Lago Maggiore
Lago Maggiore
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The perfect region for your holidays between mountain and lake. Trips, congresses, families, small and big events, culture, outdoor excursions, fun and relaxation in Lago Maggiore, Orta Lake and surroundings.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Lago Maggiore and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
49 within 5 kms
Attractions
681 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,115 reviews
Excellent
838
Very good
242
Average
21
Poor
5
Terrible
9
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Ute M
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Couples
We had booked a holiday apartment on Lake Maggiore through Lago Reisen (Villa Biffi in Verbania). The apartment smelled extremely of mold, especially from the kitchen cupboards. We were not allowed to leave the apartment at night because the owner's dangerous dogs stayed there at night. Our dog was also not allowed to go out at night.
Lago Reisen denies any responsibility, saying they are only the agent. The landlord does not respond and of course there is no money back.
It was so terrible that we left the apartment after 2 days. We then tried to get our rights through our lawyer - but to no avail. The rental contract is designed in such a way that not European travel law but Italian rental law applies - jurisdiction Italy . . . . .
You have already lost before you start fighting for your rights. A truly despicable business model!!!
Lago Reisen denies any responsibility, saying they are only the agent. The landlord does not respond and of course there is no money back.
It was so terrible that we left the apartment after 2 days. We then tried to get our rights through our lawyer - but to no avail. The rental contract is designed in such a way that not European travel law but Italian rental law applies - jurisdiction Italy . . . . .
You have already lost before you start fighting for your rights. A truly despicable business model!!!
Written 3 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pablo Z
Como, Italy51 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
I expended 2 hours trying to find parking. Finally my wife and my daughter took the boat to visit the isola bella while i continued going around looking for a parking without any success. Worst daily trip ever.
Written 31 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Weltenbummler1360
Berlin, Germany109 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We were at Lake Maggiore, Cannero Riviera for the first time, it was fantastic. Absolutely recommended. Magical view of the lake surrounded by the mountains. Something for everyone, whether hiking, cycling, walking or in or on the water.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alessandro F
Milan, Italy32,752 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
This is the ancient name of this large lake on the north of Italy, it splits Lombardia, Piemonte and Canton Ticino Switzerland.
The climate is mild in both winter and summer , producing Mediterranean climate wonderful for vegetation.
The most beautiful gardens are on the many palaces and ville on its rivers
The climate is mild in both winter and summer , producing Mediterranean climate wonderful for vegetation.
The most beautiful gardens are on the many palaces and ville on its rivers
Written 6 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David W
144 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
Lake Maggiore is by far the most varied of all the Italian lakes. I have for 12 years some 500m above the lake town of Stresa, and still feel as though I have just arrived. Everyday I take my camera, to try and capture the forever changing moods of the lake. From the bottom of the lake you have the Port of Arona, a town with a seaside feel to it, busy with sailing boats, which can be viewed from the splendid promanade. Excellent shopping, restaurants, and some many venues nearby. it is the home of the lakes ferry terminal so from here you can plan a short tour, or a lake cruise. The drive from Arona to Stresa is stunning passing the medeival castle on the far bank at Angera, its guns protecting Arona port entrance. Noteable twons to visit en route would be Meina, Lesa, and Belgirate. Like all the lake towns, stop and park, because what you see from the road view, is a fraction of the fascinating architecture that lies hidden from the lakes frontage. all a little diiferent, all gems to discover.Stresa is so well written about with its Victorian feel, its elegant gardens, its stunning lakeside promandes,majestic hotels, full of the romance of yesteryear. From Stresa the road north starts to take a more alpine feel, despite the palm trees of this micro climate. Stop a while in Baveno, enchanting an again stroll along its shores on yet anothe fabulous promanade, the whole lake has this feature. It great way to excercise , and suitable for the elderly, the athletic or young families with prams, It appeals to everyone, Next try Feriolo, a pretty town with a small beach, yachts at anchor, and again some excellent eating establishments. camping sites abound here round to Fondo toce, and its wild bird sanctuary, nature trails, and cycle tracks. Continue to Pallansa with its elegant villas, and the famous Villa Taranto and its botanical gardens, then over the river to Intra, once called the Manchester of the Lake because of some earlier industries, but now transformed into a busy working town, a great tourist hub, with some excellent shops, and a fantastic market on a Saturday. Onwards to Ghiffa, and Ronco and the beautiful Sacro Monte, and the stunning lake views. The zone from here up towards cannero and Cannobio is often refered to as the Riviera, because of the gentle climate, and its mediteranean feel. all of this journey can be taken by car, and still only covers a half of the lake. we always recommend to break the lake up into sections, and tryu and visit some of it by ferry, as the beauty and perspective are so different when viewed looking back to shore. If your schedule allows you ideally need around 5 days to fully appreciate the key zones on the lake, not forgetting the backdrop of incredible mountains, providing some of the best walking, or treking in Europe
Written 10 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dunworkin49
Newton Abbot, UK82 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
This is my favourite of all the Italian lakes. There is so much to see and do, from visiting the Borromeo Palaces of Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Angera to the bucket ride up the mountain at Laveno. All the bus, train and ferry services are easy to use for visiting the villages round the lake. Lake Orta is a an hour's bus ride away, or you can take an organised tour. I used Viaggi Tomassucci Travel on the lakefront in Stresa for coach trips to Zermatt, the 3 Lakes and tickets for the Centavalli train ride to Locarno. Barbara, the guide on the coach trips, was a mine of information. Excellent drivers.
