GemmaLake Maggiore has a way of pulling you in without trying too hard. One moment you arrive for a quiet break, and the next you are planning how to stay longer. The lake sits calmly between Italy and Switzerland, framed by mountains, old towns, gardens, and water that changes color depending on the light. It feels elegant, but never stiff. Relaxed, but never boring.
This is not the kind of place where you rush from attraction to attraction with a checklist in your hand. Lake Maggiore invites you to slow down, wander, sit longer than planned, and say things like “let’s just see where this road goes.” From my own personal experience, that is exactly how the best moments here happen.
Below are 10 things to do in the Lake Maggiore area that you truly need to see, explore, and enjoy. These are not rushed ideas. These are experiences that stay with you long after you leave.
Explore the Borromean Islands
If Lake Maggiore had a crown, the Borromean Islands would be it. Floating quietly on the water near Stresa, these islands feel almost unreal, like someone placed them there just to impress visitors.
Isola Bella is the most famous, and for good reason. The Borromeo Palace rises directly from the lake, surrounded by terraced gardens that feel theatrical in the best way. You walk up stone steps, pass statues, pause for photos, then realize you have stopped breathing because the view is that good. The gardens are symmetrical, dramatic, and surprisingly peaceful considering how beautiful they are.
Isola Madre feels softer. Larger, greener, and calmer. The botanical garden here is full of rare plants, tall trees, and wandering peacocks who clearly believe they own the place. They are not wrong.
Isola dei Pescatori is the most lived-in of the three. This is where you stop for lunch, sit near the water, order fish from the lake, and lose track of time. It feels real and warm, not polished.
Take the boat slowly. Do not rush all three in one hour. This is Lake Maggiore, not a speed challenge.
Walk Along the Stresa Promenade
Stresa is often the first stop for visitors, and it earns that role easily. The promenade runs along the lake with open views of the Borromean Islands, palm trees swaying lightly, and grand hotels that whisper stories of another era.
This is one of those walks where you pretend you are exercising, but really you are just stopping every two minutes to look at the water. Early morning is quiet and calm. Evening brings couples, families, and that gentle hum of conversation.
Sit on a bench. Watch boats pass. Notice how the mountains change color as the sun moves. This is simple, and that is exactly why it works.
If you only do one slow walk during your trip, make it this one.
Ride the Cable Car to Mottarone
When someone says “the view is worth it,” this is what they mean.
The cable car from Stresa to Mottarone takes you up through forests, villages, and open slopes until suddenly the world opens wide. At the top, you can see seven lakes on a clear day. Yes, seven. It feels slightly unfair how beautiful it is.
At the summit, you can walk, eat at a mountain restaurant, or simply stand there wondering why you do not live nearby already. In winter, it becomes a small ski area. In warmer months, it is perfect for relaxed hiking.
Bring a light jacket even in summer. The breeze up there does not care what season it is.
Visit the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso
This is one of those places that makes you stop talking the moment you arrive.
Built directly into a cliff above the lake, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso looks impossible from a distance. Then you get closer and realize it somehow works beautifully.
You can reach it by boat, which is highly recommended, or by stairs if you feel brave and slightly dramatic. Inside, the atmosphere is quiet and reflective. Frescoes line the walls, and the sound of the lake below adds to the calm.
This is not a place to rush through with a camera only. Sit for a moment. Let the stillness do its thing.
Wander Through Verbania and Its Gardens
Verbania feels like the relaxed cousin of the more glamorous towns. Less showy, more livable, and very charming.
The highlight here is the Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens. Even if you think you are “not really a garden person,” this place might change your mind. Thousands of plant species fill the paths, colors shift by season, and every corner feels carefully loved.
The gardens are spacious, so you never feel crowded. You can walk slowly, pause often, and enjoy how quiet beauty can be just as powerful as dramatic scenery.
Afterward, explore the town center, grab a coffee, and enjoy the everyday rhythm of life by the lake.
Take a Boat Trip Across the Lake
Lake Maggiore is best understood from the water.
Public boats connect the main towns, and the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Sitting on deck, watching villages drift past, feels far better than driving from place to place.
You notice details you would otherwise miss. Old villas hidden behind trees. Small docks with one boat tied lazily. People waving from balconies like they have nowhere else to be.
Choose a route that connects several towns and treat the boat like a moving balcony. No rush. No pressure.
Explore Cannobio’s Old Town
Cannobio sits near the Swiss border and feels wonderfully authentic.
The old town is a maze of narrow streets, stone buildings, and small shops. It is the kind of place where you accidentally get lost and feel proud of it. The lakeside promenade is lively without being loud, especially in the evenings.
There is a strong sense of local life here. Markets, cafés, and families fill the streets. It does not feel staged. It feels lived.
If you want to experience Lake Maggiore without the polished hotel energy, Cannobio is a must-see.
Relax on a Lakeside Beach
Yes, Lake Maggiore has beaches. No, you do not need the sea to enjoy a proper swim.
Several towns offer small pebble or grassy beaches where you can sunbathe, swim, or simply dip your feet in the water. In summer, the lake is surprisingly refreshing.
Bring a towel, grab snacks, and do absolutely nothing for a few hours. This is not wasted time. This is high-quality relaxation.
Locals do this well. Follow their example.
Visit Local Villages Above the Lake
One of the most rewarding experiences is driving or taking a bus into the hills above Lake Maggiore.
Villages like Ghiffa, Oggebbio, and Trarego offer views that make you stop the car just to stare. These places are quiet, simple, and full of character. Stone houses, small churches, and silence that feels comforting.
Have lunch at a local trattoria where the menu is short and the food is unforgettable. You may not understand every word spoken, but you will understand the warmth.
Enjoy the Food Without Overthinking It
Lake Maggiore food is honest and comforting.
Freshwater fish, risotto, polenta, local cheeses, and simple desserts fill the menus. You do not need to chase trendy spots here. The best meals often come from places with handwritten menus and chairs that do not match.
Eat slowly. Order dessert even if you said you would not. Drink the local wine. This is not the moment for discipline.
Based on my overall experience, the meals you remember most are not always the fancy ones, but the ones eaten near the water while laughing a little too loudly.
Final Thoughts on Exploring Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore does not demand attention. It earns it quietly.
It is a place where beauty feels natural, not forced. Where days stretch gently, and plans change easily. You can explore deeply or do very little and still feel satisfied.
The best way to enjoy it is to stay open. Leave space in your schedule. Follow your curiosity. Sit longer. Walk slower. Order one more coffee.
Because the real magic of Lake Maggiore is not only in what you see, but in how it makes you feel while you are there.
And once you leave, do not be surprised if you start planning your return before the trip is even over.
I’m Gemma, a passionate lifestyle blogger sharing my creative world with you. Gemitaliano.com is my little corner of the internet, glad you’re here.