Isola San Giulio
Orta San Giulio, Italy
A tiny island of convent walls and a Romanesque basilica, a few minutes by boat from Orta’s piazza. Walk the single loop lane, the Way of Silence.
The island of San Giulio on Lake Orta is only about 275 m long. According to tradition, the Greek missionary Julius reached the island on his cloak in the 4th century, drove out dragons and serpents, and founded his hundredth church there. From it grew the Romanesque basilica, known for its pulpit of dark stone carved in the 12th century. In the former seminary beside the church, a community of Benedictine nuns now lives in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery.
A circular path runs round the island, the "Sentiero del Silenzio e della Meditazione" (Path of Silence and Meditation), with short thoughts for reflection displayed along it. There are no cars on the island. You reach it by boat from Orta San Giulio. The crossing, the basilica and the walk round usually take a little over an hour.
- Nearest town
- Orta San Giulio, Italy
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 45.7985, 8.3995
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Verde LagoCampsite2 km from Isola San GiulioTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping RoyalCampsite3 km from Isola San Giulio · 60 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping Punta di CrabbiaCampsite4 km from Isola San GiulioTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- MiamiCampsite4 km from Isola San GiulioTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Area Camper Lago d'Orta OmegnaMotorhome stopover7 km from Isola San Giulio · 36 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping SolcioCampsite12 km from Isola San GiulioCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Isola San Giulio?
Isola San Giulio is in Orta San Giulio, Italy, at GPS 45.7985, 8.3995. It is about 9 km from Omegna.
Can you camp near Isola San Giulio?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Cusio, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 64 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Isola San Giulio?
Isola San Giulio is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.
What is there to see near Isola San Giulio?
Places worth a stop nearby: San Carlone statue (12 km), Isola Bella (15 km), Villa Taranto gardens (18 km) and Morcote (42 km).
When is the best time to visit Isola San Giulio?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)