Are you wondering if Lake Maggiore is worth visiting? I spent a couple of weeks exploring Piedmont, with a huge chunk of our time around Lake Maggiore. I’m happy to tell you that it is worth visiting, or at least, I think so!
It’s the perfect place for a lakeside holiday, away from the busy cities and tourist-infested lakes of Como and Garda. Lake Maggiore has an air of tranquillity, and with stunning scenery – the Italian Alps as your backdrop – beautiful islands and only one hour from Milan, it’s the best place for a quick, refreshing getaway.
Discover The Amazing Lake Maggiore And Why It’s Worth Visiting – Add It To Your Italy Bucket List!
In this guide, I’m sharing with you all the reasons I think Lake Maggiore is worth visiting, the best things to do and practical information like when to visit and where to stay to help you plan your trip.
Are you planning a trip soon? Here are useful links to begin planning!
Accommodations – I recommend Booking.com
Flights – I recommend Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – I recommend SafetyWing
Tours/experiences – I recommend Get Your Guide
Car rental – I recommend DiscoverCars
These are all the sites I personally use to book my trips, and if you use them, some of them will earn me a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping my site up. Thanks!
Why Is Lake Maggiore Worth Visiting?
We drove into Italy from Switzerland, just off the Simplon Pass, and landed at the top of Lake Maggiore. Verbania was the first town we visited on a rainy afternoon. We explored, nevertheless, and even in all that rain, I could see how beautiful it was.
It was going to be a good trip!
One of the best reasons for visiting Lake Maggiore is that it’s not as busy as Lake Como or Lake Garda. It has a charming, laid-back atmosphere, but back in the day, it was the most popular of the Italian Lakes. As the place to be seen with aristocrats, painters, poets, and even royalty often visiting, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and attractions to keep you busy.
This period of popularity set the lakeside establishments up for some serious competition, and you’ll notice beautiful, grand buildings, manicured gardens and an air of affluence in the parks, promenades and surroundings.
Today, it’s quieter and sees fewer crowds than its sister lakes, but I think that adds to its magic.
It’s the perfect place to visit if you’re searching for breathtaking scenery, picturesque villages and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also worth visiting if you’re looking for somewhere that’s easy to reach; thanks to its long-established tourism, travelling around the lake is a piece of cake.
In the end, I’ve decided that Lake Maggiore is a fantastic place to visit in Italy’s Lake District and well worth your time.
Who Will Love Lake Maggiore?
Lake Maggiore is worth visiting if you’re a fan of nature, quaint towns, art, history, and all the things that make Italy incredible. The food in Piedmont is pretty tasty, too, and the region has its own wines. You’ll enjoy visiting Lake Maggiore if you want a laid-back, scenic holiday with lots of hiking trails to discover.
Reasons Lake Maggiore Is Not Worth Visiting
Although I think Lake Maggiore is splendid, and there aren’t that many reasons not to visit (that I can think of), the main thing that pops into my head is that it’s a lake vacation. Right, so there are no ocean beaches (although there are lidos); it’s not a beach location.
If you’re after sun, surf and fluffy, sandy beaches, Lake Maggiore isn’t the place. It’s also not the most affordable destination in Italy. The north of Italy is notoriously known for being more expensive than the south, but we still didn’t find it too expensive.
Finally, to make the most out of Lake Maggiore, I recommend having a car. Transport to and from the lake is excellent, and there is a good bus network, but once you’re there, the best way to explore is to have access to a car.
Things To Do On Lake Maggiore
Now we’ve established whether Lake Maggiore is worth visiting (hopefully, you’re still with me), I wanted to continue with the best things to do, places to stay and reasons to visit.
1. Visit The Borromean Islands – Popular Attraction
The number one tourist attraction in Lake Maggiore is the Borromean Islands. They are a set of three islands owned by the Borromeo family, who acquired the rugged rocky islands back in the 16th century.
Over the years, the family, who are thought of as royalty, developed them into magnificent islands featuring botanical gardens and palaces. Today, they are open to the public, and we’re lucky to get to visit them.
They really are beautiful and an activity not to be missed while you’re exploring Lake Maggiore!
How To Book Your Visit? The best way to visit them is with a guide, but you can buy an entrance ticket only. Check out our article on how to get to the Borromean Islands.
⭐ With a local guide, you’ll be able to join a private tour of the islands and learn about the history of the family, gardens and palaces while getting insider tips. It’s the best way to experience these centuries-old islands and make the most of your visit.
ISOLA MADRE
Isola Madre, the biggest of the three islands, features an English-style botanical garden with a relatively modest palace. If you’re lucky, you’ll notice the island’s famous white peacocks and colourful pheasants running around.
