Lake Maggiore is the grand old lady of the Italian lakes: a long, deep lake of about 65 km stretching from the plains near Milan into the Swiss Alps, with Belle Époque hotels along its promenades and, in the middle of the Borromean Gulf, three small islands that look like stage sets, one a baroque palace with terraced gardens, one a botanical garden, one a fishing village. You come to hop between the islands by boat, to wander the gardens of Isola Madre and Villa Taranto, to see the clifftop hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and the fortress of Angera, and to ride the scenic railway through the Centovalli into Switzerland. It is an hour from Milan and close to Malpensa airport. Give it two or three days, or a week to see both shores and the Swiss end.
Right now in Lake Maggiore (Stresa)
- Wed16–18°C61–64°F17 mm rain
- Thu16–18°C60–65°F8 mm rain
- Fri11–19°C53–66°FMostly clear
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Lake Maggiore at a glance
- Best for: island palaces and gardens, boat trips, Belle Époque lake towns, quiet walks and a scenic train ride into Switzerland.
- How long: 1 day from Milan for Stresa and the Borromean Islands; 2–3 days to add Villa Taranto, Santa Caterina and Angera; a week with Cannobio, Locarno and the Centovalli.
- Best time: April to June for the gardens in flower, September to October for golden light; the islands’ season in 2026 runs from 12 March to 8 November.
- Getting in: trains from Milan reach Stresa in about an hour; Milan Malpensa is the nearest airport.
- Good to know: the Stresa–Mottarone cable car is closed; reach the summit by road.
- Before you go: entry rules, money and safety are in our Italy travel guide, and for the Swiss end see our Switzerland travel guide.
The lake, town by town
Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore, or Verbano) is shared by two Italian regions and Switzerland: Piedmont on the western shore, Lombardy on the eastern shore and the Swiss canton of Ticino at the northern end around Locarno. The busiest stretch is the Borromean Gulf on the western shore, with Stresa, Baveno, Verbania and the islands.
Stresa
The lake’s best-known resort, with grand hotels facing the islands, a lakeside promenade, a small old centre of cafés and a railway station on the line from Milan. Boats to the Borromean Islands leave from its piers every few minutes in season. Best for: first visits, short stays and travellers without a car.
Baveno and Verbania
Baveno, just north of Stresa, is a quieter resort known for its pink granite quarries. Across the gulf, Verbania is the largest town on the lake, made of two old centres: Pallanza, with a palm-lined promenade and the Villa Taranto gardens, and Intra, a lively market town with the car ferry to Laveno. Best for: better value, gardens and longer stays.
Cannobio and the northern shore
Near the Swiss border, Cannobio has a long waterfront of colourful houses and a famous Sunday market, and Cannero Riviera faces the ruined Castelli di Cannero on islets offshore. Beyond the border lie Brissago, Ascona and Locarno. Best for: couples, swimmers and hikers.
Arona, Angera and the southern lake
At the southern end, Arona has a pretty lakefront and the giant 17th-century copper statue of San Carlo Borromeo, which you can climb inside. Facing it on the Lombard shore, the Rocca di Angera fortress crowns a hill above the town. This end is closest to Malpensa and Milan. Best for: day trips and travellers with an early flight.
Top things to see on Lake Maggiore
Prices and hours below were checked on the official websites in October 2026. They change, so check before you go.
Isola Bella
In the 17th century the Borromeo family turned a rocky island into a ship-shaped baroque palace with ten terraces of gardens rising like a wedding cake, topped by statues and roamed by white peacocks. Inside the palace, Palazzo Borromeo, are grand halls, tapestries and the shell-encrusted grottoes. As of October 2026 a ticket for the palace and garden costs €27 for adults and €18 for ages 6–15 (under-6s free); a combined ticket with Isola Madre costs €40 (€23 for ages 6–15). In the 2026 season, which runs from 12 March to 8 November, it opens daily from 10:00 with last entry at 17:00 until 24 October (gardens close at 18:00), and last entry at 16:00 from 25 October. Buy online on the Borromeo family’s official site to save queuing.
