Blue Flag Lakes in Italy 2026: Where to Swim in Fresh Water

The Blue Flag isn't just for the seaside: every year the FEE also certifies freshwater beaches, judged on exactly the same criteria — water quality, environmental management and services. In 2026 Italy's awarded lake beaches stretch from the Alps to the Apennines. Here's where to find them, lake by lake — ideal if you're planning some Italian lakes swimming this summer.

Lake Garda: the Brescia shore

Italy's largest lake concentrates its Blue Flags on the Lombardy side: Sirmione with its thermal baths and Scaliger castle, Gardone Riviera and Toscolano Maderno on the Riviera dei Limoni, and Limone sul Garda with Tifù beach, a strip of pale pebbles that ranks among the most photographed spots on the lake. Expect crystal-clear water, reliable wind for sailing and an almost Mediterranean microclimate within sight of the Alps.

Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta: Piedmont's Blue Flags

On the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore the flags fly over Cannobio and Cannero Riviera, two villages on the upper lake with well-equipped lidos and award-winning water, and over Verbania with its Fondotoce beach. A short drive away, on the smaller and quieter Lake Orta, Gozzano — home to the Lido di Gozzano — is the entry many people are searching for: a grassy beach, a gently shelving bottom and views of the island of San Giulio.

Trentino: Italy's highest concentration of awarded lakes

Trentino has more lakeside Blue Flags than any other Italian region. In the Valsugana valley, lakes Levico and Caldonazzo collect awards through Levico Terme, Caldonazzo, Calceranica al Lago, Tenna and Pergine Valsugana (San Cristoforo). Up on the Alpe Cimbra, the lido at Lavarone is a mountain-summer classic, while the Piné plateau adds Baselga di Pinè and Bedollo. Rounding out the list are Tenno with its turquoise lake, Sella Giudicarie, Vallelaghi and Bondone on Lake Idro.

Lake Bracciano: a Blue Flag 50 km from Rome

Trevignano Romano, on the northern shore of Lake Bracciano, is central Italy's freshwater Blue Flag alongside the Abruzzo entries: a tree-lined lakefront, swimmable water and the convenience of being less than an hour from Rome — a handy alternative when the coast is crowded.

Lake Scanno: Abruzzo's mountain gem

Deep in the Abruzzo Apennines, the famously heart-shaped Lake Scanno brings awards to two municipalities: Scanno with its little beach at Acquevive and Villalago on the opposite shore. At nearly a thousand metres above sea level, it's Italy's highest-altitude Blue Flag.

Full list and map

All the awarded lake beaches are on the Spiagge Blu map: each entry lists the locality, amenities, accessibility info and — where available — the current water temperature.