--- title: "Lake Maggiore Travel Guide (2027): Islands, Towns, Days" description: "Plan Lake Maggiore the way we do: two or three nights in Stresa, the Borromean Islands by boat, the Swiss shore at Locarno, trains from Milan, where to stay." url: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/lake-maggiore-travel-guide" image: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_htdsz.jpg" --- 1. [Home](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/) 2. [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) 3. Lake Maggiore Travel Guide: Stresa, the Borromean Islands and How Many Days [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) # Lake Maggiore Travel Guide: Stresa, the Borromean Islands and How Many Days Plan Lake Maggiore the way we do: two or three nights in Stresa, the Borromean Islands by boat, the Swiss shore at Locarno, trains from Milan, where to stay. By [Emilie Dubreuil](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil), Travel Designer · Published on November 8, 2026 · 7 min read ![Isola Bella and its baroque terraced gardens rising from Lake Maggiore, seen from the water](/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_Z1rdTqF.webp) Plan two or three nights on Lake Maggiore, based in Stresa, and give one full day to the Borromean Islands by boat. That is enough for Isola Bella, Isola Madre and the fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori, plus a second day for Villa Taranto, Lake Orta or the Swiss shore at Locarno. Lake Maggiore is Italy's second-largest lake, about 64 km (40 miles) long, with its southern four-fifths in Piedmont and Lombardy and its northern tip in Switzerland. Stresa is about an hour from Milan by train and under an hour from Malpensa airport by car, which makes it the easiest of the great Italian lakes to reach. We design trips to Lake Maggiore every season, often in the same itinerary as Lake Como and Lugano. This guide covers how long to stay, which shore to sleep on, how the island boats work and what changes through the year. ## Lake Maggiore at a glance | | | | --- | --- | | Size | about 64 km (40 miles) long, 212 km² | | Countries | Italy (Piedmont, Lombardy) and Switzerland (Ticino) | | Best base | Stresa, or Baveno and Verbania for a quieter stay | | From Milan by train | about 1 hour to Stresa | | From Malpensa airport | about 50 minutes by car | | Nights we suggest | 2 to 3 | | Islands open | March 12 to November 8 in 2026 | | Signature day | Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori by boat | ## How many days at Lake Maggiore - **One night:** possible if Maggiore is a stop between Milan and Switzerland. Arrive by late morning, go straight to the islands, and leave the next day. - **Two nights:** our standard. Day one for the Borromean Islands, the evening on the Stresa promenade, and a free morning before you move on. - **Three nights:** the stay we prefer. Add Villa Taranto and the Pallanza waterfront, a morning on Lake Orta with the island of San Giulio, or the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso from the water. - **Four nights or more:** for slow travelers, garden lovers in April and May, and families who want a lido afternoon every day. If you are also seeing Lake Como, two nights on each lake is the balance we use most. Our [Lake Como vs Lake Maggiore comparison](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/lake-como-vs-lake-maggiore) explains how the two lakes differ. ## The Borromean Islands The three Borromean Islands sit in the Gulf of Borromeo, a few minutes by boat from Stresa and Baveno. They are the reason most travelers come, and the day works best in this order. **Isola Bella** is a small island turned almost entirely into a baroque palace and a garden of terraces stacked like a ship's stern. Go first, at 10 a.m. opening, before the tour groups. **Isola Madre** is the largest island and the quietest: a botanical garden of exotic trees, camellias and azaleas, with peacocks walking the paths, around a smaller palace. Allow two hours. **Isola dei Pescatori**, also called Isola Superiore, is a village of fishermen's houses and lanes, with no palace and no ticket. This is where we book lunch, usually lake fish on a terrace. **Opening and tickets.** In 2026 the palaces and gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre opened from March 12 to November 8, from 10 a.m., with last admission at 5 p.m. until October 24 and 4 p.m. after that. Isola Bella cost €24 to €27 (about $28 to $31) for an adult depending on the day and the channel, and a combined ticket for both islands €36.50 to €40 (about $42 to $46). Children from 6 to 15 pay a youth rate, and visitors with a certified disability of 30 percent or more enter free. **The boats.