Isola Madre
The largest island is a quieter, wilder botanical garden of exotic trees and flowers, with one of the biggest Kashmir cypresses in Europe, a collection of camellias and azaleas, parrots and pheasants, and a 16th-century palace with a puppet theatre. As of October 2026 entry costs €23 for adults and €15 for ages 6–15, with the same season and hours as Isola Bella. Spring, when the azaleas and rhododendrons bloom, is the best time.
Isola dei Pescatori
The third island, also called Isola Superiore, is a fishing village of narrow lanes, a church and a few restaurants serving lake fish. There is no entry ticket. Have lunch here between the two garden islands and stay for the evening calm if you can.
Villa Taranto, Verbania
A Scottish captain, Neil McEacharn, created these botanical gardens in the 1930s on the Castagnola promontory between Pallanza and Intra: some 16 hectares of terraces, greenhouses with giant water lilies, a valley of tree ferns and spectacular tulip, dahlia and maple displays through the seasons. The gardens have their own ferry stop. They open from spring to late autumn, with shorter hours and reduced routes late in the season; check the current hours and prices on the gardens’ official site.
Rocca di Angera
Also owned by the Borromeo family, this medieval fortress on the eastern shore has frescoed halls, a doll and toy museum, a medieval garden and views over the southern lake. As of October 2026 a ticket costs €18 for adults and €13 for ages 6–15, and it keeps the same season as the islands (last entry 17:00 until 24 October, 16:00 from 25 October). Combined tickets with the islands start at €55. Arona and its San Carlone statue are a short boat ride across.
Santa Caterina del Sasso
Clinging to a sheer cliff on the eastern shore near Leggiuno, this hermitage of three small churches was founded in the 12th century by a merchant who, legend says, survived a shipwreck here. Reach it by ferry (it has its own landing) or from the car park above by about 270 steps, with a lift for part of the way when it is running. Opening hours vary through the year, so check before you go.
Getting around by boat
On the Italian part of the lake, the public boats are run by Navigazione Laghi, a state-run operator, with ordinary boats, faster hydrofoils and catamarans, and a car ferry between Intra and Laveno that runs all year. In 2026 the summer timetable ran until 4 October; check the current autumn and winter timetable, which has far fewer boats.
Fares. On the fare sheet valid from 1 April 2026, fares are set by distance in ten stretches. A one-way adult ticket for a direct hop costs from €2.50 (stretch 1) to €11.50; on journeys with intermediate stops it costs from €3.50 to €18.50. Return tickets are double for direct links only. For island hopping, a free-circulation day ticket is the better choice: Stresa to Isola Madre is stretch 5, so a day ticket covering Stresa and all three islands costs €19.50 for an adult. Over-65s and groups pay a reduced fare and children aged 4–11 about half. The town of Stresa also charges a landing fee of €1.50 per person aged 6 and over for the islands, collected with the ticket.
Private boats. In Stresa and Baveno, private motorboats (motoscafi) also shuttle to the islands, often with a hop-on, hop-off ticket; agree the price and the return time before you board. Boats on the Swiss part of the lake are run by a Swiss company with fares in Swiss francs. See our boat trips guide.
Other things to do on Lake Maggiore
Ride the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway
From Domodossola, north of the lake, a narrow-gauge railway climbs through the Vigezzo valley and the Centovalli (“hundred valleys”) on viaducts and through chestnut woods to Locarno in Switzerland in about two hours. Combine it with a train to Domodossola and a boat back down the lake from Locarno for a classic round trip; carry your passport or ID card, as you cross the border.
Locarno and the Swiss shore
Locarno, at the northern tip, has the arcaded Piazza Grande, home to an international film festival every August, and the sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso high above the town. Nearby Ascona is a pretty lakefront village, and the Brissago Islands hold a botanical garden. Lugano, on its own lake, is about an hour away; see our Lugano guide.
