How to get to Stresa

Stresa is considered the main city of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. The lake is located on the border of the Italian province of Piedmont and Switzerland. Stresa is located on the western side of Lake Maggiore in Italy. The town is considered amazingly picturesque both due to its geographical position between the mountains and the lake, and due to its historical heritage. In particular, here you can find numerous architectural objects of the 19th century, and the Borromean Islands, located on the lake in close proximity to the shores of Stresa, are considered a kind of miracle of architectural thought with their palaces, landscaped gardens and other amazing buildings.

The convenience of visiting Stresa lies in the fact that the town is connected by direct rail and road links with Milan, the main city of Northern Italy. Milan is the closest city that can be reached from Russia by air.

How to get to Stresa from Milan

Milan has a central location with respect to the three large lakes of northern Italy. Lake Garda is to the east, Lake Como is in the center and Lake Maggiore is to the west. The distance between Milan and Lago Maggiore is about 90 km. Stresa like main city lakes, connected to Milan by rail and highway No. A8.

By train

Regional trains of the RE type begin to run between cities daily from 6 am. You can rarely meet high-speed trains of the EC type. Travel time in this case is from 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the type of train. Trains in this direction run with a frequency of 1 time every half an hour, since the route is considered to be quite popular. When departing, pay attention to the departure station, because. trains to Stresa from Milan depart from both Milano Centrale main station and Milano Porta Garibaldi station. The last train leaves Milan at 22.50. You can also check the train schedule and buy tickets in advance at the railway service .

By taxi

No connection to railway timetable from Milan to Stresa can be reached by taxi. Travel time will take about 1 hour 20 minutes. You can order a taxi on the spot, or in advance on international services. transfer services and others. As a rule, a taxi car is designed for 4 passengers and 3 pieces of luggage, so ordering a taxi eliminates the issue of carrying luggage if you are carrying more than one bag.

Andy Hay/Stresa Ferry Terminal

Stresa Hotels

Most of the hotels in Stresa are designed for a small number of guests, which creates an atmosphere of privacy on vacation. Only a small number of local hotels are designed for 50 places or more. When choosing a hotel, you should pay attention to such parameters as the distance from the lake, the availability of additional options (parking, Wi-Fi, breakfast, luggage storage, view from the rooms), as well as the reviews of tourists who have already visited these hotels. It is also worth clarifying whether the city tax (in the amount of 1.5 euros per day) is included in the cost of living, or is paid separately.

La Palma 4 stars: Convenient location this hotel lies in the fact that it is located on the lake, surrounded by a picturesque garden. In addition, the hotel offers an outdoor pool, a terrace with lake views, a bar. A fitness center and a sauna are located on the upper floors of the hotel. The hotel also offers its guests free private parking on site, no reservation is required. The hotel has rooms of various categories: classic, superior, deluxe, junior suites and suites. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking websiteBooking.com.

Hotel Residence La Luna Nel Porto, 3 stars: This small hotel is close to Stresa's marina, from where you can take a tour of the Borromean Islands. The hotel has its own garden, terrace, bar. Free public parking is available nearby. The hotel has rooms of various categories, including suites. All rooms have balconies overlooking the garden, with partial or full lake views. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Hotel Royal, 3 stars: This family-run hotel is located within walking distance of the lake. The hotel has a garden, a terrace, an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and free parking spaces. All hotel rooms are divided into lake view rooms and garden view rooms. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

B&B Campino: The bed and breakfast is located some distance from the lake, in the hilly area of ​​Campino. The hotel offers its guests a garden to relax, free parking, wi-fi throughout the territory, buffet breakfasts, which are included in the price. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Villa Rubino: This B&B is located in a villa building and offers a shared lounge area and a relaxing terrace. The lake is located one and a half kilometers from the hotel. Free private parking is available on site. WiFi is also provided free of charge. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Pascal Walschots/In the Borromean Islands

Attractions Stresa

Stresa is considered an amazingly colorful resort, sandwiched between picturesque mountains and an equally picturesque lake. But besides contemplating the local natural beauties, Stresa has plenty to offer. interesting entertainment and excursions, whether it is a funicular ride to the mountains, a walk through the botanical gardens and villas in the vicinity, riding a tourist boat on the lake or exploring the lake islands belonging to the noble family of Borromeo.

