Lake Maggiore

Travel Guide

Isola dei Pescatori which includes a small town or village, mountains and a lake or waterhole
Lake Maggiore
Stresa which includes a lake or waterhole, flowers and a small town or village
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
Default Image

Cerro

Though Cerro might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Laveno Mombello Ferry Terminal and Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso.

Cerro
Default Image

Sasso Moro

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

Sasso Moro

Centro Storico

While visiting Centro Storico, you might make a stop by sights like Laveno Mombello Ferry Terminal and Funivie del Lago Maggiore.

Centro Storico
Default Image

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
Default Image

Gattirolo

Though Gattirolo might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and Laveno Mombello Ferry Terminal.

Gattirolo
Hotel La Palma

Hotel La Palma

4 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 33, Stresa, VB
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P16,617 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P16,617
P18,611 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Stresa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (811 reviews)
Superb experience
"We had a 5 night stay at this wonderful hotel and everything was absolutely perfect. The location is amazing overlooking the Lake with a short walk into the town. There was a plentiful choice for breakfast and parking is also available. A very enjoyable holiday!"

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Hotel La Palma
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees

5 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 67, Stresa, VB
The price is P19,674 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P19,674
P22,107 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Stresa. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (987 reviews)
"The service was fantastic but the rooms are small and tired. Our sink was blocked and the bed was quite uncomfortable. The shower head was on the long side of the shower over bath, not the end wall. It was impossible to keep water inside the shower area."

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Hotel Splendid

Hotel Splendid

4 out of 5
Strada Nazionale Sempione Nord 12, Baveno, VB
The price is P9,305 per night from Aug 20 to Aug 21
P9,305
P10,635 total
Aug 20 - Aug 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Baveno. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a private beach. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (248 reviews)
"Really enjoyed this hotel. Have a nice bar that you can also access from outside. Beautiful beach and pool area. It is about a 12 minute walk to the ferry. And sometimes it can be slightly noisy. My neighbor kept me up fighting with her boyfriend. Finally called down to the desk and they had it resolved ..."

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2025

Hotel Splendid
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
Book a stay at this beach apartment in Baveno. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Villa Fedora and Baveno Ferry Terminal ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (49 reviews)
"Great place to stay with family."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2024

Carl & Do
Miralago Locarno Easy Rooms

Miralago Locarno Easy Rooms

3.5 out of 5
1 Via San Vittore, Muralto
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Muralto. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Giardini Pubblici ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
"Gegen kleine Gebühr gibt es 2 überdachte Parkplätze für Motorräder direkt beim Hotel"

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Miralago Locarno Easy Rooms
Arona Palace

Arona Palace

Piazza S. Graziano 31, 8, Arona, NO
Stay at this vacation home in Arona. Enjoy free WiFi, Netflix, and a pillow menu. Popular attractions San Graziano Church and Arona Ferry Terminal are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Fantastico
"Struttura nuova e moderna. Posizione ottima e nel pieno centro di Arona a due passi dal lago e vicino a museo archeologico. Reception telematica molto disponibile. Abbiamo avuto una ottima esperienza, un bell’appartamento elegante e comodo"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Arona Palace
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