Lake Maggiore, on its Piedmont shore, is a masterpiece of water, villas and gardens: here the Borromean Islands are mirrored, with their palaces and Italian-style gardens, and the villages line up between the green of the mountains and the blue of the lake. It’s a classic, elegant destination, perfect for a slow stay made of boat trips, lakefront walks, flowering gardens and sunsets on the water. Here you’ll find where to stay best, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
It’s the realm of the great botanical gardens and the villas facing the water, the legacy of an elite tourism that flourished here between the 19th and 20th centuries: strolling among camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, or visiting a Borromeo palace, is as much a part of the experience as a boat trip. It’s a destination that’s at its best from spring to autumn, when the islands and gardens open and the boat service links all the shores; in summer it’s much loved, with a strong international draw. So let’s look at where it’s best to sleep, village by village, to choose the right base for what you’re after.
Stresa, the pearl of the lake and the Borromean Islands
Stresa is the elegant heart of Lake Maggiore: a village of grand belle époque hotels, villas, gardens and a scenic lakefront, made famous by writers and travellers from all over the world. From here the boats leave for the Borromean Islands — Isola Bella with its palace and terraced gardens, Isola Madre with its botanical garden and Isola dei Pescatori with its fishermen’s village — the lake’s unmissable trip. In the village you can also visit the park of Villa Pallavicino, with its gardens and animals, while behind rises Mottarone, with its view over the lakes and the Alps, reachable by car along the scenic road. It’s the ideal choice for those who want elegance, services and the islands within boat reach. The addresses we choose in Stresa and around:
Sempione Boutique Hotel
A four-star boutique hotel in the heart of Stresa, a short walk from the lakefront and the departure points for the Borromean Islands, with air-conditioned rooms and lake views. The convenience of having the boats and restaurants on the doorstep, and the style of a small, well-kept hotel. Ideal for an elegant getaway with the islands within reach.
B&B Il Folletto del Lago
A family-run bed and breakfast in Stresa, a stone’s throw from the lake, with a garden, a sauna and a hydromassage tub: relaxation in the green a few minutes from the centre and the piers. A small, well-kept address to find calm again after a day on the water. Perfect for a couple after wellness and a view over the lake.
Casa Diverio
Self-contained air-conditioned apartments in the centre of Stresa, with a kitchenette and a hydromassage tub, a short distance from the island piers. The independence of a home in the handiest spot, to move on foot between the lakefront and the restaurants. Great for families and longer stays in the pearl of the lake.
Relais Casali della Cisterna
A little south of Stresa, in Belgirate, a relais between two 19th-century villas set in a private park facing the lake, with an outdoor hydromassage tub. The quiet of a period residence away from the crowds, with greenery and water all around. Ideal for a romantic, secluded escape on Lake Maggiore.
All the small hotels in Stresa →
Cannobio, the village of the upper lake
At the far north of the Piedmont shore, a step from Switzerland, Cannobio is one of the loveliest villages on the lake: a pedestrian lakefront of colourful houses, medieval lanes, a little harbour and award-winning beaches that make it a destination loved for swimming too. On Sundays it holds its historic market, among the largest and oldest in the area, while behind opens the Cannobina Valley with the Orrido di Sant’Anna gorge. It’s the choice for those after the atmosphere of a real village, a swimmable lake and a quieter pace. The addresses we choose in Cannobio:
Villa Diomira
A bed and breakfast facing Lake Maggiore in Cannobio, with lake-view rooms, a panoramic garden and an Italian breakfast. The pleasure of waking up with the water in front of you and the village a short walk away, between beaches and lakefront. A well-kept welcome and bright spaces. Perfect for those who want the lake before their eyes and the calm of the upper Maggiore.
Antico Borgo B&B
A refined bed and breakfast in the old town of Cannobio, with air-conditioned rooms facing the garden or the mountain and attentive service. You sleep inside the village lanes, a stone’s throw from the lakefront and the little harbour. Well-kept and quiet. Ideal for those who want the authentic atmosphere of the village with a touch of elegance.
Boutique Hotel Villa Cuserina
An adults-only boutique hotel in Cannobio, on the lakeshore, with a garden, a sauna, a hydromassage tub and panoramic terraces. The wellness and calm of an adults-only setting, with the water within sight. Perfect for a relaxing couple’s escape, away from the bustle.