Stresa itself is a landmark of Lago Maggiore. Here, a beautiful promenade along the lake has been landscaped, the town itself has been ennobled with numerous landscaped gardens, while the old quarters have retained their authenticity, and local villas, like pearls, shine against the backdrop of snow-white mountains and a blue lake.

When visiting Stresa, do not be too lazy to climb the mountains to see Lago Maggiore from a bird's eye view, as well as do not miss the opportunity to ride along the lake itself and see the snow caps of the mountains from the side, and be sure to look at the Borromean Islands, where unique villa interiors, landscape parks, where important peacocks walk, and one-of-a-kind hanging gardens.

Andy Hay/Lago Maggiore

Mount Mattarone and Alpinia Botanical Garden

The best way to see Stresa and Lake Maggiore in one go is to take the funicular up Mount Mattarone. On the mountain you can land on two levels. The first level is the Alpinia botanical garden, which is interesting both in itself and thanks to its views of the lake and its surroundings. Northern Alpine species of plants and trees grow in the garden, so there is no such riot of colors as in the park areas of Stresa itself, but the flora collection itself is simply unique here.

The second level is the snow-covered caps of Mattarone, from here the most complete, panoramic view of Stresa, the lake and the surroundings opens. They say in good weather You can even see Switzerland from here. The lift has closed and open cabins. Climbing upstairs, it is worth remembering that the air temperature here is always a few degrees cooler than below, so long-sleeved clothing is a must here.

jussarian/View from Mount Mattarone

Monastery of Santa Catarina

The Monastery of Santa Catarina is a true historical heritage of Stresa. The monastery complex is located right in sheer cliff, hanging over the lake, so you can get here only by water. During the day, numerous excursion boats go here from the Stresa pier. The monastery was built in the 12th century and has been perfectly preserved to this day. You can see it not only from the outside, but also from the inside. In particular, a chapel built in the 12th century, which has preserved authentic decoration and artwork by Italian masters, is open to visitors.

francesca cappa/Monastery of Santa Catarina

Villa Taranto

Villa Taranto in the vicinity of Stresa is famous not only for its magnificent architectural structure, but also for the botanical gardens spread around the villa. The gardens are open to the public from March to November. The landscape style of the park is English with a few Italian elements. Here you can find all kinds of plants and flowers collected from all over the world. Often, various events and exhibitions dedicated to a particular plant are held here, for example, the tulip festival. On the territory of the villa and gardens of Taranto you can also see magnificent fountains, flower boulevards, hanging and terraced gardens and much more. The villa and gardens are open daily from 8.30 to 6.30, admission is paid, tickets can be purchased on site or on the official website of Villa Taranto online.

daniel70mi falciola/Villa Taranto

Villa Pallavicino

Villa Pallavicino and its park can please guests not only great views to the gardens and the lake, but also to the great variety of animals that live here. You will be surprised, but here you can find flamingos, peacocks, owls, toucans, zebras, llamas, horses and even kangaroos. The park is open to the public from March to November daily. A visit to Villa Pallavicino is three in one - a zoo, a botanical garden and amazing lake landscapes. The plants in the villa are mostly seasonal with numerous oleanders, rhododendrons, magnolias and other types of flowering plants.

riessdo/Villa Pallavicino

Borromean Islands

The Borromean Islands are a separate attraction in Stresa, which you can spend the whole day on. The most convenient way to see the islands with their many attractions is to take one of the sightseeing boats that run between the islands. Their convenience lies in the fact that you can land on any of the islands, and then board the next scheduled boat and continue your journey through the islands in any order you are interested in. Tickets for boats can be purchased at the pier, from where they depart throughout the day at summer time of the year. There is no navigation on the lake in winter.

