The walk of silence around the island with quotes to ponder along the way, the boat ride to get there and the Basilica…all of it is just MAGICAL! Words and pictures cannot begin to describe its beauty! More than its beauty, there is something that soothes you there. Perhaps because it’s an island dedicated to worship - worship that has taken place there continuously since the 12th century. It is one of the most special places on earth!

Very beautiful and charming place. Imcredible climate. I will definitely go back there.

Beautiful. Takes 10-15mn to walk around. Worth the visit

Beautiful island! Peaceful and quiet. Definitely going to back there to enjoy it another time!

Lovely place. Very nice for a walk around. Obviously not much else here but it’s not supposed to be is it? But it’s very nice to wander around

Beautiful island, great place to visit during the week

It's a magical place suspended in time. Lives at a small pace that is hardly disturbed by the turmoil of modern life. If possible come visit it outside of the touristic season, when the quiet of the place will enhance tour meditation. The basilica on the island is ancient and well preserved. Of note are the pulpit carved from a block of local stone and the crypt with the remains of Saint Jules (v century), founder of the Church. Still remembered today is the legend of Saint Jules and his chasing a drake away from the island. Most likely an allegory for the subsiding of ancient pagan rites by tje new Christian religion.

One of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in Italy ✨. The area is blessed with breathtaking nature and stunning lake views ⛰️🌊, along with cozy restaurants, cafes, and small local markets that create a charming atmosphere. Taking the boats to the nearby islands was an unforgettable experience. A perfect spot for relaxation and natural beauty — highly recommended 🌟.

We visited the Sacra Monte with 20 chapels that recreate the life if St Francis of Assisi. Very nice and easy to walk once you drive up. Had great views of the lake island and areas.

Cleanest lake in the region! Really nice, worth a visit!

Beautiful spot to visit, hike, relax and honestly what ever you feel like to do. There is some much to do here. It's very relaxing to be at as it's not so busy and if it's busy it's easy to get away. Scenery is amazing. Breath taking. Stunning. See pictures. I recommend definitely to try to be on the lake either by boat or kayaks.

Gorgeous lake. Lots of access to the water. Pella is pretty but Orta is gorgeous!

What a beautiful place

Lake Orta (Italian: Lago d’Orta) is a lake in northern Italy, west of Lake Maggiore. It has been so named since the 16th century, but was previously called the Lago di San Giulio, after Saint Julius (4th century), the patron saint of the region. Its southern end is about 35 kilometres (22 miles) by rail, to the northwest of Novara on the main Turin-Milan line, while its north end is about 6 kilometres (4 miles) by rail south of the Gravellona-Toce railway station, halfway between Ornavasso and Omegna. Its scenery is characteristically Italian, while the San Giulio island has some very picturesque buildings, and takes its name from the local saint, who lived in the 4th century. Located around the lake are Orta San Giulio, built on a peninsula projecting from the east shore of the lake, Omegna at its northern extremity, Pettenasco to the east, and Pella to the west. It is supposed that the lake is the remnant of a much larger sheet of water by which originally the waters of the Toce flowed south towards Novara. As the glaciers retreated the waters flowing from them reduced, and were gradually diverted into Lake Maggiore. The inaugural European Rowing Championships were held on Lake Orta in 1893. A frequent ferry service connects towns and villages around the lake.

Magnificent and intriguing place located on the wooded heights of Lake Orta, this sacred Mont is a path of devotion, dating from the 17th century, composed of twenty chapels, which the public can only admire through grids. Inside these chapels which compose it, representing episodes of life and miracles of Saint Francis of Assisi, are 376 life -size terracotta statues. At the entrance, on an arch, you will find the inscription: "Here, in ordered chapels, we can see the life of Saint Francis; if we want to know, the author is love".

The most peaceful Lake Orta and walk around Mont Sacre d’Orta is not to be missed with its many beautiful chapels. Don’t try to take your car into the pedestrianised town centre. There is parking around the town.