ISOLA PESCATORI
The fishing village is the only island where you don’t need to pay an entrance fee to visit. It’s set up like a small community filled with craft shops, market stalls and an array of cafes and restaurants. It’s the best place to grab lunch overlooking the lake.
ISOLA BELLA
Isola Bella is the most popular of the three islands. It’s where you’ll find the grand Borromean Palace and the Italian-style garden. The palace is magnificent, adorned with a wealth of furnishings from ornaments, chandeliers, tapestries and endless paintings. There’s even a Grotto room designed to mimic the ocean!
2. Admire Rocca di Angera
Rocca di Angera is a medieval castle located on a hill above Lake Maggiore. The castle has a rich history, tracing back to the 13th century, and has been home to several noble families throughout the centuries.
The Borromean Family now owns it and is part of their brand.
Today, the castle is open to the public to be explored and has many rooms and exhibits. The highlight of a visit to Rocca di Angera is the panoramic views of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains, which are breathtaking from the castle’s terrace!
3. Explore Stresa – Top Spot Worth Visiting In Lake Maggiore
From what we experienced, Stresa is the most popular town to visit on Lake Maggiore. It’s the main access point to the Borromean Islands, which in turn has attracted business. The town of Stresa is in two parts.
There’s the promenade, which features grand hotels overlooking the lake and is a lovely place to take a stroll and then the heart of the historic centre, which is filled with winding streets, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
It’s a fun, upbeat place to visit and another location not to be missed.
⭐ Pro tip >> A little out of town, there is the Panoramic Promenade – Punto Panoramico, a place you can visit for incredible lake views.
4. Explore Baveno
Baveno is a charming town which you can see from Stresa. It’s known for its breathtaking views over the lake and the surrounding mountains, as well as its gardens and historic villas.
It’s a good base if you’re visiting Lake Maggiore with boats departing for the Borromean Islands. Sir Winston Churchill even used to visit the town!
Baveno is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a peaceful and scenic destination with plenty of natural beauty, stunning scenery and cultural attractions to explore.
⭐ Pro tip >> Baveno is also home to several beautiful parks and gardens, such as the Villa Fedora Park. It is a lovely park where you can relax under trees, with a beach on the lake and a small cafe.
5. Take The Ferry Over The Lake
The best way to explore Lake Maggiore is to jump on a ferry and visit the small towns and villages around Borromean Bay. From what we saw, the official company which runs a regular service is Viaggi Tomassucci.
The leading service runs between Stresa, Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori, Baveno, Isola Madre, Pallanza, Villa Taranto and Intra. There is also a rare service to Arona, Angera and Locarno (plus a number of others).
⭐ Pro tip >> The ferry is a lovely way to explore the lake and see the surrounding scenery from the water. Alternatively, you could opt for a sunset cruise, which would be the perfect way to end your holiday to Lake Maggiore!
6. Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens – Must-Visit Attraction
A favourite attraction of ours on Lake Maggiore and undoubtedly worth a visit! Don’t miss the Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens while you’re there.
The garden is located in the town of Verbania on the north tip of Lake Maggiore. It’s a beautiful attraction which quickly became one of our favourite botanical gardens in the world. It’s well known throughout Italy as one of the best.
Expect water features, rare species, terraces and stunning vistas as you wander around a well-established garden.
How To Book Your Visit? Villa Taranto is easy to visit with parking, and even the ferry (mentioned above) makes a stop out the front. Entry is payable upon arrival, although the best way to visit the gardens is with a guided tour.
⭐ Join this tour and book a local guide to walk you through the different gardens and get one-to-one experience learning about the varieties of plants and trees, how the garden was established and have any questions answered.
7. Head To The Beach
I know I said there were no beaches, but this isn’t 100% accurate. There are beaches on Lake Maggiore; they’re just not the coconut-swaying palm-lined beach you think of when you think of the beach. Or at least, that’s what I think of when I think beach.
At Lake Maggiore, you have lidos and little pockets of lakeside beaches. We visited a couple and found that some are free while others, the better ones, are payable, which is cool since you’ll get the amenities.
If you’re after a beach day, then it’s nice to know you can go somewhere that has loungers and umbrellas, music, a bar and security. We found a top spot in Verbania, but since we visited out of season, we didn’t need to pay to use the beach.
The water is excellent, and yes, you can swim in the lake. It’s clean, clear and sweet – although I don’t recommend drinking it. It is cool since the lake fills up from the snowy Alps, but it is refreshing and exactly what is needed to cool down after a hot day.
8. Explore Arona
The town is known for its picturesque promenade along the lake shore, and well worth a visit to stroll through its historic centre with narrow streets and medieval buildings. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times and played a vital role during the Roman era, mainly as a strategic point for navigation on the lake.
In the centre of town, there is a towering statue of San Carlo Borromeo, a famous religious figure, standing at 23.5 metres and made from embossed sheets of copper!
