Stresa town on Lake Maggiore

Stresa is a picturesque town on Lake Maggiore in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is known for its beautiful views, rich history, and an excellent base for exploring the surrounding attractions, including the famous Borromean Islands.

Saint Ambrose and the Duchess – historical curiosities of Stresa

Stresa is a place full of interesting history. The parish church hides the remains of St. Ambrose, which were brought from the catacombs in Rome in 1835. Since then, the saint has been revered there as the protector of the youngest. In August 1912, the funeral of Elizabeth of Saxony took place in Stresa. The Duchess of Genoa spent more than half a century of her life in the city.

What to see in Stresa: popular attractions

The city center is small, but captivates with its atmosphere. In the main square – Piazza Cadorna – there is always something going on. It is here that locals and tourists squat in cafes, enjoy ice cream and local cuisine. You can also buy handmade souvenirs and crafts in the neighborhood stores.

Mottarone Peak – Vetta di Mottarone: a peak from which you can see Lake Maggiore and the Alps like the palm of your hand. From its summit, which rises 1,491 meters above sea level, there is a magnificent view of the Alps, Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and the surrounding countryside.

It’s a great place for everyone – those who enjoy walking and nature, as well as skiers. In winter you can ski here, and in the other months you can hike the mountain trails, enjoying the surroundings. To get to the summit, we have two choices – we can climb on foot or take the cable car.

Lago Maggiore - Monte Mottarone — *The cable car ride to the top of Mottarone*

Pallavicino Park, located in Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore, is a popular tourist attraction, offering magnificent gardens, various fauna, and peaceful walking paths. Spread over 18 hectares, the park is home to many species of animals, such as deer, llamas, and peacocks, which can roam freely here. Visitors can admire the beauty of the carefully maintained gardens and rich vegetation and enjoy the tranquility of nature. Pallavicino Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, and anyone who wants a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It offers educational nature trails and a playground for children.

Lungolago di Stresa is a picturesque promenade along the shores of Lake Maggiore, offering visitors spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. It is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, during which you can admire the natural beauty of the region, elegant hotels and villas from the Belle Époque, as well as charming cafés and restaurants. The promenade is a popular place for tourists and locals looking to relax and escape the daily routine. Lungolago is a great starting point for further exploration of the attractions in and around the town, including boat trips to the nearby Borromean Islands.

Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore) in northern Italy

Lake Maggiore, known in Italian as Lago Maggiore, is the second largest lake in Italy and straddles the border between Italy and Switzerland. It is a post-glacial lake with picturesque landscapes and a rich tourist offer.

The Borromean Islands (Isole Borromee)

The Borromean Islands (Isole Borromee) are an archipelago of five small islands located in Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, northern Italy. They are named after the princely Borromeo family, which ruled them from the 14th century to the present day.
The archipelago includes Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Madre, Isolino di San Giovanni, and Isolino degli Innamorati (Scoglio della Malghera).

The Borromean Islands are mainly accessible to tourists between March and October. However, Isola dei Pescatori is accessible year-round. Visitors can explore the islands by boat from Stresa’s port.

Isola Madre

Isola Madre (Mother Island) is the largest island of the Borromean archipelago, located in Lake Maggiore, Italy. It is 330 meters long and 220 meters wide.

It is primarily known for its beautiful botanical gardens and historic palace, forming a unique tourist attraction.

History

The island was known as early as the 9th century and was originally called Isola di San Vittore. In 1501, Lancillotto Borromeo introduced citrus cultivation to the island, and in the 1580s. In the 16th century, Renato I Borromeo began expanding the family residence in the Renaissance style.

Attractions on Isola Madre

Borromeo Palace: Built in the 16th century, the palace is surrounded by impressive English-style gardens established in the late 18th century on the site of a former citrus plant.
Botanical Gardens: The gardens cover about eight hectares and are known for their collections of rare plants and flowers from around the world, including impressive collections of azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias, as well as pergolas of old glycines.
Family Chapel: Built-in 1858, unlike the chapel on Isola Bella, it contains no graves or grave monuments.

Worth Knowing

The island is known for its warm and mild microclimate, which encourages the growth of exotic plants.
Gustave Flaubert described Isola Madre as “the most sensual place he had ever seen in the world.”
On the island you will find beautiful gardens and wildlife where you can really relax.

Isola Madre is a beautiful island that impresses with its history, architecture, and, above all, botanical richness. It is one of the most beautiful corners of Lake Maggiore.

There is a restaurant on this island: La Piratera. Guests appreciate its unique location and excellent cuisine. The restaurant offers traditional Italian dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

Fishermen’s Island – Upper Island (Wyspa Rybaków)

Isola dei Pescatori, also known as Isola Superiore, is the only island permanently inhabited by a small community in the archipelago.

The island is about 350 meters long and 100 meters wide. It is inhabited by a permanent community engaged in fishing for generations. The island’s distinctive architectural features are its narrow, winding streets, picturesque fishermen’s houses, and a historic 17th-century church dedicated to St. Victor.

San Vittore Church

The San Vittore Church is a key tourist attraction on this picturesque island and serves as a religious center for the local community.

This historic church, dating back to the 17th century, is one of the landmarks of Isola dei Pescatori. Its architecture is stunning, especially the original apse with pointed-arch windows characteristic of the era, testifying to the rich history and architectural tradition of the time.

