Stresa: Islands, Villas and Mottarone on Lake Maggiore
Stresa between the lake, islands and mountains
Stresa's location on Lake Maggiore encompasses villas, parks, gardens and views of the Borromean Islands. The town thus combines historic architecture, botanical gardens and a landscape that stretches from the water into the mountains. For planning your trip, Stresa can therefore be explored through several interests: culture and history, visits to the islands or trails in the heights above the lake.
Gardens, nature and Mottarone
The Giardino Alpinia covers approximately 40,000 square metres and includes 1,000 predominantly alpine plant species at an altitude of 800 metres. One of the Borromean Islands is also home to an English-style botanical park with rare plants and flowers from many different regions. Parco Pallavicino is home to 50 species of mammals and birds.
The summit of Mottarone reaches 1,491 metres and offers views of seven lakes, the Alps and the Po Valley. The mountain has numerous paths and routes for hiking, cycling and horse riding. In the heights above Stresa, you will also find varied walking paths towards Mottarone and Alto Vergante. The landscape experience thus extends from manicured gardens to scenic paths in the mountain region.
Villas, museums and historic sites
Villa Ducale is the oldest villa in Stresa and was built around 1770 by the Bolongaro family. Its garden preserves traces of formal Italian garden design from the late 17th century. From 1850 to 1855, the villa was the residence of the abbot and philosopher Antonio Rosmini. The Centro Internazionale di Studi Rosminiani includes a Historical Museum, Antonio Rosmini's rooms and a park.
The Museo Artistico Sala Pietro Canonica displays restored sculptures in an exhibition space on the ground floor of Stresa Town Hall. Stresa's parish church was designed at the end of the 18th century in the shape of a Greek cross in the Corinthian order. The Settimane Musicali di Stresa are also part of the town's cultural history: they were established in 1961.
Discover the Borromean Islands
The Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella contains historic rooms, the Galleria del Generale Berthier and a collection of 130 paintings. The Baroque Italian garden of Isola Bella consists of ten terraces and has the Teatro Massimo at its centre. The Palazzo Borromeo on the Borromean Islands also contains historic reception rooms as well as a collection of marionettes and historic theatre sets.
On Isola dei Pescatori, the Ecomuseo della Pesca presents the art of fishing as well as the life, work, history and traditions of the island. The village can be explored on foot via cobbled lanes. Many multi-storey houses have long balconies where fish used to be dried. Casa Studio Andrea Ruffoni displays the artist's works in a studio house and garden.
Paths and orientation on site
The “For All” path connects Isola dei Pescatori with Giardino Alpinia and is designated as accessible to tourists with special needs. The Stresa Town Trail begins in front of Stresa's tourist office and ferry station. Scheduled services operated by Navigazione Lago Maggiore connect Arona, Stresa and Locarno. These documented links between paths and transport help you view the lake, islands and mountain ranges as different elements of a trip around Stresa.
The Margheritine are also part of the local character: These biscuits are considered a typical speciality from Stresa. On 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose is held as a day of remembrance for the town's patron saint. For further exploration of the area, you can visit Isola Superiore.
For the overarching travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
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