You’ll be able to enjoy a variety of activities, including boating, swimming, hiking, and exploring the local culture and cuisine of Arona.
9. Lake Maggiore To Lake Orta Day Trip – Worth Visiting
It’s not strictly Lake Maggiore anymore, but it’s close enough that it warrants a day trip. Lake Orta is a fantastic place and another must-visit. The great thing is that the best towns are less than half an hour from Stresa, so it’s actually closer than other towns that are still on Lake Maggiore.
I recommend visiting the gorgeous medieval town of Orta San Giulio, which has a picturesque lakefront piazza, exciting architecture, plenty of cafes, and the popular Sacro Monte di Orta to keep you busy.
The cherry on top? Hop on a motorboat from the Piazza Motto to Isola San Giulio, a monastery built on a tiny island which you can walk around.
For another superb day out on Lake Orta, consider visiting Omegna. It’s a small town on the northern tip with a beautiful character and bygone stories. For a less busy day, Omegna is the perfect spot to unwind, take a stroll, and enjoy a spot of shopping and dining overlooking the lake.
10. Climb Mount Mottarone
The best sport for hikers and nature enthusiasts, you’ll get stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The mountain has an elevation of 1,491 meters (4,892 feet) and was famous for its cable car, which used to go to the top, although it’s now been shut down due to a fatal accident.
At the summit and throughout the year, there are a variety of activities, including hiking, skiing (during winter and weather permitting), and mountain biking. Several hiking trails lead to the summit, but the L1 Trail is the most popular.
There is also Alpyland, which features a bobsleighing track, perfect for enjoying the surrounding views with a touch of adrenaline.
11. Stop By Cannobio
Cannobio is a picturesque town with a history that dates back to Roman times. It was an important commercial centre in the Middle Ages, with a crucial role in the salt trade between the Mediterranean and the northern European countries.
Today, Cannobio is a charming town with a medieval centre, narrow cobblestone streets, and colourful houses. The town has a beautiful lakeside promenade lined with palm trees and flowers, and it offers stunning views.
⭐ Pro tip >> Cannobio is also famous for its Sunday market, which is one of the largest and most colourful markets in the region. The market has a range of products, such as local specialities, handmade crafts, and antiques.
12. The Bucket Lift At Laveno
The bucket lift in Laveno, Lake Maggiore, is a unique cable car system that connects the town of Laveno-Mombello with Sasso del Ferro, which is a mountain peak offering stunning views of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding areas.
The cable car consists of small, open-air buckets that can hold two people each and the ride takes about 15 minutes. The bucket lift operates throughout the year, except during bad weather or high winds.
⭐ Pro tip >> During summer, it’s open until 10:30 pm. The cost for a round trip is €10, while a one-way trip costs €7. There are discounts available for seniors and people with special needs.
Planning Your Trip To Lake Maggiore
Hopefully, you’re looking forward to begin planning your holiday to Lake Maggiore. If you’re getting ready to book, I’ve gathered some practical information to help.
Where To Stay In Lake Maggiore
I recommend staying in Stresa. It’s an excellent base for accessing the attractions; it has a train station, is on the bus route, and it’s one of the busier locations, so there’s lots of entertainment.
- Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées & SPA: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
- Hotel Flora: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
- IL CILIEGIO Affittacamere: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
When Is Lake Maggiore Worth Visiting?
Many will agree that the most popular time is during summer. The summer period runs from June to August. However, I would say the best time to visit Lake Maggiore is during the shoulder months before and after summer.
Spring and autumn draw fewer crowds and are, for me, the best times to visit. The season starts in mid-March/April; this is when the attractions begin opening and the weather starts warming up. They remain open until late October/ early November.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you decide to visit in the off-season, it’s generally quieter, with more locals than tourists. The temperature will be around the 20s, which is perfect for activities like hiking and walking. Accommodations are still a little more affordable, and reservations/bookings aren’t required. You can have a more spontaneous trip – just how we like it!
Day Trips From Milan
Due to its proximity to Milan, it’s entirely possible to visit Lake Maggiore on a day trip or weekend visit. It’s totally worth it if you want to escape the busy city and get some fresh mountain air; Lake Maggiore is just over an hour on the train from Central Milan.
You can visit yourselves by booking train tickets on Trainline, here. Or, if you fancy travelling in style, a private transfer will get you there in no time. Otherwise, consider joining a guided day tour to take you around the sites.
How To Book A Day Tour? If you’re only planning on a day visit, the best way is to book a private guided tour. That way, you’ll have a local guide to take you around with all transport and attractions organised so you can have a stress-free day.
⭐ Join this tour to book a guide and visit Lake Maggiore’s best sites without the worry of planning it yourselves!
