A scenic day in the far west of Molise where the turquoise Lago di Castel San Vincenzo sits beneath the jagged Mainarde mountains on the edge of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. The lakeside has shingle beaches and walking paths, while nearby San Vincenzo al Volturno preserves a great early-medieval Benedictine abbey with extraordinary 9th-century frescoes in the crypt of Abbot Epyphanius.
| Travel time | Full day |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Car essential (about 45 min from Isernia) |
| Cost | Free (lake and abbey grounds); museum entry small fee |
Weather through the year in Italy
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Highlights
- Turquoise lake beneath the Mainarde peaks
- Lakeside beaches and walking trails
- Benedictine abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno
- 9th-century frescoes in the Epyphanius crypt
- Edge of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park
Tips for visiting
- Bring a picnic — lakeside facilities are limited
- the abbey crypt frescoes are a highlight; check opening times