Three-day itinerary on Lake Maggiore

In Italy, the lake bathes the regions of Lombardy and Piedmont. With its beauty that impresses even the most discerning of eyes, the Lake Maggiore region is an excellent option for those who want a trip surrounded by nature, charm, tranquility and peace of mind. Let’s go to our post of the day? A three-day itinerary on Lake Maggiore. Stay with us and make the most of the boot country! Here at Italy’s Dream Tourism you can make the trip of your dreams come true!!! Also check out our Accommodation in Italy Section – Tips for your Vacation!

Our Introduction

Lake Maggiore is a glacial lake located between Switzerland and Italy. It is the second largest of the Italian lakes, second only to Lake Garda. A popular tourist destination, it is always busy, as there are many attractions that attract visitors, not to mention the nature that surrounds it, which gives us a breath of fresh air and natural beauty.

Three days here is ideal for you to get to know the place well, with peace and comfort. Today we will present you with a three-day itinerary for Lake Maggiore. Read also: What are the must-see places on Lake Maggiore?

1) Three-day itinerary on Lake Maggiore – DAY ONE

A great option for a base town is Stresa, where the picturesque Borromeo Islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori) are located right in front of it. The lakeside promenade in Stresa is incredible and is lined with historic houses and beautiful Art Nouveau hotels, immersed in nature. Check out: Taking photos at Lake Maggiore and Lake Como.

Attractions in Stresa

In Stresa, two incredible places are Piazza dell’Imbarcadero and Piazza Marconi: both are very lively, full of life and with great options for restaurants, shops and bars. In the historic center, you can visit the Sant’Ambrogio Church, in neoclassical style, which contains some paintings from the 17th century.

On your right, you will find the famous and beautiful Villa Ducale, which dates back to the end of the 18th century and was built in the same neoclassical style. Not far from there you will find the Palazzo dei Congressi, a modern and well-equipped building. This is where festivals and art exhibitions take place. Among the noble residences, the one that stands out in an almost magical way is the 19th-century Villa Pallavicino.

This is where you will find a beautiful park that was transformed into a zoo in the 1950s; the garden offers us the most beautiful view, without a doubt! All of this can be visited in half a day, without rushing, calmly and peacefully. How about: Stresa: Private boat tour of Lake Maggiore and Isola Bella or Stresa: Half-day tour of Lake Maggiore

Now let’s get to know the Borromean Islands? 

• To find out more, click on the following link: www.isoleborromee.it/
• For the boat schedules to visit the Islands: www.navigazionelaghi.it/
• To see the prices of the monuments to be visited on the Islands, see: www.isoleborromee.it/doc/Tariffario_IsoleBorromee_ITA_2019.pdf
• If you prefer, you can also choose to visit the islands on a tourist boat. The cost of the tour is 15 euros and you can buy the tour by clicking here!

Let’s take the boat to Madre Island

From the port of Stressa, you can take the public boat to Madre Island, which is the largest in the area and acts as a ‘mother’ to the others. Almost completely covered in vegetation, it is made up of a huge garden and olive groves. The garden is impeccably maintained and has a unique charm!

The island also houses the Palazzo Borromeo in Baroque style, full of marble, stucco and ancient sculptures. The windows offer beautiful views of the blue waters of the Maggiore. Below the building there are beautiful caves covered in black and white stones that create a unique contrast.

Next we will go to Isola Bella (or Isola Bella)

From there you can continue to Isola Bella, where you will be enchanted just by looking at it from afar! The palace on the island seems to hover over the water, it is impressive! The palace has great art treasures and was built in the 17th century.

The architectural style is very delicate and, looking at the island, it will seem as if the palace was born together with it, such is the harmony. Outside there is a magnificent garden. In the evening, a lovely dinner, a walk around the historic center, back to Stresa and time for a well-deserved rest! 🙂 Overnight in Stresa!

2) Three-day itinerary on Lake Maggiore – SECOND DAY

On the second day, start with a beautiful ferry ride to Isola dei Pescatori, a characteristic village built on the island inhabited year-round by fishermen who make their living from tourism and fishing. Walking through its streets, alleys and small squares will make you appreciate its simplicity in a shocking way! Don’t forget to visit the small but beautiful church of San Vittore.

From there, head to Villa Taranto, where there are breathtakingly beautiful gardens, a true work of art in the form of nature! The gardens are rich in plants and flowers, and many specimens are very rare and only exist here, due to the favorable climate. The garden is truly a botanical work of art. From here, you can take a walk and enjoy all the beauty and peace that this place offers you; it is truly magical!

3) Three-day itinerary on Lake Maggiore – THIRD DAY

On the third day we will discover some very pleasant surprises! Let’s head to Arona. Our tour here begins with a romantic walk along the shores of the lake, from where we can see the beautiful Rocca di Angera. An imposing and majestic fortress that stands on a spur of rock on the eastern shore of the lake.

The walk ends at the foot of the Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo, an imposing thirty-five-meter-high statue called Sancarlone. To make it even more interesting, you can enter the statue and climb to the top, from where – through the eyes of the statue – you will have a WONDERFUL view of the entire Lake Maggiore.

An alternative is to visit Orta. The small medieval village is characterized by houses from the 16th and 17th centuries that, with small iron balconies, bear witness to the typical local craftsmanship. From there you can go to S. Giulio Island, known for the Romanesque basilica founded by S. Giulio himself at the end of the 4th century. The Cathedral was expanded and completely rebuilt between the 11th and 12th centuries. The adjacent building dates back to the 19th century and houses a community of Benedictine nuns.

Tips

• Arona also works very well as a base city. It is quiet and offers good options for getting around the islands and nearby cities, as well as good restaurants and good accommodation options.
• An unforgettable trip around Lake Maggiore is by boat, and one of the best companies offering this service is Centro Vela.

Attention!!!!

There are several companies that offer tours around the islands and Lake Maggiore; I suggest, however, that you avoid renting a boat to sail on your own; even if you are qualified to sail and have a Brazilian license, things are different in Italy. It is unlikely that anyone will authorize you to go out on a boat without the proper license, but do not insist if you hear a resounding ‘no’!

This is because if you have any problems during the trip, you may have difficulty explaining yourself to the police if you do not have the Italian license to sail. In other words, always choose a professional to accompany you on the tour, OK?!

How about a Train Tour?

If you prefer, take the train tour! It offers magnificent landscapes and is well worth it, because you can see several places at once! For more information, the company responsible for this is Lago Maggiore Express. You can choose your tour and make a reservation by clicking here!

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Conclusion

Three-day itinerary in Lake Maggiore. Visiting Lake Maggiore is an unforgettable experience! If you need some time away from the noise and visual pollution of big cities, Lake Maggiore is the ideal destination for you!

Do you feel insecure traveling?

If you need help organizing your trip, do not hesitate to contact me! I would love to help you make your dream trip to Italy.

Did my post help you, or do you still have questions? Leave your comment below, and I’ll get back to you!

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