How To Get To And Getting Around
As I’ve mentioned, getting to Lake Maggiore is pretty simple. You have options: Plane, Car, Train, or Private Transfer. It’s well connected by road and rail links.
PLANE
The closest airports to Lake Maggiore are Milan and Turin, and even Bergamo will get you there in a few hours. Milan airport is actually pretty close to Lake Maggiore as it sits north of Milan. It takes under an hour to drive to Stresa.
If you’re travelling within Europe, there are a number of low-cost airlines flying into Italy. Otherwise, International flights are regularly scheduled, especially to Milan throughout the year.
We like to use Skyscanner to find the best deals. As a price comparison company, they search multiple airlines to find the best flight combinations. I also like to set up Price Alerts to keep an eye on price changes to nab the best deals.
ROAD
The easiest way is to drive. We like to use Discover Cars for our rentals as we’ve had good experiences with them, but on our last trip to Italy, we were on a road trip, so we had our car.
Getting around Lake Maggiore is certainly easiest if you have a car. If not, consider using taxis, the public bus or the ferry.
👉 Car Rental: DISCOVER CARS
We use DISCOVER CARS when looking for an overseas car rental. They compare hundreds of dealerships and have zero hidden charges.
TRAIN
Alternatively, the train is a good choice if you’re not driving. Trainline is an easy company to use to pre-book tickets and search for prices and routes, but not all towns have train stations. However, many of them do; for example, Arona, Stresa, Baveno, Angera and Laveno all have stations.
You can easily get to Lake Maggiore from Milan and Turin airport via the train. For Milan, you’ll have to transfer through the central train station, which is a bit of a bummer because you’ll be going back on yourself (Milan Airport is closer to Lake Maggiore than Milan city), adding 20 mins to the journey. However, the service runs frequently and is cost-effective.
Will You Be Travelling By TRAIN?
Top tip: Use the Trainline to book your train tickets in advance, and you’ll save money! You can use the trainline all over Europe and the United Kingdom.
BUS/FERRY
There is also a good bus network serving Lake Maggiore, which regularly runs through Stresa and connects it to nearby towns. The ferry service is also worth mentioning. Although it can be unreliable and slow, a service does run from Stresa to other ports on the lake.
Consider using the ferry if you want to visit places like Laveno and Verbania-Intra.
⭐ Pro tip >> VB Arona Milan line: departure from Milan Lampugnano, stop B5. Or the Verbania–Stresa–Malpensa, which requires advance booking. For info: www.safduemila.com
FAQs: Is Lake Maggiore Worth Visiting?
Which Is Better, Lake Orta Or Maggiore?
Depending on what you’re after, both Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore have their charm. Lake Orta is smaller and quieter, and tourists are less likely to visit. Lake Maggiore is larger and more established with more attractions; it’s busier, but there is more entertainment. They both offer a relaxing experience.
What Is The Prettiest Village On Lake Maggiore?
Most of the villages and towns on Lake Maggiore are pretty. They all have a fishing village charm and offer visitors a pleasant experience with lakeside promenades, plenty of restaurants, shops and sightseeing. Some of the more popular spots are Stresa, Arona and Baveno.
Which Is The Best Town To Stay In Lake Maggiore?
The best town to stay at in Lake Maggiore is Stresa. Stresa offers plenty of entertainment and is one of the best places to depart for a visit to the famous Borromean Islands. There are plenty of accommodations to suit all budgets, shops, cafes and a train station with a direct route to Milan.
Resources For Italy
Is it your first time visiting Italy? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Italy Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- If you fancy staying in the quaint town of Orta San Giulio, here’s our accommodation guide.
- Visit Varallo for a wonderful day trip to the Sacro Monte do Varallo.
- For the ultimate Italian experience, head to Tuscany on a 10-day road trip.
- If you’re looking for beaches, read this guide to Monte Argentario.
- Read this post to discover the best day trips to Pisa from Florence!
⭐ Pro tip >> If you’re going to be using your phone, don’t forget about overseas data roaming. You’ll get charged for using your data. Try Airalo’s eSIMs and download a digital data pack. It’s quick and easy; great if you’re in a hurry.
In Summary: Is Lake Maggiore Worth Visiting?
As always, I like to leave you with a few of my final thoughts as to why I think Lake Maggiore is worth visiting. In the end, and after the initial day or two of rain, we had a lovely time exploring.
We had great weather, which meant plenty of bright and airy adventures to the nearby towns, great experiences at the attractions, which were some of our favourites during the whole trip (don’t miss the Villa Taranto Gardens or the Borromean Islands), and even our lazy days doing nothing were incredible thanks to the views and our surroundings.
Lake Maggiore is a picture-perfect destination, refreshing and relaxing and a great place to experience Italian culture.
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