I’m not sure why but Lake Maggiore often gets left out of the Italian Lakes conversation. Yet, it’s the second largest lake in Italy after Lake Garda and just as centrally located as Lake Como. Oh, and did I mention that it’s equally as stunning as any other lake you can think of in Italy?
So, if you’ve landed here because you’ve heard something about Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore in Italian) and now you’re wondering if you should add this lake in northern Italy to your itinerary, I’ve put together this guide with the best towns on Lake Maggiore and highlighted what makes them special.
Why trust me when there are so many other Lake Maggiore guides out there? I live for part of the year in the region of Piemonte and I’m a regular visitor to Lake Maggiore. All of the information below is based on my personal knowledge and experience that I learned over numerous visits.
Ready to find out more about Lake Maggiore? Andiamo!
Best Lake Maggiore Towns for Sightseeing and a Base
All the towns on this list are incredibly beautiful. But, I’ve broken up this guide into towns along the lake that are ideal as a place to stay as you explore the best things to do at Lake Maggiore and other towns along the lake that are more suited to visiting.
You can see them all on this Lake Maggiore map to familiarize yourself with where each one is.
The towns below have the best setup for visitors. They’re centrally located, have some of the best things to do in Lake Maggiore in easy reach, are well served by public transportation like trains and ferries, and have plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops for a comfortable visit.
If you need help choosing a base, I wrote this guide on where to stay in Lake Maggiore, too.
1. Stresa
The lakefront town of Stresa is Lake Maggiore’s most popular. It’s on the Piedmont side of the lake along the western shore and is the gateway to the Borromean Islands.
Stresa’s waterfront promenade is beautiful. On one side, you’ll have the deep blue water of Lake Maggiore and the Alps looking perfectly painted on the horizon. Look the other way and you’ll see elegant Art Nouveau and Belle Epoque-style hotels from a bygone time.
Also, along the lakefront you can visit the family-friendly Villa Pallavicino park with beautiful gardens and an interactive experience with different animals that live there.
Then, head into the historic center to have lunch, shop, or simply stroll. It’s Italy after all and the dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing), especially in the Italian lakes, is a great way to just enjoy the moment. If you’d like to sit and people-watch, Piazza Cadorna is the perfect spot.
Stresa is also a convenient and ideal base for visiting Lake Maggiore. During the spring, summer, and fall, especially on weekends, the town is busy with markets and art exhibitions. Plus, you’ll have boat and ferry access to the Borromean Islands and other towns around Lake Maggiore.
Best Hotels in Stresa:
ProTip: If you drive to Stresa and approach the town by coming down the steep, winding hill, look for a small pull-off about halfway down the hill where you’ll have a spectacular birds-eye view of Lake Maggiore.
2. Borromean Islands
Not exactly a town on Lake Maggiore, but rather a group of 3 islands home to the Borromeo family’s lavish palace, elegant villa, and spectacular gardens, as well as tiny fishing villages. The Borromean Islands are a must-visit at Lake Maggiore.
Of the Borromean Islands, Isola Bella is the crown jewel and Lake Maggiore’s most popular destination. From its Baroque interior, gorgeous tapestries, and unbelievable grottoes made of shells and pebbles, the palace on its own is amazing. Paired with the estate’s romantic, tiered garden complete with white peacocks sauntering among the flowers, the scene is utterly breathtaking.
Isola Madre is home to a gorgeous, large botanical garden with plants and flowers from around the world. You can also visit the Borromeo’s more understated family villa.
Isola dei Pescatori was the only island never owned by the Borromeo family. The island was historically a fishing village and the only one with people who live there all year long. Today, it’s the perfect spot to have lunch along the water while visiting these idyllic islands.
Best Hotels on the Borromean Islands:
- Hotel Belvedere (Isola Pescatori)
- Il Verbano (Isola Pescatori)
- Boutique Hotel Elvezia (Isola Bella)
ProTip: Staying on one of the Borromean Islands is a unique experience but does have its limitations. Once the public boat companies stop running for the day, you can’t leave (or get to!) the islands unless you’ve made your own plan. For most people, it’ll likely be better to stay in one of the towns nearby on the mainland. Yet, if you want a quiet, romantic stay, the islands could be the special experience you want.
3. Verbania
Verbania is the largest town on Lake Maggiore yet smaller Stresa sees the majority of the lake’s visitors. Don’t let that fool you! Verbania is a perfect Lake Maggiore base, with great ferry service to nearby towns and sights.
The town sits along the western shores on a promontory that juts out into a point with dramatic mountain peaks behind it. The Borromean Islands are nearby and, if you look at the map of Lake Maggiore, you’ll see that Verbania, Stresa, and Laveno-Mombello form a triangle.
