Orta lies on a peninsular, in the centre of which rises Sacro Monte, the Holy Mountain. Around its base old houses are clustered, built with stone walls and dark roofs of 'piode': slate-like slabs. Certain of these buildings are fine fescoed palaces, almost all the houses have walled gardens. The streets are cobbled and often steep.


The heart of Orta is the flagged square, Piazza Motta, walled on three sides by  frescoed houses and porticos and with its cafe tables outside in the sun all year round. The square opens on the west side to the lake, where small boats ply back and forth to the island from the jetty flanked by colourful flower beds and shady trees.

The symbol of Orta is the Hortus Conclusus, the enclosed garden.