People often ask us where to swim on Lake Orta. The honest answer is: almost anywhere. Since its spectacular ecological recovery, Lake Orta has been ranked among the cleanest and most swimmable lakes in Europe — clear, fresh, and never crowded the way the big lakes are. But not all shores are equal, so here is our local guide to the beaches we actually go to, from north to south.
Bagnella — Omegna
At the northern tip of the lake, next to Omegna's sports centre, Bagnella is a free beach of grass and pebbles with showers and a shaded picnic area with tables. The entry into the water is gradual, which makes it one of the easiest spots for children. On summer weekends it fills up with local families — arrive before 11 a.m.
Approdo and Riva Pisola — Pettenasco
Pettenasco keeps several small beaches and equipped areas along its shoreline. The Approdo beach is free and sits right by the village landing stage; Riva Pisola is quieter, with the classic Orta mix of pebbles and grass. Both have that unhurried, village-life feel that defines this side of the lake.
Bagnera, Miami and Ortello — Orta San Giulio
Orta San Giulio has three free bathing zones, all reachable on foot from the historic centre: Bagnera, a large green area a short walk from the main square; the Miami zone, a sandy stretch with a kiosk, sunbeds and umbrellas; and Ortello. Showers and refreshment stands make these the most convenient beaches if you are staying near the village — and the view towards the peninsula is pure Orta.
Rialaccio — Pella
On the western shore, just in front of San Giulio Island, the Rialaccio beach stretches for about 200 metres of pebbles and sand. Many locals consider it the most beautiful free beach on the lake, simply because you swim with the island's basilica floating in front of you. Deep, clear water — the lake's deepest point (143 metres) lies between Pella and the island.
Porta di Lagna and Pascolo — San Maurizio d'Opaglio
Two municipal beaches on the south-western shore: Porta di Lagna, always open and free, with public bathrooms; and Pascolo, sand and pebbles with a kiosk for refreshments. Less famous than the Orta side, which is exactly why we like them on August weekends.
Lido di Gozzano
At the southern end of the lake, the Lido di Gozzano is the closest thing Orta has to a classic beach resort: sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, a bar and a restaurant. If you want a full-service beach day without driving to Lake Maggiore, this is it.
Water temperature, month by month
Lake Orta is an alpine lake, but a forgiving one. Indicatively: in May the water is still fresh at around 15–17 °C, June rises to a swimmable 19–21 °C, July and August are the sweet spot at 22–24 °C, and September often stays around 19–20 °C — some of the best swimming of the year, with the crowds gone. From October to April the lake is for cold-plunge enthusiasts only.
Swimming with children
The lake is a former glacial basin: in many points the bottom drops away quickly below the waterline. With small kids, choose the beaches with a gradual entry — Bagnella in Omegna and the Miami zone in Orta are the safest bets — and keep an eye on the depth everywhere else.
What about dogs?
Rules change from municipality to municipality and season to season; as a rule of thumb, early mornings and the less central beaches are the most relaxed. If you are planning a holiday with your dog, we wrote a dedicated pet-friendly guide to Lake Orta.
Or: a beach all to yourself
Here is the part where we are openly biased. Villa Volpe sits three metres from the water on the lake's sunny western shore, with its own private beach — no timetable, no kiosk queue, no towel-to-towel neighbours. You swim before breakfast, you swim at midnight if you like, and the lake access can be equipped for wheelchair users too. It is, as far as we know, the simplest way to have Lake Orta entirely to yourself.