Lake Maggiore Holidays

Lakeside glam, mountain views, and palaces on islands – Lake Maggiore is Italy’s best-kept secret, and honestly, we kind of want to gatekeep it.

Highlights

• 🏞️ Jaw-dropping lakes and mountains combo – because you deserve double the views

• 🏰 Islands with palaces and peacocks – yes, really

• 🌺 Blooming gardens everywhere – from lakeside villas to mountaintop parks

• 🍷 Pasta, prosecco and Piedmont wine – alfresco dining just hits different here

Getting around

Lake Maggiore stretches across northern Italy and even dips into Switzerland, but it’s super easy to get around. Ferries and boats are the vibe for hopping between towns and islands – and let’s be honest, cruising across a glistening lake is always better than sitting in traffic. Stresa, Verbania, and Cannobio are well connected by water, and trains from Milan or Malpensa Airport will get you lakeside in under two hours. Local buses cover the towns if you’re exploring on a budget, but for ultimate freedom? Hire a car and go full Italian road trip.

Things to do for families in Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore is family holiday perfection – relaxed, beautiful, and full of fun that’s secretly educational (don’t tell the kids). Start with a boat trip to the Borromean Islands, especially Isola Bella, where palace halls and manicured gardens feel straight out of a Disney film. Kids will love spotting the peacocks strutting around like they own the place (spoiler: they kind of do). For outdoor adventures, ride the Mottarone cable car from Stresa for epic views and mountain picnics. Fancy a beach day? Head to Lido di Cannobio or Baveno, where the water’s calm and paddle-perfect. Round it off with gelato, and you're officially the coolest parent alive.

Things to do for couples in Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore is romance on tap – minus the crowds and the Como price tag. Start with a sunset cruise from Stresa, glass of wine in hand, and watch the lake light up in gold. Explore the baroque beauty of Isola Madre’s botanical gardens, or sip espresso on a terrace in Verbania while the world drifts by. Want a little luxury? Treat yourselves to a night at a lakeside villa hotel with a view that screams honeymoon (even if it’s just a cheeky long weekend). For a dreamy date, take the scenic train to Domodossola and wander the old town’s cobbled streets, hand-in-hand. Pure la dolce vita.

Things to do for groups in Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore is made for group trips with style – whether it’s a chilled birthday bash, a mini-reunion or just the gang looking for good food and great views. Base yourselves in Stresa for easy access to boat tours, beach clubs and lively piazzas. Plan a group hike through the Val Grande National Park or a mellow walk along the lakeside promenades with coffee stops built in (obviously). For a touch of fancy, book a private wine tasting in the Piedmont hills, or hire a boat for your own little floating aperitivo session. Aperol, tunes, your crew, and the Alps in the background? Yes, please.

Things to do for foodies in Lake Maggiore

Foodies, buckle up. Lake Maggiore is a flavour bomb waiting to go off in your mouth. Start your day with a creamy cappuccino and a brioche alla crema, preferably on a terrace with lake views. Then dive into the region’s specialties: Piedmontese pastas, risotto with lake fish, and buttery polenta dishes that feel like a warm hug. Local osterias serve truffle-topped everything in autumn, and lakeside trattorias grill fresh perch and trout to perfection. And we have to talk wine – reds from nearby Ghemme and Gattinara are criminally underrated. Oh, and dessert? Try torta di pane or pick up handmade chocolates in the sleepy streets of Cannero Riviera. You’ll eat well here. Very, very well.