Top Things to do in Lake Maggiore
What to do and see in Lake Maggiore, Piedmont: The Best Things to do
On the south side of the Alps, Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy. Since the climate is mild year-round, the area is filled with Mediterranean vegetation and exotic plants. Lake Maggiore was featured in Ernest Hemingway's infamous novel, A Farewell to Arms, when the protagonist and his lover must row across the lake in order to escape the Italian Carabinieri (think police in military uniforms). Here's hoping you won't have any run-ins of that nature.
Restaurants in Lake Maggiore
1. Isola Bella
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,703 reviews
One of three magical islands on Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella charms visitors with its magnificent Baroque palace and terraced gardens that slope to the lake.
Reviewed By 327inezg - Fredericton, Canada
Iola Bella is the largest of the Islands in Lake Maggiore, privately owned by the Borromeo Family, on which they have a beautiful family home filled with many family treasures and equally beautiful gardens both of which were open and well worth a visit.
2. Botanical Gardens Of Villa Taranto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,251 reviews
Botanic garden on Lake Maggiore. The 16 hectares park houses 20.000 plants of particular botanic value and more than 80.000 blooming bulbous specimens, while over 15.000 border plants cover the numerous flowerbeds.
Reviewed By neilevans823 - County Durham, United Kingdom
Beautiful gardens with a magnificent range of flowers and trees set in a stunning backdrop of snow covered mountains whilst bathing in glorious sunshine. Three hours of peace and beauty.
3. Rocca Borromea di Arona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 634 reviews
Reviewed By paolovbossi - The Hague, The Netherlands
It is a unmissable spot when you visit Arona. It is one of my favourite place and the location is amazing. During the years the ruins of the castle have been restored and now they are the perfect background to this park. The view is simply amazing....no doubts that it is the best view of the Lake Maggiore
4. Lago Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,075 reviews
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.
Reviewed By annbS7783DL - Wakefield, United Kingdom
I would recommend a few weeks together including a visit to austria,switzerland and italy. I stayed in Wilderswil, at theAlpenrose, and ate in the hotel, but in a real swiss chalet to sleep. This way it was more of a real experience. Wilderswil has breathtaking views, and is central for walks and travelling.
5. Lungolago Arona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By nnmercman - Camberley, United Kingdom
There are car parking places along the promenade and in streets within the town or you can arrive via ferry to spend time walking along the lake front. With views across the lake towards Angera and convenient cafes, bars and restaurants the town is well worth a visit - the medieval pedestrianised shopping zone is also good to spend time seeing what's on offer in the boutique type shops. Everywhere here feels relaxed and cosmopolitan so would make an ideal hotel base.
6. Lungolago Stresa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By BernardBertram - London, United Kingdom
We walked from Baveno to Stressa & it was stunning. Beautiful manicured gardens all along the lakeside & nice little places to have a coffee or a drink or two. Magnificent views of the Lake & the beautiful old Hotels that line it.
7. Park Pallavicino
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,086 reviews
Villa Pallavicino was a private residence in 1855, when it was purchased by Ruggero Bonghi, statesman and writer. In 1862 the ownership was transferred to the noble Genoese Pallavicino family who enlarged the estate, transforming it into a nineteenth-century neoclassical style villa. In 1956 the Pallavicino family decided to transform their marvellous garden into a wildlife museum open to the public. In July 2017, the Pallavicino Park became part of the Borromeo tourist circuit. The trees are the greatest feature of this park: centuries old chestnut trees and liriodendrons, among the oldest in Italy, red beeches, maples, larches, the majestic ginko biloba, tall sequoias and fragrant magnolias. A real attraction is the imposing cedar of Lebanon, in the natural amphitheatre outside the villa.
Reviewed By Youandi5 - Watford, United Kingdom
Beautiful gardens just a short walk (15 minutes approximately) from Stresa centre, with a little (outside eating ) cafe when you reach, probably half way. COVID friendly and safe. Temperature taken on entry. Social distancing throughout the gardens is observed, masks too where appropriate! There are also transport cars, accommodating anyone who can’t, or doesn’t want to, walk quite high up! Coming down is no problem! The farm and free roaming animals are great to see as well. Beautiful views over the Lake too.
8. Cableway Stresa Mottarone
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,326 reviews
Reviewed By G7957KZryans - Cardiff, United Kingdom
Stresa is by far the best town to visit if you want to see the glory of lake maggiore, especially if you are visiting from milan, take the train to stresa or drive and the views of lake maggiore are spectacular. But the best way to see lake maggiore is by the cable. The cable takes 20 minutes to get to the top. With a half way stop in alpino to change cars, or you can visit the alpino botanic gardens. Then to the very top take the chairlift that is not as scary as it looks. The views from the top of Mottarone are spectacular. You can see the alps, 5 other lakes and the many towns of lake maggiore and the borromeo islands. The views are very epic from the cable car itself. It can get scary in some parts especially when going up, but the view is very worth it. The cable car is also very reliable has it was the first electric one in Italy.
9. Chiesa Santi Ambrogio e Theodolo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Troutp20 - Croydon, United Kingdom
Of the boat into church look round art work fantastic, then hit the square in STRESA bottle wine paste fantastic
10. Giardino Botanico Alpinia
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 302 reviews
Non cercare qui visitatore, vegetazioni di lusso, fiori doppi, disposizioni sapienti. Questo è un Giardino di piante Alpine, minuscole, feconde, fermenti di vitalità, come offre natura. Igino Ambrosini Fondatore del Giardino Alpinia, anno 1934
Reviewed By AP4948 - Maidstone, United Kingdom
We stopped off here en route up Mottarone and were blown away by the established gardens ( even though too early in year for being in flower ) and the views over Lake Maggiore . A nice way to spend an hour or so .
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