Lake Maggiore Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Isola dei Pescatori featuring a small town or village, mountains and a lake or waterhole
Lake Maggiore
Stresa which includes a small town or village, flowers and a lake or waterhole
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore
Elegant lakeside resorts, shimmering waters and towering mountains make Lake Maggiore one of northern Italy’s most appealing regions.

Holiday in Lake Maggiore for pure romance, its shoreline dotted with timeless resorts and ringed by the foothills of the Alps. The golden age of travel is evoked in its 19th-century lakeside towns, where wide waterfront promenades are filled with sophisticated cafe terraces. Gelato in hand, stroll past the palatial hotels that command impressive views of the lake. After wandering on your getaway through the cobbled squares and lanes of lakeside villages, pull up a sun lounger at one of Lake Maggiore’s many beaches.

Stretching for 40 miles, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s longest lake and has been a favourite with holiday makers since the days of the Grand Tour. Soak up the old-world charm of Stresa, the main resort and a handy place to catch the ferries that shuttle up, down and across the lake.

Explore the sprawling botanical gardens of Villa Taranto in nearby Verbania, which were created by a Scotsman. Cross Lake Maggiore to Laveno, where you can take an old-fashioned bucket cable car to Monte Sasso del Ferro and marvel at the panoramic views.

During your holiday, a visit to the Borromean islands is a must. Take a ferry from Stresa to these jewel-like islands, two of which have lavish villas set in equally elaborate gardens. On Lake Maggiore’s eastern shores, you can’t miss the impressive sight of Rocca di Angera, an imposing Medieval fortress that looms over the village of Angera. Climb its tower for fantastic lake views.

If you like to have more adventure on your holiday, hike Lake Maggiore’s national park trails or make use of the cycle paths around the lake. For windsurfing and kitesurfing, head to Cannobio near the Swiss border.

An efficient train network connects Lake Maggiore’s main towns with Milan, the nearest major city. For an unforgettable journey, hop on the Lake Maggiore Express, where you can take the ferry up into Switzerland and return on a narrow-gauge railway through spectacular countryside.

Combine a leisurely holiday on Lake Maggiore with a visit to its smaller, more intimate neighbour Lake Orta or Medieval village Orta San Giulio, which is one of the prettiest in the region.

Where to stay in Lake Maggiore

Porto Ronco

Porto Ronco is well liked for its mountain views. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Ronco sopra Ascona area, you might plan a trip to Brissago Islands or Monte Verità.

Porto Ronco
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Cerro

While there might not be top attractions in Cerro, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Laveno Mombello Ferry Terminal and Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso.

Cerro
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Profarè

While there might not be top attractions in Profarè, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Laveno Mombello Ferry Terminal and Funivie del Lago Maggiore.

Profarè
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Sasso Moro

While Sasso Moro may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Arolo Beach and Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso.

Sasso Moro
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Gattirolo

Gattirolo might not have many top sights, but Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and Laveno Mombello Ferry Terminal are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Gattirolo
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Mirasole

While there might not be top attractions in Mirasole, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and Arolo Beach.

Mirasole
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
5 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 67, Stresa, VB
The price is ฿9,188 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
฿9,188
฿10,365 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Stresa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free valet parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (987 reviews)
"If the hotel could provide the hot pot would be convenient for me to have warm water during the stay."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2025

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Hotel La Palma
Hotel La Palma
4 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 33, Stresa, VB
The price is ฿5,421 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
฿5,421
฿6,147 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Stresa. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (768 reviews)
"Great place, breakfast can get a little crowded… go early or be ready for a crowd."

Reviewed on 1 Dec 2024

Hotel La Palma
Seven Boutique Hotel
Seven Boutique Hotel
3 out of 5
Piazza G. Motta 21 & 25, Ascona
The price is ฿4,938 per night from 16 Apr to 17 Apr
฿4,938
฿5,460 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Apr - 17 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ascona. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (589 reviews)
"Super Lage direkt an der Promenade. Viele Restaurants, Bars etc. in der Nähe. Frühstück mit viel Auswahl inklusive. Unser Zimmer war großzügig geschnitten. Balkon mit Blick auf See war topp."

Reviewed on 16 Sep 2024

Seven Boutique Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Carl & Do
Carl & Do
Via Carlo Zacchera, 2, Strada Nazionale Sempione Nord 13/1, Baveno, VB
Stay at this beach apartment in Baveno. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a garden. Popular attractions Villa Fedora and Baveno Ferry Terminal are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (45 reviews)
"Great place to stay with family."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2024

Carl & Do
Verbania - Luxury Italy Apartments
Verbania - Luxury Italy Apartments
Vicolo Jacchini, 6, Verbania, VB
Stay at this aparthotel in Verbania. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (34 reviews)
No communication, no directions, no parking
"Terrible communication with owner. She claims to speak English, but doesn't answer your question/request because she doesn't understand you. NO PARKING possible at all! You have to walk over a very very long distance with all your suitcases. Parking is a nightmare, because there are not enough parking ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2024

Verbania - Luxury Italy Apartments
Hapimag Resort Ascona
Hapimag Resort Ascona
4.5 out of 5
Via Muraccio 116, Ascona
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Ascona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and an on-site winery. Popular attractions Ascona Beach and Museo Comunale ...
9/10 Wonderful! (29 reviews)
"Our 3 kids enjoyed the pool and the restaurant was excellent. It was also very handy having the option to reserve your bakery order for pickup each morning along with take out pizzas. Very comfortable 3 nights and the town of Ascona was lovely"

Reviewed on 26 Nov 2023

Hapimag Resort Ascona
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Lake Maggiore