Orta San Giulio Overview

Orta San Giulio (OR-ta san JOO-lee-oh; pop. 1120) is the gateway to Lake Orta—by far the smallest and least touristed of the lakes—though just as striking as any of them. The 19th-century villas that line the narrow, cobblestone streets evoke the very best of old Italy. Though difficult to reach without a car, the town has drawn many to its secluded location. In fact, the privacy is precisely what drew Friedrich Nietzsche here in 1882 with his young love, Lou Salome, in order to escape the watchful eye of her mother. Nietzsche claimed he couldn’t remember whether or not the two had kissed because the views had sent him into a state of grace.

• Transportation to Orto San Giulio

If coming by train from Stresa, switch lines at Premosello (1hr.; 4 per day 6:37am-6:47pm, return 6:28am-8:17pm; €3), getting off at Orta-Miasino. In Orta, buy train tickets at the nearby bar. (Open ...more

• Practical Information

The centro is Piazza Motta. Amble along Via Olina, which becomes Via Bossi, then Via Gippini to reach Via Motta and the footpath, Strada del Movero, and ultimately T Lungo Lario 11 Settembre, a sublime ...more

• Accommodations and Restaurants

Orta’s relative seclusion means high accommodation prices. Down the street from Villa Crespi, B&B Villa Pinin , V. Prisciola 6, has huge, bountiful rooms opening onto a spectacular terrace, ...more

• Sights and Activities

At the intersection of V. Panoramica and V. G. Fava, the ornate Villa Crespi, which now houses a hotel, was built in 1873 in an Arabian style to satisfy cotton pioneer Cristoforo Crespi’s nostalgia ...more