# Lake Bolsena

What to do en Civita di Bagnoregio · Civita di Bagnoregio

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/things-to-do/lake-bolsena · Revisado: 2026-11-11

- Duración: 3 h
- Temporada: June to September
- Para quién: Families

A 113 km² volcanic lake half an hour from Civita, with beaches at Bolsena and Capodimonte; a summer afternoon swim after visiting the village.

What it is
Lake Bolsena fills the caldera of an ancient volcanic complex, the Volsini mountains, which collapsed more than 300,000 years ago. It is the fifth largest lake in Italy by area: about 113 km², 13 km long by 11 wide and 43 km of shoreline, at an altitude of 305 metres. It has two islands, Bisentina and Martana, and eight towns on its shores, among them Bolsena, Capodimonte, Marta and Montefiascone.
From Civita it is about half an hour by car, to the west. In summer it is the plan that balances a morning of hills: an afternoon swim in fresh water.
Where to swim
The town of Bolsena, on the north shore, is the most convenient option from Civita: it has a promenade by the lake and the town a step away for lunch or a drink. Capodimonte, on the south shore, opposite Bisentina island, has a harbour with boats that leave to go round the islands. Marta, next to it, is the town where the lake drains into the river of the same name.
Water quality and safety
Bolsena is one of the few large Italian lakes considered suitable for swimming along its entire length, but tests have given different results depending on the year and the spot. In 2017, analyses by the Lazio environmental agency (ARPA Lazio) came out excellent at all its points, while the association Legambiente found pollution at one. Swim in the areas marked as suitable and check the signs on the shore. Keep an eye on children in the water and do not swim far from the shore: the lake is big and deep, with an average depth of 81 metres.
The islands
Martana, the smaller, is private and cannot be visited, but boats leaving from the harbours at Capodimonte and Bolsena go round it. Bisentina, the larger, is opposite Capodimonte. Departures and prices change with the season: ask at the harbour.
What else to see
In the town of Bolsena, the basilica of Santa Cristina is linked to the Miracle of Bolsena of 1263, the origin of the feast of Corpus Christi; the corporal of the miracle is kept in the cathedral of Orvieto.
When to go
From June to September for swimming. In July and August at weekends it fills with people from Rome and Viterbo: go on a weekday or in the late afternoon, when the light on the water is prettiest. Outside summer it is a good mid-afternoon stroll, without a swim.
Getting there and parking
By car from Bagnoregio, about 30 minutes. In summer, at weekends, the car park by the lake fills up: arrive early or in mid-afternoon. Without a car, the lake is far away: it is not a good bus excursion from Bagnoregio.
With children
It is a good family plan: fresh water and towns with facilities nearby. Bring water shoes in case the shore is stony.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 42.644, 11.986

## Cerca de aquí

- [Bagnoregio Viewpoint and Its Old Town](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/things-to-do/bagnoregio-viewpoint), a 10.0 km
- [Osteria al Forno di Agnese](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/where-to-eat/osteria-al-forno-di-agnese), a 10.5 km
- [Geological and Landslide Museum](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/things-to-do/geological-and-landslide-museum), a 10.5 km
- [Antico Forno Rooms](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/where-to-stay/antico-forno-rooms), a 10.5 km
- [Trattoria Antico Forno](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/where-to-eat/trattoria-antico-forno), a 10.5 km
- [The Bridge and the Village](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/things-to-do/bridge-and-village), a 10.5 km
- [Corte della Maestà](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/where-to-stay/corte-della-maesta), a 10.6 km
- [Alma Civita](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio/where-to-eat/alma-civita), a 10.6 km

## Consejos

### Go in the afternoon
After visiting Civita in the morning, a swim in the lake rounds off the day.

### Choose Bolsena if you are with children
The lakeside promenade has comfortable beaches and the town a step away.

### Check the signs
Swim in the areas listed as suitable for bathing.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How far is Lake Bolsena from Civita di Bagnoregio?
About half an hour by car to the west.

### Can you swim in Lake Bolsena?
Yes, in the marked areas. It is considered suitable for swimming, although some tests have detected occasional pollution.

### Can you visit the islands?
Martana is private and can only be circled by boat. Ask at the harbours of Capodimonte and Bolsena about departures.

Destino: [Civita di Bagnoregio](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/civita-di-bagnoregio.md)