According to legend Lago di Vico was created by Hercules wielding his hammer . It’s a beautiful volcanic crater lake just south of Viterbo, part of the Lake Vico National park famous for it’s extensive beech tree forest. The lake is surrounded by the Cimini Hills, in particular by the Fogliano and Venere mountains.

The whole area including Monte Cimino to the north is gorgeous, easy to drive around on the ring road around the lip of the volcano, or the beautiful lakeshore dirt road that winds around Venere to the east. It’s well worth visiting, and the southern edge of the lake features a long stretch of sandy beach and a string of lovely cafes and restaurants on the lake shore that are extremely popular in the summer months.