Lake Maggiore Holidays

Holidays to Lake Maggiore are full of splendid opulence; luxury yachts on the harbour, peacocks in the park and Baroque beauty on glassy waters.

There’s that first step onto your boat from the private jetty of your grand hotel as you make your way over cobalt blue waters to the 10-tiered Italiante gardens of Isola Bella – one of the breathtaking Borromean Island jewels in Lake Maggiore’s crown. Then there are the some 20,000 tulips that come into full bloom each spring in Verbania, ‘the garden on the lake’. Against the silhouette of the Matterhorn and a stream of boats dotted along beautiful shores, Lake Maggiore is shrouded in beauty – enchanting laid-back fishing villages, sunset cruises on a private yacht and majestic white peacocks roaming free in magnificent Baroque gardens.

Journey along the western shore towards Locarno as the mountains close in beside you; take a unique ride on a bucket lift made for two to the top of Monte Sasso del Ferro; and drink in the intoxicating scent of verbena as you stroll along the waterfront promenade while fishermen bring home catch-of-the-day. Holidays to Lake Maggiore are all about a bygone era of opulent European luxury and unrivalled beauty, whether you’re having a romantic dinner on the tiny island of Isola dei Pescatori or exploring a world of historic aristocratic villas and botanical gardens. We know the best spots in Lake Maggiore.

Chat to us and we’ll help craft your perfect Lake Maggiore escape.

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Lake Maggiore Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Lake Maggiore

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees & Spa

Surrounded by magnificent parkland, experience the opulence of staying in an historical building.

Villa e Palazzo Aminta Hotel Beauty & Spa

A Belle Époque masterpiece with spellbinding Lake Maggiore views, state-of-the-art spa and sumptu...

Regina Palace

Step into a sumptuous palace where lake-facing flowerboxes overflow with blooms and there’s gold...

Get to know Lake Maggiore and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT +1 hour

CURRENCY

Euro

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

Milan: 2 hours

RELIGION

Christianity (Roman Catholic)

LANGUAGE

Italian

Where is Lake Maggiore?
On the south side of the Alps in north Italy, Lake Maggiore is the longest of the Italian Lakes and its northern end stretches into Switzerland. The Borromean Islands lie off the western shore.

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Stresa
Poised majestically on the lake’s western shore, Stresa is the leading resort of Lake Maggiore and has idyllic views of the famous Borromean Islands. Home to the spectacular gardens of Villa Taranto filled with conifers, dahlias and water lily ponds and resident peacocks and flamingos at the opulent Villa Pallavicino, there’s plenty of grand beauty in this gorgeous town. The Mottorane cable car departs from the Lido at Stresa taking you first to the Alpino gardens and then on to the summit of Mottorane where you’re met with breathtaking views over Lake Maggiore and Mount Rosa.

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Getting around
Whether you hop on a ferry, charter a yacht or jump on board a boat or catamaran, travelling by water is the best way to get around in Lake Como. Each village is relatively small, making it easy to navigate and walk once you arrive.

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Food & drink
Traditional risotto, brioche from the bakery, catch-of-the-day from the lake and fritto misto (mixed fried fish and seafood0: dining out in Lake Maggiore is all about local produce and fresh cuisine. Expect lakefront restaurants with spellbinding views, rustic trattorias with old Italian charm, and cheese and wine artisanal shops and tours. There are plenty of local shops in Stresa where you can fill a picnic hamper with cold cuts of meat, grilled vegetables and mountain cheeses. Expect tons of gelato shops, al fresco cafés and lakeside aperitivo as the sun goes down.

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May - Oct

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