If you’re asking where to stay in Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, you must be in search of a quintessential Italian Lakes experience without the star-studded or touristy atmosphere of Lake Maggiore’s eastern neighbor, Lake Como.
Without a doubt, Lake Maggiore has all the charm you’d expect of Italy’s second-biggest lake. Picture luxurious palazzos and gorgeous gardens, lakeside promenades and piazzas perfect for an aperitivo, plenty of hiking, biking, and boating, lakeside beaches to laze away the day, and hidden gems that deserve a precious spot on your Italy itinerary.
But at about 82 square miles and divides between the northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy and a northern section stretching into Switzerland, it can be tough to decide where to stay on Lake Maggiore.
I live for part of the year in the Piedmont region and have spent many days exploring Lake Maggiore. Before that, I stayed at the lake during my travels around northern Italy. I’ve used all of this first-hand knowledge to put together this Lake Maggiore hotel guide.
You’ll notice that I’ve focused on the Italian section of Lake Maggiore which is where the majority of the lake is. (This is also a website about northern Italy.) I’ve broken down why each place could make an ideal base and hotels to consider in each one to help you plan your visit to this incredibly underrated Italian lake!
TLDR; Where to stay in Lake Maggiore Italy?
Most people visiting Lake Maggiore stay in Stresa, Baveno, or the different parts of Verbania on the Piedmont side of the lake. Some stay on one of the Borromean Islands for a more unique experience.
I’ve put together a quick-glance list of hotels in these places. If you don’t have a car, Stresa is the easiest and most popular place to stay. If you are driving around Lake Maggiore and northern Italy, you could easily decide to stay outside of the popular spots and use your car or the ferry to hop from point to point.
Aside from this quick list, it’s worth it to keep reading to see a few other towns that are great places to stay on Lake Maggiore, too!
Borromean Islands Hotels
- Hotel Belvedere (Isola Pescatori)
- Il Verbano (Isola Pescatori)
- Boutique Hotel Elvezia (Isola Bella)
Verbania Hotels
Baveno Hotels
Why Stay in Stresa
Stresa’s central location along the western shores of Lake Maggiore and easy access to the Borromean Islands make it a popular choice for visitors looking to stay and day-trippers hoping to visit a few of the lake’s top sights.
Stresa is less than an hour from Malpensa Airport and just slightly more than that on a direct train from Milan’s Central Station. It’s also an easy, under-2-hour drive from both Milan and Torino and not far from Lake Como.
Plus, it has excellent ferry connections to the Borromean Islands and many of the best towns along Lake Maggiore so it’s easy to get around from here without a car.
Put this together with the glamourous Art Nouveau hotels along the town’s lakefront, the palm trees poking above the rooftops, the Alps in the background, Stresa’s town center, and the cluster of Lake Maggiore’s most popular things to do within easy reach and you’ll see why staying in Stresa makes a lot of sense.
Stresa is also the easiest spot to base yourself if you want to make a day trip to Lake Orta and the town of Orta San Giulio just 30 minutes away.
Stresa Hotels
Why Stay in Baveno
Baveno is also along the lakeshore just 5 minutes by car from Stresa. It has ferry access to Stresa, Intra, Villa Taranto, and the Borromean Islands. There’s also direct train access from Milan.
Compared to Stresa, Baveno is less crowded so it can be a great option if you want to be near Stresa but away from the touristy hustle. What I like in particular about Baveno is its beachfront access.
Several hotels have private beach areas where you can sit in a lounge chair and enjoy spectacular views of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding Alps. There’s also the Lido Beach Club Baveno where you can rent a chair and umbrella for a day by the lake, as well as Villa Fedora Public Park with a no-amenities beachfront.
The beach bit further north in Cannero Riviera is a bit nicer and has won Blue Flag status because of how clean it is. But Baveno is a great option when you want beachfront close to Lake Maggiore’s top sights and solid train and ferry connections.
Baveno Hotels
Why Stay in Verbania (Intra and Pallanza)
Verbania has two main parts, Intra and Pallanza, and is well-connected by ferry to other towns along Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands.
There are plenty of places to stay and eat and lots to see and do, including visiting the famous gardens at Villa Taranto. And although popular spots like the villa’s gardens and the nearby Borromean Islands close for the winter, Verbania’s hotels and restaurants stay open throughout the year.
Compared to other towns along Lake Maggiore, Verbania has many more year-round residents so you can always find places for a gelato or aperitvo.
If you stay, you’ll find a pretty waterfront promenade and multi-colored buildings clustered along narrow streets that weave through the historic centers of each former town. Pallanza is often called the prettier of the two areas, but I also thought Intra was a hidden gem the first time I visited.