Walk, swim and cycle
Old mule paths climb from the lake towns to hill villages and viewpoints, and the Mottarone, between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, offers views of seven lakes and the Monte Rosa from the summit, reached by road now that the cable car is closed. The Val Grande National Park, behind Verbania, is one of Italy’s wildest areas. In summer, swim at the lidos and beaches of Cannobio, Baveno and Verbania. See our hiking guide and beaches guide.
Lake Orta
Just west of Stresa, the small Lake Orta is one of the most romantic corners of northern Italy: the village of Orta San Giulio, with its cobbled square, and the island of San Giulio with its basilica, a short boat ride across. It makes an easy half day by car or bus.
Nearby destinations
- Lugano21 km
- Lake Como44 km
- Zermatt75 km
- Milan79 km
- Bergamo86 km
- Interlaken92 km
- St. Moritz97 km
- Lucerne111 km
Getting there and getting around
By train
The Milan–Domodossola line runs along the western shore, with stations at Arona, Stresa, Baveno and Verbania-Pallanza. From Milano Centrale, regional and EuroCity trains reach Stresa in about an hour; EuroCity trains continue to Switzerland through the Simplon tunnel. On the eastern shore, trains from Milan run to Laveno and Luino.
By air
Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the nearest airport, roughly 30–45 minutes by road from Arona and Stresa; buses and transfers link it with the lake towns. Milan Linate and Bergamo are further away. Combine Lake Maggiore with Milan and Lake Como for a classic northern trip; see our Milan guide and Lake Como guide.
By car
The A26 motorway from Milan and Genoa reaches the southern lake in about an hour. A car is handy for Santa Caterina del Sasso, the Mottarone, Lake Orta and the hill villages, but the lakeshore roads are narrow and busy in summer, parking in Stresa and Cannobio is scarce and paid, and some old centres have limited-traffic zones (ZTL). The Intra–Laveno car ferry saves a long drive around the lake.
When to go and how long to stay
Lake Maggiore has a mild, damp climate, with camellias, palms and citrus in sheltered gardens. The table uses the WMO 1991–2020 climate normals of the Italian Air Force station at Novara Cameri, on the Po plain about 40 km south of the lake. These are long-term averages, not a forecast. The lakeshore is milder than the plain in winter, with fewer frosts and little fog, but much wetter, especially in spring and autumn, when the mountains catch heavy rain; summer days by the lake are a couple of degrees cooler.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days per month | What it’s like | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 7–9 °C / around −1 °C (milder at the lake) | 4–5 | Cold and quiet; islands closed; snow on the mountains | Low prices, crisp walks |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 14–22 °C / 3–11 °C | 4–8 | Gardens at their best, showery | Azaleas, camellias, island visits |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 27–29 °C / 15–17 °C | 5–6 | Warm, with thunderstorms | Swimming, boat trips, music festivals |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 24 °C falling to 12 °C / 13 °C falling to 3 °C | 6–7 | Golden September and October, wet November | Walking, the Centovalli in autumn colour |
Events worth planning around
The Stresa Festival of classical music runs from summer into early September, with concerts on the islands and in the lake towns. Locarno’s film festival fills the Piazza Grande in August, and the gardens hold flower events in spring. Check each event’s dates on the organisers’ sites.
How long to stay: 1-day, 3-day and week-long plans
1 day from Milan: early train to Stresa, a day ticket to Isola Bella, lunch on Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Madre in the afternoon and the train back. 3 days: the islands on day 1; Villa Taranto and Pallanza, then the car ferry to Laveno and the boat to Santa Caterina del Sasso on day 2; Arona and the Rocca di Angera, or Lake Orta, on day 3. A week: add Cannobio and the Castelli di Cannero, the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway to Locarno, a walk in the Val Grande and a day in Lugano.
Where to stay on Lake Maggiore and the tourist tax
- Stresa: the classic base, with grand lakefront hotels, the train station and boats to the islands.
- Baveno: quieter and often better value, still close to the islands.
- Verbania (Pallanza): a real town with a promenade, Villa Taranto and good boat links.
- Cannobio: charming, by the water, for a relaxed stay near the Swiss border.
- Arona: practical for Malpensa and Milan.
