From the Alpine forests of the Camonica Valley to the lakeshore beaches of Lake Garda, Lake Iseo and Lake Idro, and to rolling hills carpeted with the fine vineyards of Franciacorta and Valtènesi, the province of Brescia (with Bergamo, the Italian Capital of Culture 2023) encompasses an extraordinary variety of landscapes, places and tourist attractions in a mere 150 kilometres.
Lake Garda Desenzano Porto Vecchio Ph Credits: Michele RossettiA journey of must-visit destinations, and unforgettable experiences
In the heart of Lombardy, Brescia is easy to access from the A4 Milan-Venice motorway (the exit is about 80 kilometres away), is served by regional and high-speed trains and by four airports, Orio al Serio's Caravaggio, Verona Villafranca's Valerio Catullo, Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa). The province of Brescia is a treasure chest brimming with nature, art, history, culinary pleasures and experiences, offering everyone the chance to carve out their perfect holiday. It also provides guests with rejuvenating holidays centered on green living, nature, active lifestyles, wellness, and culinary delights. A region waiting to be explored through a diverse on-the-road journey, rich in inspiration, must-visit destinations, and unforgettable experiences.
Lake Garda ph credits: Gardalombardia.com
A handsome and authentic city with endless attractions
Brescia is a surprisingly contemporary and trendy city and, together with Bergamo, was the Italian Capital of Culture 2023. It is a city to be enjoyed in total relaxation, and an ideal destination for those in search of authentic and stimulating places off the beaten track. A cultural tapestry to be discovered by wandering unhurriedly on a fascinating itinerary through squares, palaces, elegant porticoes and extraordinary historical-architectural treasures gracefully enhanced by contemporary artistic interventions. Visitors can shop in elegant boutiques, artisan workshops and concept stores, visit contemporary art galleries and antique shops and enjoy an aperitif or live music in trendy clubs, gourmet fine dining. This and much more awaits them in the historic centre and in the suburbs which have a contemporary vibe. 
Piazza Loggia in Brescia. Ph credits: Dorian Pellumbi
Three historic squares and ancient Roman ruins
No visitor should miss the city’s three historic squares, the medieval Piazza Paolo VI, the Renaissance Piazza della Loggia with its majestic palazzo, and Piazza Vittoria with its rationalist architecture, and then there is the Via Musei with BRIXIA. In the Brescia Roman Archaeological Park (the largest Roman ruins in northern Italy, with the Capitoline Temple you can admire the Winged Victory, an extremely rare large Roman bronze statue) and the Museum of Santa Giulia (with the history of the city from the Bronze Age to the present day) both of which are UNESCO sites, while the Castle that dominates the city from the Cidneo Hill, is one of the most imposing fortifications in Italy.
Lake Iseo. Ph credits: Visit Monte Isola
Three lakes: three different types of holiday
The three lakes of Garda, Iseo and Idro are three very different holiday choices. Lake Garda - the largest lake in Italy - with its shorelines, Art Nouveau villas and an allure that enchanted the likes of Goethe, Mann, Kafka and D.H. Lawrence, has levels of hospitality that attract both Italian and international visitors. Blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate its shores re dotted with villages, castles, monasteries and enchanting towns, such as Sirmione (with the grottoes of Catullus, the most impressive Roman ruins in northern Italy), Desenzano, Lonato, Salò, Gardone Riviera and Limone. The Mediterranean vegetation is extraordinary with olive, lemon and palm trees, and is a perfect setting for green and active holidays in one of the most beautiful spots in Italy. Another main attraction is the Lake Garda cycle path between Limone and the Riva del Garda area.
Aquaria Archivio Terme di Sirmione
Lake Idro is a perfect choice for nature lovers
At an altitude of 368 metres Lake Idro is the perfect refuge for those who prefer holidays in the open air, with campsites and villages equipped for glamping, nature walks, extreme sports and outdoor activities. Caressed by a constant wind that is perfect for sailing, surfing and kitesurfing, it is surrounded by mountains that are the ideal training ground for those who love mountain biking, rock climbing, paragliding, canyoning and fun activities. 