Allow plenty of time to enjoy the Borromeo palaces, Isola Bella and Isola Madre, to the full. The palaces are very large and lots to look at. Bella's gardens are amazing. The Rocca Angera at the bottom of the lake is also worth a visit as is St Catherine's Monastery.
Isola Pescatori is full of restaurants in between Bella and Madre. Or you can stay on the island, which I did - wonderful experience.
Malpensa is the nearest airport to the lake and there's an Alibus connection from there - 12 euros each way to Stresa. It took an hour. There are other stops on the lake. It has to be booked online beforehand.
Study the ferry timetables to get maximum value from your tickets (there is a week day seniors rate!). The hydrofoils may be fast, but they are enclosed, so you don't get the views.
Can't wait to go back!
Allow plenty of time to enjoy the Borromeo palaces, Isola Bella and Isola Madre, to the full. The palaces are very large and lots to look at. Bella's gardens are amazing. The Rocca Angera at the bottom of the lake is also worth a visit as is St Catherine's Monastery.
Isola Pescatori is full of restaurants in between Bella and Madre. Or you can stay on the island, which I did - wonderful experience.
Malpensa is the nearest airport to the lake and there's an Alibus connection from there - 12 euros each way to Stresa. It took an hour. There are other stops on the lake. It has to be booked online beforehand.
Study the ferry timetables to get maximum value from your tickets (there is a week day seniors rate!). The hydrofoils may be fast, but they are enclosed, so you don't get the views.
Can't wait to go back!
Written 12 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick K
49 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Arrange to take the Lago Maggiore Express. There are two options. We took a 30 minute train from Stresa to Dommodosola where we caught a narrow gauge railway up into and over the mountains to Locarno, Switzerland. Really scenic ride up the mountains and across gorges passing through several small towns along the way. Be advised - prices in Locarno were 2X what they are in Stresa. After exploring Locarno a bit, we caught the 3 hour Lago Magiore Express for a 3 hour boat ride back to Stresa. It's full day and well worth the trip.
Written 10 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alistair b
Dundee, UK211 contributions
Sept 2019
Based in Stresa we had a program of tours by boat and train and what a spectacular lake it is, different to Como and Garda.
Highlights have been the Mottarone cable car and Isola Pescatore (separate reviews).
Still to go on Centovali Express to locarno in Switzerland then back by boat to Stresa and a trip to Lake Orta.
Highlights have been the Mottarone cable car and Isola Pescatore (separate reviews).
Still to go on Centovali Express to locarno in Switzerland then back by boat to Stresa and a trip to Lake Orta.
Written 24 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leon M
Biloxi, MS69 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We scheduled about 6+ hours (roughly 1000-1630) in Stresa and the islands, which turned out to be just a little short due to an ill-advised trip onward to Pallanza. In that amount of time I would recommend that you stick to Isola Bella and Isola Madre, perhaps with a stop at Baveno if you do not want to eat lunch on the islands.
Each island has a palatial residence and seriously beautiful gardens, each very different from the other, so well worth seeing both. There is going to be significant walking involved, so probably not for the seriously mobility-challenged, though my wife and her cane did fine by taking it at a slower pace.