All the small hotels in Cannobio →
Baveno, between the pink granite and the islands
Just north of Stresa, Baveno is a quieter and just as scenic destination, also facing the Borromean Islands. It’s the village of the famous pink granite, with a fine Romanesque church and a relaxed lakefront, great for those who want the view over the islands and services nearby, but with a calmer pace and often gentler prices than Stresa. A handy base for families too. You’ll find all the places on the dedicated page: all the small hotels in Baveno →
Cannero Riviera and the castles on the water
On the upper lake, between Cannobio and Ghiffa, Cannero Riviera enjoys a particularly mild microclimate that has given it gardens of citrus and camellias and the nickname of “riviera”. Its symbol are the picturesque Castles of Cannero, perched on small islets in the middle of the water, the subject of a major restoration. It’s a snug, sunny village, ideal for those after quiet, lakefront walks and a less busy corner of the lake. The places are on the dedicated page: all the small hotels in Cannero Riviera →
Mergozzo, the small swimmable lake
A few kilometres from Maggiore, the small lake of Mergozzo is a gem apart: very clean, swimmable waters where motor navigation is banned, and a snug village facing the water, with its ancient centuries-old elm in the square. It’s the choice for those after absolute peace, a swim in crystal-clear water and an atmosphere of times gone by, while staying close to the lake’s great destinations. The places are on the dedicated page: all the small hotels in Mergozzo →
When to go
Spring and autumn
The best seasons: the Borromean Islands and the gardens open and are at their best, the weather is mild for walks and the boat service links all the shores, with fewer crowds than in summer. Spring is perfect for the blooms, autumn for the warm colours on the mountains around the lake.
Summer
Full high season: a swimmable lake, lively beaches, boats and evening life on the lakefront. It’s the busiest, most international period, with Stresa and the villages at peak demand: it’s worth booking ahead. Those after a swim will find the beaches of Cannobio and the small lake of Mergozzo among the loveliest.
Winter
The quietest season, with many places and island attractions closed for a seasonal break. The lake turns silent and romantic, ideal for a peaceful escape at lower prices, bearing in mind that boats and gardens run on reduced hours. It’s worth checking openings before you set off.
Getting here
The Piedmont shore of the lake is well connected: Stresa and Arona are on the Milan–Domodossola railway line, handy for arriving without a car, and the reference airports are Milan Malpensa and Turin. Once on the lake, the boats of the navigation service link the villages and the islands, but to reach the villages of the upper lake and move around freely a car remains useful.
For the full picture on trains, airports and getting around the region: how to get to Piedmont. On the lake it’s also worth seeing Verbania, with the gardens of Villa Taranto, while a stone’s throw away hides the gem of Lake Orta.
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 on Lake Maggiore.
Which is the best village to stay in on Lake Maggiore?
Stresa is the handiest and most elegant choice, with the services and the boats for the Borromean Islands within reach. Those after a more authentic village and a swimmable lake can head for Cannobio, on the upper lake; Baveno is a good quieter alternative facing the islands, while Cannero Riviera and Mergozzo offer corners of peace.
How do you visit the Borromean Islands?
By boat, mainly from Stresa and Baveno, which are the handiest departure points. Isola Bella and Isola Madre hold the Borromeo palaces and gardens, while Isola dei Pescatori is a small fishermen’s village with restaurants. Islands and gardens open from spring to autumn: it’s worth checking the calendar before you set off.
Can you swim in Lake Maggiore?
Yes: there are beaches and lidos all along the shore, and Cannobio in particular is known for its beaches. Nearby, the small lake of Mergozzo offers crystal-clear, swimmable waters where motor navigation is banned. Summer is the ideal season for a swim.
Does the Mottarone cable car from Stresa work?
No: the Stresa-Mottarone cable car has been closed since 2021 and is not yet in service. Mottarone, with its view over the lakes and the Alps, can still be reached by car along the scenic road, or on foot and by bike for outdoor lovers.
Do you need a car on Lake Maggiore?
Not always: Stresa and Arona are reachable by train and the boats link the main villages and the islands. To move freely between the villages of the upper lake, though, or to reach Mergozzo and the inland destinations, a car is useful. Many places have parking, precious in the villages.
