Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands

An Alpine lake of elegant waterfront towns, gardens and the Borromean Islands.

Lake Maggiore, also known as Verbano, extends across the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy and into the Swiss canton of Ticino. Its shores combine historic towns, ferry routes, islands, gardens and mountain scenery, but the lake is too large to treat as a single compact attraction.

Choosing a base

Stresa is a convenient base for the Borromean Gulf, with rail connections and regular boat services in the main visitor season. Verbania provides access to the western shore and the gardens of Villa Taranto, while Arona and Angera face each other near the southern end of the lake. Cannobio, Luino, Ascona and Locarno serve other parts of the shoreline.

Travelling from one side of the lake to another can take longer than the distance suggests. Narrow lakeside roads, summer traffic and ferry timetables should be considered when planning a day.

Map

The Borromean Islands

The best-known islands near Stresa are Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori, also called Isola Superiore. Isola Bella is associated with the Borromeo palace and its formal terraced gardens; Isola Madre, the largest of the Borromean Islands, has a palace and botanical garden. Isola dei Pescatori is the only one of the three with a permanent village community.

Palaces, gardens and boat tickets are separate products, and not every island facility opens throughout the year. Check official opening dates, last admissions and return sailings before departure.

Gardens and historic sites

The lake’s mild shoreline conditions have supported several notable gardens. Villa Taranto in Verbania is among the best known. On the Lombardy side, the Rocca di Angera overlooks the southern basin, while the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso occupies a steep lakeside site farther north.

These attractions have their own calendars, ticketing and accessibility constraints. Historic steps, slopes and boat landings can make some visits demanding for people with limited mobility.

Getting around by boat and train

Public navigation services connect many lakeside towns and islands. Routes and frequency vary by season, and some services carry vehicles while others are passenger-only. Use the current timetable from Navigazione Laghi rather than assuming that a boat shown in an old itinerary still operates.

Rail lines serve towns including Stresa, Baveno, Verbania-Pallanza via a nearby station, Arona and parts of the eastern shore, but they do not form a complete ring around the lake. A combination of train, boat and bus can work well if connections are checked in advance.

Crossing into Switzerland

The northern end of Lake Maggiore lies in Switzerland. Travellers crossing the border should carry appropriate identification and check roaming, ticketing and vehicle requirements. Italian regional transport tickets do not automatically cover Swiss services.

Practical advice

Spring and early autumn are often comfortable for gardens and walking, while summer offers the widest range of boat services but also brings crowds and heat. Swimming conditions and water quality vary locally; use designated areas and follow current municipal guidance.

For a first visit, allow a full day for Stresa and one or two Borromean Islands rather than attempting the entire lake. A longer stay makes it possible to explore both shores and the Swiss section without spending most of the time in transit.

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