Rebecca & Dylan
Things To Do in Orta San Giulio
Isola San Giulio
A beautiful little island on Lake Orta. Regular ferries (return €3.15) run from Orta San Giulio’s waterfront (about a ten minute ride). The main attraction on this island is the 12th-century Basilica di San Giulio. The church, island and mainland town are named after a Greek evangelist, Giulio, who’s said to have rid the island of snakes, dragons and assorted monsters in the late 4th century. His remains lie in the crypt of the Basilica di San Giulio.
Piazza Mario Motta
The main square of the town lined with shops, cafes, resturants, gelatarias, and more. This is where the ferry to San Giulio island docks.
Santuario del sacro monte di Orta
The Sacro Monte of Orta San Giulio is one of nine sacred mountain sites in Piedmont and Lombardy that together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It takes less than 15 minutes to reach the entrance, and along the way you’ll already catch some beautiful views of the lake, the island, and the rooftops of Orta. At the top, you won’t find a traditional museum. Instead, it’s an open air site with 20 chapels, each containing life size terracotta figures and frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Ortello Beach
One of the small beaches of Lake Orta, it is free, not equipped, mixed with sand and gravel, equipped with a pier. It is located behind Villa Crespi. You can reach it walking from the historical centre of Orta, following the sud direction road on the lake front.
Bagnera Beach
reachable on foot from the center of Orta in about ten minutes. Also known as Orta Beach with free access. It is a large free green area where you can stop to relax, sunbathe and swim. It is a very large and very clean area with space for everyone, both in the shade and in the sun, equipped with showers and a kiosk. There is also a car park.
Antica Bottega San Giulio
Antique store
The Palace
A great cafe