Verbania has a beautiful waterfront area and a classic old town with all that you’d expect from a pretty town in the Italian lakes.
The town is split into different areas that were once independent villages. Two of these are Pallanza and Intra. I’ll go into more detail about Intra below.
Here’s a fun fact. The lakeside promenade is in the Pallanza area of the town. From here, you can see the Isolino di San Giovanni. This is actually a fourth Borromean Island but it’s not open to the public, as it’s still used by the family. But from this vantage point, you can get a glimpse of this tiny island!
While you’re in Verbania, especially in the spring and summer, Villa Taranto is a can’t-miss. The historic villa and incredible botanical gardens are breathtaking and one of Lake Maggiore’s top sights.
Plan your visit accordingly, the gardens are only open from mid-March to the beginning of November depending on how the dates fall in a calendar year.
Best Hotels in Verbania (Including Intra & Pallanza):
4. Intra
Intra is part of Verbania but I wanted to call it out on its own. I think it’s a hidden gem in northern Italy.
Intra’s old town is so colorful and picturesque! This little village within Verbania sits between two small rivers which is what its name means in Latin. The walkable old town is a network of narrow streets with plenty of shops and places to eat or drink. Lots of places in Italy are colorful but, for me, Intra seemed to have some of the boldest house-shutter combinations I’d seen in a while.
Spend time wandering! You’ll come across smaller piazzas, the Basilica di San Vittore, and other tucked-away spots perfect savoring the charm of it all.
Intra is a fun spot at night if you’re staying here or even if you’re not. People come for aperitivos, dinner, and simply to walk along the lakefront promenade. If you’re there on a Saturday, save time to shop at the weekly market.
5. Baveno
Baveno is a laid-back lakefront town just 5 minutes from the action in Stresa. From Baveno’s waterfront, you can see the Borromean Islands and sweeping views of Lake Maggiore and the mountains bordering the lake. There are also boats if you want to stay in Baveno and visit the islands from here.
The lakefront in Baveno is peaceful and incredibly scenic. You can lounge on a sandy beach, rent a canoe, or go sailing or windsurfing from here. In some places, you can sit for dinner and enjoy the orange sky at sunset. For me, this was the best part of visiting Baveno. I loved relaxing lakeside here!
It’s hard to put into words because all the towns on this list sit along the beautiful shores of Lake Maggiore. But, there was something extra special about where Baveno was situated and the spectacular views from there.
Baveno does have some historical sites, too. The Chiesa of Santi Gervaso and Protaso is in Baveno’s historic center in the Piazza delle Chiesa. The church is at least 1,000 years old with Roman markings indicating pieces of it are likely much older. Next to the church, the Baptistery is shaped like an octagon inside and has pretty frescoes from the Renaissance.
Best Hotels in Baveno:
6. Laveno-Mombello
Located on the eastern shore on the Lombardy side of Lake Maggiore, Laveno-Mombello is an easy day trip from Milan or a great gateway to town hop with the help of the lake’s ferries. The train station is just steps from the lake and takes just about 90 minutes from Milan.
Like all the towns on this list, Laveno-Mombello is a scenic, small lake town with a cute harbor area and plenty of places to eat and enjoy the lakeside views. It’s also a perfect place for hiking if you’re up for it.
You can hike up to Sasso del Ferro, one of the mountains along the lake, or instead ride the thrilling 16-minute open-air bucket gondola to the top. The views up there are absolutely stunning! You can get a panoramic view of Lake Maggiore and the Alps, and sometimes you can even see the city skyline of Milan.
While you’re in Laveno, make a point to see the beautiful Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso. This incredible monastery clings to the cliffside just above the lake. It reminded me of the Madonna della Corona Sanctuary in Veneto because of its dramatic position!
Take a boat from Laveno and walk the 80 steps up to the monastery. It’s worth seeing this beautiful place as you approach it from the water and the breathtaking views of the lake from the balcony.
Best Hotels in Laveno-Mombello:
Best Towns on Lake Maggiore to Visit
The towns listed in this section are some of the best on the lake! But if you’re visiting Lake Maggiore for the first time, they’re most likely better for visits rather than staying for a longer period of time.
On the other hand, if you’re hoping to stay a bit away from Lake Maggiore’s main sights to simply just enjoy the lake and its natural beauty, as well as seek out under-the-radar spots, these towns might be what you’re looking for.
7. Luino
Luino is a pretty town also on the eastern shores of Lake Maggiore and close to the Swiss border.
The main draw to Luino is its Wednesday market! It’s the largest one anywhere along the shores of Lake Maggiore and one of the biggest markets of its kind in Europe. People come from all over to browse and shop at the hundreds of stalls that set up each week.
