Top Lake Maggiore Walking Tours

The Borromean Islands are one of the highlights of Lake Maggiore, but the logistics of visiting all three in one day can be complicated. On this private tour, visit Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori with a boat and guide to admire their historic villas, lush gardens, and charming lanes. Stop for lunch (at your own expense) on Fisherman's Island before the boat trip back to Stresa.

If you are looking for a charming and welcoming place to savor excellent wines and food and enjoy peace and tranquility surrounded by greenery, the Fontechiara winery is what's right for you. Come and visit us, you can visit the cellar and savor the magic and charm of the process of transforming grapes into wine. We will tell you the history of our company, illustrating the vineyard cultivation techniques and the winemaking and aging methods. In an evocative and familiar setting, you will then taste our wines, Nebbiolo DOC and Vespolina DOC, served in combination with typical local, fresh, artisanal and zero km products such as local cured meats and cheeses, specially selected to best enhance aromas, tastes and organoleptic characteristics of each wine.

Savor the beauty of Lake Maggiore during the golden hour with this private sunset cruise. Set off from Stresa just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon and admire the picturesque towns, historic villas, and sumptuous gardens dotting the shore as you slowly cruise past. Sip prosecco and snap photos of the lush Borromean Islands and soaring Alpine peaks on the horizon before heading back to the harbor.

Island-hop at Lake Maggiore, and discover the tiny Borromean Islands with a hop-on hop-off ferry ticket. Use the 1-day pass to venture out from Stresa, and spend your day sightseeing as you wish. Step onto the shores of Isola Bella, home to the Borromeo family ‘palazzo’; wander amid the houses of pocket-sized Isola dei Pescatori; and admire the greenery of Isola Madre where botanical gardens beckon.

Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second-largest lake, dotted with lush islands and surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss and Italian Alps. With this tour, set out from Stresa to discover the lake by boat, admire the views as you cruise past beautiful gardens and lakeside villas, and hop off to explore the Borromean Islands of Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella.

We will spend time walking inside the vineyard where we will discover the culture of grapevine and wine in the Ossola Valley with over 700 years of history. You will taste two wines from our cellar in combination with typical products and I will explain more about the production process. I will try to answer any question about Ossolano wine or Italian wines. Coming to our winery, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful view of the Alps and see Domodossola from above. More info on www. edoardopatrone .com

Enjoy a panoramic mountain train ride traveling from Italy to Switzerland. Along the way, discover villages, such as Santa Maria Maggiore, which is well known for being a winter sports destination and for its Christmas markets. Travelers recommend sitting on the left side of the train to Santa Maria Maggiore and on the right side from there to Locarno.

Discover the romantic Piedmont village of Orta and the nearby lake island of San Giulio on a private tour with a local guide. You’ll hear the history of the bustling little town that sits on the shore of Lake Orta, discover the must-see sights around Piazza Motta, and enjoy a walking tour around the island. Just note that boat crossing is payable on the day.

A half-day tour by private taxi boat to the two jewels of lake Maggiore accompanied by an expert private guide to enjoy more the visit to these incredible islands. Your licensed local guide will show you an opulent palace dating back to the 17th century with its baroque garden on Isola Bella. You will then discover another villa in country style on Isola Madre built in the 16th century and a charming garden full of exotic plants, flowers, trees and peacocks.

Situated on the western shore of Lago Maggiore, the Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens is home to thousands of tree and flower species worldwide. On this tour, see them with a private guide, focusing on a particular species of flower living within the gardens. See the garden’s famous dahlias, water lilies, cactus houses, and more.

Lake Maggiore and the surrounding area creates some of Italy’s most beloved gastronomic specialties. With this tour, spend a day exploring the area and tasting regional food treasures. Highlights include visiting a cheese cellar, a historical tea room, and a small town known for producing Gattinara wines from Nebbiolo grapes.

Explore the picturesque town of Stresa on foot with a private guide who takes you on a leisurely walking tour with live commentary. View the town's elegant architecture along with sweeping views of Lake Maggiore, the Italian Alps, and the Borromean Islands. Learn about Stresa’s past and present, and get tips for places to visit during your stay on a private tour tailored to your interests.

We are an OFFICIAL family run Boat Charter & Tour company, with all the permissions required by law (unlike some others on the site), and we operate with the HIGHEST standards in Safety and Customer Service. We have designed this experience to make it "The best part of your holidays", exploring the best corners of Lago Maggiore from the best perspective. You decide how long you would like the tour (1 hr, 2hrs, half day, full day, Sunset Cruise) and the itinerary depends on the length of your cruise. This is a PRIVATE cruise on our amazing 10mt Ilver boat, Very spacious and Comfortable, with Sundeck, Shadow, Cabin and WC. We offer an ALL INCLUSIVE formula (no surprises) where VAT, Captain and FUEL USED are included, as well as locally made lush snacks and drinks (Including Highest quality Prosecco). The starting booking price is for 1hr cruise ONLY, select other options as required or feel free to contact us for a personalized request/quote.

