Lake Maggiore (Stresa), Italy

Lake Maggiore Stresa

A lakeside resort facing the palace gardens of the Borromean Islands.

  • Apr–Oct
  • 1 night
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Things to do

2 days in Lake Maggiore

Day 1

  1. MorningTake a boat to Isola Bella and its terraced Baroque palace gardens with white peacocks.
  2. AfternoonVisit Isola dei Pescatori, the fishermen's island, for a lakeside lunch.
  3. EveningHave dinner on the Stresa waterfront as the islands light up.

Day 2

Take the cable car up the Mottarone, or visit Lake Orta.

What to eat

Lake fish and a glass of Piedmont wine.

Local tips

Make the most of Lake Maggiore

Beat the crowds

Summer days are busy at the islands. Go early.

Best photo spot

Isola Bella's terraced gardens from the boat.

Getting there

Trains from Milan take about an hour. Boats go to the islands from the jetty.

Don't miss nearby

The Borromean Islands and the Mottarone mountain.

Good to know

A combined boat ticket lets you hop between the islands. Isola dei Pescatori is a lovely fishing village.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Lake Maggiore

Our most hidden places around Lake Maggiore: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Lake Maggiore to take with you.

14 km away
48 km away
67 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Lake Maggiore

Getting there

  • Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)30 km away
  • Milano Linate Airport (LIN)75 km away
  • Milan70 km away
  • Bergamo90 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeApr–Oct
TypeNature spot
Good forNature, Old towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryItaly

Questions

Lake Maggiore: good to know

Is Lake Maggiore worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature and historic old towns. A lakeside resort facing the palace gardens of the Borromean Islands.

How many days do you need in Lake Maggiore?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Lake Maggiore?

The best time to visit is Apr to Oct. Summer days are busy at the islands. Go early.

How do you get to Lake Maggiore?

The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), about 30 km away. Trains from Milan take about an hour. Boats go to the islands from the jetty.

What is there to see near Lake Maggiore?

Nearby hidden places include Varenna (60 km), Zermatt (62 km) and Milan (69 km).

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