Stresa, the lake, and what lies around it.
What we seek out ourselves when we are there. Not a list of a hundred things, but the places and moments we keep coming back for.
The Borromean Islands.
Three islands off the coast of Stresa. From the apartment it is a ten-minute drive to the promenade, where you catch the ferry.
Isola Bella
A Baroque palace with a garden of ten terraces. Busy in high season, so we prefer to go around opening time. The grotto rooms on the ground floor stay cool even in summer.
Isola Madre
The largest of the three, and the quietest. A botanical garden with peacocks, a 16th-century villa, and views over the lake where it is genuinely deep.
Isola dei Pescatori
A small fishing village of narrow alleys only. No palace, no garden, but a few trattorias at the water. Good for a late lunch before sailing back.
Madre out of season, with the lake to yourself.
Around the lake.
Lago Maggiore is a hundred kilometres long. Both shores have places worth half a day. We often take the car or the boat.
On the west shore
- Stresa: our centre, two kilometres away. Promenade, Belle Époque hotels, gelaterias and the landing stage for the islands.
- Verbania: ten kilometres north. The botanical gardens of Villa Taranto, and a large market on Wednesdays.
- Cannobio: near the Swiss border, about an hour away. A lovely historic centre and a big Sunday market along the water.
- Arona: on the west shore, half an hour south. A cosy town, nice for an evening out.
On the far shore
- Laveno: take the car ferry from Intra or the passenger ferry. From Laveno a cable car goes up for the view.
- Luino: Wednesday market, one of the largest in northern Italy.
- Locarno (CH): just over the Swiss border, an hour and a half away. For anyone fancying a cross-border day.
- Mergozzo: a small lake right next to Lago Maggiore. No motorboats, so quiet. A little beach at the edge.
The lake as a playground.
Lago Maggiore is deep, cold at the start of the season, and lovely to swim in by August.
Gentle
- Swimming: Lido di Carciano ten minutes away, or a quiet little bay towards Pallanza.
- SUP or canoe: rentals in Stresa and Baveno. Early in the morning the water is glassy.
- Sailboat hire: a day charter in Stresa and Cerro, with or without a skipper.
- Ferry hopping: a day pass lets you hop on and off endlessly.
Active
- Mountain biking: the Mottarone area has an extensive network. Rental and lift in Stresa.
- Wakeboarding or water-skiing: clubs in Verbania and Cannobio.
- Golf: Golf Club Alpino di Stresa, high up in the hills.
- Fishing: a permit is required, available from the Stresa tourist office.
Above the lake.
The mountains begin right behind Stresa. Five minutes by car and you are in nature, half an hour and you stand at a thousand metres.
Mottarone
The home mountain of Stresa, 1,491 metres, with views over seven lakes and Monte Rosa. The cable car no longer runs; by car it is 16 km from the apartment. Up top there is wonderful walking and skiing in winter.
Val Grande
The largest wilderness area in Italy, no roads, no villages. For sturdy walkers with good shoes.
Valle Verzasca
Just over the Swiss border. Known for the bungee jump from GoldenEye, and the emerald-green water between the rocks.
E-bike through the hills
From the villa you can head straight into the network. For an easier ride there are e-bike rental shops in Stresa.
Giardini Botanici Alpinia
Halfway up the Mottarone, a botanical garden with alpine plants and views over the lake. Good for a short walk.
Sasso del Ferro (Laveno)
From the far shore up by an open cable car, with cabins for two people. At the top a hang-glider spot and a panoramic view.
Food and drink.
Piedmont is wine country, meat and risotto. At the lake fresh fish is added: freshwater perch and trout. We love to cook ourselves, and eat out regularly too.
From the lake and the region
- Fresh fish: lavarello (a freshwater fish) is the speciality. On the fishing fleet in Stresa early every morning.
- Risotto: Piedmont grows the rice of northern Italy. Risotto al Barolo is a classic.
- Polenta: often with game or cassoeula. The heartier mountain food of the region.
- Piedmont wine: Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo for something robust. For white: Gavi.
- Honey and cheeses: from the hills behind Stresa. In the speciality shops in the centre.
Markets and the daily rhythm
- Cannobio: Sunday, along the water. One of the finest on the lake.
- Verbania: Wednesday, large.
- Stresa: Friday, in the centre.
- Aperitivo: on the promenade of Stresa, Verbania or Pallanza, with a view of the lake.
- Trattorias on the islands: lunch on Pescatori, then catch the early afternoon ferry back.
Risotto with lavarello on the promenade, that is the lake on your plate.
Day trips beyond the region.
By car or train, the Alps, Milan and Lago d'Orta are a day trip away.
Cities
- Milan: an hour and twenty minutes from Stresa station to Milano Centrale. The Duomo, Brera, shopping in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the Navigli for dinner.
- Como: an hour by car. The other great northern Italian lake, busier than ours.
- Turin: two hours by car. The Mole, the car museums, and the aperitivo culture.
Nature and village festivals
- Lago d’Orta: forty minutes by car. A small lake with the islet of San Giulio, loved for its stillness.
- Mergozzo: a small lake right around the corner, no motorboats allowed.
- Village festivals: from May to October every village has a sagra, a feast around a local product. Ask us if there is one in the week you visit.
Ready to book?
Our guide is not a complete overview. What you can do on the lake in a week varies by season. Feel free to ask us for a suggestion once you know when you are coming.
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