The Mantua lakes circuit on foot and by bike

Golden Suites Italy editorial team · Updated on 22 October 2026 · 4 min read

Open the route in Google Maps

Mantua is surrounded on three sides by the lakes formed by the Mincio: the Upper Lake, the Middle Lake and the Lower Lake. Around the Middle Lake runs a walking and cycling loop that crosses the city's two bridges, the Mulini Bridge and the San Giorgio Bridge: it is the simplest way to see Mantua's Renaissance skyline from the water's edge, on foot or by bike.

The Middle Lake loop

The route was created by the Mincio Park and the Municipality of Mantua and is entirely flat. You can start from any point; here we describe it from the Mulini Bridge, north of the centre.

From the Mulini Bridge to Porta Giulia

Having crossed the bridge you arrive at Piazza Porta Giulia, with the gate designed by Giulio Romano for the Cittadella. From here the path follows the left bank of the lake through a green area with natural habitats and the installations of the Parco dell'Arte.

Sparafucile and Campo Canoa

The route passes the Sparafucile turret, named after the hired killer in Verdi's Rigoletto, and goes under the San Giorgio Bridge through an underpass to the meadow of Campo Canoa. From here the view of the city's skyline, with San Giorgio Castle and the dome of Sant'Andrea, is the finest of the whole circuit.

The San Giorgio Bridge and the lakefront

You return towards the city on the path that runs alongside the San Giorgio Bridge. On the left you can continue along the Lungolago dei Gonzaga; on the right the walking and cycling path of the Lungolago Mincio takes you back to the Mulini Bridge and closes the loop.

The Parco della Scienza (Science Park)

On the shore of the Middle Lake, on viale Mincio, and on the Lungolago dell'Arlecchino, on the Upper Lake, are the exhibits of the Parco della Scienza (Science Park): an open-air museum with an echo tube, a kaleidoscope, pulleys, an anti-gravity mirror, a panpipe organ and a gyroscope. It is free and open every day from dawn to dusk. Children love it: more ideas in Mantua with children.

If you want to cycle further

• Upper Lake towards Grazie: from the underpass at the Mulini Bridge you reach the Belfiore gardens, the Borgo Angeli district and then the villages of Grazie, with its sanctuary, and Rivalta sul Mincio. In summer you can see the lotus flowers from here.
• Towards Bosco Fontana: turning right you join the Mantua–Peschiera cycle path, which leads to the Bosco Fontana nature reserve and to the Parco Bertone, the Mincio Park visitor centre where the white stork is being reintroduced. Read the guide to the Mantua–Peschiera cycle path.
• Lower Lake towards the Vallazza: from the Lungolago dei Gonzaga the Porto Catena walking and cycling bridge leads towards the Valletta Valsecchi district, the Vallazza nature reserve and the Napoleonic fort at Pietole.

Bikes and tips

• Rental: for our guests there is a partner offer on bike and e-bike rental.
• Maps: the Mincio Park publishes route maps, also in GPX format.
• When to go: at sunset, for the light on the city; in summer, early in the morning, when it is cooler; between July and August for the lotus flowers.
• Mosquitoes: near the water in summer, bring repellent.

Want to see the lakes from the water? Read the guide to boat trips on the Mantua lakes.