The Borromean archipelago consists of 5 separate standing islands, the most popular among tourists are Isola Bella,Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori. The islands are quite small and accessible on foot. However, the size of the islands does not affect their picturesqueness. Here you can find palaces, hanging gardens, park areas where rare animals and birds live, sculptures and statues are located, southern species of plants and trees grow. All these attractions are open to tourists, however, the entrance is paid separately. Thus, to visit the Borromean Islands, you must pay the cost of moving on a boat + the cost of entering the islands.

luca volpi/Borromean Islands

In general, Stresa is considered the pearl of Lake Maggiore, which can please tourists with many attractions and entertainment, this is favored by the location of the resort itself - between the mountains and the lake. The tourist infrastructure has been established here for a long time, in the town you can find numerous hotels of different star categories, restaurants of local cuisine, bars, cafes, a picturesque promenade along the lake, a funicular, sightseeing boats and much more, designed to diversify the leisure time of vacationers on Lake Maggiore.

(Lago d'Iseo). Translated into Russian - " big lake».

The length of Lake Maggiore is 66 kilometers, the maximum width reaches 10 kilometers. Max Depth- 372 meters.

Lake Maggiore is the border between Italy and Switzerland. And the reservoir itself is located on the territory of both countries. Many travelers call Lake Maggiore the most beautiful in Italy. However, three other great Italian lakes are also spoken in the same way, so these are matters of taste.

Lake Maggiore, formed by the melting of an ancient glacier, lies at an altitude of 193 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the Alpine mountains. Thanks to such natural protection, a rather mild climate prevails here. Maggiore is also famous for the purity of its waters and picturesque landscapes.

Lake Maggiore is a popular tourist destination, similar to Lake Garda and Como. The “hottest” season falls on the summer months (when Europeans rush to the shores of the lake to escape the sweltering heat), but there are also a lot of tourists on Maggiore in spring and autumn. If in summer people mainly swim in the lake, then in the cooler months they simply enjoy the scenery, breathe fresh air and take excursions.

The main attractions of Lake Maggiore

The main attractions of Maggiore are the famous Borromean Islands (Isole Borromee): Isola Bella (Isola dei Pescatori), Isola Madre (Isola Madre) and Isola San Giovanni (Isolino di San Giovanni). They are famous for their nature and history. But the most important island from a cultural and historical point of view is Isola Bella.

Isola Bella

Isola Bella translates as " Beautiful Island". Indeed, this is an island of enchanting beauty. The island is 320 meters long and 400 meters wide. Located just 400 meters from Stresa. In addition to a Lombard early Baroque castle and a park (also Baroque) with 10 terraces that occupy most of the island, there is a small residential village.

The country residence appeared here back in 1632 as a gift from Charles III to his wife Isabella. By the 18th century, Isola Bella had become a center of retreat for members of high society. Aristocrats from all over Europe came here. There was a theater here.

Isola Bella, with its stunning park, was adored by Napoleon and Josephine himself, numerous English lords visited here, and the historian Edward Gibbon came here. Today, visit a luxurious palace, take a walk along one of the most beautiful parks not only Lake Maggiore, but throughout Italy, anyone can.

Today, Isola Bella hosts an annual classical music festival.

Monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso

Once in these places, it is impossible not to visit the ancient convent of Santa Caterina del Sasso (Santa Caterina del Sasso), carved into the rock on east coast Lake Maggiore. This, by the way, is also the most inaccessible attraction of the lake.

The fact is that the monastery was built in the XIII century literally on a sheer cliff. It is dedicated to the Holy Martyr Catherine of Alexandria. You can get here both by water and by land.

In the 16th century, a misfortune befell the monastery - part of the rock above the building collapsed. It was after this that “del sasso” was added to the name of the monastery, which means “stone”.

Today there is a museum here, admission to which is free and in which you can see the frescoes of the XIV century.

Locarno

A city in Switzerland in the north of Lake Maggiore. This is a developed balneological resort, from where you can go on gondolas to the foot of the Alpine peaks. Also in Locarno and nearby are many old churches.

In addition, in Locarno you can see the model solar system one billionth of its true size.

Resort towns on the lake

As for the most developed resorts of Maggiore in terms of tourism infrastructure, these are the towns of Verbania, Stressa, Intra, Baveno located in the province of Piedmont on the western side of the lake. It is from Baveno that it is most convenient to get to Isola Bella - the ferry runs on schedule.

