Lake Maggiore is a laid-back lakeside destination that sits on the Swiss/Italian border, with elegant towns, grand villas and dramatic mountain scenery. Days here are spent swimming, boating and exploring pretty lakeside villages, with highlights including the Borromean Islands and the gardens of Isola Bella. It’s also less polished and touristy than Lake Como, with a more relaxed, old-school Italian feel.
Stresa is Lake Maggiore's main hub and a great base for exploring the lake, with the Borromean Islands just offshore. Isola Bella is the star attraction, famous for its extravagant Baroque palace and terraced gardens, while Isola dei Pescatori has a tiny, atmospheric fishing village with narrow lanes, restaurants, and waterfront terraces. The next town along, Baveno, is a quieter alternative to Stresa, with a lovely promenade, swimming spots and boat connections to the islands. For something more laid-back, Cannobio has a colourful old town, lakeside beach and a lively Sunday market. Locarno, on the Swiss side, has a little more buzz, with a pretty old town, lakeside walks and the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary overlooking the lake. There’s accommodation ranging from grand historic hotels in Stresa to smaller family-run stays around the lake, while the islands offer a truly memorable setting if you want to wake up surrounded by water.
Ideal for: Boat trips, lake swimming, island hopping, lakeside walks
Stresa is the obvious choice for first-time visitors to Lake Maggiore. This elegant lakeside town has a lovely promenade, grand villas, mountain views and plenty of restaurants and cafes, while its ferry connections make it easy to explore the Borromean Islands. It’s particularly good for families and sightseers, with Isola Bella’s palace and gardens, Isola dei Pescatori’s fishing village and the Mottarone cable car all within easy reach. You can also swim, take boat trips or simply settle in for an aperitivo overlooking the lake. It’s one of the liveliest and most convenient bases on Lake Maggiore, without feeling like a full-on resort. There’s a range of hotels, from historic properties and smart lakeside hotels to more affordable family-friendly stays.
Did you know? Stresa has hosted some seriously famous visitors over the years, including Ernest Hemingway, who stayed at the Grand Hotel des Îles Borromées while recovering from injuries sustained during the First World War.
Ideal for: Mountain trips, film festivals, scenic hiking, lake swimming
Locarno is known for its sunny lakeside setting, palm tree-lined promenade and lively Piazza Grande, which hosts the famous Locarno Film Festival each summer. Take the funicular up to Madonna del Sasso for breathtaking lake views, swim from the lakeside beaches or head into the mountains for hiking and cable-car trips. There’s also a good choice of restaurants, cafes and bars, giving Locarno more of a lively town feel than many of the smaller lakeside resorts. Hotels range from stylish stays and lakeside properties to larger family-friendly resorts.
Did you know? Locarno is one of Switzerland’s sunniest towns, with around 2,300 hours of sunshine a year. Its mild climate means palm trees and other Mediterranean plants thrive along the shores of Lake Maggiore.
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Ideal for: Family holidays, island hopping, lakeside walks, lake swimming
Did you know? Baveno is famous for its distinctive pink granite, quarried from the surrounding mountains. The stone has been used in some impressive buildings and monuments, including Milan Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Ideal for: Hiking, old town exploring, water sports, Sunday markets
Cannobio's pretty old town opens onto a colourful waterfront, where you’ll find cafes, restaurants and a popular lakeside beach. Sunday is market day, bringing one of the biggest markets on Lake Maggiore to the promenade. You can swim, kayak and paddleboard on the lake, or head into the surrounding mountains for scenic hikes. The nearby Orrido of Sant’Anna gorge is another worthwhile stop, with a clear natural pool that’s popular for swimming. There’s a good mix of small hotels, family-run guesthouses and stylish lakeside stays, rather than the grand hotels you’ll find in Stresa.
Did you know? Cannobio’s lakeside promenade is home to a centuries-old tradition called the Festa della Santissima Pietà, held every January. The festival commemorates a miracle said to have taken place in Cannobio in 1522, when a painting of the Pietà apparently began bleeding.
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Ideal for: Picturesque base, boat trips, slow travel, island escapes
The smallest of the Borromean Islands, Isola dei Pescatori is a tiny, car-free fishing village of narrow lanes, stone houses and waterfront restaurants. There’s not a huge amount to see, but that’s rather the point: wander the lanes, browse little shops, eat fresh fish by the lake and enjoy the views across the water. It’s easy to reach by boat from Stresa and Baveno, making it a fun day trip if you don't plan to stay. A handful of small hotels and guesthouses mean you can stay overnight for a quieter experience once the day-trippers leave.
Did you know? Isola dei Pescatori is only about 375 metres long and 100 metres wide at its widest point, making it very easy to explore on foot.
