeno
Please read our guide to Lake Trasimeno holidays in Umbria
Whilst staying in Umbria it would be difficult to avoid the temptation of a visit to Lake Trasimeno. However, many choose to stay in Lake Trasimeno accommodation to enjoy water sports such as swimming, windsurfing or sailing, but if walking and hiking are more your thing then the surrounding area has much to offer you.
The lake is about 20 miles from Perugia accommodation, and can be reached easily by both train and bus. Covering an area of 48 square miles it is the fourth largest in Italy, but, amazingly, never deeper than 25 feet, accounting for its tepid water in summer.
Because the tourist and fishing industries are the economic bread and butter of the surrounding towns, the lake is also incredibly clean, in fact, it is tested for purity every month and the council is very efficient in keeping the lake free of the large banks of weed that drift in during the summer.
The activities in this area are endless. Apart from the canoe, windsurfing and sailboat rentals that you would expect to find at a lakeside, there is also a horse riding centre, and for the more adventurous among us, there is an archery centre. If you prefer to be a spectator rather than a participator you will find that this area is no different to the rest of Umbria in the fact that it enjoys a good festival. The most unique of these being the boat race into Passisgnano which takes place in July, and in mid-August, the Palio del Terzieri showcases the towns Renaissance past with the revelry including acrobatics fire eating and archery.
A combination of the tree-covered hills to the north, the delicate light reflecting off the lake, and placid lapping water produces some magical moments. When visiting the lakeside, head for the stretches that are south of the Magione and Castiglione if you are after the relative peace and quiet. If you are planning to camp in the area be warned that unofficial camping is not as easy to come by, partly because a lot of the immediate shoreline is marshy, but mainly because most of the good spots are usually taken by the locals.
Strung out along the northern shore you will find Passisgnano, it is the lake's most accessible point and is served by seven daily buses from Perugia.
It is probably the town most set up for tourists to be found surrounding the lake with it having a busy nightlife with bars, discos and fish restaurants are plenty.
Unfortunately the medieval castle that towers over the town is closed to the public but the views you get from standing in front of it are unbelievable. If you are fortunate to be visiting there on the last Sunday of July you will see the annual boat race. This is when rival neighbourhoods race their boats to the castle on top of the hill, one of the strangest boat races you can see.
A little further along the lake from Passisgnano you will find Tuoro. This is where the Romans suffered their famous defeat at the hands of Hannibal in 217 BC. Hannibal lured the Roman force under the console Flaminius into an ambush, and the only escape being a retreat into the lake. 16,000 Romans, including the hapless commander, were killed.
The rambling village of Tuoro is a quiet little place, but it does give road access into the desolate but beautiful mountain's north of the lake. This road starts and finishs just west of the village on the road to Cortona. Once in the mountains, with superb views and a small geranium strewn mediaeval centre.
Castiglione del Lago is the oldest, but probably the most appealing town on the lake and cuts a fine silhouette from other points around the shore, jutting out into the water on a fortified promontory. It is a friendly, unpretentious place, with enough charm and action to hold anybody's interest for a couple of days and it is easy to reach my train or bus. The attractions of the town include the Pallazo dela Corgina, and ancient ducal Palace housing and an important series of 16th century frescoes. This is connected to a pentagon shaped fortress that was built in 1247, which is an excellent example of mediaeval military architecture.
The lake has three islands. There are regular boat trips out to be Isola Maggiore, a former refuge for St. Francis which is mainly inhabited by fishermen who traditionally still stretch their nets out to dry between the two churches. There is a pleasant walk around the edge of the island.
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