While we have recommended daytrips in the Umbria region before, we intentionally avoided cramming too many destinations in one single tour of the area.

Not just because a day-trip would not be a “one day” trip anymore but would need at least an overnight stay; not simply because it would be too tiring to send you on a wild goose chase across Umbria; but because we feel that the area around Lake Trasimeno deserves its own dedicated visit.

The lowdown on Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno is the largest lake of central Italy, and in spite of its round shape it is not a former volcano – like its neighbors, Lake Bracciano or Lake Bolsena. Instead, the lake formed when prehistoric seas retreated, leaving a basin of saltwater in a limestone depression (the whole immediate area is rich in fossils). Overtime, supplied by local springs and rivers, saltwater turned into freshwater.

The lake boasts three separate islands: the Polvese, the Maggiore and the Minore – once small villages were there but due to continuous malaria outbreaks and past centuries skirmishes against south Tuscany’s nearby cities (Chiusi, for example) now only Maggiore does have a (small) population, as well as traces of what used to be a community of Franciscan monks (St. Francis has spent a meditative Easter here and there are several traces of his presence on Maggiore).

How to get to Lake Trasimeno

More adventurous travelers can certainly use a rental car to get to the lake, as it is just 2 hours and a half north of central Rome.

Those who don’t feel like getting behind the wheel during their holiday may also opt for a private transfer (we can recommend our partners at Gianni Conti Car Service to give you a very competitive quote!).

In our opinion, though, the most interesting way to get to Lake Trasimeno is by train, using the regional train network by Trenitalia. It’s very easy to get to the one town on Lake Trasimeno that’s closer to the islands: Passignano sul Trasimeno. To get there, you will simply need to board a regional train to Florence (“Regionale veloce”, for short “RV” on notice boards) and make an exchange in the “Terontola-Cortona” train station, boarding a second train there, which final destination is Perugia. It’s just a few stops to get to Passignano sul Trasimeno.

Note that a few Intercity trains, like those to Trieste, will also make a stop at Terontola-Cortona, increasing the number of available trains to the lake area.

What to do in and by Lake Trasimeno

Visitors with access to a car can easily tour the whole of the lake. Those who don’t may want to explore local bus options or, again, board a train to reach such towns as Castiglione del Lago, nearby Cortona (the train station is, indeed, Terontola-Cortona) or even Orvieto.

However, we recommend exploring Lake Trasimeno by taking your time – explore the surroundings, from picturesque alleys to local shops, from oil mills to wineries. Discover the restaurants in the area, some of those specialising in fish right from the lake (talk about cooking with local ingredients!).

And if you can, make the most of the ferry service taking visitors to Maggiore island, where lovers of the outdoors and bird photography can enjoy the environment for a few hours (in peak season, some B&Bs offer vacancies for sleeping on the island).

Outdoors enthusiasts may also be interested in this one bike tour of the lake, while this one is more geared towards foodies. Whatever your choice, enjoy an exploration of an area of Italy not yet discovered by mass tourism!