Top Things to do in Lake Maggiore
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10 Things to Do in Lake Maggiore That You Shouldn't Miss
On the south side of the Alps, Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy. Since the climate is mild year-round, the area is filled with Mediterranean vegetation and exotic plants. Lake Maggiore was featured in Ernest Hemingway's infamous novel, A Farewell to Arms, when the protagonist and his lover must row across the lake in order to escape the Italian Carabinieri (think police in military uniforms). Here's hoping you won't have any run-ins of that nature.
Restaurants in Lake Maggiore
1. Lago Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 764 reviews
The perfect region for your holidays between mountain and lake. Trips, congresses, families, small and big events, culture, outdoor excursions, fun and relaxation in Lago Maggiore, Orta Lake and surroundings.
2. Palazzo Borromeo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By wiwiani - Melbourne, Australia
We were part of Riviera travel tour and boated across to Isola Bella. A private tour of the Palazzo with free time to wander around the Gardens. It was such a whimsical place and lucky me found the perfect rose perfume in the gift shop. Everyone should visit this place.
3. Eremo di S. Caterina del Sasso
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 939 reviews
Leggiuno
Reviewed By Jeff s - Salt Lake City, Utah
My favorite part of this little chapel is the Gregorian Chant music softly played over speakers from above. Please please please, other tourists, walk slowly, don't talk at all, and keep it a peaceful experience for all. It's a very pretty little chapel to come pray in and listen to the music.
4. Villa della Porta Bozzolo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By SilverYew - Varese, Italy
The villa is really beautiful and the park is pleasant... Also, being a FAI property there are various events like the crocuses in bloom, the Christmas market... Check the Fai website if you plan to go!
There is also a nice restaurant/caffeteria linked to it, and the entrance is free for members of the English National trust.
5. Funivie del Lago Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 282 reviews
Reviewed By steveeddy2015 - South Wales, United Kingdom
I don't think I've ever used the word 'awesome' before, but this truly was. You get to ride in a one/two-person 'car', a metal basket really, travelling 1000m up a mountain with the stunning landscape of Lake Maggiore and the Alps beyond steadily opening out before you (well, if you're facing downhill!). You can choose a closed or open ('aperto') car. Unless it's raining or you have no head for heights - in which case you probably won't be up for this anyway, I'd recommend the thrill of the 'aperto'. There are places to sit and gaze at the top, a nice little bar and a restaurant, and great walks in beautiful beech woods.
6. Isola Madre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 628 reviews
Part of the Borromean archipelago and home to an exotic garden of plants, birds and flowers, this magical island is considered a botanical garden on water.
Reviewed By Samiseal - Australia
When you park in Stresa you may be approached by boat captains touting for their boat companies, they are reasonable value and have fast clean boats going about hourly, which is enough. You can also get the Ferries, they are a little more expensive.
Isola Madre has a Villa which was a residence rather than a palace. It also has an interesting collection of toys, dolls and puppet theatres.
The garden is really very lovely and peaceful, with some large pheasants and peacocks.
7. Orrido di sant'anna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By StevenSue - Rye, NY
This is an easy hike on a groomed gravel path for an hour each way. There are no particularly memorable views, but in August there were some interesting fruit and vegetable Gardens on one side. The end point is a beautiful church—the dark granite used to accent its interior was unusual and interesting. And the 15th century bridge (now closed) over a dramatically deep and narrow gorge was a “wow”. Picnicing at the end of the trail at a beach under the church at the end of the gorge was pretty, though a bit crowded (there are also a couple of benches across from the church at the top of the gorge that would also work for a lunch break).
The directions we found--to follow the Promenade out to the river and then follow the path--are accurate and easy to follow. On the path you cross the river at the foot bridge, not the road bridge you come to first. If you want, on the lake-side Promenade on your way to the hike is a shop that will chop some cheese and slice some meat for a picnic—you can also buy some crisp bread there. Then stop at the kebab shop as the Promenade ends for a couple of waters or teas, and you have a complete picnic.
It appeared that you could also hike up to St Agnes from the Church. With more time, that looked like that would be a more strenuous but particularly beautiful leg of the hike—we wished we had planned and left sufficient time for that. A great hiking map of the area is located here:
http://www.siriobluevision.it/2013/cannobio/
Cannobio had a very pretty lake-front Promenade with a large choice of cafes and restaurants, but surprisingly few shops. We stopped for a Hugo cocktail at the Plaza café and can recommend that stop.
8. Luigi Guffanti
Overall Ratings
5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Chris S - Basel, Switzerland
we had a great tour through the cheese cellars with Walter, must-visit in the area!
+ tour guide Walter was nice, good English, presented lots of interesting facts and stories about cheese to us, always with an historic and geographic viewpoint
+ the cellars full of cheese are traditional and must-see
+ degustation of cheese and wine at the end, a spectacle for your mouth
- we had to wait a while after entering the shop, as nobody was there
9. Piazza della Chiesa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By LastMinuteLarry
Just a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal is this wonderful village church with murals on the walls of the covered walkway. The bell tower is quaint and unassuming, the whole area is just so peaceful in comparison to the noisy traffic on the main road. The tiny streets leading to and from the church are nice to stroll around too. Walk back to the lake front and unwind with a gelato and watch the world go by.
10. Lago Maggiore ZIPline
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By Ivana V
It was really great experience and definitely worth for adrenaline lovers!! Me and my friend tried the falcon style.. absolutely awesome :) I would definitely go back again :) Just a reminder! Follow the indication on the website on how to get there!!
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