One downside to staying in Verbania is its train access. Even though there is a Verbania train station, it’s still quite a distance from the town. It’s better to connect via ferry from a town like Stresa or drive to your hotel.
Verbania Hotels
Why Stay on the Borromean Islands
It’s possible to stay on Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori, especially if you’d like a quiet or romantic stay. During the day, the islands are busy with day-trippers. But once the public boat companies stop running for the day, you can’t leave or get to the islands unless you’ve made private arrangements.
Anyone staying on one of these islands will feel almost as if the island is theirs to enjoy, especially on Isola Bella where only a handful of people live.
Keep in mind though, staying on one of the Borromean Islands might be a unique experience but it does have its limitations once public boats stop. For most people, it’ll likely be better to stay in one of the towns nearby on the mainland where there are town centers to walk through and enjoy.
But if you’re ok with a quiet dinner on a beautiful island on Lake Maggiore overlooking the Alps, then this could be the experience for you.
Borromean Island Hotels
- Hotel Belvedere (Isola Pescatori)
- Il Verbano (Isola Pescatori)
- Boutique Hotel Elvezia (Isola Bella)
More Places to Stay at Lake Maggiore
Aside from these popular towns on Lake Maggiore, other towns along the lake have plenty to offer. Depending on what you’d like to see and do and your itinerary, one of these towns may be a better fit for you.
Laveno-Mombello
All of the towns on this list so far have been on the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore. Laveno-Mombello is on the lake’s eastern side in the region of Lombardy. This part of Lake Maggiore is a bit less “discovered” than the Piedmont side.
It’s an easy day trip from Milan with direct train access in 90 minutes. I also think it’s a great way to see some of Lake Maggiore without going too far from Milan if you’re itinerary is based around the city or points further east.
Laveno-Mombello is known for its famous open-air bucket gondola and the beautiful Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, just a few minutes away by boat. Both experiences are unique things to do in northern Italy and come with spectacular views of Lake Maggiore and the Alps.
Hotels in Laveno-Mombello
Cannero Riviera
Cannero Riviera is further north on the western side of Lake Maggiore but still just 20 minutes by car from Verbania. As its name suggests, it is flanked by palm trees, citrus trees, and flowers you’d expect to find further south. It’s slower here than in busy Stresa or Verbania so if you want to relax and explore some of the lake’s lesser-known spots like nearby Carmine Superiore, Cannero is the perfect spot.
There’s a lido to enjoy a day of swimming and lounging by the lake. Just offshore, the newly restored 15th century Castles of Cannero are on rocky islets and available to visit. Hiking trails in the hills behind the town lead to tiny villages, relics from local trades, and beautiful views of Lake Maggiore.
Cannobio is just a few minutes by car and ferries cross the lake to Luino and its famous weekly market.
Hotels in Cannero Riviera
Cannobio
Just minutes from the Swiss border, Cannobio is one of the prettiest spots along the shores of Lake Maggiore. The Lido di Cannobio, along with the one in nearby Cannero Riviera, earned Blue Flag status given to beaches with the cleanest and safest water. Chairs and umbrellas are available to rent.
I love Cannobio’s waterfront promenade. It’s absolutely one of the most picturesque along Lake Maggiore. You can sit for lunch or take a stroll from one end to the other, hopefully with a gelato in hand. Go slowly to enjoy the beautiful lake and mountain views.
Head away from the water to see the town’s Medieval roots. Palazzos from the 13th century, historic churches, and a bell tower all contribute to the characteristic atmosphere. Then, hike into the valley following one of the footpaths. There are stunning meadows, gorges, and views depending on which route you take.
Similar to Cannero Riviera, staying in Cannobio is perfect if you’d like to be away from busier Stresa and enjoy the slower pace and hidden gems in this part of Lake Maggiore. It’s also an ideal position if you plan to spend time between northern Italy and Switzerland.
Hotels in Cannobio
Where would you like to stay on Lake Maggiore?
Have you decided to stay in chic Stresa, charming Cannobio, or has another spot caught your eye?
I’m a bit biased because I love Lake Maggiore but I don’t think there’s a wrong choice on this list especially if you intend to explore top sights at the lake and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.
If you’re traveling without a car and/or have limited time, stay in Stresa or go for Baveno for a bit more local feel. Otherwise, take advantage of having a car and/or extended days at Lake Maggiore to stay just outside of the day-tripping hustle and use your car or the ferries to visit the places around the lake that are on your list.
If you have questions about planning your stay at Lake Maggiore, leave a comment below.
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