Lake Holidays: The Best Gay Beaches in Italy
Gay beaches in Italy aren’t only found along the coast. The shores of some of the country’s most beautiful lakes are also home to beaches, secluded coves and quieter spots that have become popular gathering places for the LGBTQ+ community over the years, often attracting naturists as well.
From Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore to Trentino, these places are generally far removed from large, organized beach clubs, surrounded by nature and often known primarily through word of mouth.
Some are easy to reach, while others require a short walk along trails and less-traveled paths.
If you’re thinking about choosing a lake instead of the seaside for your next vacation, here are some of the best gay beaches on Italy’s lakes, along with practical directions on how to reach them.
Rocca di Manerba – Lake Garda
One of Italy’s best-known gay lake beaches is undoubtedly Rocca di Manerba, on the Brescia side of Lake Garda. The area lies at the foot of the Rocca di Manerba, surrounded by one of the most striking natural landscapes on the southern part of the lake.
The beach combines pebbles, rocks and small areas sheltered by vegetation and has long been listed in LGBTQ+ guides as a gathering place for gay visitors and naturists. However, there is no officially designated naturist section, and local ordinances against nudity have also been issued over the years, so it’s always advisable to check the current regulations before visiting.
Part of the appeal lies precisely in its natural setting. This isn’t a typical organized Lake Garda beach, and reaching it requires a short walk, but once there you’ll find a beautiful landscape dominated by the lake and the cliffs of the Rocca.
How to get there: drive toward Manerba del Garda and follow signs for Porto di Dusano. Before descending toward the harbor, turn onto Via San Giorgio and then Via Agello, following signs for the Rocca parking area. From there, continue on foot along Via Marinello and then take a path through the woods. The walk takes around ten minutes, although it may be longer depending on where you park.
Punta Meringa – Lake Garda
Staying on Lake Garda, this time on the Veneto side, Punta Meringa lies between Baia delle Sirene and Lido Brancolino, not far from Garda and Punta San Vigilio, one of the most scenic stretches of the lake’s Veronese shoreline.
The area is regularly mentioned as one of the places on Lake Garda traditionally frequented by gay visitors, as well as naturists. The atmosphere is very different from that of the large organized beaches: here, vegetation, rocks and the waters of Lake Garda take center stage.
Its relatively secluded location has helped make it a popular spot for those looking to spend a few hours away from the lake’s busiest beaches. As elsewhere, however, naturist use does not necessarily mean that nudism is officially authorized.
How to get there: the main reference point is the lakeside road around Garda and Punta San Vigilio, heading toward Baia delle Sirene. Punta Meringa is located between the latter and Lido Brancolino. If arriving by highway, Peschiera del Garda on the A4 or Affi on the A22 are generally the most convenient exits before continuing toward Garda. The final stretch to the beach must be covered on foot. As this is a natural area, it’s worth checking trail and access conditions before setting out.
Fornaci Beach in Ispra – Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore also has a number of places that have historically been popular with the gay community. One of the most frequently mentioned is located in Ispra, on the Lombardy shore of the lake, in the province of Varese.
Fornaci Beach is a small pebble beach also associated with the former Diva nightclub, which once stood in the area. LGBTQ+ guides describe it as a secluded spot particularly popular with gay men, with naturist use also reported.
Compared with the more tourist-oriented beaches around Lake Maggiore, the setting is simple and natural. It’s therefore better suited to those looking for peace and quiet on the lakeshore rather than the facilities of an organized beach club.
How to get there: the beach is located around Via Valcanale in Ispra. From the center of Ispra, continue toward Laveno; at the roundabout, follow directions toward the area of the former Diva nightclub. From there you can reach the stretch of shoreline where the beach is located. As the spot is less obvious than the area’s main beaches, it’s useful to use Via Valcanale as your navigation reference.
Ghiffa and Oggebbio – Lake Maggiore
On the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore, between Ghiffa and Oggebbio, there are small beaches that have been described over the years as particularly gay-friendly.