This entire park on Monte Sacro is simply magnificent. It’s the perfect place for a family walk, where you can enjoy both the natural beauty and the cultural richness of the beautifully scattered chapels throughout the park. The views over Lake Orta are stunning. Just a heads-up: there are quite a few mosquitoes, especially in summer, so it’s worth bringing insect repellent. A truly special visit!

Amazing place, absolutely worth it. Stunning views of Lake Orta and beautiful chapels

Don't miss it. Very nice walk, great views, and a lot of things to see. It is very pleasant in a sunny day, but even when cloudy it is very nice, different and interesting. Take the little path at the end that leads to the center to enjoy some good wine and food.

this was stunning and such a beautiful area. Great views and lovely to walk around and see all the chapels.

Interesting though the condition of the sculptures and paintings is relatively poor and some of the paintings are damaged due to vandalism!

Tiny island on lake Orta, notable for the so called walk of silence. A footpath that runs around the island used as a meditavid method to chill out. Various signs quoting the benefits of silence are spread around the walk. Only takes a few minute's to complete.

Nice basilica on the small island of San Giulio. It is reachable by a boat ride and some steps. Inside, the basilica is decorated with paintings. Recommended to visit.

Dont miss this place if you are planning to visit Northern Italy. A very serine island with a rich history, beautiful church and awesome scenary

Fantastic smaller original condition romanesque Basilica with many frescoes. Highly recommended.

Looks better from the shore. Nothing silent about it. Take all of 30 mins. You could happily miss it out and a boat ride out round the lake instead

The Basilica di San Giulio is a Roman Catholic church on the small Isola San Giulio in the center of Lake Orta, it has the status of a minor basilica. I feel like so blessed to be here, because the church full of history, and you feel mystery, you will see a saint body underground, like a movie. According to tradition, it was the hundredth, and last, church founded by Julius of Novara and his brother Giuliano, both natives of Aegina in Greece, who dedicated their later years to the evangelization of the area around Lake Orta. Legend has it that around year 390 the saint reached the island sailing on his cloak, and then freeing it from dragons (symbols of paganism); after the defeat of the monsters he built a small church devoted to the Twelve Apostles.

If in Orta a visit to the island is a "must do"

Can’t comment on rooms as we did not stay. We had a reservation for the restaurant. Upon entering, chef Andrea himself was at the front door which I thought was a wonderful touch and was quite pleased - however he was rather rude and short with us, telling us our reservation was not for the restaurant but instead for the bistro and directed us to the lift. Before getting in, we decided to check with another member of staff who told us our reservation was indeed for the restaurant and directed us to our table. This irritated me first of all as we would have been charged a €200 fee if we had been “no shows”. I have to say we could not fault the food. It was incredible. Every part of the Michelin star is very well deserved in that respect. The service from the other staff was, in the most part, also incredible. They were very attentive and spoke to us in English throughout which was so appreciated as my Italian can’t quite stretch to as many courses as we received! The restaurant itself was a bit stuffy and very quiet which made conversation difficult. We felt we had to whisper and could hear other tables do the same. We ordered a very tasty bottle of wine but this then became the main cause of our issue with the restaurant. There were several fruit flies flying around our table and the wine was clearly drawing them in. My partner had to ask the staff to clear two glasses due to flies landing in them, and I had to ask for one to be removed. Eventually we gave up and asked for the wine to stop being poured as it was quite tiring and, frankly, a bit disgusting to have flies landing in our drinks. When it came to paying the bill, we asked for the wine to be discounted or removed as we had had to dispose of three glasses on top of whatever was remaining in the bottle. The staff member told us her manager had told her this was absolutely not going to happen as the wine was fine, and they “did not know where the flies were coming from”… as if we were pulling them out of our pockets?! Altogether what should have been a wonderful meal got off to a bad start thanks to the chef, and then got progressively worse due to the restaurant’s inability to prevent fruit flies from bothering diners - and then refusing to acknowledge that this would create an unpleasant atmosphere. Unfortunately, I would not recommend. We’ve eaten in many Michelin star restaurants across the world and this was, by far, the worst experience we’ve had.

