Lago Superiore and Lotus Island

Mantua is encircled on three sides by the Mincio river, which broadens into three lakes — Lago Superiore, Lago di Mezzo, and Lago Inferiore. The lakes are an integral part of the city's character, visible from most of the historic centre and providing the mist that gives Mantua mornings their atmospheric quality.

Lago Superiore is the northernmost and most scenic, particularly in summer when the lotus flowers bloom across much of the surface. Boat tours depart from the city and will take you through the lotus beds when they are in season; outside of summer, the lake is still worth seeing for the reflections of the city skyline. The lakeside paths north of the city are good for cycling — the flat terrain and the mix of water, reeds, and Mantuan architecture in the distance make for an easy, pleasant ride.

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The lotus plants in Lago Superiore were introduced from the Far East in the late 19th century and have since spread to cover much of the lake's surface in summer. The blooms appear in July and August, when the lake surface turns pink-white for weeks. It is the largest expanse of lotus flowers outside Asia — a fact that surprises most people who assume lotuses only grow in China and India.