Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy; stretching between Lombardy and Piemonte and reaching into the Alps . it crosses the border into Switzerland.
The lake gets busy with tourists, particularly in the summer.
Lake Maggiore is rich in history, full of interesting villages and buildings to explore and everywhere you look you can admire beautiful sceneries. There are about 11 islands on the lake, but probably the most famous ones form the cluster of islands known as the Borromeo Islands - Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori, which are located between Stresa and Verbania and are easily reached by boat.
Isola Bella
Isola Bella was just a small fishing village before Count Vitaliano Borromeo built its exquisite Baroque palace in 1670. The Borromeo residence is filled with priceless works of art, paintings, statues, tapestries and furniture. This delightful palace also has an unusual grotto and magnificent gardens made up of terraces with a variety of rare flowers, trees and exotic plants.
Isole Borromee
Isola dei Pescatori
Isola dei Pescatori or Isola Superiore is the smallest of the three islands. What makes this island so different from the others is the semplicity of its village with the traditional fishing boats, and narrow streets. The island also houses the ancient Church of S. Vittore which took over five centuries to build (11th -17th Century). Inside this enchanting Church visitors can also admire the amazing statues of Saints Peter and Andrew, the two fishermen who became Apostles and left everything to follow Jesus. Restaurants on the island offer you the chance to try some lovely local fish, while relaxing by the lake
Isola Madre
Isola Madre is the biggest of the Borromean Islands. Visitors can explore a 16th Century villa housing a collection of antiquities and an exhibition of small puppet theatres. The beautiful exotic gardens are filled with wonderful flowers like camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, and magnificent white peacocks, pheasant and parrots too.
Garden View
Sports
There are a lot of sports you can do in and around Lake Maggiore. We mention few of what you will find here: tennis, cycling, sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming, golf, rock climbing and many more. But if you are not so adventurous you can simply relax by the lake with a lovely glass of wine
Stresa
It is a lovely pictoresque town situated between the mountains and the lake with fantastic views across the lake and the Borromeo Islands. This peaceful and well kept town with its gardens and palm trees has a tropic feel. Stresa could be the perfect setting for your holiday.
Stresa view
How to get to Lake Maggiore
The two main airports to get to Lake Maggiore are: Milan Malpensa which is the nearest airport about 20km from the lake, and Milan Linate about 80 km away.
Around Lake Maggiore