- Isola dei Pescatori: a few rooms for a magical night on the island once the boats stop.
Book ahead for spring weekends and July and August; many hotels close from November to March. Most lake towns charge a tourist tax (imposta di soggiorno) per person per night, set by each municipality and type of accommodation; check the amount when you book.
Practical tips for Lake Maggiore
- Mind the season: the islands and the Rocca di Angera close after 8 November in 2026 and reopen in March, and boats are few in winter.
- Buy island tickets online: it saves queuing on Isola Bella in high season.
- Go early: Isola Bella is busiest from late morning, when tour groups arrive from Milan.
- Carry ID: you need a passport or ID card for Locarno and the Centovalli, and Swiss francs or a card in Switzerland.
- Check the last boat: the last public boat back from the islands can be early outside summer.
- Emergencies: call 112.
What to pack for Lake Maggiore
Comfortable walking shoes for garden paths and steps, a light rain jacket or umbrella (it rains often in spring and autumn), a sweater for evening boat rides, sunglasses and sunscreen, swimwear and a towel in summer, and hiking shoes if you plan to walk in the hills or the Val Grande. Bring your passport or ID card for the Swiss shore, and a smart-casual outfit for dinner in the grand hotels.
Lake Maggiore travel FAQ
Which is the best town to stay in on Lake Maggiore?
Stresa for a first visit, with the train station and boats to the Borromean Islands; Baveno or Verbania for better value; Cannobio for a quieter, prettier stay in the north.
How much does it cost to visit the Borromean Islands?
As of October 2026, Isola Bella costs €27 for adults, Isola Madre €23, and both together €40. Isola dei Pescatori is free. Add the boat: a public day ticket from Stresa covering the three islands costs €19.50, plus Stresa’s €1.50 landing fee.
When are the Borromean Islands open?
In 2026, from 12 March to 8 November, daily from 10:00, with last entry at 17:00 until 24 October and 16:00 from 25 October. They are closed in winter.
How do I get from Milan to Lake Maggiore?
By train from Milano Centrale to Stresa in about an hour, on regional or EuroCity trains. From Malpensa airport, Stresa is roughly 30–45 minutes by road.
Is the Mottarone cable car open?
No. Stresa’s official tourism site lists the Stresa–Mottarone cable car as closed. You can reach the summit area by road for walks and views.
Can you visit Lake Maggiore without a car?
Yes. Trains reach Stresa, Baveno and Verbania from Milan, and boats link the islands and the main towns. A car helps for Santa Caterina del Sasso, Lake Orta and the hills.
Can you go from Lake Maggiore to Switzerland?
Yes. The northern end of the lake, around Locarno and Ascona, is Swiss. Go by boat, by car along the western shore, or on the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway from Domodossola, and carry ID.
Is Lake Maggiore worth visiting?
Yes, especially for the Borromean Islands, the gardens and the old-fashioned charm of its lake towns. It is calmer than Lake Como and easy to reach from Milan and Malpensa.
When is the best time to visit Lake Maggiore?
April to June, when the gardens flower, and September to October. The islands close in winter, and July and August are busy.
How many days do you need at Lake Maggiore?
One day for the Borromean Islands from Milan or Stresa, two or three to add Villa Taranto, Santa Caterina del Sasso and Angera, and a week to include Locarno and the Centovalli.
Plan your trip
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🇮🇹 Useful Italian phrases for Lake Maggiore
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Rocca di Angera prices, season and hours: Terre Borromeo, the Borromeo family’s official site; boat fares, day tickets and the Stresa landing fee: Navigazione Laghi’s Lake Maggiore fare sheet valid from 1 April 2026 and its rates page (official); Mottarone cable car status: Stresa’s official tourism site; climate: Italian Air Force 1991–2020 normals for Novara Cameri from the WMO climate normals collection (official). Villa Taranto and Santa Caterina del Sasso hours, train and road times, and the Centovalli railway details are general and should be checked. Prices, timetables and rules change, so check the official links before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Italy travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · Wikidata (CC0)