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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Baraggia

Baraggia might not have many top sights, but Arolo Beach and Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Baraggia
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees

5 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 67, Stresa, VB
The price is P19,947 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P19,947
P22,414 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! (988 reviews)
"Perfection"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Hotel La Palma

Hotel La Palma

4 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 33, Stresa, VB
The price is P17,521 per night from Sep 4 to Sep 5
P17,521
P19,610 total
Sep 4 - Sep 5
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! (807 reviews)
Perfect honeymoon location
"Hotel La Palma was the most perfect hotel for our honeymoon. It’s so close to the shops and restaurants, and the ferry that takes you to the islands. The sky bar pool was incredible and breakfast was delicious. We will definitely be back!"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Hotel La Palma
Hotel Splendid

Hotel Splendid

4 out of 5
Strada Nazionale Sempione Nord 12, Baveno, VB
The price is P9,435 per night from Aug 20 to Aug 21
P9,435
P10,782 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! (242 reviews)
"Our stay exceeded our expectations. Would definitely stay there again. There is a convenient bus that takes you into Stresa and Arona (the Baveno train station was not operational during our visit)."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 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.
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 Piazza Grande and ...
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
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! (48 reviews)
"Great place to stay with family."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2024

Carl & Do
Golfo Gabella

Golfo Gabella

Lungolago G.Girardi, 6, Maccagno, Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca, VA
Book a stay at this beach apartment in Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Parisi Valle Civic ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (158 reviews)
Beautiful and clean
"Very clean and comfortable apartment with full kitchen. Laundry and parking very convenient to travel around. Good breakfast and great customer service."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2024

Golfo Gabella
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.

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