Good to know

Souvenir stores: The island offers handicrafts and souvenirs that reflect the island’s fishing tradition.
Restaurants: Isola dei Pescatori offers several restaurants where you can enjoy local specialties, especially fresh fish from the lake. Among them are: Ristorante Belvedere, Ristorante Pizzeria La Rondine or Trattoria Imbarcadero.
Hotels: Several hotels on the island, such as Hotel Belvedere, Il Verbano, and Villa Toscanini.

Isola Bella

Isola Bella is located in the Bay of Borromeo, about 400 meters from Stresa, on Lake Maggiore’s western shore. It was transformed from a stony island into a Baroque paradise commissioned by the Borromeo family in the 17th century. Work on the palace and gardens began in 1632 by Charles III Borromeo, who wanted to create a magnificent residence for his wife, Isabella D’Adda, after whom the island was named.

The final appearance of the palace and gardens was given under Renato Borromeo, who, in 1585, entrusted architect Pellegrino Tibaldi to oversee the work.

Isola Bella – attractions

Borromeo Palace is the island‘s main attraction. It is a magnificent Baroque palace with richly decorated interiors and valuable works of art, including tapestries, furniture, and 17th-century Lombard paintings.
Boromeo Gardens: These beautiful Italian-style gardens are arranged in terraces, with fountains, statues, and exotic plants. The gardens are home to many species of plants and birds, including the rare white peacocks.
Grottos: Artificial grottos with walls decorated with shells, coral, and pebbles that offer an excellent escape from the summer heat.

Sightseeing in Isola Bella

Isola Bella is accessible to tourists and can be visited by public boat from Stresa, Baveno, Verbania, or Arona.

The island is open to the public from March to October, and entrance tickets can be purchased for both the palace and the gardens.

Ticket prices (examples, subject to change):

Isola Bella (palace and gardens) – about €20 per adult
Combination tickets to visit Isola Bella and Isola Madre are also available

The island is home to the Boutique Hotel Elvezia and several restaurants, such as Il Fornello, Ristorante Vittoria, and Ristolounge Elvezia.

Isolino di San Giovanni (Islet of St. John)

Isolino di San Giovanni is a small island belonging to the Borromean Islands group in Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. It is located north of the other islands in the group, about 30 meters west of the shore of Pallanza, part of the town of Verbania.

Islet of the Lovers (Wysepka Zakochanych) – Rock of the Malghera

Isolino degli Innamorati, also known as Scoglio della Malghera, is a small, uninhabited island. It is located in the western part of Lake Maggiore, near the larger island of Isola Bella, in the Bay of Borromeo, southwest of Stresa.

How to get to the Boromean islands

To reach the Borromean Islands from Stresa, you have several transportation options:

Ferry Services – Ferries leave regularly from Stresa to the Borromean Islands, including Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre. These services are offered by various companies, both public and private.
Taxiboat: Private boat transfers are also available that can take you directly to the island of your choice.
Combined tickets: For those planning to visit, combination tickets allow you to see more than one island daily. They are an excellent option for spending the day moving between islands.

Buy a ticket to the islands:

How to get to Stresa from Milan

There are several ways to get to Stresa from Milan, mainly by train, but also by car or taxi. Here are the details:

By car

Traveling by car from Milan to Stresa is a convenient option for those who value independence and flexibility. Travel time is usually about 1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic and the exact starting location. You can get there by rental car or by your own car, heading north toward Lake Maggiore.

By train

Train travel is the most popular and economical option for getting to Stresa from Milan. Trains depart from various stations in Milan, including Milan Centrale, Milan Porta Garibaldi, and Milan Rogoredo.

Ticket prices start at about $40, and travel time averages 1 hour and 35 minutes. 165 daily connections are available, with direct and connecting options.

Buy a train ticket:

By taxi

For those looking for a more direct and convenient option, cab and transfer services from Milan to Stresa are available. Companies such as Taxi Transfer Milan offer transfers to popular destinations and resorts in the region, including Lake Maggiore.

This is usually a more expensive option than the train but can be convenient for groups or people with lots of luggage.

Trip organized from Milan

For those who prefer to avoid the organizational challenges of planning a trip from Milan to Stresa on their own, ready-made tour packages are available. These offers provide not only convenient transportation but also organized tours of the charming town of Stresa and the beautiful islands of Lake Maggiore. Using such a solution, travelers can fully devote themselves to exploring the cultural and natural treasures of the region, enjoying a hassle-free trip without having to worry about the logistical aspects of the trip.

Among the available offerings, it is worth mentioning:

From Milan: Stresa, the Alps, and Lake Maggiore – full-day excursion – included a bus ride to Stresa and a private boat cruise on Lake Maggiore
From Milan Lake Maggiore and the Borromean jewels with a boat cruise – included are the towns of Stresa and Arona, a cruise on the lake and a visit to the Borromean Islands, Santa Caterina Monastery
Lake Maggiore: one-day excursion from Milan – included in the price: round trip by bus, guide, lake cruise, admission to the Borromeo Palace, audio guides in multiple languages
Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands, including walking tour of Stresa, lake cruise, Santa Caterina Monastery, free time in Arona, round trip coach and guide

Conclusion

Stresa and the Borromean Islands are places that stay in your memory for a long time. Walking through Stresa, you pass historic villas and narrow streets that tell the story of this Italian town. The Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore are stunning with palaces and gardens that look like they came out of a postcard. This is a great destination for both those who enjoy sightseeing and those seeking peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. After such a trip, memories are left that make you want to come back.

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