But the most developed resort of the lake is called Stresa, located near Mount Mottaron. Stresa has been popular as a resort since the 19th century. And here, many stunning villas built in the 19th and early 20th centuries have been preserved. One of the most beautiful palaces in Stresa is Villa Ducale, built at the very end of the 18th century.

Lago Maggiore, as the lake is sometimes called in Russia, will also be able to surprise even the most experienced travelers with such sights as the 17th century Villa Taranto with a picturesque park, Villa Pallavicino with a zoo and a well-groomed botanical garden, and Alpinia Park (Giardino Botanico Alpino).

Weather on Lake Maggiore

The best time to visit Lake Maggiore is during the summer months. In June, July and August it is not at all as hot as in southern Italy, but warm enough for walking at any time of the day and for comfortable swimming in the lake.

The air temperature in the summer months averages +23….+25 °C, and the water in the lake warms up to +21….+25 °C. In the summer you can do water sports sports, and hiking and just walking along the mountains or the banks of Maggiore.

April and October are considered the rainiest months, but due to its mountainous location it is difficult to predict the weather in any of the autumn or spring, not to mention the winter months. But even in winter, the temperature on Lake Maggiore rarely drops below zero - if this happens, it is only at night.

How to get to Lake Maggiore

You can get to Lake Maggiore by train, bus, taxi or car. The nearest airport is the airport of Milan, Malpensa (Aeroporto di Milano-Malpensa).

A train

The most convenient way to get to the resorts of Lake Maggiore is from Milan. Trains from the fashionable capital of Italy go to Verbania and Stresa, and also stop in Baveno. The train is the fastest and most economical way to get to Lake Maggiore. Tickets can be purchased directly at the station or on the Italian Railways website. It is also convenient to study the schedule there. You can also recommend the European search engine GoEuro.

For example, from Milan to Baveno can be reached in 1.5 hours and for about 10 euros.

By car alone

By car (rented or personal) it is also convenient to travel from Milan. Highway A9 leads to the lake, from Malpensa Airport you must first go along A336 to A8, then along E62, which, as it were, goes around the lake from the west. You can drive from Milan to Maggiore in about an hour and a half.

Taxi

From Milan, directly from the airport, you can order a taxi. But the service is not cheap. You can use the services of Uber or any other popular taxi app. You can also look for options on BlaBlaCar - this is the most economical option.

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Where		Where	Price
Milan		Stresa Lake Maggiore	from 10153 p.	show
Milan		Pallanza Lake Maggiore	from 13831 p.	show
Milan		Arona Lake Maggiore	from 15670 p.	show

Where		Where	Price
Stresa Lake Maggiore		Milan	from 10153 p.	show
Pallanza Lake Maggiore		Milan	from 13831 p.	show
Arona Lake Maggiore		Milan	from 15670 p.	show

Bus

There are buses from Malpensa Airport to Gallarate, from where you can catch a regional train passing through the towns of Lake Maggiore.

Traveling on Lake Maggiore

On Lake Maggiore itself, maritime transport is very developed. And it is easier to travel around the cities on the shores of the lake on the ships of the Navigazione Largo Maggiore company. For example, in Stresa tickets can be bought at Piazza Marconi 14-16.

However, you can also use a car (by renting it at the same airport from one of the many suppliers). But there are almost no express roads on the lake, and in the summer months the roads become very busy. You can rent a car at the offices of well-known companies such as Hertz, Avis and Budget.

If you are traveling alone, this is no reason to bring home only photographs of local attractions. and the services they providetoday are easily available for booking, as are numerous excursions. The cost of such pleasure will please you no less than the result.

Having got acquainted with the center of the capital of Italy, for sure each of you will want to see the picturesque shores of the nearby lakes. You can see the fabulous beauty with your own eyes, since all the lakes are well connected by transport routes. Being in the center of the capital, you can easily organize an unforgettable day on your own in one of the following scenic spots without extra expenses for a guide with a car.

1) Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore):

Interestingly, Lake Maggiore is located on the territory of two countries - Italy and Switzerland, but 80% of the area lies on the Italian side. This is a very picturesque and romantic place where the natural beauty of nature is intertwined with historical sights, luxurious palaces, villas and museums. very rich and cultural life coast. Various exhibitions and festivals are held here throughout the year.

Popular resorts are: Verbania, Stresa, Intra.
Be sure to visit nearby Boromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre. (Tickets for the boat you can buy on the spot, the price is around 10 euros.) One cannot fail to mention the 17th century Villa Taranto, the Villa Pallavicino, the monastery of Caterina del Sasso. Travel time is from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the chosen transport, train speed and traffic jams if you are traveling by car.
How to get there by car? Highway A9 leads to the lake.
How to get there by train?
You can buy a train ticket online. Follow the link to trenitalia.com. . You can find the timetable and ticket prices there.

ATTENTION! If you bought a train ticket through a machine at the station, be sure to validate the tickets before boarding the train. There are special composters next to the platform.
If you bought a ticket on-line and printed it yourself, then you do not need to punch anything. It is also possible to save the file to the phone and show the ticket code from the phone to the checking controller.

2) Another picturesque lake, which is located near Milan- Lake Como.

It will not be difficult to get to it on your own, just an hour by train and you are already there. Lake Como- one of the deepest and most beautiful lakes in Europe. This is one of the most popular holiday destinations, both for the Italians themselves and foreign tourists. Many celebrities own luxurious villas on the shores of the Alpine lake, and the beauty of this lake is captured in world-famous films.

You can take walks along the picturesque coast all year round. V summer season on Lake Como is open beach season. Here you can taste Lombard fish dishes. Among attractions the city of Como, it is impossible not to mention the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Broletto Palace, Baradello Castle.
V Bellagio: Villa Melzi, Villa Serbelloni and park, Old city.
V Varenna: Villa Monastero, Castle Vezio, Villa Cipressi.
On the lake are organized Cruises on settlements: Menaggio, Bellagio, Varenna. One-way fare is about 2 to 10 euros, depending on the route. Round-trip ticket from 5.5 to 20 euros. You can buy boat tickets on the spot. You can choose a combined ticket with the opportunity to visit all the lake cities, for example, the centro lago ticket - this includes Menaggio, Varenna, Bellagio, Tremezzo, Lenno and Cadenabbia.
How to get there by car? The fastest route is the A9 Como-Chiaso motorway, then turn onto the Regina SS340 road leading to Como.
How to get there by train? You can buy a train ticket online. Follow the link to trenitalia.com. Choose “tutti i treni” (all trains), enter “da” Milano (tutte le staizioni) “and” Garda, and press “cerca” - search.

3) Lake Garda (Lago di Garda)- the largest lake in Italy.

On the south coast Garda is located city Sirmione. It offers a magnificent panorama, towering at a height of 30 meters above sea level. Sirmione attracts tourists with its ancient winding streets, historical sights and thermal centers.

On the lake are small islands: Garda Island, San Biagio Island; famous resorts : Salo, Limone sul Garda, Riva del Garda, Lazise, ​​Peschiera del Garda.
How to get there by car? Motorway A4 Milano-Venice, turning to Peschiera, Sirmione or motorway A22 Brennero-Modena.

4) Lake Iseo (Lago d'Iseo)

- a small lake in size, located between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia, is in no way inferior to the previously listed lakes in its picturesque places.

The magnificence of the landscapes is mesmerizing. In the middle of the lake is the largest natural lake island, Monte Isola It is the highest inhabited island in Europe. You can get to the island on a cruise ship, you can buy a ticket right there, the ticket price will cost you 5-10 euros. This perfect place for a walk that will allow you to enjoy unforgettable landscapes. There are many restaurants on the island that offer local cuisine. Ideal pastime from May to September. Major tourist resorts: City of Iseo, City of Lovere Castro, Sarmico, Pisogne.

San Giulio Island on Lake D'orta. If you want to know more, click on the picture.

How to get there by car? Motorway A4, heading from Milan, turn off at Casello Palazzo sull Ollio, Capriolo, Lake Iseo.
Have a nice trip!

