Lake Maggiore attractions

Val Formazza Cascata del Toce: The excellent symbol of Val Formazza is the Toce Waterfall with a drop of 145 m, offering a unique and unforgettable scenery set among the mountains covered with conifers, meadows, small alpine lakes and pastures.
Val Vigezzo: the route covered by the Centovalli train, which links the villages of Domodossola and Locarno, winds through forests, wild mountains and small villages. The Vigezzo Valley is known as the “Painters’ Valley”.
Botanical Gardens: We are fortunate to have in our area three botanical attractions such as: Giardini Botanici di Villa Taranto in Verbania, excellence of Lake Maggiore with a park of 16 hectares. The park offers visitors 20,000 species of plants. Depending on the season, there are different blooms: from March to October there are camellias, rhododendrons, tulips, azaleas and dahlias.
Villa Pallavicino in Stresa, another botanical attraction, covers an area of 20 hectares with flowering avenues, ancient trees and a magnificent botanical garden. The distinguishing feature of this park is the presence of animals with more than 40 species of mammals and exotic birds.
Cannero Castles: an attraction emerging from the waters of Lake Maggiore not far from the shore. The castles stand on two small islands, fortified in the Middle Ages and used by brigands to control trade with neighbouring Switzerland.
Mottarone: situated between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, Mottarone is one of the most beautiful natural balconies in Piedmont. It can be reached by car or by cable car, a 20-minute ride from Stresa. Once at the top, there is a breathtaking view of seven lakes, the Po Valley, Monte Rosa and the Alps.
Borromeo Islands: Isola Bella and Isola Madre. In the middle of Lake Maggiore emerge the Islands, transformed during the 16th century by the Borromeo family.
On Isola Bella we find the Baroque palace with large, luxurious rooms containing important works of art, flanked by a rich Italian-style garden.
Isola Madre, on the other hand, has a palace dating back to the 16th century set in a lush English garden.
Isola Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island): characterised by white houses and narrow streets, on the island we find the splendid 11th-century church of San Vittore.