Beyond the lake
Lake Maggiore: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Isiwal · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Lake Maggiore: the back story
West of Lake Como and Lake Lugano lies Lake Maggiore, shared by Lombardy, Piedmont and Ticino. From Stresa on the western shore, boats cross to the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, with the Borromeo palace and its terraced gardens, and Isola Madre, with its botanical garden. Visitor information from the official tourism gateway, illagomaggiore.com.
Getting there
By car, or by train via Milan to Stresa; Navigazione Laghi runs the boats on the lake.
The islands
Isola Bella and Isola Madre open in season; check the dates before you go.
Navigazione Laghi runs the boats on Lake Maggiore as well as on Lake Como.
Our advice: go in spring, when the gardens are in flower.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- The islands
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Lake Maggiore: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Lake Maggiore: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Malpensa Airport32 kmCar or taxi 68 min
- Como Cathedral43 kmCar or taxi 91 min
- Brunate funicular44 kmCar or taxi 92 min
- Villa del Balbianello52 kmCar or taxi 109 min
- Villa Carlotta55 kmCar or taxi 114 min
- Villa Melzi gardens56 kmCar or taxi 117 min
- Villa Monastero60 kmCar or taxi 124 min
Main railway stations
- Como San Giovanni42 kmCar or taxi 89 min
- Como Lago43 kmCar or taxi 91 min
- Varenna-Esino60 kmCar or taxi 124 min