Idro Lake Rocca d'Anfo Visitbrescia
Lake Iseo has Italy’s most beautiful cycle route
Lake Iseo is known as the “Lake of Christo” since summer 2016 when the celebrated artist created his “The Floating Piers,” installation that allowed the public to literally walk on the water to Monte Isola, the highest lake island in Europe which can only be discovered on foot. Lake Iseo is ideal for those who love sailing and windsurfing, but also for anyone looking to relax and enjoy nature and sport. There are many scenic routes for walking and biking, including the lakeside section of the Oglio Cycle Route, voted Italy's most beautiful cycle route at the Italian Green Road Awards.
Capo di Ponte Parco Seradina Bedoline ph Cattabiani
Rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves
Surrounding the lakes are rolling hills carpeted with vineyards and olive groves and dotted with ancient villages, castles and abbeys, such as the hills of Franciacorta that slope down to Lake Iseo and from which come highly prized wines. Then there are the hills of the Garda morainic amphitheatre and those of the Valtènesi, the land of great wines and equally fine oils. And further on, the vast expanses of the plain marked by the course of the Oglio and Chiese rivers, where patrician villas and castles can be admired, and which are ideal for relaxing rides and walks, and holidays in the countryside.
Franciacorta Visit Brescia ph credits: Michele Rossetti
Alpine peaks for mountain sports
Heading north we come to the Alps with the Valle Camonica, Valle Trompia and Valle Sabbia, with their magnificent panoramas. From trekking to mountain biking to cycle touring, here fans of the one-step-at-a-time movement will find everything they could desire. And in winter there are white sports in the various ski areas, like the Pontedilegno-Tonale..
Comprensorio Pontedilegno-Tonale ph credits: Mauro Mariotti
Nature, history, art and archaeology
The Brescia area has archaeological sites, historic villages, castles, fortifications, parish churches, abbeys, museums and art galleries for all tastes. The first Italian locality on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, the “Rock Art of the Camonica Valley” is an extraordinary open-air gallery of over 200,000 catalogued engravings. At no less than 180 sites (the main one being the Naquane National Park at Capo di Ponte) spread over 24 municipalities, the Valle dei Segni spans 12,000 years of history, from the end of the Upper Palaeolithic to the Iron Age.
Valle Camonica Visit Brescia ph credits: Michele Rossetti
An ancient Roman villa and an imposing fortress
Another absolute gem to be discovered on a walking expedition is the Grotte di Catullo in Sirmione, the most magnificent example of a Roman villa so far unearthed in northern Italy. On Lake Garda there is the Vittoriale degli Italiani in Gardone Riviera, the fascinating house-museum of the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio with its beautiful park, and the Rocca di Lonato, one of the most imposing fortresses in northern Italy with an unparalleled view of the lake, as well as the annexed Casa Museo del Podestà, all of which bring visitors back through history.
Spas, speleotherapy and 13 golf courses
The Brescia region has an exciting golf circuit which is one of the most important in Italy, with no less than 13 courses. For those looking for wellness holidays and want to get back into shape, there are the well-known thermal spa towns of Sirmione and Boario and the mountain spa of Vallio, as well as speleotherapy in the Sant'Aloisio mine in Collio, in the Trompia Valley.
Brescia’s gastronomic excellence
The province’s food and wines are also very varied with PDO products, such as the EVO oils of Garda and Sebino, traditional products like the Rosa Camuna cheese, Slow Food products like Bagòss cheese and a range of excellent wines such as Franciacorta and the 9 DOC Botticino, Capriano del Colle, Cellatica, Terre di Franciacorta, Garda, Garda Classico, Garda Bresciano, Lugana and San Martino della Battaglia. There is also an extraordinary range of Michelin-starred restaurants, trattorias and typical osterias with everything from mountain to lake to country-themed menus. The culinary delights of the province of Brescia are just waiting to be discovered and savored and in 2017 Brescia’s province was honored as the European Region of Gastronomy.
For information: www.visitbrescia.it
