Visit Lake Maggiore - Northern Italy
"The most beautiful place in the world, a place made by fairies." Charles de Montesquieu (French philosopher)
Suggested stay - 3 days/2 nights
The Art-Déco towns and Grand Villas of Lago Maggiore intrigue sophisticated visitors. The islands are so lovely that French philosopher Montesquieu described them as "the most beautiful place in the world, a place made by fairies."
The majestic Lago Maggiore, located at the foothills of Italy's western Alps, is unquestionably the most international of Italian lakes. Its western waters are in Piedmont, its eastern waters are in Lombardy, and its northern shores extend beyond Italy and into Ticino Canton in Switzerland.
Lago Maggiore, with its Grand Villas and Art Déco towns, is often overshadowed in favor of the glamour of Lago di Como or the playground of Lago di Garda.
The majority of the towns on Lago Maggiore are served by trains from and to Milan. Stresa, Verbania, Laveno, and Arona can all be reached by train from Milan's Central Station in aproximately 2 hours.
The Borromean Islands
Three idyllic islands off the coast of Stresa make up the "Eden of Italy": Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori or Isola Superiore, and Isola Madre. The gulf, once home to the aristocratic Borromeo family, is a veritable wonderland of colorful houses, old-school restaurants, and breathtaking lake views.
The three islands are accessible via boat tours. If you wish to stay overnight, Isola dei Pescatori has a hotel and several small restaurants tucked away in its winding streets.
Lago Maggiore is one of our favorite destinations, especially when we plan a custom made tour. As our customer said it is “a slice of hevean”.
10 Essential Tips to Discover Lake Maggiore in Style
1 - Stay by the water – Choose a lakeside hotel with breathtaking views, private terraces, and that unmistakable Italian elegance.
2 - Explore the Borromean Islands – A must! Visit Isola Bella for its Baroque palace and cascading gardens, Isola dei Pescatori for a charming lunch by the lake, and Isola Madre for its lush botanical park filled with rare plants, exotic birds, and a peaceful, almost enchanted atmosphere.
3 - Take a private boat tour – Glide across the lake at sunset, champagne in hand… the most magical way to experience its quiet grandeur.
4 - Visit Stresa and the surrounding villages – Wander through cobbled streets, boutiques, and historic cafés where time seems to stand still.
5 - Hilking on the Mottarone Hill – From the top, enjoy a 360° view over seven lakes — pure magic.
6 - Discover Lake Orta – A hidden gem nearby, intimate and poetic, with Orta San Giulio’s cobbled streets and island monastery.
7 - Visit the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso – A breathtaking monastery clinging to the rock, best reached by boat.
8 - Taste Piedmont’s flavours – From fresh lake fish to truffles, risotto, and Nebbiolo wines — every bite tells a story
9 - Embrace slow living – Take your time. Watch the reflections on the water change with the light, and let the lake set your rhythm.
10 - Travel in all seasons – Spring blossoms, summer sunsets, autumn colours, or winter calm — Lake Maggiore is always enchanting.
A note:
A perfect early arrival to relax and decompress after a long intercontinental flight, before embarking on one of our tours and a perfect romantic hideaway. (contact us - click here)
