Explore the surroundings

Known to the world as "the Pearl of the Borromean Gulf," it is an exclusive destination for Italian and foreign tourists of excellence, where the love of nature is combined with a passion for art, music and culture in a unique combination that, year after year, draws the attention of tourists of all age groups and backgrounds. A terrace on the Borromean Gulf, Stresa looks out over its three beautiful Borromean Islands.

The Borromeo mansion on Isola Bella a offers visitors an elegant and sumptuous setting that preserves priceless works of art. From the palace there is access to the gardens for a pleasant stroll.
Isola Superiore dei Pescatori is surely the most characteristic island on all of Lake Maggiore! Its distinctive fish shape and narrow alleys that go to form the classic "fishbone" shape of the island make it unique! The ancient activity of its inhabitants, fishing, gave it its name and atmosphere.

It is impossible to miss a visit to the splendid Villa Pallavicino in Stresa that, with its zoologic park, is home to curious and rare animal species! From the lakefront, a small train takes you on a pleasant ride around the old town before reaching the Villa Pallavicino.

This may be the most famous botanical garden in northern Italy with a heritage of more than 20.000 varieties and species of particular botanical value. In 1931, Scottish Captain Neil McEacharn started collecting and acclimatising plants from all over the world in this corner of Italy that reminded him of his native Scotland. 

Lake Orta, among the most romantic in the Bel Paese, is a succession of small and characteristic villages, with a unique and evocative atmosphere. The village of Orta San Giulio, included in the list of Italy's most beautiful municipalities, stands on the shore of the lake of the same name, facing the picturesque Island of San Giulio, dominated by the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery and the well-known Basilica of San Giulio.

The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro is one of the most magical places on Lake Maggiore, and is easily reachable by ferry from Stresa. This enchanting complex, consists of several buildings: the small church and the convents.

From Stresa it is possible to reach the summit of Mount Mottarone by car.
From the top of this mountain there is a unique panorama that embraces the Alps, the Monte Rosa massif and the seven surrounding lakes: Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Varese, Lake Biandronno, Lake Monate and Lake Comabbio.

Verbania, chief town of the Province, is a delightful location on the western shore of Lake Maggiore. It is divided between several towns, each with their own character and charm, that draws the attention of thousands of tourists every year.

Renowned for its rich collections, cultural centre for the entire Province, the Museo del Paesaggio is divided in three locations.In Pallanza we find the 18th Century Palace Viani-Dugnani, which houses exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, photography, graphics and archeology.In Pallanza there is also the 15th Century Innocenti-Biumi Palace, dedicated to religion, art and popular culture while the third part of the museum, the Casa Ceretti in Intra, hosts impromptu exhibitions.

One of the nicest excursions using public transport, to discover Lake Maggiore and its surrounding valleys! Departure from Stresa (or another location on Lake Maggiore) by train to Domodossola, the “capital” of the Ossola Valley.
The adventure continues with a scenic ride on the narrow-gauge train of the Centovalli (a Hundred Valleys); a bridge between Italy and Switzerland that, across the Italian Vigezzo Valley and the Swiss Centovalli, brings you back to Lake Maggiore in Locarno.