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Lakes Como and Maggiore - Attractions, How to Get there and Useful Tips

Here is a wonderful view from above:

Lecco also organizes gastronomic tours and culinary classes, and the matter is not limited to food alone. Lake Como Food Tours offer not only hiking, but also cycling, as well as mountain walks and cruises on the lake. Choosing one of these tours will be a great idea if you are traveling with children. For example, you can go to Valbianndino, where, among other things, you can milk the local cows and see how real cheese is made here.

It also organizes excursions to Varenna and Bellagio.

Bellagio

How to get to Bellagio

From Bergamo

To get from Bergamo to Bellagio, you first need to get to Lecco, and then at the stop right in front of the railway station, take bus number 10 for 2.80 €. Current schedule for buses Lecco - Bellagio - Lecco, see .

From Milan

There is no direct communication between the cities. By car, the road of 70 km would take about 1.5 hours, and by public transport with one change you can get there in 2 hours. There are two options:

1) First we go to Como, then at the stop at the railway station we take the C30 bus. See the bus schedule there and back, the list of stops. The bus fare is about 4€.

2) First we go by train to Lecco, there we take the aforementioned bus number 10 to Bellagio. Total time on the way about 2 hours.

If you want to drive further north, you can make your own route using Google Maps. But in any case, when traveling from both Milan and Bergamo to cities in the northern part of the lake, you will have to change either in Como or in Lecco.

Attractions Bellagio

This is the most romantic city on Lago di Como, often called the pearl of the lake. Bellagio has several beautiful churches - San Giacomo and San Giovanni - as well as many boutique shops and restaurants.

Ferries depart from the center of Bellagio to almost all the towns around the lake. So, to get from Bellagio to Como, you need 10 € and 3 hours of time, along the way one change in Lenno is 45 minutes. Details can be found in the Fares and Timetable section.

But the biggest attraction of the city is the Serbelloni and Melzi villas. Often these historic estates are converted into hotels and venues for celebrating weddings - if you are thinking about getting married in Italy, you can read more about these villas on the official websites.

The photo shows the pool and the view from Villa Serbelloni.

Activities in other cities around Lake Como

The lake itself is very large, and all the towns around have a maximum of several tens of thousands of people, therefore, in order to diversify your vacation as much as possible, we advise you not to stay too long in one place and pay attention to a few more interesting places.

Wine tasting at La Cantina

The address: Via Prato del Vento n.6, Gera Lario, CO 22010, 22010 Gera Lario CO, Italy

Villas on Lake Como

Lago di Como, in which, as it turned out, you can’t swim, would not be so popular among tourists if it were not for the old luxurious villas, two of which we have already mentioned. That is why elite tourism is very developed here, because in many villas you can rent housing.

The most famous villa on the lake is the luxurious Balbianello. It was built at the end of the 18th century and is located in the city of Lenno. Around the villa there is a lush garden, and the old interior has been preserved inside.

Garden visit - 8 €, tour of interior decoration– about 17€.

You can get here either from Bellagio (ferry to the city of Cadenabbia, from there from the stop Caddenabia via Regina 9 - Brumana bus C10 to Lenno - Statale Regina - Bar Ambra), or from Como (the same bus C10).

The address: Via Comoedia 5, Lenno

Working hours: 10 am to 6 pm, closed Monday and Wednesday

If you are interested in old luxurious villas in Como, you can independently look at information about other, no less beautiful villas, on their official websites - Carlotta in Tremezzo (on the way to Balbianello from Bellagio), Monastero in Varena, Olmo in Como, Manzoni in Lekko and others.

Where to swim on Lago di Como

Lake Como is not suitable for beach holiday, and there are no beaches in the southern cities closest to Milan. Unfortunately, the quality of the water does not allow swimming in the southern part of the lake, especially in Como, children are not recommended to swim. But you can easily sunbathe - the "beaches" here are either private at bars and hotels, or municipal, which can be found on the map on request " Stabilimento balneare". But in Como there is only one such place - at Villa Olmo.

If you still really want to swim upon arrival at the lake, it is better to head to the northern cities - Gravedona, Domaso or Colico. There are usually no smooth descents into the water, the lake is immediately deep.