Charming, but with challenges – and a mosquito nightmare in summer The hotel itself is perfectly adequate for a 3-star standard – clean, nicely decorated, with a certain rustic charm. But be warned: you can’t drive up to the hotel. Parking is far uphill, and the walk down involves uneven old stone paths. Dragging a large suitcase? Not fun. The rooms are quite small, and while that may come with the territory in a historic town, comfort is definitely limited. Now to the real dealbreaker: summer in Orta San Giulio. I’ve traveled through parts of Asia – and never have I experienced mosquitoes like this. Relentless, aggressive, and immune to repellent. It felt like a siege. Bottom line: The hotel is fine if you travel light and don’t mind a bit of a hike – but Orta in the summer? Never again. The lake and I are officially done.

We were met by Andrea himself at reception. Rather rudely he told us that we did not have a restaurant booking but instead we were in the bistro. As we approached the lift, we asked the restaurant staff and it turned out we were in the restaurant as booked. The food was very good and the staff were great. We did however have an issue with three glasses of red that had flies in. After the third fly in the third glass I asked them at stop serving the wine. We were then refused a discount on the wine when the bill came which was somewhat surprising. Overall a really disappointing experience. Andrea could learn a thing or two about how to treat customers. Perhaps he should visit a few other restaurants to see how it’s done.

The hotel is very close to the lake. Our room (number 9) was quite small, but comfortable. It has a special amenity, a jacuzzi installed in the balcony. So you can relax, taking a hot bath outside looking at the mountain and lake. The real surprise is the restaurant connected to the hotel. It has a very limited number of tables (we counted 5). The service and the food are excellent. We took a tasting menu with different selection of wines. Everything was perfect. It was a very good experience. Every plate was carefully cooked, prepared and explained by the staff when arrived to the table. Cost wise is very reasonable, considering the high-level restaurant. After all the food and the wine, you can take a nice walk around the village on the lake before going back to your room. If you are around that area, I strongly recommend you this food-experience.

We had the 5 course menu of chefs choice. The whole experience was brilliant, I couldn’t recommend it enough. The staff were very pleasant and helpful. The young waiter was excellent and did the role perfectly. The food was fantastic like nothing I’ve had before. The wine pairing is worth doing and really added to the experience. Thank you.

A fabulous restaurant, nestled in a beautiful building in the center of the town. The setting is just perfect - a tiny stone staircase, open brickwork, a fireplace and tables dressed with white linen and delicate chinaware. The meal was beautiful with each dish exhibiting skills and techniques in presentation and flavour. We loved every dish and enjoyed the subtle flavours hidden in each one such as smoked beetroot, macaroons with thyme, lamb with pea and pistachio. The staff are wonderful- they spoke knowledgeably about the dishes and the specialist suppliers such as the cheese producer. All in all a wonderful meal - we are already planning a return visit.

Very delicious. Bit too expensive. Some wines were too expensive, some were acceptable. Staffs were little too careless. I visited restaurant twice. Every dish was perfectly cooked as rare. Chef must be caring to cook very carefully. There were only 2 staffs, 1 was disappearing often (maybe went back earlier?). Another was focusing to serve to all tables. So there were often nobody when we needed somebody. I often needed to serve my wine by myself from far table. Price was bit too expensive, but food quality was quite high enough. Local eel was muscular and had strong taste itself, but fresh. It must be wild eel which is quite rare in Japan. Price of wine bottles was very changing depends on bottle. Some were added 100～200$, some were added 10～20$. Not to donate too much, I recommend to choose wine carefully, wisely.