** Navigazione Laghi, the public operator, runs boats from Stresa that reach Isola Bella in about ten minutes, with frequent departures in season. In 2026 a one-way ticket from Stresa to Isola Bella cost €4 (about $4.60) and to Isola Madre €6 (about $7); a free-circulation ticket covers unlimited hops on the day. Private boat operators also wait on the Stresa waterfront. On our trips we book a private boat with a licensed guide, which lets you visit the islands in the best order without waiting at the piers. ## Beyond the islands - **Villa Taranto, Verbania:** a botanical garden above Pallanza, at its best in spring. It has its own boat stop. In 2026 it opened daily from March 19. - **Santa Caterina del Sasso:** a hermitage built into the cliff on the Lombard shore, best seen and reached by boat from Stresa. - **Lake Orta:** a small lake half an hour west of Stresa, with the village of Orta San Giulio and the island of San Giulio. Our [Italy and Switzerland in 7 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/the-taste-of-italy-and-switzerland) spends a morning there. - **Cannobio and the upper lake:** a lakefront village near the Swiss border and a good lunch stop on the drive to Locarno. - **Mottarone:** the cable car from Stresa to the summit has been closed since 2021. We do not include it until a reopening is confirmed. ## The Swiss shore: Locarno and Ascona The northern end of the lake belongs to the Swiss canton of Ticino, where the language is still Italian but the trains, prices and franc are Swiss. **Locarno** has an arcaded old town, the Piazza Grande and the sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso above the town. **Ascona**, next door, has a lakefront of pastel houses and some of the best hotels on the lake. Boats stop at the **Brissago Islands**, a botanical garden in the middle of the lake. From Locarno, the **Centovalli railway** crosses a hundred valleys to Domodossola in Italy, 52 km in a little under two hours, on a narrow-gauge line with dozens of bridges and tunnels. From Domodossola, trains run down to Stresa, which makes a loop of lake, train and lake again. You can sail from Stresa to Locarno on the public boats in summer, but it is a slow cruise of more than three hours with many stops. By car the trip takes a little over an hour. We usually treat the Swiss shore as a separate stay rather than a day trip from Stresa. ## Where to stay on Lake Maggiore | Base | Why choose it | Watch out for | | --- | --- | --- | | Stresa | Belle Époque grand hotels, the island boats in front, a train station | Busy promenade in July and August | | Baveno | Calmer, lakefront hotels with gardens, boats to the islands | Fewer restaurants in the evening | | Verbania (Pallanza) | A real town, Villa Taranto, a long promenade | Farther from the train | | Cannobio | A small village near Switzerland | A car is useful | | Ascona or Locarno | Ticino style, Swiss trains to the rest of Switzerland | Swiss prices | Stresa is our default for a first visit. Ask for a lake-view room facing the islands: on Maggiore, you wake up to Isola Bella from your window. On our 7-day trip, we use the Regina Palace, a 4-star hotel on the Stresa lakefront. ## Getting to Lake Maggiore **From Milan.** Regional trains from Milan reach Stresa in a little over an hour, and some EuroCity trains between Milan and Geneva also stop at Stresa, about an hour from Milano Centrale. By car or with a private driver, allow about an hour and a quarter from central Milan. **From Malpensa airport.** Stresa is about 50 km (31 miles) away, roughly 50 minutes by road. If you land at Malpensa, Maggiore makes a gentle first stop before Milan or Como. **From Switzerland.