The best place for a beach holiday is considered here Lido di Lenno- an artificial sandy beach with a bar and a restaurant, amenities, sun loungers and umbrellas. Located in Lenno near Villa Balbianello, which will be discussed later.

In general, the climate here is mild, the weather in summer is not unbearably hot, and in winter there are no frosts. It often rains, but without them there would be no such lush vegetation.

Lake Maggiore

Lago Maggiore is the westernmost and second largest lake in northern Italy. The northern part of it is in Switzerland. It is also surrounded by mountains, and only in the northern Swiss part does part of the coast adjoin the plain between mountain ranges. The length of the lake is 66 km.

How to get to Lago Maggiore

The nearest airport on the Italian side is in Milan, on the Swiss side in Lugano, where you can fly with regular flights only from Zurich and Geneva. The largest cities on the lake are Luino and Aron.

Since the most interesting sights are scattered in the small villages around the lake, it makes little sense to stay in any one city for a long time. Therefore, we will briefly tell you how to get to the two most major cities on the lake, from which it is most convenient to continue your journey further.

From Milan to Luino

Luino is not Big city ok on the eastern shore of the lake closer to its northern part, 20 km from Swiss Lugano. The distance between the cities of Milan and Lugano is 90 km, the journey by car takes 1.5 hours. By train, you can get there with a change: first we go from the central railway station of Milan to the Busto Arsizio Railway Station, from there to Luino. Travel time less than 2 hours, total cost 7.90€.

From Milan to Arona

Arona is a convenient transfer point when traveling through west coast lakes. This next tiny town is located closer to the south of the lake, the distance to Milan is 70 km, it will be easier to get here without a car - there is a direct train, travel time is less than an hour, cost is 6.10 €. The train departs from Milan Central Station.

In Arona, there is a wonderful Luigi Guffanti cheese shop at Via Milano, 140. The selection of cheeses is huge!

If you want to go to other cities in the western or east coast, then there are no problems - there is a railway on both sides of the narrow lake, trains run regularly.

Attractions on Lago Maggiore

Botanical Garden at Villa Taranto

It is one of the most important botanical gardens in Italy, with thousands of species of flowers, shrubs and trees. The garden is designed in a strict English style, but the spirit of Italy is felt everywhere - the landscape is diluted with fountains, ponds, statues, terraces.

The garden blooms all spring, summer and autumn, in April there is a week of tulips, in September - a book festival editoria & Giardini.

The entrance fee for an adult is 10 €, children from 6 to 14 - 5.5 €.

The address: Via Vittorio Veneto, 111, 28922 Verbania Pallanza

Working hours: from 8.30 to 18.30

Borromean Islands

This archipelago includes 5 islands - 3 larger and 2 smaller - in the eastern "sleeve" of the lake in the triangle between the cities of Stresa (direct train from Arona - 15 minutes), Baveno and Pallanza.

The most popular attraction on the islands is the Borromean Palace with its adjacent gardens and green terraces. It is located on Bella Island. Another palace is located on the island of Madre.

The islands of Bella, Superiore and Madre have ferry stations with regular service, so you can quickly get from one island to another. The journey from Stressa to Bella Island takes 25 minutes, see ferry timetables here.

A ticket to the palace on Bella Island costs 15 €, children 6-15 years old - 8.50 €.

The address: Isola Bella, 28838 Stresa VB

Working hours: from 9 to 17.30 every day

The festivaltones of the Stones

Every July, the Tones of the Stones music festival is held near Lake Maggiore. The performances of classical and modern dancers, musicians and performers contrast very interestingly with the setting where the festival is held - usually it is held in stone quarries.

The festival is held in the city of Croppo, 65 km from Arona, there is a direct train to the city of Domodossola, from there on foot about a kilometer.

Once we wrote an article about the study in English on a journey. Are you interested in Italian and at the same time want to be able to go to the islands of Bella or Madre and see the Italian Alps from your windows every day? Pay attention to the Stresa Italian Language School. Due to the fact that there are much fewer tourists here than in Milan, the prices for courses will be lower.

Can you swim in Lake Maggiore?

