Monvalle on Lake Maggiore: Nature, Churches and Local Festivals

Monvalle on Lake Maggiore

Monvalle is located on Lake Maggiore. Here, the lake combines with nature, churches, events and regional cuisine when planning a trip. If you do not want to reduce a destination to a single theme, Monvalle offers several different reasons to engage with the landscape, history and local events.

Monvalle is home to the Stazione di Monvalle on the Novara–Luino railway line.

Lake, Forest and Trails

The Sentiero del Verbano is the main route of the Vie Verdi dei Laghi. The Percorso Natura is a circular route for exploring the Monvalle area. These two trails focus on different aspects: one runs as a central route, while the other takes in the Monvalle area as a circular route.

The Percorso Natura runs along the lake and through forests with views of the Varese Pre-Alps. Lake, forest and views of the Pre-Alps come together here to create a varied landscape. Spiaggia del Gureè also offers several visitor services.

Churches with a Long History

The Chiesa dei Santi Nazaro e Celso is located in the Turro district and already existed before the 13th century. Despite later alterations, its interior retains a simple appearance in the Romanesque style. In this way, its early building history and restrained interior character come together in a specific church building.

The present-day Chiesa di Santo Stefano Protomartire replaced the old parish church from the 13th century, which was demolished in 1970. The present church preserves a 17th-century altarpiece from the former parish church. The work connects the former parish church with the present building without equating the two churches.

Events and Regional Cuisine

Events add their own distinctive touches in Monvalle. On 28 June 2026, the Palio dei Rioni at Camping Lido di Monvalle includes competitions, sports and opportunities for neighbours and different generations to meet. The event therefore ranges from competition to intergenerational socialising.

The Pizzoccherata is a traditional gastronomic event on Saturday evening and officially opens the weekend of the Fiera dell’Agricoltura. This fair is a market event featuring local agricultural products, a food stand, games for everyone and a farmers’ menu. Together, the two events have a clear connection with food, markets and community activities.

Choose the Right Focus

When choosing a hotel in Monvalle, you can use your personal focus as your criterion: the two churches and their history, the Sentiero del Verbano and the Percorso Natura, Spiaggia del Gureè, or the events featuring regional cuisine. This keeps your hotel choice aligned with your interests without reducing Monvalle to just one type of trip.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare more places: Azzate, Cadegliano-Viconago, Besnate, Crugnola, Brissago-Valtravaglia, Brenta, Samarate and Cantello.

For the higher-level travel overview: Varese.