Verbania is the chief town of the district around lake Maggiore; Pallanza, one of its centers, hosts the City hall and some of its most remarkable attractions. Among these, the outstanding Museum of Landscape, located in Palazzo Viani- Dugnani, keeps a vast collection of paintings, sculptures and photographs related to the culture and history of Lombardy and Piedmont. This private tour will lead you to discover these collections and, after a pleasant walk, to experience a visit to Villa Taranto botanical gardens: a unique 18 hectares park created by a Scottish traveller, featuring rare plants, trees and flowers from all over the world. Two different ways to witness the wonders of the landscapes of Lake Maggiore, which you will surely remember for long.

Experience the best of Lake Maggiore’s culture and cuisine in a single day with this unique tour that pairs visits to Stresa and Isola Bella with a wine tasting. Meet your guide for a stroll through Stresa’s old town before a private water taxi ride to Isola Bella to marvel at its villa and gardens. End with a stop at a local wine shop for a tasting paired with local specialties.

Capturing your vacation on film is always a challenge, so make sure you have unforgettable mementos of your time on Lake Maggiore with this private photo shoot. Choose the most scenic backgrounds around the lake as a stunning backdrop for your solo, couple, or family portraits—including iconic locations like the Borromean Islands or Villa Taranto. Browse your private online album of edited, high-definition portraits just days after your shoot.

Lake Maggiore was a mandatory stage of the Grand Tour of Norther Italy, during the 19th century. A Scottish official and traveller, Neil McEacharn, was once bewitched by the beauty of theses surroundings and bought in 1930 a villa in Verbania. In a few years, he acquired a vast land around there and turned it into a gorgeous botanical garden. This private tour will allow you to discover the wonderful, rare plants kept in the 18 hectares-wide garden of Villa Taranto, in an amazing panoramic position. The most cheerful and colored way to enjoy the mild weather and the superb views of the lake.

The two sides of lake Maggiore are amazingly different: Westwards, the sweet sines of the gulf on which Stresa and Baveno lay, in front of the charming Borromean Islands with their botanical gardens and villas. Eastwards, the deep waters in which high and wooded cliffs tumble down. This private tour will allow you to enjoy this beautiful diversity, taking you to the discovery of a hidden jewel, built sheer up on the water, close to the town of Laveno Mombello: the Hermitage of Santa Caterina, offering priceless works of art and a breathtaking view on lake Maggiore. This unforgettable experience will end with an exclusive aperitif, served onboard on your route back.

Lake Maggiore is a land of enchantment, whose coastlines are dotted by small, charming villages, art treasures, majestic castles and gorgeous gardens. In the middle of it lay the Borromean Islands, who has been chosen through the centuries by wealthy families, especially the Borromeo, for their leisure residences. This private cruise will take you to Isola Bella, seat of a fairy palace and a terraced botanical garden, then to Isola dei Pescatori, the only permanently inhabited one, where you may enjoy a good seafood lunch. Then, reaching the cliffs and woods of the lake eastern coast, you will find as a hidden jewel the Hermitage of Santa Caterina, a monastery built sheer on the waters, overlooking the lake with an astonishing view.

Lake Orta is a small, quite unknown pearl, lying a few kilometers westwards of Lake Maggiore. Its chief town, Orta San Giulio and the close by isle of San Giulio create a unique, charming "lounge" on the lake coastline. The small alleys, the ancient churches and the enchanting landscapes merge together in a scene of rare beauty. This exclusive tour will allow you to enjoy the fascinating atmosphere of the coastline village by a pleasant walk; later, a short, relaxing cruise will take you to the isle of San Giulio, 400 metres offshore, where you will witness the remains of the medieval settlements, a majestic romanesque church and an 19th century seminary.

The Borromeo family has ruled the lands across lake Maggiore for centuries and their descendants still own some of the gorgeous parks and mansions scattered around. The South-Western basin of the lake, named the Borromean gulf, is dotted by some small, charming islands. This exclusive cruise will lead you to discover the wonders of the three Borromean islands: the amazing botanical garden of Isola Madre, the largest one; the characteristic alleys of Isola dei Pescatori, the only permanently inhabited one, where you may enjoy a good lunch; finally, the superb baroque palace and garden of Isola Bella, dedicated by Carlo III Borromeo to his wife Isabella d'Adda.

The two sides of Lake Maggiore are amazingly different: westwards, the sweet sines of the gulf on which Stresa and Baveno lay, in front of the charming Borromean Islands with their botanical gardens and villas. Eastwards, the deep waters in which high and wooded cliffs tumble down. This private tour will allow you to enjoy this beautiful diversity, taking you to the discovery of two jewels, built sheer up on the water: the Borromean fortress of Angera, now a museum with, amazing Medieval decorations, the massive tower, from which your gaze can abrace a beautiful panorama and its Medieval garden. Then, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina, a religiuos complex perched on the cliff , overlooking Lake Maggiore. You'll realize how beauty has really occupied any possible space in these surroundings.

Lake Orta is a small, quite unknown pearl, lying a few kilometers westwards of lake Maggiore. Its chief town, Orta San Giulio and the close by isle of San Giulio create a unique, charming "lounge" on the lake coastline. This private tour will lead you to discover the atmospheres, the fascinating alleys and the view points of these sites, connected by a short and pleasant boat cruise. Later, you will have the chance to enjoy an astonishing view of the lake from the heights of the Holy Mount of Orta, a magnificent sanctuary reachable through an ascending path dotted of gorgeous baroque chapels. The site is a UNESCO heritage and you will surely understand why.