What to see in Stresa in 2 days: itinerary through the Borromean Islands, villas and Lake Maggiore
Discover what to see in Stresa in 2 days: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Madre, Mottarone, lakefront and gardens on Lake Maggiore in Piedmont.
Why visit Stresa in 2 days
Stresa is the gateway to the Borromean Islands, one of Europe's most celebrated lake landscapes. Overlooking Lake Maggiore with the Alps framing the horizon, this elegant Piedmontese town combines Belle Epoque charm with the spectacular nature of the lake and its islands. Two days are ideal to visit the three islands, stroll along the waterfront and ascend the Mottarone for a breathtaking panorama.
Day 1: the Borromean Islands
Morning: Isola Bella
Take the ferry from Stresa's dock and reach Isola Bella, the queen of the Borromean Islands. The Palazzo Borromeo, built in the seventeenth century, is a Baroque triumph with frescoed halls, grottoes lined with shells and mosaics, and the celebrated Teatro Massimo, a spectacular state room.
But the true masterpiece is the Italian garden: ten stacked terraces descending towards the lake, adorned with statues, obelisks, fountains and rare plants. The white peacocks strolling among box hedges and camellias complete the scene. From the upper terrace the view over the lake and mountains is superb.
Afternoon: Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre
After Isola Bella, the ferry takes you to Isola dei Pescatori, the only permanently inhabited island. The hamlet is a fishing village with narrow houses, shaded alleys and restaurants serving lake fish. The atmosphere is simple and authentic, contrasting with Isola Bella's splendour.
If time allows, continue to Isola Madre, the largest and quietest of the three. The sixteenth-century palace houses a collection of marionettes and period puppet theatres. The botanical garden, the lake's oldest, is a paradise of subtropical plants: giant azaleas, centuries-old wisteria, Kashmir cypresses and parrots flying free.
Evening: lakefront stroll
Return to Stresa for an evening walk along the waterfront. The tree-lined avenue flanked by Belle Epoque historic hotels, with the illuminated islands in the background, is one of northern Italy's most romantic panoramas.
Day 2: Mottarone and gardens
Morning: the Mottarone
Ascend the Mottarone, the mountain separating Lake Maggiore from Lake Orta. The cable car departs from Stresa's centre and in 20 minutes reaches the summit at 1,491 metres. From the top, on clear days, you can see seven lakes, the Po Valley and the Alpine arc from Monte Rosa to Monviso.
Stop at the intermediate station to visit the Giardino Botanico Alpinia, an alpine garden with over a thousand species of mountain plants and a panoramic terrace overlooking the lake.
Afternoon: Villa Pallavicino and the centre
Back from the Mottarone, visit Villa Pallavicino, whose 18-hectare park combines an English-style garden with a small zoo housing llamas, zebras, flamingos and fallow deer. The entrance is from the lakefront and the park is ideal for families too.
Devote the last part of the afternoon to Stresa's centre: Piazza Cadorna, the Church of Saints Ambrose and Theodoulus and the shopping streets with local-product shops and chocolate boutiques.
Evening: final sunset
End your stay with the last sunset from Stresa's pier. The mountains turn violet, the islands become dark silhouettes on the silvered water and the silence of the lake wraps everything.
Viewpoints not to miss
- Mottarone summit: seven lakes and the Alpine arc
- Giardino Alpinia terrace: aerial view over Lake Maggiore
- Isola Bella upper terrace: 360-degree panorama
- Stresa waterfront: islands and mountains at sunset
Secret corners
- The lakeside path from Stresa to Baveno, away from the road
- The dead-end alley on Isola dei Pescatori with a water outlook
- The garden of Villa Ducale, often overlooked
- The small harbour of Carciano, the cable-car departure point, with colourful boats
Practical tips
Buy the combined ticket for all three islands to save money. Ferries leave frequently from Stresa's pier. In summer the islands are heavily visited: arrive early. The Mottarone cable car may close in bad weather: check beforehand. Stresa is well connected by train from Milan (one hour). In spring the villas' and gardens' blooms are at their finest.
