Lake Maggiore Lake

Website: https://www.comunedistresa.it

Lake Maggiore is a large lake on the Italo-Swiss border located on the southern side of the Alps, extending into Italy’s Piedmont and Lombardy regions and Switzerland’s Ticino canton. It is one of Italy’s major lakes and was formed by glacial action during the last ice age.

Key attractions are the lakeside towns such as Stresa, the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto, and the Borromean Islands-Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori-which feature palaces, gardens and historic fishing villages. The lake supports frequent boat services, lakeside promenades and a number of 19th- and early-20th-century villas and resorts, making it a year-round destination for sightseeing and boating.

Villa construction and villa gardens dating from the 16th through the 19th centuries reflect the lake’s role as a retreat for aristocratic and wealthy visitors. Over time transport and tourist infrastructure expanded, with ferry links developing into a dense network connecting towns and islands.

The lake lies between the foothills of the Alps and the Po plain, crossing Italy and Switzerland; the city of Milan is the largest nearby metropolitan centre to the south. Road and rail connections provide access to lakeside towns, with boat services the primary way to reach several islands.

• Size and transport: The lake stretches roughly 64 kilometres from north to south and has regular public boat services linking towns and islands.
• Best viewpoints: Mottarone and the viewpoints around Stresa offer panoramic views across the lake to the surrounding Alpine foothills.

What to See#

• Borromean Islands: A small group of islands in the central lake including Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori, known for baroque palaces, gardens and fishing villages.
• Villa Taranto: A lakeside botanical garden near Verbania established in the 20th century, noted for exotic plant collections and seasonal displays.
• Stresa: A popular lakeside town and transport hub on the western shore, often used as a base for boat tours to the islands and lakeside villas.

The easiest access is by rail: the Milan-Domodossola line serves towns along the lake with services to Stresa, Verbania and Arona. Milan’s airports (Malpensa MXP, Linate LIN) are the nearest international hubs; from Milan a 90-120 minute train or car trip reaches the lakeside towns.

• Take the boat between Stresa and the Borromean Islands (Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori) early to avoid crowds.
• Visit the lakeside villas and gardens-Isola Bella's palace and terraced gardens are formally striking and often busy midday.
• On the western shore, the lesser-known towns (e.g., Cannobio) offer quieter walks and local eateries with lake views.