Stresa on Lake Maggiore: Villas, Gardens and Islands

On Lake Maggiore, villas, parks, gardens and views of the Borromean Islands shape the character of Stresa. There is also a wide range of themes to explore during a stay: architecture and art sit alongside island history, gardens and paths through the upland landscape. If you are looking for hotels in Stresa, you can decide whether you would prefer to focus your stay on culture or on gardens and scenery.

Villas and history in Stresa

Villa Ducale is the oldest villa in Stresa; the Bolongaro family had it built around 1770. From 1850 to 1855, it was the residence of the abbot and philosopher Antonio Rosmini. Its garden preserves traces of formal Italian garden design from the late 17th century. The garden and villa thus reflect different historical periods.

The Centro Internazionale di Studi Rosminiani includes a Historical Museum, Antonio Rosmini’s room and a park. The Museo Artistico Sala Pietro Canonica displays restored sculptures in an exhibition space on the ground floor of the town hall. Stresa’s parish church also has a distinctive architectural design: it was planned in the late 18th century in the shape of a Greek cross and in the Corinthian order.

Music and local tradition add to these cultural themes. The Settimane Musicali di Stresa was founded in 1961. The Feast of Saint Ambrose is held on 7 December as a day commemorating the town’s patron saint.

Islands, palaces and fishing culture

On Isola Bella, Palazzo Borromeo includes historic rooms, the Galleria del Generale Berthier and a collection of 130 paintings. The island’s Baroque Italian garden consists of ten terraces, with the Teatro Massimo at its centre. The historic rooms, painting collection and terraced garden each offer a distinct perspective on the island’s cultural history.

On Isola dei Pescatori, you can explore the village on foot along its cobbled lanes. Many multi-storey houses have long balconies where fish was once dried. The Ecomuseo della Pesca presents fishing practices as well as the island’s life, work, history and traditions. Casa Studio Andrea Ruffoni displays the artist’s works in a studio house and garden.

The islands offer different themes: Isola Bella focuses on historic rooms, paintings and garden art, while Isola dei Pescatori is centred on fishing culture and island history. You can therefore choose according to your interests in architecture and art, on the one hand, or life on a fishing island, on the other.

Gardens and upland landscapes

Giardino Alpinia covers approximately 40,000 square metres. At an altitude of 800 metres, it includes 1,000 predominantly alpine plant species. The summit of Mottarone reaches 1,491 metres and offers views of seven lakes, the Alps and the Po Valley. Mottarone has numerous trails and routes for hiking, cycling and horse riding; varied walking paths in the uplands above Stresa lead towards Mottarone and Alto Vergante.

The “For All” route connects Isola dei Pescatori with Giardino Alpinia and is designated as accessible for tourists with special needs. This designated route adds a practical link between the island and the garden to the other landscape attractions. Parco Pallavicino is home to 50 species of mammals and birds.

Getting around and local traditions

Scheduled services operated by Navigazione Lago Maggiore connect Arona, Stresa and Locarno. If you are planning a trip, check the current timetable. Margheritine, typical biscuits from Stresa, are considered a local culinary speciality. Alongside the villas, museums and landscapes, regional biscuits and the connection across the lake are also part of a stay in Stresa.

Discover more destinations: Isola Superiore, Cossogno, Beura, Viganella, Baveno, Domodossola, Gignese, Alpe Devero.

For the broader travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.