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Which is quainter? Iseo town or Lovere?

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Hi, grateful for insights into both of these Lake Iseo towns re their levels of picturesque-ness, stunning mountain views, colourful buildings and character. We loved Malcesine on Garda (and Ascona on Maggiore) and are now seeking equally breathtaking views on Lake Iseo in June. Lovere looks lovely but perhaps Iseo better for access to transport and boats?

Looking for best views, boat trips, pedestrianised streets, colourful buildings/cobbled streets, a few tourist shops and plenty of lakeside eateries for 7-10 days! Lively enough for atmosphere but not crazy like Sirmione!

On Garda we chose the North because of steeper mountains - was rather flat in the South and less dramatic. Is it the same on Lake Iseo?

Thought about Sulzano but maybe too small for over a week?

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Hi, you summed it up yourself: "Lovere looks lovely but perhaps Iseo better for access to transport and boats."
I'm here in a small village on the shores of Lake Iseo at the moment.
Lake Iseo is beautiful if you like quieter and less touristy places. Some of the villages around the lake are very small, including Sulzano. Iseo, Lovere, Pisogne and Sarnico/Paratico are the ones with the most restaurants etc and things going on, I would choose one of those. Lovere is one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" and has a small old town to wander behind the lake, as does Iseo. In Lovere the Lungolago is next to the main road through the town. In Iseo, Pisogne and Sarnico the lungolago is more relaxing for a stroll. Don't expect the tourist shops, nor the amount of tourists you'd find on Lake Garda in any of these places.
Iseo is a better base for public transport because it's on the train line from Brescia and the base for the lake ferries. You will find it more complicated to travel around the lake using a ferry from Lovere.
Dramatic views: from the lungolago of Marone looking north towards the mountains, from Monte Isola and pretty much everywhere because of the surrounding hills and mountains.
Here are some general tips about visiting Lake Iseo:
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2023/04/10-tips-and-advice-for-visiting-lake.html

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