Isola di San Paolo
A private island jewel in Lake Iseo, Isola di San Paolo captivates with its neo-Gothic castle and enchanting gardens, best admired from the water.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Best views of the island
Isola di San Paolo
Best Time
Best views of the island
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A private island jewel in Lake Iseo, Isola di San Paolo captivates with its neo-Gothic castle and enchanting gardens, best admired from the water.
"This island is a marvel to admire by passing by boat on the lake."
Boat Tour Essential
Book a boat tour on Lake Iseo for the best views of Isola di San Paolo. Many tours circle the island!
Admire from Montisola
Catch glimpses of San Paolo from Montisola's shores. It's a beautiful perspective!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Neo-Gothic Castle
Isola di San Paolo
A striking neo-Gothic castle graces the island, adding a touch of romantic grandeur to the landscape.
Lush Island Gardens
Isola di San Paolo
Explore the enchanting gardens, once filled with conifers, creating a verdant paradise around the castle.
Lighthouse Towers
Isola di San Paolo
Two charming lighthouse towers stand sentinel, adding to the island's unique and evocative silhouette.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Private Island Charm
Admire from Afar
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Boat Tour Essential
Book a boat tour on Lake Iseo for the best views of Isola di San Paolo. Many tours circle the island!
Admire from Montisola
Catch glimpses of San Paolo from Montisola's shores. It's a beautiful perspective!
Private Island Views
Remember, it's privately owned, so enjoy the views from the water.
Tips
from all over the internet
Boat Tour Essential
Book a boat tour on Lake Iseo for the best views of Isola di San Paolo. Many tours circle the island!
Admire from Montisola
Catch glimpses of San Paolo from Montisola's shores. It's a beautiful perspective!
Private Island Views
Remember, it's privately owned, so enjoy the views from the water.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Isola di San Paolo is a visually stunning private island on Lake Iseo, admired for its picturesque neo-Gothic castle and lush gardens. While inaccessible to visitors, its beauty is best appreciated from boat tours, offering a glimpse into a secluded, romantic world. Many wish for public access to explore its grounds.
"Isola San Paolo is a picturesque island located in Lake Iseo, in the Lombardy region of Italy. This small island is a charming destination, known for its natural beauty and historical significance."
Marco Scarpella
"Beautiful situated island"
Ronald Meijaard
"Unfortunately it is privately owned by an important family from Brescia. Lucky them. That's why it is not accessible for a visit.
It was owned by the heirs of Count Alessandro Martinengo, descendant of Bartolomeo Colleoni. After convents and hermitages, between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the new owner, knight Vincenzo Richieri, built a neo-Gothic style castle on the island around which he created a garden full of conifers, a small port and two lighthouse towers; practically giving it its current appearance.
How wonderful it would be if the property were convinced by the Lombardy Region and by Navigazione del lago d'Iseo to open the island to visits at least every fortnight or every month.
The royals of England do it for their castles, so it is not fantasy.
Even just a tour of the park would justify the initiative. The boat that circumnavigates the lake could, on those occasions, introduce a dock and allow passengers to use the next passage.
Tourism on the lake would certainly benefit from this and God knows how much it is needed."
Senada Mullaliu
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Isola di San Paolo is a private island and not accessible by public ferry. The best way to see it is by taking a boat tour on Lake Iseo. Many tours depart from towns like Sulzano or Sale Marasino and circle the island, offering excellent photo opportunities.
No, Isola di San Paolo is an island and cannot be reached by car. Access is exclusively by water. Consider parking in a lakeside town and then booking a boat tour.
The island is situated in Lake Iseo, near Montisola. Towns like Sulzano, Sale Marasino, and Iseo itself offer convenient starting points for boat tours that will take you past Isola di San Paolo.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Isola di San Paolo is privately owned and not open for public visits. You can only admire its beauty from a boat on Lake Iseo.
You don't need tickets to see the island itself, as it's private. However, you will need to purchase tickets for a boat tour on Lake Iseo if you wish to get close and admire it from the water.
Since the island is private, there are no official visiting hours. Boat tours operate during daylight hours, typically from spring through autumn.
📸 📸 Photography
The best photo opportunities are from a boat on Lake Iseo, especially during golden hour. Views from Montisola also offer unique perspectives of the island and its castle.
Drone regulations can be strict in Italy, especially around private property and islands. It's advisable to check local drone laws and obtain any necessary permissions before flying near Isola di San Paolo.
Early morning or late afternoon light often provides the most dramatic and picturesque views of the island, highlighting the architecture and surrounding landscape.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
📸 Photographers & Art Lovers
The two lighthouse towers add a unique architectural element to the island's silhouette. Photographers will find the best light during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, which cast a warm, dramatic glow on the island. For art lovers, the island represents a romantic ideal – a private sanctuary with a fairytale castle. While you can't explore the grounds, appreciating its beauty from a boat tour allows for contemplation of its picturesque composition and historical allure. The island's presence, especially when viewed from Montisola, is truly evocative.
🛥️ Boat Tour Enthusiasts
Look for tours departing from nearby towns like Sulzano or Sale Marasino. Many of these tours will circle the island, providing ample opportunities for photos and a close-up appreciation of the neo-Gothic castle and its grounds. It's a perfect way to enjoy the 'private island charm' without the need for shore access.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Island's History and Ownership
In the early 20th century, Knight Vincenzo Richieri transformed the island, building a neo-Gothic castle and creating extensive gardens. More recently, the island was purchased by the Beretta family, renowned for their firearms manufacturing company. This private ownership means the island is not open to the public, preserving its exclusive charm.
Despite its private status, the island played a unique role in Christo's 'The Floating Piers' project in 2016, being accessible from Montisola via the temporary walkway. This event brought renewed attention to the island's evocative presence on the lake.
Experiencing Isola di San Paolo from the Water
Many boat operators in lakeside towns like Sulzano and Sale Marasino offer guided tours that circumnavigate the island. This allows you to capture stunning photographs and appreciate the island's unique architecture and serene setting from various angles. Some tours might even offer brief stops near the island, allowing for a closer look without landing.
Consider timing your boat trip for the 'golden hours' – early morning or late afternoon – when the sunlight casts a magical glow on the island, enhancing its romantic appeal. This approach ensures you can fully appreciate the 'private island charm' without needing to set foot on its shores.
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