Verbania is the main town of the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore and one of the most loved tourist destinations in the region, second only to Turin. Unlike the more fashionable Stresa, on the other side of the gulf, it’s a real, livable town, with residential districts, gardens and a relaxed lakefront: the ideal base for those who want to experience the lake at a slow pace, over several days. It’s no coincidence that the average stay here is among the longest in Piedmont. Here you’ll find where to stay best, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
It’s nicknamed the “garden town” for its mild climate and its parks facing the water, first of all the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto, among the most important in Italy. From its lakefront the boats leave for the Borromean Islands and for the Lombardy shore, which makes it a very handy base for exploring the whole lake. So let’s look at where it’s best to sleep, between its two hearts, Pallanza and Intra.
The lakefront between Pallanza and Intra
Verbania was born from the union of two centres facing the lake. Pallanza is the elegant face of the town: a drawing room on the Borromean gulf, with villas, flowering little squares and the famous Villa Taranto headland. Intra, a little further east, is the lively, commercial heart, with the harbour from which the boats sail, the shops and the big Saturday market. Between the two runs a pleasant lakefront, all walks and glimpses of the water. Staying here means having the lake on your doorstep and the boats within reach. The addresses we choose between the two districts:
Casa Adelina
A holiday apartment in the heart of Pallanza, with a balcony, an equipped kitchen and views over Lake Maggiore, a short walk from the old town and the lakefront. The independence of a home in the town’s most elegant district, with the water before your eyes. Ideal for a couple or a family who want to experience Pallanza on foot.
B&B La Lanterna
A family-run bed and breakfast in Verbania, with lake-view rooms fitted with a balcony or terrace, free private parking and a carefully prepared breakfast. The pleasure of waking up with Lake Maggiore in front of you and the convenience of the car to tour the area. A warm welcome and well-kept spaces. Perfect for those who put the view over the water first.
Residenza Intra Lago Maggiore
A self-contained aparthotel in the heart of Intra, a stone’s throw from the lakefront and the boat harbour, with a panoramic terrace, an equipped kitchen in each unit and parking. The independence of a home in the liveliest district, with the boats and the market on the doorstep. Great for families and longer stays.
Hotel Villa Aurora
A three-star with a well-kept garden and private parking, a stone’s throw from Lake Maggiore and the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto. The convenience of a classic hotel set in the green, ideal for those who want services and closeness to one of the town’s headline sights. Perfect for a relaxed lake holiday.
All the small hotels in Verbania →
With a view and a garden, on the heights
Those after quiet, greenery and wider views can choose a place just above the town, on the heights facing the gulf: a few minutes from the lakefront, they offer views over the lake and the mountains, a garden and the calm of the hill. The solution for those who want to relax and perhaps get around by car:
Suite Ananda
A bed and breakfast with a terrace facing Lake Maggiore, mountain views, a garden and free private parking. The quiet of a panoramic spot a few minutes from the centre and the lake, where you can enjoy the water and the greenery in peace. A well-kept welcome. Ideal for a relaxed couple’s escape.
Residenza Jasmine
A holiday home with a hydromassage tub, a panoramic terrace over Lake Maggiore and free private parking, ideal for families and groups. The space of a home with a touch of wellness and the panorama as a frame. The calm of the heights with the lake within sight. Great for stays of several days.
When to go
Spring and summer
The best times: the gardens are at their best, the lake is swimmable and the boats link all the shores. Spring is perfect for the blooms of Villa Taranto, summer for life on the lakefront and boat trips. They’re the liveliest and most sought-after seasons: it’s worth booking ahead, especially at weekends.
Autumn
A gentle, luminous season, with warm colours on the mountains around the lake and fewer crowds. The weather stays mild for a long time, ideal for lakefront walks and for visiting the gardens and villages at a relaxed pace. A perfect period for those after quiet without giving up the lake’s charm.
Winter
The quietest season, with many attractions and the gardens closed for a seasonal break and boats on reduced hours. The town, though, stays alive and livable all year round, with lower prices: a good choice for those after the lake in its silent, romantic guise. It’s worth checking openings and connections before you set off.
Getting here
Verbania is well connected: the Verbania-Pallanza station is on the Milan–Domodossola railway line, handy for arriving without a car, and by car it’s reached from the A26 motorway. Once in town, the boats of the navigation service link the lakefront to the Borromean Islands, to Stresa and to the Lombardy shore, making it easy to explore the whole lake even without a car.
For the full picture on trains, airports and getting around the region: how to get to Piedmont. Verbania is the ideal base for discovering all of Lake Maggiore; a stone’s throw away hide the gem of Lake Orta and the mountains of Val d’Ossola.
This guide is part of our grand tour of the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Piedmont.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Verbania.
Which is the best area to stay in Verbania?
Pallanza is the most elegant district, facing the Borromean gulf and close to the Villa Taranto gardens; Intra is livelier, with the boat harbour, the shops and the Saturday market. Both are on the lakefront and handy for connections. Those after quiet and views can choose a place on the heights, with views over the lake and the mountains.
Is it better to stay in Verbania or Stresa?
It depends on what you’re after. Verbania is a real town, livable and quieter, ideal for long stays and for those who want to experience the lake at a slow pace; Stresa, on the other side of the gulf, is more fashionable and touristy, with the grand historic hotels. The two are linked by boat, so they can easily be combined.
What is there to see in Verbania?
The gem are the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto in Pallanza, among the most important in Italy, open from spring to autumn. Then the lakefront between Pallanza and Intra, the old town, the Saturday market in Intra and, by boat, the Borromean Islands. It’s a garden town to experience slowly, between parks and water.
How do you get to Verbania?
By train via the Verbania-Pallanza station, on the Milan–Domodossola line; by car from the A26 motorway. Once in town, the boats link the lakefront to the Borromean Islands, to Stresa and to the Lombardy shore, so you can explore the lake even without a car.
Is Verbania suited to a long stay?
Yes, it’s one of its features: the average stay here is among the longest in Piedmont. Being a livable, well-served town, with the lake, the gardens and the boats within reach, it’s perfect as a base for several days, from which to explore all of Lake Maggiore and its surroundings at a relaxed pace.