A fantastic experience. Customer service was polite and the servers spoke English clearly. For a tourist or even a local, I recommend this place. As for the food, it was variable and delicious. I didn't pay much mind to the vegetarian options so I cannot quite say how many options a vegetarian would have, but I'm sure there are some options for diets and allergies alike. The pricing was fair as well: not overly expensive but the price covers the costs.

Very tasty food. We tried risotto, fish and tiramisu, everything was yummy. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and gave good advices.

Food was good, not the best we've had, but enjoyable. The service was excellent, very attentive staff. Where things went sideways was staff/guests smoking on the other side of the bushes dividing the outdoor dining room from staging area. There are very clear signs forbidding smoking and vaping for guests, but apparently, this doesn't hold true for staff and guests. I left before my partner had completed his meal to escape the smoke.

High quality food. Good service. Nice atmosphere. Staff speak good English. I had a today’s lunch menu at 17€. Very tasty. I would like to come back again, for sure.

We have discovered this place by mistake actually, but we're surprised how good it is. Our waiter was extremely gentle paying attention to every detail, this place makes u feel like home. There is a great choice of wine. The menu has a lot of tasty dishes to offer, we both took starters : salty cheesecake and tar tar. For main dishes we had pasta and lasagna. Don't forget to take a desert :) btw the location of this gem gives it a huge advantage as well.

Amazing food and service. The waiters spoke many languages and were happy to help with every one of our needs. The red pasta with mussel sauce was incredible so try that one! The prices were normal for a fancy restaurant like this one.

Warm Hospitality from the owner who accidentally overbooked that night in July . He created extra seating and laid on a Prosecco welcome , and complimentary canapes to start . The Lake Perch and Risotto with creamy sauce is exquisitely flavoured and creative ... as were many other dishes. A truly memorable dining experience ...hidden just off the main square and heading uphill to the Church. " Multo Bene y Grazie Millione "

We booked a table in the terrace and were relieved to be seated near the water. There was a big group when we arrived and it was very busy. The Tallarin with perch was delicious, but the vitello tonnato was drowning in sauce which was a little scary. The fish and chips was interesting if a tad too fishy. The Iberian pork cheek was nicely cooked and not heavy, but the agnolotti was not the best we’ve had in the Piedmont. Service was friendly and the meal was lovely overall. The moscato d’Asti that we asked for but not mentioned on the wine list turned out to be a bit too expensive for what it was.

We had an amazing day at isola San Giulio, and we were blessed with good weather too. As it was past noon, we decided to have lunch at the only restaurant on this tiny island, instead of waiting to get back to the main land. I would not have too many expectations from such a touristic place, even more as there's no competition. But food and service were great. I recommend the rice with lemon. The prices are reasonable and as to be expected in such place. The view is just spectacular. Thank you to the friendly staff

the location is fantastic, especially the view from the terrace. the negative side is that we called to know if there were gluten-free dishes and they told us that some options were available. but when we arrived the waiter told us that only some starters, two dishes and few desserts were actually gluten-free. this said the food was really good and the staff pretty nice.

Unique place with nice food and great service. The restaurant is located on the island of San Giulio, offering a beautiful view of the lake. The restaurant will send a boat to the mainland and will get you back there at the end of your evening. We recommend the tasting menu which seems to be the best quality to price ratio.

We have been several times in different years in this restaurant. For us it is always a highlight. Ok sometimes it is not exactly what the menu says. Like julienne is then just normal thin sliced. But the quality of the food, the perfect balanced dish, the presentation and the swift and friendly service makes us always coming back. And even this restaurant is fully booked....you never wait to long for your next course.

Rustic and elegant at the same time. We we’re scouting for future tours but they were fully booked for lunch however they offered us Aperitivo while we checked out the menu and dining room. Our favorite kind of menu small so we don’t have to guess what is good, decent wine list for being on an island. All the staff was super friendly we are definitely coming back

Wonderful restaurant (the only one) on Isola San Giulio. It gets packed once the lunch rush starts, so I suggest booking ahead or showing up early. Excellent food and atmosphere!