I’m always amazed to learn that a market has been happening every week for over 500 years like this one in Luino! My inner history nerd likes to imagine these people centuries ago shopping for food like cheeses, lake fish, produce, and meats to clothing, crafts, and household goods just like we are today.
The market runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. but late morning to early afternoon is when the market is most active. If you’re in the Luino area on a Wednesday, I highly recommend going to the market! You can drive or take a ferry from places like Cannero Riviera on the opposite side of the lake to get there. If you’re coming from Milan, there are some trains that run direct to Luino.
If you can’t visit on a Wednesday, Luino is still a beautiful spot to stop while exploring Lake Maggiore, especially if you’re nearby and need to stretch your legs or want to sit for some lunch.
8. Cannobio
Cannobio is on the western shore of Lake Maggiore and is further north than the other towns in this guide. It’s only a few minutes by car from Italy’s border with Switzerland.
I love Cannobio’s lakefront promenade. It’s one of the prettiest spots along the lake to sit for lunch or walk from end to end to see the monuments, architecture, and beautiful lake and mountain views. If you want to settle down by the water for a while or even the day, the Lido di Cannobio has chairs and umbrellas to rent, grassy areas for a picnic, and good swimming.
Be sure to wander away from the waterfront, too. The town has quiet cobblestone lanes and colorful buildings from the Middle Ages.
If you’re driving to Cannobio, there’s a hidden gem not to miss! Stop just before the town in the village of Carmine Inferiore. Park and walk 15 minutes to the ancient village of Carmine Superiore. You’ll see signs near the parking area pointing you in the right direction.
Walk the stone village that was once abandoned and make your way to the Church of San Gottardo. It was built in the 1300s and has now-restored original frescoes and beautiful views of Lake Maggiore.
9. Cannero Riviera
Just south of Cannobio and Carmine Inferiore, Cannero Riviera is flanked by palm trees and other plants and flowers you’d expect further south in Italy like citrus trees and camellias.
What caught my eye in this village besides the pretty waterfront were the Castles of Cannero. There are two tiny islands with castle ruins that you can see from the mainland. The castles have just been restored and are set to reopen to visitors. Or with a kayak, you could paddle out for a closer look without visiting inside.
10. Arona
At the southern end of Lake Maggiore on the Piedmont side, Arona has a charming old town centered around the Piazza del Popolo. The pretty lakefront area has architecture from Medieval times, a walkable promenade, and restaurants to sit outside and enjoy the views.
The town is most famous today for its Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo. It’s a giant statue of copper about 115 feet tall of Saint Charles Borromeo who was born in the Rocca di Arona, a fortress that was destroyed by Napoleon’s army over 200 years ago.
Today, you can climb inside the statue to get a birds-eye view of Lake Maggiore. And if you’re thinking this sounds similar to the Statue of Liberty, you’d be right. It’s said that the designers of the Statue of Liberty studied this statue beforehand.
Planning Your Trip to Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is in the heart of the Italian Lakes, west of Lake Como and Lake Lugano. It’s split lengthwise between the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. There is also a northern section of the lake over the border in Switzerland.
For this guide, I focused on the Italian areas of the lake.
Best Time to Visit Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore has a microclimate that usually protects it from the extremes of winter and summer. Even still, the best time to visit Lake Maggiore is during the spring and fall, followed by the summer.
Aside from the fogginess in winter due to the contrast of the alpine air at higher elevations and the warmer waters of the lake, several key Lake Maggiore sights are closed in the winter. These include Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Villa Taranto to name a few. It would be a pity to visit and not see these gorgeous places.
Summers are busy so if you visit then, expect higher prices, the warmest temperatures, and likely some difficulty getting around, especially by car.
How to Get to Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is well-served by trains on both sides of the lake. From Milan, trains depart regularly. Just be sure to check which station the train departs from, the Central Station in Milan or Porta Garibaldi.
From Lake Como to Lake Maggiore, the best way is to drive. Depending on which town you’re leaving at Lake Como and where you’re going at Lake Maggiore, the ride could be as little as an hour.
Lake Orta to Lake Maggiore is just 30 minutes by car. There’s also a bus that’ll go from Orta San Giulio to Stresa in under an hour.
Inspired to Visit Lake Maggiore?
Lake Maggiore and the Italian lakes are among the best places to visit in northern Italy!
I hope this guide inspired you to include some time at Lake Maggiore during your Italy trip. You’ll get the classic Italian Lakes vibe that you’re searching for and see some of the most stunning places, too! And while places like Stresa are busy in summer, you’ll find plenty of places where you can relax lakeside enjoying the old-world charm of Lago Maggiore without the crowds you’ll find at other lakes nearby.
If you have questions about visiting Lake Maggiore, let me know!
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Thank you for the helpful infos 🙂
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