Lake Maggiore: timeless elegance between nature, history, and flavors

Refined, poetic, and surprising, Lake Maggiore is one of the most captivating destinations in Italy. With its vast surface — the second-largest of Italy’s lakes — and its unique geography stretching across Piedmont, Lombardy, and Switzerland, the Verbano (as it’s also called) offers breathtaking views, an irresistible blend of nature, art, culture, and local flavors.

The lake is divided among three Italian provinces (Verbania, Novara, and Varese) and the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. This territorial division results in an extraordinary variety of landscapes and cultures: from flower-covered shores dotted with aristocratic villas to mountains reflecting in the waters, from postcard-like islands to historic villages and gardens that seem to come from a romantic novel.

Surrounded by the majestic Alps and blessed with a particularly mild microclimate, Lake Maggiore has for centuries been a natural laboratory for rare plants and spectacular gardens. It’s no coincidence that some of the world’s most renowned botanical parks are found here. This balance between lush nature and aristocratic architecture is one of the reasons why the lake continues to fascinate travelers from all over the world.

A long vacation isn’t necessary: even a simple weekend at Lake Maggiore is enough to immerse yourself in unique experiences. Whether traveling as a couple, with family, or friends, every corner offers the opportunity to choose between relaxation, adventure, culture, and fine dining.

The 10 Must-See Things on Lake Maggiore

Stresa
Considered by many as the "pearl of Lake Maggiore," Stresa is an elegant and vibrant town overlooking a stretch of lake framed by the Alps and the Borromean Islands. Strolling along its romantic lakeside promenade is almost a cinematic experience: perfectly manicured gardens, palms alternating with colorful flowers, Liberty-style facades telling of an aristocratic past. In addition to its churches and monuments, Stresa is famous for its historic villas and the refined atmosphere felt in every corner. A must-see for anyone visiting the lake, just as the Eiffel Tower is for those going to Paris.

Rocca Borromea di Angera
Imposing and striking, the Rocca Borromea di Angera has dominated the southern end of the lake since the 11th century. The architectural complex consists of several sections, each representing different historical periods: the Scaligera, the Viscontea, the Giovanni Visconti Tower, and the Borromea Wing. Inside, there are frescoes, tapestries, and the famous Doll and Toy Museum, a unique collection. Outside, an authentic medieval garden is being reconstructed thanks to the study of ancient codes. A dive into history that fascinates both young and old, enthusiasts and curious visitors.

Villa Pallavicino
Just a short distance from Stresa, this 19th-century villa is surrounded by a beautiful park of over 20 hectares, featuring centuries-old plants, fragrant flowers, and a zoo that houses more than 40 species of animals, including mammals, exotic birds, and farm animals. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing walk in nature, immersed in an idyllic landscape.

Isola Madre and Palazzo Borromeo
The largest of the Borromean Islands, also known as Isola Maggiore, is a true botanical paradise. The Borromeo Palace, built in the 1500s, faces directly onto the lake with a majestic 80-meter-long facade. Inside, sumptuous rooms follow one another, including the Venetian Sitting Room decorated with trompe l’oeil floral frescoes and rooms that once hosted Napoleon Bonaparte. The surrounding gardens are a triumph of exotic plants, rare animals, and natural settings that take your breath away, with a large green amphitheater completing the scene.

The Gardens of Villa Taranto
Ranked among the world’s most beautiful gardens, the Villa Taranto Gardens are a botanical masterpiece. They span about 16 hectares in Verbania and host over 20,000 plant varieties from all five continents. Well-maintained paths, tropical greenhouses, fountains, and flower beds create a sensory journey that enchants visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

Arona and the Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo
The birthplace of St. Charles Borromeo, Arona is a charming town on the southern side of the lake. Here stands the famous “Sancarlone,” a colossal copper statue 35 meters high, built in 1698, which for a long time was the tallest statue in the world. Visitors can climb inside via a spiral staircase that leads to the statue’s head, offering a spectacular view of the lake and mountains. An extraordinary work that, in terms of design and structure, even preceded New York’s Statue of Liberty.

Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso
One of the most mystical and fascinating places on Lake Maggiore. This 12th-century monastery is perched on the eastern shore of the lake, in the town of Leggiuno. It can be reached by two long staircases or an elevator carved into the rock, offering an atmosphere of absolute peace and breathtaking views. Its delicate architecture and position suspended between water and sky make it a spiritual symbol of the region.

Isola Bella
Elegant and theatrical, Isola Bella is a true baroque wonder. The sumptuous palace, built between the 17th and 19th centuries, greets visitors with stuccoes, tapestries, reception halls, and works of art. The Italian-style garden, arranged over ten terraced levels, is decorated with statues, fountains, and rare plants such as lemons, camellias, and rhododendrons. White peacocks roam freely among the flowerbeds, adding a touch of magic to this small corner of paradise.

Isola dei Pescatori
The most authentic of the Borromean Islands and the only one inhabited year-round (with about 20 residents). Here, you’ll find a picturesque village with narrow streets, fishermen's houses, and lakeside restaurants. Every year, on Ferragosto, the waters are illuminated with the enchanting procession of boats, a folkloric event full of charm.

Cannero Riviera and its Castles on the water
This enchanting corner of Verbano is known as the "Riviera of Oranges" due to its mild climate, which allows for the cultivation of lemons and oranges. In front of the village, on three small islets, rise the mysterious ruins of the Cannero Castles, which appear to float on the water. These can be admired on ecological mini-cruises aboard catamarans or solar-powered boats, while a restoration project is underway to turn them into a museum. A place that has inspired artists and writers, continuing to captivate the imagination.

The Cuisine of Lake Maggiore

You can't leave Lake Maggiore without tasting its culinary specialties. The local cuisine is rich and varied, with influences from Piedmont, Lombardy, and Switzerland. The stars of the menu are lake fish, such as baked whitefish, fried or marinated bleak, pike, and trout, often served boiled with mayonnaise. Among the cured meats, you'll find pancetta, bresaola, Ossolana mortadella, Val Vigezzo ham, goat violino, and herb-flavored lardo from Macugnaga.

Excellent cheeses such as Bettelmatt, Mottarone Toma, and Ossolano d’Alpe pair beautifully with meat dishes like mixed boiled meats, cassœula, and the traditional tapulone, minced meat cooked in wine and served with polenta.

Among the unmissable local desserts, there’s the simple yet fragrant Ossolana apple cake, perfect for breakfast. Stresa’s margheritine, crumbly cookies created in 1857 to celebrate the baptism of Princess Margherita of Savoy, are a symbol of local pastry artistry. From Borgomanero come the famous Brutti ma Buoni, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, made with hazelnuts and almonds, while in Arona, you’ll find the delicious Baci, chocolate and hazelnut sweets resembling the more famous “Baci di dama.” In Verbania, Intresine cookies surprise with their soft and aromatic filling, while Novara offers traditional dry biscuits, perfect for dipping in wine or tea. Finally, Varese’s Dolce di Varese, also known as "amor polenta," is a soft cornmeal, butter, and almond plum cake: a true treat.

To accompany these delights, there are the local wines, which perfectly represent the richness of the region: from the robust Ghemme DOCG, a noble Piedmontese red made from Nebbiolo, to the younger but characteristic Prunent, an autochthonous variety from the Val d’Ossola. On the Lombard shores, you’ll also find the "Ronchi Varesini," niche wines with an authentic taste, expressions of the unique microclimate of Lake Maggiore. Some of these wines are also excellent as meditation wines and pair beautifully with the local dry pastries.