Milan Bergamo, Lake Iseo advice

You can go to Bergamo by train or bus from Milan. It’s about 50 min by train for 6€.
From Bergamo to lake Iseo the train goes to Brescia first then you change and take another train back up to the lake. A car would be faster but the train is not too bad, but over two hours.
The most famous spots are Lovere and Monte Isola (Peschiera), which is an island. The train goes through the eastern shore.

I can't remember where we stayed on Iseo, except that it was near Sarnico, where the Riva luxury wooden motor boats are hand made. You can do a factory tour.

Is 3 nights Milan, 2 Bergamo, and 3 Iseo OK? It's the perfect amount of time.

Tip: After the Dolomites, spend your last night in Milan, so you can reach the airport the next day stress-free for your departure.

We need advice on where to stay in Milan, Bergamo, and Lake Iseo.

Hotel Berna (Milan)
https://uvethotels.com/hotelberna/en/home-2/

Or given you're pressed for time, view what others in this Forum suggested in the last year.

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Milan+hotels

Best Western Hotel Piemontese (Bergamo)
www.hotelpiemontese.com

I'll let others advise on best Lake Iseo stays.

We are not planning on having a car for this part of the trip. Is that OK? Yes, you'll do fine using other means of transportation.

Dear all, thans for the lovely and useful responses. We ended up booking Ostello Bello Duomo for Milan. Tomorrow we'll book Bergamo and then Iseo. There is an option of picking up a car in Brescia and holding on to it for the Dolomites and then drop off before heading for Verona. Is a car a burden at Iseo? Or preferable? I will create a separate post for Dolomites. Thanks again

I’ve stayed at Bergamo twice. This is what I wrote for my 2022 stay. For the 2025 return last year, I stayed at the Gombit again. I definitely recommend staying up in the Citta Alta portion of the city.

”At Bergamo I stayed in two different hotels near each other. I specifically stayed at the Gombit Hotel two nights because they had refunded my money on my non-refundable reservation in 2020. I definitely wanted to support them this trip in appreciation! It’s a remodeled glamorous hotel adjacent to the Citta Alta Gombit Tower - a special first class experience and nicer than most of my other hotels. My first night, I also stayed at Hotel Piazza Vecchia. Although more modest, my room was still spacious, and the breakfast was also very good”.

It is not at all easy to park in Iseo. Find accommodation with parking included. Considering you will only have two full days, one you would want to go to Monte Isola, and that's easiest directly by ferry from Iseo because parking in Sulzano is even worse. The second day you could easily go to Pisogne, for example by train or ferry, or Sarnico by ferry, so a car isn't essential for a short trip. Unless you want to visit other places nearby.
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2023/04/ten-best-free-activities-lake-iseo.html
The road along the lake is narrow considering the amount of cyclists. It's tedious, stressful and slow this time of the year (I'm here at the moment). Don't imagine a relaxing drive around the lake......

@ Michelle

Lake Iseo is my favourite lake. In October 2010, a date stuff up by a brother-in- law had us spend an afternoon and then night at Hotel Lovere. One of many happy fortuitous events during the years of travel with my family. My only experience staying at a commercial premises on the lake 16 years ago.

This article from Lonely Planet writer Francis expresses my thoughts on the lake: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/guide-to-lake-iseo

I observe that the lake is well served by ferries like those on Como and Maggiore, though I have not been on them on this lake. Nor have I used the bus network or train line that runs along the eastern shoreline.

The Baretta family owns the three islands in the lake.

As far as I have observed the lakeshore and Monte Isola are popular with domestic Italian tourists and those from countries to the north of Italy. Particularly the Scandinavian countries. Serviced by ferries. One can hire bicycles and recently electric scooters. I have done neither. Have cycled around the island and found it easy. Passed a number of churches with lots of art in the form of paintings and idols used for worship. Pleasant enough. You will need to do your own research to see if any of the artists are to your taste. Should be YouTube shorts on the topic. Plenty of restaurants with wonderful lake views are scattered around the island.

The other two island are not available to tourists. San Paolo and Loreto. Loreto has a castellated tower and walls. Fairytale look when viewed from a distance across the water. The actual buildings and gardens do not disappoint. Romantic setting for a wedding and reception.

I have found very few people are aware of this lake and have no interest. Suits me. Are only interested in Como and Cernobbio where the Clooney family have a villa on the lake or where Sir Richard Branson has his mansion at Lenno. On their must-see list.

For me and my family this lake is an excellent location for a holiday to relax and enjoy life and Italy. This is still one of those places that has yet to be overrun by cheek by jowl tourists. Not for much longer, I fear.

Lonely Planet writer Francis, writes the lake water can be cold. Rather an understatement from my family’s viewpoint.

Cars are our preferred method of transport around Lombardia, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Kind Regards

Ron

Life is what happens in between making your plans. John Lennon. A Beatle.

Thanks so much everyone. So we'll let go of getting a car. Not worth the hassle it seems. I found a really cheap place in Sulzano. No AC though. But they can give us first floor so we have a bit more shade and cool. I'll look at iseo town too.

P.S. wondering if it's OK to stay just overnight in Bergamo rather than two nights?

Sure, you can just stay one night in Bergamo. I stay one night at multiple locations during a trip. Maximize your time there by leaving early & contact the hotel ahead of time to ensure you may leave off your suitcase when you arrive in the city.

Sulzano is tiny. It's handy for the ferry to Monte Isola though and there is a small supermarket but there isn't anything to 'do' there. Not really even much of a lungolago to walk along.
Also, weather nowadays is unpredictable. However, it can be very hot and humid in July. A ground floor apartment will be cooler than first floor. I would want A/C unless the apartment looks very recently rebuilt in which case it may have wall insulation and I would probably still want A/C!