Isola Bisentina

What it is and who opens it

Bisentina island, the largest on Lake Bolsena and of volcanic origin, is private and opens to the public only with a guided visit. The island's official website, run by the company Bisentina S.r.l., based in Milan, organises the visits and booking, with a boat from the landing stages at Capodimonte and Bolsena. As well as the visits, it programmes contemporary art exhibitions on the island, such as La memoria dell'acqua, which crossed art and archaeology of the lake.

An island with a lot of history

The Etruscans already frequented it, and near Punta Calcino a Bronze Age dugout canoe turned up. From the ninth century it served as a refuge from Saracen raids and later as a Franciscan hermitage. At the end of the fourteenth century it passed into the hands of the Farnese, who made it the family mausoleum. In 1431 Pope Eugene IV ceded it to the Observant Franciscans, who built a church, bell tower, convent and vegetable garden. The Farnese then undertook a project of seven chapels and a large church in the manner of a via sacra, which Pope Paul III continued and Cardinal Alessandro Farnese finished; walking the seven chapels earned a plenary indulgence.

What the visit is like

A guided visit of two and a half to three hours through the church of Saints James and Christopher, the harbour basin, the Chapel of the Crucifix on Mount Calvary, the church of Santa Caterina and the Malta dei Papi. The 2026 season runs from 5 April to 1 November, every day except Monday and Wednesday. Visits also take place in the rain: bring a raincoat. Only in severe bad weather are departures suspended or changed. For groups and special occasions there are private visits, requested by email. The website is in Italian and English and only notes some summer slots in English.

The terrain is natural, with slopes and about 35 irregular stone steps that are slippery when damp, so comfortable shoes are needed. Part of the route is not suitable for wheelchairs or for people with great difficulty walking. On the island there is no bar or restaurant: bring water. Small dogs on a lead are admitted.

Prices and booking

You book on the website, and the booking secures your place on the boat, which is paid at the landing stage on the day. It costs €20 per adult and €15 from 6 to 15 years and for people with disabilities; up to 6 years, free. For groups of more than 20 there is a reduced rate: €18 and €13 from Capodimonte, and €20 and €15 from Bolsena. The website does not publish cancellation conditions.