Varese and its province are a green, surprising corner of Lombardy, among hills, villas, gardens and a handful of lakes, on the border with Switzerland. Nicknamed the “garden city”, Varese guards the Sacro Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a discreet elegance of parks and historic residences. The area is also the gateway to Lake Maggiore and home to Malpensa airport, Italy’s second-busiest: this makes it handy both for a weekend of nature and culture and as a practical base for flyers.
The choice of area depends on your purpose: the city of Varese for art and greenery, the surroundings such as Somma Lombardo for the territory and the lakes, the towns near Malpensa for convenience at the gates. Here are the best areas to stay and the recommended hotels.
Varese town: the Sacro Monte, the villas and the lake
Varese town is the ideal base for those seeking art and nature: the jewel is the Sacro Monte, with the sacred way of fourteen chapels climbing up to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte, one of the UNESCO-listed Sacred Mountains, set in the Campo dei Fiori Park. In the city, the highlights are the Palazzo Estense with its gardens, dubbed the “little Versailles”, and Villa Panza, a splendid FAI residence with contemporary art collections.
Not far off, Lake Varese offers walks and a fine cycle path, while the closeness to Lake Maggiore and Switzerland opens up countless trips. Sleeping in the city means having all this within reach, in an elegant, quiet setting, ideal for a relaxing weekend.
Varese’s charm lies in its balance between city and nature: elegant Art Nouveau villas, gardens and parks alternate with glimpses of the Campo dei Fiori mountains that overlook the city. Climbing to the Sacro Monte, perhaps by the historic funicular, and enjoying the panorama over the lakes and the Alps is an experience worth the trip in itself. It’s a destination still off the mass-tourism trail, perfect for those seeking culture, greenery and quiet a step from Milan.
B&B La Casa di Pamela
A welcoming, well-kept B&B in Varese, a few minutes from Lake Varese, much appreciated for its hospitality. It’s a convenient, quiet base for discovering the garden city, the Sacro Monte and the surroundings, with excellent value, ideal for a couple or a short stay.
Varese Suites
Modern, comfortable rooms in a central location in Varese, ideal for those who want the independence of their own space. Handy for the centre, the museums and transport, they’re a practical choice for visiting the city and using it as a base for the surrounding area and the nearby lakes.
Somma Lombardo and the gateway to Lake Maggiore
Somma Lombardo, south of Varese, is a pretty town dominated by the Visconti di San Vitaliano Castle, one of the oldest and best-preserved in Lombardy. It’s the gateway to the Ticino Park and the lower Lake Maggiore, with Sesto Calende and Angera a short distance away, and at the same time very close to Malpensa airport.
It’s a perfect base for combining the convenience of the airport with the discovery of the territory, among the river, the villages and the lake, away from city traffic. Ideal for a quiet stay, set in the greenery but well connected.
A due passi dal Castello
A beautifully kept B&B in the centre of Somma Lombardo, right next to the castle, much loved by guests for its welcome. Handy for Malpensa and the gateway to Lake Maggiore, it combines the charm of the town with a practical location: an ideal base between nature and airport.
Villa Marchese Lake Maggiore
A welcoming B&B in Somma Lombardo, set in the greenery and handy for both the airport and Lake Maggiore. An excellent base for combining a lake trip with the convenience of Malpensa, with well-kept spaces and the quiet of the countryside a step from the airport.
Near Malpensa airport
Malpensa airport is Italy’s second-busiest and the country’s main intercontinental hub, surrounded by the towns of the Varese province such as Gallarate, Busto Arsizio and Cardano al Campo. Those with an early flight or a late-night landing find it very convenient to sleep in one of these towns, in properties designed for travellers, often with a shuttle and parking.
It’s the practical choice for those using Malpensa as the departure or arrival point of a trip, without giving up the closeness to Milan (reachable by train) and the lakes. A smart, economical solution for starting or ending your holiday stress-free.
MC FLY ROOMS Malpensa airport
A property designed for those flying from Malpensa, in Gallarate, with practical rooms and a management used to flight schedules. The long line of satisfied guests confirms it as a reliable, worry-free base for a night before or after departure.
Home Sweet Home Milano Malpensa
In Cardano al Campo, a stone’s throw from Malpensa, a welcoming address much loved by travellers. Convenient, quiet and good value, it’s the right choice for resting near the airport and setting off stress-free, with Milan and the lakes a short distance away.
This guide is part of our tour of the region: discover all the areas in Where to stay in Lombardy. Varese is close to Milan and to Lake Como.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we are asked most often about where to stay in Varese and around.
What is the best area to stay in Varese and around?
It depends on the purpose of the trip. For art, greenery and the Sacro Monte, the best base is the city of Varese, elegant and quiet. To combine the territory, the castle and Lake Maggiore, Somma Lombardo is an ideal choice. Those with a flight from Malpensa will find the towns near the airport, such as Gallarate, Busto Arsizio and Cardano al Campo, very handy. The area is well connected and close to both Milan and the lakes.
What is there to see in Varese?
Not to be missed: the Sacro Monte of Varese, a UNESCO site, with the sacred way of fourteen chapels and the Sanctuary, set in the Campo dei Fiori Park; the Palazzo Estense and its gardens, the “little Versailles”; and Villa Panza, a FAI residence with contemporary art collections. Also worth it are Lake Varese, with its cycle path, and a trip to nearby Lake Maggiore. Varese, the “garden city”, is ideal for a weekend of culture and nature.
Where to stay near Malpensa airport?
For an early flight or a late-night landing it’s best to sleep in the towns around the airport, such as Gallarate, Busto Arsizio, Cardano al Campo and Somma Lombardo, where there are properties designed for travellers, often with a shuttle and parking. From here the airport is reached in a few minutes. It’s the most practical solution for awkward flights, and it also keeps you close to Milan, reachable by train, and to the lakes.
Is Varese a good base for visiting the lakes?
Yes, excellent: the Varese province is surrounded by lakes. Besides Lake Varese, a short distance away are Lake Maggiore, with Sesto Calende, Angera and the Lombard shore, and Lake Lugano, across the border in Switzerland. Its position, among Milan, the lakes and the Campo dei Fiori mountains, makes Varese a great base for exploring, on day trips, a territory rich in nature, villas and villages, all easily reached.
How many days do you need to visit Varese?
For the city — the Sacro Monte, the Palazzo Estense, Villa Panza and the centre — a full day is enough, better a weekend to add Lake Varese and a trip to Lake Maggiore or the Campo dei Fiori. With more time, Varese becomes a perfect base for exploring the lakes and even nearby Switzerland, with Lugano a short distance away. Those flying from Malpensa can easily combine a day in the city at the start or end of the trip.
How do you get around Varese and its surroundings?
Varese is well connected by train to Milan (in about an hour) and to Como, and it’s served by lines that also reach Malpensa airport. The city centre is walkable, while a car is handy for exploring the surroundings, the lakes and the Sacro Monte, as are the local buses and the historic funicular to the Sacro Monte. For flyers, Malpensa is a few minutes from the hinterland towns, also well served by shuttles.
