Lake Maggiore travel

Lake Maggiore

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Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso panorama. Color image

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Overview

Maggiore is Italy鈥檚 international lake 鈥� its northernmost point protrudes sinuously into Switzerland, while its Italian shores are shared by Piedmont (west) and Lombardy (east). Free of Como鈥檚 overt glamour or Garda鈥檚 Disney-esque theme parks, it is often considered the most peaceful of northern Italy鈥檚 great bodies of water, its shores a little less crowded and its hinterland intriguingly wilder. The star attractions are the Borromean Islands, which, like a fleet of fine vessels, lie at anchor at the Borromean Gulf鈥檚 (Golfo Borromeo) entrance, an incursion of water between the lake鈥檚 two main towns, Stresa and Verbania.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Isole Borromeo

Lake Maggiore

The Borromean Gulf forms Lake Maggiore's most beautiful corner, sheltering the Borromean Islands and their spectacular, privately owned palaces. Closest鈥�

Villa della Porta Bozzolo

Lake Maggiore

In the unassuming town of Casalzuigno, about 9km east of Laveno, generations of nobles have swanned about the magnificent gardens of Villa della Porta鈥�

Santa Caterina del Sasso

Lake Maggiore

One of northern Italy's most spectacularly sited monasteries, Santa Caterina del Sasso clings to the high rocky face of Lago Maggiore's southeast shore鈥�

Two-seat cable cars take you gently up almost to the summit of Sasso del Ferro mountain, from where you can admire a magnificent view over Lake Maggiore.

Laveno Funivia

Lake Maggiore

A highlight of Laveno is the Funivia, which whisks passengers up to a panoramic spot 949m above sea level, in the shadow of the Sasso del Ferro peak 鈥�

Rocca di Angera

Lake Maggiore

The chunky medieval Rocca di Angera fortress lords it over the town of Angera in no uncertain terms. From a distance, it is the first thing one sees鈥�

Lungolago di Stresa

Stresa

For the best passeggiata (afternoon stroll) on Lake Maggiore head for Stresa, where a 2km-long lakeside promenade meanders through florid gardens and past鈥�

Parco della Villa Pallavicino

Stresa

An easy 1km walk southeast of central Stresa along the SS33 main road, the Pallavicino is a 19th-century neoclassical villa set in banked lakeside grounds鈥