One of the best meals we had during our 10 day trip. Incredible authentic and local food, unfussy and amazingly tasty. Coupled with amazing local wines, amazing service and a great location, not touristy at all. Would highly recommend

One of the best dinner we had in Italy. Stylish little restaurant, in a beautifully old house, best service from the owner, food very very special- we had the pumpkin soup, the steaks the fish of the day- everything was fresh and very tasty. We where a group of 9 people and everyone enjoyed. Thank you for the great evening we had.

We walked up here from Orta on a sunny weekday having been recommended by our landlady at il Giardino sul Largo. What a find this place is. Absolutely fantastic lunch and wine. Amazing value for money. Great service. Brilliant. Well worth the walk. There are two very highly rated restaurants in town and this should be as highly regarded as they are. If you don’t try this place, you’ve missed out.

We loved this place! Service was fantastic, the owner, Maria Louisa, was attentive and delightful. The local wine availability is abundant, and the food….absolutely fabulous!

Had pasta outside in the evening and it was spectacular!

We had a superb dinner at this restaurant.

The location and atmosphere is amazing! We love the food and the owner is very nice.

Venus Restaurant has a prime lakeside location, and there’s no denying that the view is the star of the show. Sitting out on the terrace with the water just steps away is a lovely experience, especially on a sunny day. It’s easy to see why people are drawn here — the setting is genuinely beautiful. Unfortunately, the food didn’t quite match the scenery. The menu reads well, but the dishes we ordered were quite average in both taste and presentation. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out either — just okay, which felt like a missed opportunity given the location. Service was polite and efficient but a bit impersonal. Staff were attentive enough but didn’t go out of their way to make the experience feel warm or memorable. It felt very much like a “turnover” kind of place — you’re there to enjoy the view, eat, and move along. Overall, Venus is worth a visit if you’re after a scenic spot to relax by the lake, but if you’re looking for a memorable dining experience, there are likely better options nearby. Come for the view, manage your expectations for everything else.

Delicious food and lovely service. A short wait even though it was busy, the staff remembered what everyone had ordered and brought the food out at the same time and didn’t need a reminder of who had ordered what. Little details were great, like putting the espresso saucer over the cup whilst someone was away from the table to keep it warm for when they came back. I’ve been coming here with family for a few years, and it’s such a beautiful place to sit with an interesting menu. Will keep coming back, always have good memories of Venus.

This was our tour groups final meal together. We were upstairs in a mostly private room with a beautiful view of the lake and San Guilio. Those that opted for the scallops all raved about them. Absolutely delicious. As for those that chose the fish, they enjoyed but it looked a bit more cooked than it should have been. One of the specialties of the region, risotto with blueberries, wasn't as big of a hit. Just something different to experience, but most of us prefer normal amazing risotto. A great way to end our group tour...but not our vacation.

Wonderful location, right above the lake in front of the San Giulio island. Great fish dishes, the chef likes to innovate and go beyond traditional recipes, with great results. Starters, fish and desserts are highly recommended. Staff is quick and speaks foreign languages. Coffee could be improved.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch (the gnocchi and the prawn risotto) with an amazing view of the lake. The staff were very welcoming to us and our dog and very attentive. Such a lovely place and would highly recommend.

While the service was fast, the food was a big disappointment. The pizza was not good at all—the red sauce had a strange taste and was really unappetizing. We also ordered two glasses of Chardonnay, which turned out to be fizzy and unpleasant. We could barely drink them. When we asked to cancel the wine because we weren’t told it was sparkling, the staff just ignored us. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend going there

If you want an amazing view, this is the place to come. Only if you willing to sacrifice having half decent food. Mains that actually arrive at the same time or drinks that come when you order them. I think a wait of 1 hour between the first main and the last main served isn’t a good way to to run a business. 2 stars