Luxury Lake Maggiore Holidays

Italian glamour, mountain views and palazzo-topped islands

Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore manages to be dramatic and romantic at the same time. Soaring mountains surround the water, while the shoreline is dotted with palatial villas and residences built by the rich and glamorous of the 19th century.

The main resort here is Stresa, nestled in sheltered Borromean Bay on the lake’s western shore. It’s a postcard of ostentatious villas and pristine gardens, with narrow backstreets that hide candlelit restaurants and wine bars pouring ruby-red Barolo and fizzy Franciacorta.

Stresa puts you in a prime position for exploring, too. The scenic Borromean Islands, home to lavish palazzos and elaborate terraced gardens, lie just offshore, while the Mottarone cable car whisks you up the mountainside for views over the lake and Alps beyond.

When it comes to days out, you could pop across to the lesser-visited shores of Lake Orta, or explore the boutique-lined streets and wedding-cake cathedral in Milan.

Things to do in Lake MaggioreExplore the Borromean Islands

Hop on a boat from the waterfront in Stresa to cruise over to the Borromean Islands. First, visit the palaces and gardens of little Isola Bella. The sculpted gardens step down the steep edge of the island to the water, giving up sculptures and staircases along the way.

Next, take a step back in time on Isola dei Pescatori (AKA Isola Superiore). It’s the northernmost and only inhabited island in the Borromeans, topped with a miniscule fishing village of vanilla-white houses and a steepled church.

Things to do in Lake MaggioreLoop around Lake OrtaLake Orta lies just west of Lake Maggiore – so within perfect day-tripping distance. The east bank town of Orta is a great place to start. Explore the medieval streets, café-lined piazza and lake-view park. Then hop on a boat bound for the little island opposite, San Giulio. It’s less than 300 metres long, but bundles in a Benedictine monastery and basilica that houses the remains of Saint Giulio himself. You’ll also find sanctuaries dotted around the hills. There’s one above Orta, but if you’ve got time then drive around the southern edge of the lake and park up at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso. The peaceful cobbled square out front offers cinematic views over Lake Orta and the foothills of the Alps.

Things to do in Lake MaggiorePicnic at Villa Pallavicino

Picture-perfect parkland wraps around the Villa Pallavicino – a grand mansion just ten minutes’ walk away from Stresa. The views here are some of the best on Lake Maggiore, stretching right across the waters to the mountains.

Explore the botanical gardens, wander the waterside terraces, and keep an eye out for the resident animals (flamingos, kangaroos, llamas and peacocks). Keep an eye on the flowering calendar, too – the rhododendrons are in full bloom in late spring, while the scarlet oaks and American sweetgums turn orange in autumn.

Things to do in Lake MaggioreSpend an afternoon at Villa Taranto

The botanical gardens take centre stage at Villa Taranto. They start in style, with a grand boulevard of conifers leading the way in. Further in, you’ll find formal terraced gardens, fountains, a pool filled with lotus flowers, hundreds of dahlias, and an elegant conservatory housing a water lily pond. It was all the brainchild of Neil McEacharn, a Scottish captain who collected species from near and far in the 1930s.

If you’re at Villa Taranto in April or May, you’ll also get to see the dove trees blossom with strange flowers that gave it the nickname the Handkerchief Tree.

Typical Costs

Bottle of beer

€5

Cup of coffee

€3

Glass of wine

€5-8

Main course

€12-18

Small souvenir

€10

Flight Information

Flights to the Italian Lakes take around 2 hours from the UK.

Transfer Time

Transfer time from Malpensa airport to Lake Maggiore is approximately 1 hour.

When to go

The Italian Lakes are at their best between April and October. June, July and August see temperatures soar to the high 20s (perfect for swimming and sunbathing), while the slightly cooler temperatures in April, May, September and October are ideal for those who want to spend a bit more time walking, cycling or sightseeing.

Visa Information

British citizens do not currently require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

When you dine out in Italy, you will generally be charged a coperto (cover charge), which is for the bread, tablecloth, cutlery, etc. Tipping in Italy is not customary, but is always appreciated.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Our pick of the top hotels in Lake Maggiore

Every one of our hotels is handpicked and personally visited by our team