The hop-on-hop-off ferry ticket is worth it for convenience, IMO. We obtained these from Tomassucci Travel, right across the street from the ferry terminal, with no hassle.
From the Stresa train station to the ferry terminal is about a 1km walk, with one significant change in elevation along the way. I did not see any bakeries, etc. along the way, though there are some sit-down restaurants close to the terminal.
I would definitely recommend this as a Spring-to-Fall day-trip from Milan as long as it is not raining that day. It appears that train tickets from/to Milan can be bought at the last minute, so there is good flexibility in choosing when to go.
Each island has a palatial residence and seriously beautiful gardens, each very different from the other, so well worth seeing both. There is going to be significant walking involved, so probably not for the seriously mobility-challenged, though my wife and her cane did fine by taking it at a slower pace.
The hop-on-hop-off ferry ticket is worth it for convenience, IMO. We obtained these from Tomassucci Travel, right across the street from the ferry terminal, with no hassle.
From the Stresa train station to the ferry terminal is about a 1km walk, with one significant change in elevation along the way. I did not see any bakeries, etc. along the way, though there are some sit-down restaurants close to the terminal.
I would definitely recommend this as a Spring-to-Fall day-trip from Milan as long as it is not raining that day. It appears that train tickets from/to Milan can be bought at the last minute, so there is good flexibility in choosing when to go.
Written 11 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Radiocrimson
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates107 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Even in June, with millions of tourists, the boat service around the lake is terrific. It’s worth getting to the Imbarcadero a bit ahead of time as there are usually a few confused tourists shouting at the ticket sellers in the wrong language. However every imbarcadero has a cafe so having got your biglietti you can sit by the water, drink cappuccino and watch the busy lake life.
Easy to understand and a great experience.
Easy to understand and a great experience.
Written 1 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'll be visiting Varese and nearby villages and lakes including Lake Maggiore and Lake Coma. I'm finding it hard to find parking spaces and I need coordinates for my GPS. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Written 10 August 2019
In Lago Maggiore area, in addition to the parking places around all interesting areas, it is easy enough to find free parking places not too far, searching in lateral roads. Lake Como can be a battle.
Written 21 September 2019
We will be in Milan for 2 days. Is it possible to see Lake Maggiore and Milan Cathedral in one day and second day to see royal palace in Turin
Written 18 June 2019
Maybe you can fit it all in - depends on train schedules or if you hire a car. If you start in Milan in the am and see the Duomo then take train to Stresa (about 90 minutes). In Stresa short ferry ride to Isola Bella which is only island you really need to see (spend 2 hours) then back to Milan. There is an express train to Turin from Milan which is only an hour. I would suggest overnighting in Turin though because L'Acino is best restaurant in all of Italy for dinner! Good LUck.
Written 19 June 2019
Para fazer opção entre o Lago Maggiore e Lago Como, qual seria a melhor opção (não podendo visitar ambos).
Written 28 May 2019
Hi - are there plenty of ferries to other resorts round the lake from Pallansa? - thanks
Written 3 May 2019
There is the official ferry, Navigazione Lago Maggiore, with boats every half hour or forty minutes. They have a clear timetable, and their landings are close to the castle entrance and not shared. The three islands are easy to do in one day.
An all day ticket is 19€.
Written 2 June 2019
Hi. I will be in staying in Stresa end of may for 4 days. Is it advisable to rent a car.
Written 28 April 2019
You can use the ferry to travel around lake.but if you want to go into mountians or Milan id say yes.
Written 2 May 2019
Me gustaría saber desde Milán para ir en tren cual es el destino para hacer el crucero por las islas?
Written 24 February 2019
Witam wybieram się z rodziną na a Camping Isolino w czerwcu 2019r. Chciałbym poznać jakieś wskazówki i opinie o jeziorze, pogodzie i campingu. Godne polecane miejsca?
Written 13 November 2018
We want to rent a villa on the lake but we don't know where would be the best town so that we could walk into town and easy access to ferries/trains etc?
Written 8 October 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I would go to Stresa which is a small resort town of 5.000 inhabitants with everything on it and good enough for Hemingway.
Written 8 October 2017
Showing results 1-10 of 14
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing