Stresa and the Borromean Islands from Arolo
Stresa and the Borromean Islands lie on the west shore of Lake Maggiore, across the lake from Arolo. From the villa they make an easy day trip.
Getting there
By boat (in season): from late March to early October, Navigazione Lago Maggiore boats call at Santa Caterina del Sasso, 3 km from the villa, and cross to Stresa and the islands. There are only a few sailings a day, so check the timetable and your return boat first (navigazionelaghi.it). One of our guests called this crossing a highlight of their stay.
By car and ferry: drive 10 minutes to Laveno and take the car ferry to Verbania Intra. The crossing takes 20 minutes and runs all year, about every 30 minutes in the daytime. From Intra, follow the lake road south to Stresa (about 20 minutes). Allow about an hour from the villa, more if you have to wait for the ferry.
By road: round the south end of the lake via the A26 motorway, also about 1 hour.
The islands
Isola Bella: the baroque Palazzo Borromeo and its terraced Italian garden.
Isola Madre: the largest island, with a 16th-century palace and a botanical garden.
Isola dei Pescatori (Isola Superiore): a small fishing village with restaurants – a good place for lunch.
Boats from the Stresa pier reach Isola Bella in 5–10 minutes. Isola Bella and Isola Madre are run by Terre Borromeo and usually open from mid-March to early November (terreborromeo.it). Combined tickets cover more than one site.
Stresa and Verbania
Stresa has a long lakefront promenade and the park of Villa Pallavicino (also Terre Borromeo). On the way back, stop in Verbania: the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto in Pallanza (usually open daily from mid-March to November; villataranto.it) and, on Saturdays, the large weekly market in Intra.
Tips
Start early in July and August; the islands are busiest from late morning.
Check the time of your return ferry from Intra to Laveno, or your boat back to Santa Caterina, before you set out.
More day trips: Lake Orta and Arona · Lugano, Locarno and Como
Opening times and timetables change each season; please check the official sites before you go.
Stay at Villa Lago Maggiore
Our whole villa in Arolo, across the lake from Stresa, sleeps up to 10, with a private heated infinity pool and lake views. See also distances from the villa.
