Lago Maggiore: a summer holiday at one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes
Lago Maggiore is one of the most beautiful lakes in northern Italy and also extends into the Swiss canton of Ticino. If you are looking for a summer holiday where you can look forward to swimming, boat trips, evening walks along the promenade, visiting historic villas, island excursions, and breathtaking views of the Alps, then Lago Maggiore is a great choice. Compared to Lake Garda, it feels calmer in places, but at the same time offers enough activities for a whole week’s holiday.
I consider the main attractions to be the Borromean Islands, the town of Stresa, the botanical gardens in Verbania, the promenades in Ascona and Locarno, beautiful swimming areas, and the possibility of taking boat trips without having to get into the car every day.
Accommodation at Lago Maggiore
Find accommodation at Lago Maggiore using the map:
We recommend choosing accommodation based on the type of holiday you are planning. If you are going to Lago Maggiore for the first time, Stresa or Baveno is the most practical choice for us. You will be close to the Borromean Islands, boats, restaurants, and classic lake views. For me, Stresa is one of the most exclusive destinations at Lago Maggiore. I have a recommendation for a family hotel right between Stresa and Baveno:
Hotel Villa Ruscello
- Best location-view-price ratio.
- A family hotel right by the lake with a view of the Borromean Islands.
- Most rooms have a lake view, breakfast option available.
- It has its own beach and pier, from where a private boat to the islands can be arranged.
Villa Ruscello
Hotel Splendid 4*
- A great hotel right by the lake – for me, it’s a better middle-class option in Baveno.
- It has its own beach, pool, and panoramic views of Lago Maggiore.
- Private pier for guests.
Hotel Splendid
Lago Maggiore Bay
- Luxury glamping right on the shores of Lago Maggiore in Baveno.
- Private beach with a pool and an amazing view of the lake.
- Good price/quality ratio
Lago Maggiore Bay
Verbania is suitable for those of you who want a larger town, a promenade for evening walks, beaches, and easy access to the Villa Taranto botanical gardens. On the other hand, I recommend Cannobio and Cannero Riviera for a quieter holiday near the Swiss border.
If you want to combine Italy with Swiss comfort, also consider Ascona or Locarno, where promenades, palm trees, historic streets, and a Mediterranean atmosphere in a Swiss version await you.
Summer holiday at Lago Maggiore
Lago Maggiore is ideal mainly for those holidaymakers who don’t want to spend their holiday in just one place. You can plan a different program every day. One day you go for a swim in the lake, the next you head out on a boat trip, another day you visit the islands, walk through the town, the botanical garden, and the next day you can head for a trip to the mountains.
The lake is vast, rugged, and very diverse. The southern and central part around Stresa, Baveno, and Verbania is best known for its islands and villas. The northern part towards Cannobio, Ascona, and Locarno has a more pronounced Alpine-Mediterranean atmosphere. In my opinion, Lago Maggiore is a combination of Swiss charm and Mediterranean atmosphere. With the promenades in Locarno and Ascona, the mild climate, and trips to the Brissago Islands or the Verzasca Valley, this place is ideal (not only) for a summer holiday.
Swimming at Lago Maggiore
It’s best to choose swimming spots at Lago Maggiore based on your specific place of stay. Near larger towns, you will find paid swimming areas with facilities, while in some villages there are smaller beaches or free access to the water. For families, the swimming areas in Locarno, Ascona, and Brissago are particularly practical because they offer more comfortable facilities than small natural entry points.
You might also be interested in:
- Lake Caldaro, South Tyrol: 11 reasons why you should choose this lake
- A weekend in Limone sul Garda: where to stay, what to see, and what to taste
- Cycling weekend in Riva del Garda – a trip to Lake Ledro and Tenno
- Grindelwald, Switzerland: the Jungfrau region not just for a weekend
What to do at Lago Maggiore in summer?
1. Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori
For me, the Borromean Islands are the most famous trip at Lago Maggiore. Most visitors head to Isola Bella with its palace and terraced gardens, Isola Madre with its botanical garden, and Isola dei Pescatori, which has retained the atmosphere of a fishing village. The archipelago also includes Isola San Giovanni and the Rock of Malghera, but the main tourist stops are Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori.
2. Stresa and the lakeside promenade
Stresa is a classic that you shouldn’t miss on your first visit. You’ll find elegant hotels, a lakeside promenade, views of the islands, and a boat pier. It’s a good base for those of you who want the biggest attractions close by and don’t want to deal with complicated travel.
3. Boat trips on Lago Maggiore
Boats are a practical means of transport and an experience at Lago Maggiore. The official Navigazione Laghi offers, among other things, circuits to the Borromean Islands from Stresa, Baveno, Pallanza, Arona, Laveno, or Intra, as well as connections towards Switzerland. Thanks to this, you can plan your program without a car and enjoy the lake from the water.
4. Verbania and Villa Taranto
Verbania is a livelier town and a good tip for a longer stay. It is the capital of the province of Verbano Cusio Ossola and a holiday center where 19th-century villas stand out, including Villa Taranto. The Villa Taranto botanical gardens are one of the nicest stops for those who like parks, flowers, and a quieter program away from the beach. If you love gardening, you must come here.
5. Ascona, Locarno, and the Swiss part of the lake
The Swiss part of Lago Maggiore has a slightly different atmosphere than the Italian part of the lake. Locarno offers the famous Piazza Grande, a promenade, and good facilities, while Ascona is one of the most beautiful places for walks by the water. Families with children will certainly appreciate the larger swimming areas, such as Lido Locarno, Lido Ascona, and Lido Brissago, with children’s zones, slides, and comfortable facilities.
6. Brissago Islands
If you are in the northern part of the lake, add a trip to the Brissago Islands. The mild climate here is great for Switzerland and allows subtropical plants to grow in the open air. I recommend visiting the botanical garden on Isola Grande, which has around 1,700 plant species.
Other tips for trips around Lago Maggiore
If you plan a longer holiday here, I recommend adding Lake Orta, the town of Arona with the statue of San Carlo Borromeo, the monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso, Mount Mottarone, the Verzasca Valley, or a day trip to Milan. For me, Lago Maggiore is ideal for 4 to 7 days, but if you want to combine the Italian and Swiss parts, the islands, swimming, and trips to the surrounding area, you can easily fill more than a week here.
Can dogs swim at Lago Maggiore?
At Lago Maggiore, there are several beaches and free water access points where dogs are allowed, but rules vary by municipality, season, and specific section. It’s more or less similar to Austria, where in some places dogs are only allowed outside the main summer season. Always watch for local signs, expect to use a leash, and check the rules in advance at paid swimming areas. I also point out that for swimming waters, it’s advisable to follow current annual water quality checks and local municipal rules.
A few specific tips for swimming with dogs in the Lombardy region:
Maccagno – dogs have access to all swimming beaches, provided leash/muzzle rules are followed.
Brezzo di Bedero – access with dogs is allowed on all three swimming beaches.
Luino – dogs are allowed on the promenade and beaches, always on a leash.
A few more tips I found out for friends who were heading here with 2 medium-sized dogs:
Porto Valtravaglia – dogs are allowed on the promenade and beaches, with the exception of the beach in front of Piazza Imbarcadero.
Sesto Calende/ Lisanza – dogs are allowed on the promenade and beaches on a leash.
Ispra – dogs are allowed on unequipped beaches and the promenade.
Nocciola between Angera and Ranco – a natural green spot where dogs are allowed, but access is steeper and the beach is not equipped