This is one of the most picturesque stretches of the Verbano area, where the lake is surrounded by densely wooded mountains and small towns overlooking the water, while the lakeside road offers spectacular views.
The spot mentioned by LGBTQ+ guides actually consists of two small areas along the shoreline, reached via a trail. Their small size and secluded location create an atmosphere very different from the organized beaches found in Lake Maggiore’s better-known tourist resorts.
How to get there: drive past Ghiffa toward Oggebbio and the Swiss border along the main lakeside road. After leaving the village, you’ll see a large fenced parking area on the right. Continue past it and, after two bends in the road, look for a small pull-off where a trail descends toward the lake. Once you reach the shore, continue to the left to find the two small beaches.
Gay Beach on Lake Caldonazzo
Further north is Lake Caldonazzo, in the heart of Trentino’s Valsugana valley. Surrounded by mountains and particularly popular in summer, it’s one of Trentino’s main lake destinations for swimming, canoeing, windsurfing and other water activities.
One area along its shores is also identified by several LGBTQ+ guides as a gathering place for gay visitors and naturists. It’s a small and relatively secluded stretch of shoreline with limited space for sunbathing, making it quite different from the organized beaches found elsewhere around the lake.
During the summer months, the area attracts more visitors, including Italian and international travelers vacationing in Valsugana. The natural surroundings are undoubtedly part of its appeal, with the lake framed by the green landscape and mountains of Trentino.
How to get there: from Trento, take the SS47 Valsugana road toward Padua, passing Pergine and continuing toward Levico. One of the most detailed available descriptions uses the Ca’ Rossa area as a reference point: after the first tunnel and before the following one, there is an area where cars can be left. From there, a fairly steep path descends toward the lakeshore. Other directions use Tenna as a reference point, so it’s advisable to check the route before leaving and take particular care on the descent.
Other Naturist Spots on Italy’s Lakes
Beaches popular with the gay community aren’t the only places to consider for a more relaxed experience surrounded by nature. Some Italian lakes also have areas historically frequented by naturists, although it’s important to distinguish between places where naturism occurs informally and beaches where it is officially authorized.
One documented example is Lake Bilancino, in Tuscany’s Mugello area. Forums run by the Italian naturist association A.N.ITA. have for years mentioned an area along the lakeshore used by naturists. The same source specifies, however, that this is not an officially authorized naturist beach. From the A1 highway, take the Barberino di Mugello exit and follow signs for Lake Bilancino. After approximately four kilometers along the lakeside road, reports indicate a pull-off where a dirt track begins; from there, continue on foot for around 300 meters. Before practicing naturism, it’s advisable to check the latest local regulations and ordinances.
Another place known within Italy’s naturist community is the small Lake Gaiano, in Val Cavallina in the province of Bergamo. Located just beyond Lake Endine, some reports collected on naturist forums mention a small area along the shore where people sunbathe nude. The main reference point is the SS42 road around Endine Gaiano: according to available historical directions, visitors can leave their car near the industrial area, cross the road and take a small path leading toward the lake.
There is, however, an important caveat. Available reports describe Lake Gaiano as unsuitable for swimming around the naturist area, mainly because of its muddy bottom and abundant aquatic vegetation. Naturism here is also informal and should not be confused with an officially designated naturist beach.
There are also historical reports of naturist use in other areas around Lake Maggiore, including near Cannobio and between Angera and Ispra, but the available information is either too old or insufficiently precise to consider them reliable naturist destinations today.
Whether you choose Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore or the mountains of Trentino, gay beaches on Italy’s lakes offer a different way to experience summer: less focused on large beach clubs and more closely connected with nature, freedom and secluded surroundings. In many cases, these places became known through word of mouth within the community, and that informal character remains part of their identity today.
Before visiting, it’s always advisable to check access conditions, swimming regulations, local rules regarding naturism and trail conditions, particularly for more isolated beaches where access and regulations may change over time.