** The EuroCity trains from Geneva, Lausanne and Brig cross the Simplon tunnel to Domodossola and continue along the lake to Stresa. From Zurich, the fastest route to the Swiss shore is via the Gotthard base tunnel to Bellinzona and a regional train to Locarno, about 2 hours 10 minutes. Our guide to [Lake Como to Switzerland](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/lake-como-to-switzerland) covers the crossings on the Como side. ## When to go The island gardens are at their best from **mid-April to early June**, when the camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons flower, and in **September and early October**, when the light is soft and the crowds thin out. The 2026 summer boat timetable ran from March 29 to October 4, followed by a reduced autumn service until November 8. July and August are hot and lively, with the most boats and the longest days. From November to mid-March the islands are closed, many hotels shut and the boats run on a winter timetable (in 2026 to 2027, from November 9 to March 20); the lake is peaceful, but we only recommend it as a stopover. Our [best time to visit tool](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/tools/best-time-to-visit) has the month-by-month detail. ## Lake Maggiore with reduced mobility Stresa's lakefront promenade is flat and the hotels along it are close to the piers, which makes it the most practical base on the lake. Boarding a public boat means a gangway that moves with the water, so we prefer private boats with a crew that helps. On Isola Bella the palace and the terraced garden involve many steps, while Isola Madre's lower paths are gentler; we check with the islands which routes suit each traveler. Entry to both is free for visitors with a certified disability of 30 percent or more. ## Trips that include Lake Maggiore Our [Italy and Switzerland in 7 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/the-taste-of-italy-and-switzerland), from €2,999 (about $3,480) per person, spends a night in Stresa with a guided boat day on the Borromean Islands and a fish lunch on Isola dei Pescatori, then continues to Lake Orta, Lugano and Zurich. With two weeks, [Switzerland to Italy by Train in 14 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/from-switzerland-to-italy-medieval-towns-outdoor-fun-and-italian-riviera) adds a private Borromean Islands day after Lake Como. For the other great lake, read our [Lake Como travel guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/lake-como-travel-guide), and see all our [7-day Italy itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy/7-days). To continue across Italy from Milan, our guide to [Italy by train](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/italy-by-train) compares Trenitalia and Italo. If you would like a designer to choose the right shore, hotel and island day for your dates, [tell us about your trip](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/plan-your-trip). More guides: [Places and regions](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/regions)[Planning](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/planning)[Month by month](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/seasons) ## Contents Written by ### [Emilie Dubreuil](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil) Travel Designer · Italy Grew up in Beaujolais in an adventurous family of six; designs our Italy and family trips and goes back to Italy every year. [More about Emilie](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil) ## Related destinations - [Italy](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy) - [Switzerland](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/switzerland) ![Emilie Dubreuil](/_astro/01M5J4124F05QCESCCTC9NXA5R.UqkpJoiq_12FC8P.webp)**Emilie Dubreuil**Travel Designer Your Italy trip, planned by Emilie - Priced itinerary within 48 hours - Free, no commitment - Trains, hotels and guides: we book it all [or call +1 607 354 8869](tel:+16073548869) ## Trips for this guide - [![The taste of Italy and Switzerland](/_astro/01M5J4124P7SSQ4SVHQNQ02GBA.BTUQ9kPf_Z1hEtQA.webp)**Italy & Switzerland in 7 Days: Milan, Lake Maggiore, Lugano & Zurich**From €2,999 · 7 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/the-taste-of-italy-and-switzerland) - [![From Switzerland to Italy : medieval towns, outdoor fun and italian riviera](/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_ZKyIQy.webp)**Switzerland to Italy by Train: Alps, Lucerne & Lake Como in 14 Days**From €5,499 · 14 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/from-switzerland-to-italy-medieval-towns-outdoor-fun-and-italian-riviera) - [![The Colosseum in Rome lit up at dusk](/_astro/italy-rome-colosseum.C9xnHbTa_Z2pEG1o.webp)**Accessible Rome & Florence in 8 Days: Wheelchair-Friendly Italy**Price on request · 8 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/accessible-rome-and-florence) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Lake Maggiore worth visiting? Yes, especially if you love gardens, grand hotels and a calmer pace than Lake Como. The Borromean Islands are unique in Europe: a baroque palace with terraced gardens, a botanical island with peacocks and a fishing village, all within minutes of Stresa. It is also the easiest Italian lake to reach from Milan and Malpensa, and the natural link with Switzerland. ### How many days do you need at Lake Maggiore? Two nights is our standard: one full day for the Borromean Islands and a free morning. Three nights let you add Villa Taranto, Lake Orta or the Swiss shore at Locarno without rushing. A single night works only as a stopover between Milan and Switzerland, if you reach Stresa by late morning and go straight to the islands. ### Which is the best town to stay in on Lake Maggiore? Stresa, for a first visit. It has the Belle Époque hotels, the boats to the islands right in front and a train station on the Milan line. Baveno is calmer with similar island access, Verbania suits travelers who want a real town and Villa Taranto, and Ascona or Locarno work best when the rest of the trip is in Switzerland. ### Can you visit Lake Maggiore as a day trip from Milan? You can, since Stresa is about an hour by train, but a day trip leaves little time for the islands once you add the boats and the lines at Isola Bella. We recommend at least one night. Staying in Stresa lets you reach Isola Bella at opening time and enjoy the lake in the evening, when the day visitors have gone. ## Plan this trip Be inspired by our European itineraries, then let our local travel designers tailor your journey to your interests, preferences and pace. [All itinerary ideas](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages) ![The taste of Italy and Switzerland](/_astro/01M5J4124P7SSQ4SVHQNQ02GBA.BTUQ9kPf_Z23Uh90.webp) 7 days / 6 nights ### [Italy & Switzerland in 7 Days: Milan, Lake Maggiore, Lugano & Zurich](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/the-taste-of-italy-and-switzerland) Six nights from Milan to Zurich by private transfer and train: the Borromean Islands, Lake Orta, a grotto lunch above Lugano, a cheese day in Appenzell and the Bürgenstock spa. Four 4-star hotels; an easy pace for food lovers. From **€2,999** per person ![From Switzerland to Italy : medieval towns, outdoor fun and italian riviera](/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_Z1wOw8X.webp) 14 days / 13 nights ### [Switzerland to Italy by Train: Alps, Lucerne & Lake Como in 14 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/from-switzerland-to-italy-medieval-towns-outdoor-fun-and-italian-riviera) Thirteen nights from Zurich to Milan by train: Rhine Falls, kayaking on Lake Brienz, the Schilthorn, a via ferrata, Rigi, Lugano, Lake Como and the Borromean Islands. Central 3-star hotels; an active trip with full days. From **€5,499** per person ![The Colosseum in Rome lit up at dusk](/_astro/italy-rome-colosseum.C9xnHbTa_OVmSj.webp) 8 days / 7 nights ### [Accessible Rome & Florence in 8 Days: Wheelchair-Friendly Italy](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/accessible-rome-and-florence) Rome and Florence planned step by step for wheelchair users and travelers with reduced mobility: an adapted vehicle with a ramp, accessible routes at the Colosseum and the Vatican, train assistance and checked hotel rooms. **Price on request** ## More to read [All articles](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) ![Grindelwald (2)](/_astro/01M5J4124RDDPNYFATWFT219X0.oKOOhqlp_1LLnES.webp) Switzerland ### [Interlaken Travel Guide: Jungfrau Region Bases, Excursions and Seasons](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/interlaken-travel-guide) Interlaken and the Jungfrau region the way we plan them: 3 to 4 nights, the right village for your plans, Jungfraujoch on a clear day, and what is open when. ![Train (2)](/_astro/01M5J4124S5E2V0AVXDMK0CJZX.D6zB35AO_RbtHL.webp) Switzerland ### [Zermatt Travel Guide: How Many Nights, Where to Stay and What to Do](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/zermatt-travel-guide) Plan Zermatt the way we do: two or three nights, the right hotel area, Gornergrat at dawn, Glacier Paradise, car-free logistics and what each season offers. ![Bruges day trip, Belgium, Alsace & Switzerland by Train in 10 Days: Brussels to Zermatt](/_astro/01M5J4124F9898DRNEPH0JP7SQ.DNiEi1bB_Z2qfxPT.webp) Cross Border ### [First Trip to Europe: 12 Mistakes Americans Make, and Where to Go Instead](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/mistakes-americans-make-when-planning-a-europe-trip) First trip to Europe? 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