Can. However, the beaches here are pebbly, in some places they are completely inconvenient for swimming. If you want to swim, you can choose the beach, which is located behind the Lido Blu bar in the city of Stressa. There are bars/restaurants in Arona like Nautica or Marconi, but without entry into the water. You can also swim in the town of Feriolo.

The water in the lake is warmest in June (up to 25 °), July (up to 28 °) and August (up to 27) °, however, doji often go in summer, and at night even in summer it can be very cold.

It is extremely interesting that almost all cities in this region, even the smallest with a population of up to 10 thousand people, can boast richest history, which originates tens of centuries ago. And despite the fact that Garda is traditionally a much more popular lake in northern Italy, the cities of Como and Maggiore are wonderful places where you can feel the atmosphere of the real Italian hinterland with a leisurely pace of life.

Not far from Milan are the famous lakes of Italy, where you can observe an impressive panorama: a mirror-like surface of transparent and clean lakes against the backdrop of the towering peaks of the snow-capped Alps.

In the valley of the lakes, the climate is so mild and comfortable that it is in no way inferior to the Mediterranean - everything blooms here all year round, palm trees grow, wide sandy beaches, olive and orange groves, ancient architecture and a leisurely, measured pace of life in the local towns and villages.

Many generations of connoisseurs of the beauties of nature came to the lakes of Italy to admire the splendor of the water surface framed by bed castles buried in the crowns of centuries-old trees - Tchaikovsky, Byron, Wilde, Napoleon. For many hundreds of years, people have drawn inspiration from the beauties of the Mediterranean nature.

All three lakes of northern Italy are very different, and it is impossible to answer the question which one is more beautiful or where it is better to go. Each of them is unique in its own way, with its own unusual flavor.

We offer day trip trip to the lakes from Milan- to order excursions [email protected] , +393349504510

It features panoramic views, the distance between the shores of this lake is the smallest, and therefore the opposite shore is clearly visible. It is believed that this lake is for aristocratic recreation, wealthy people from all over the world buy villas here and move on personal boats. Arkady Novikov, for example, bought a villa from Gianni Versace for 40 million euros, in addition to this, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and others have residences here.

• Excursion to the largest city on the lake with the same name - Como.
• Combined shopping program in Fox Town and a visit to the city of Como.
• A trip to the most Beautiful places on the lake - the Larian Triangle - the towns of Varenna, Bellagio, Mennagio.

LAKE GARDA

This is the largest lake in Italy, famous for its thermal springs and the unusual turquoise color of the water. People go to this lake not only to enjoy amazing views and many interesting sights, but also to relax and improve their health. On the banks of the Garda for tourists there are also beach-type hotels. The nature of the lake is unique - flowering trees, lemon groves, palm trees and olive plantations - landscapes change one after another.

• Excursion to Desenzano
• Excursion in Sirmione
• Combined program on Lake Desenzano + Sirmione
• Tour Milan - Desenzano - Sirmione - Verona - Milan
• Tour Milan - Sirmione - Verona - Venice - Milan

LAKE MAGIORE

This majestic lake is partly located in Italy and partly in Switzerland. The resorts of this lake are luxurious recreation areas with alpine flowering parks. "Sell your last shirt, but visit Lake Maggiore," Stendhal once said. Visit the city of Stresa and the Borromean Islands to diversify your impression of Italy.

• Trip to the city of Stresa
• Stresa + Borromean Islands - Isola Madre, Isola Pescatore, Isola Bella.

In addition, next to Milan isLAKE LUGANO. Despite the fact that this lake is located in Switzerland, it is closer than Garda and Maggiore and further than Como.

Italy is famous for its brevity of architecture, the peculiar beauty of narrow streets and magnificent squares. But the real gem of this wonderful country, without visiting which it is impossible to fully understand the culture of Italy - these are magnificent lakes located near Milan.

Lombardy has always attracted tourists from all over the world. - because these places are beautiful at any time of the year. Just two hours by car, and you get from noisy and crowded Milan to wonderful world the Italian Middle Ages and the lush greenery of untouched nature. Picnics on a soft carpet of summer greenery and winter walks along snow-covered paths will not leave anyone indifferent.