The beautiful surroundings of Lake Maggiore offer relaxation as well as active holiday. This area, like many other places in Italy, is not covered in cultural sights, but instead, Lake Maggirore creates the settings for a picturesque and peaceful area with fantastic views, incredible gardens and the charming island cluster, Isole Borromee.

Through time, many artists and famous people have visited the area, among others, Leonardo da Vinci, Queen Victoria, Hemingway, etc.

The landscape of Lake Maggiore

The beautiful blue water surrounded by fantastic gardens, the tall mountains as well as the small islands in the lake make the landscape an idyllic experience for soul and mind.

Large cities by Lake Maggiore: Cannobio and Stresa

In the city Stresa, a cableway connects the city with the Mottarone mountain, and therefore, there is a great view of the mountaintops. From the city, there is a boat connection to the small islands, Isole Barromee.

Cannobio is one of the most atmospheric cities by the lake. The city has a historic, old city centre with narrow streets as well as the holy chapel, Santuario della Pietà. Every Sunday, there is a market by the promenade.

Tourist attractions by Lake Maggiore

Isola Borromee consists of Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre. In the 17th century, Isola Bella was presented by Greve Carlo III Borromeo to his wife who turned the bare rock island into a beautiful island with Baroque garden artwork, peacocks, statues and waterfalls. Isola dei Pescatori has maintained some of its original life and charm, and here, you can experience true Italian bars and restaurants.

The city Pallanza Verbania has the mildest climate by the lake, and here, you can visit the botanic garden, Villa Taranto, with more than 20,000 plant species from all over the world landscaped by Captain McEachern in the 1930s.

Maccagno is located in the Northern end of the lake and is not one of the usual tourist magnets. Go for a walk through the charming city or prolong it with a trip to the mountains to Curiglia and further on to the remote small town, Monteviasco.

Sports activities by Lake Maggiore

The lake offers plenty of possibilities of doing different types of water sports, as well as hikes in the mountains by many different routes. Any golf enthusiast can satisfy his or her craving on one of the eight golf courses in the area. There is also possibility of horseback riding, mountain biking as well as tennis playing.

Gastronomic characteristics of the area around Lake Maggiore

The area is famous for its delicacy ”white truffle” as well as the cheeses Robiola prepared from cow’s, goat’s and sheep's milk and the famous Toma Piemontese. With this, you can drink one of the local wines, either Barbaresco or a Brachetto.

The climate of Lake Maggiore

The mild climate in the summer reaches approx. 28 degrees in the daytime, while in the winter, the area is close to the skiing resorts.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from the Italian Tourist Office. Photographers: Vito Arcomano - Fototeca ENIT