Lake Maggiore
The Borromean Islands, lakeside gardens and views of the Alps draw visitors to Lake Maggiore, a long lake that runs from Switzerland into Italy.
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Lake Maggiore, also called Verbano, is a large lake on the south side of the Alps. Piedmont and Lombardy share its shores in Italy, and the Swiss canton of Ticino holds the north. The lake stretches about 64 km from Locarno in Switzerland to Arona in Italy, and it is Italy's longest lake. Its mild climate lets gardens grow lemons, olives, camellias, azaleas and magnolias.
The Borromean Islands, between Verbania and Stresa, are the main draw. Isola Bella has a baroque Italian garden and the Palazzo Borromeo, and Isola Madre has an English-style botanical garden of about 8 hectares. Boat services run by Navigazione Laghi link the lakeside towns and islands. The Mottarone looks over seven lakes and the Alps. The railway does not run along the northwestern shore between Locarno and Verbania, so plan that stretch by boat or road. Swimming is possible in July and August.
Lake Maggiore in five
- Take the boat to the Borromean IslandsBoats run from Stresa, Baveno and Verbania to Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori. The palace and garden islands are seasonal, so check the official site for opening dates and tickets.
- Ride the Mottarone cable car from StresaThe cable car climbs to a viewpoint over the lake and the Alps. Check the operator's page for status and hours, and go on a clear morning.
- Base in Stresa for trains, Cannobio for quietStresa has a station on the Milan to Domodossola line and the main boat landings. Cannobio, near the Swiss border, is calmer and has a lakeside promenade.
- Carry your passport on cross-border boats and drivesThe northern end of the lake lies in Switzerland, and some boat routes call at Swiss ports. Check which routes your ticket covers before you board.
- Landing at Malpensa from outside Europe? Check EES firstAllow time for EES registration if it is your first Schengen entry of the trip, and keep your onward train booking flexible.EES explained
Things to do in Lake Maggiore
See all attractions in Lake Maggiore
Need to know
- Airport
- Milan Malpensa (MXP), about 45–60 min by train, bus or car
- Getting there
- Train from Milan Centrale to Stresa, about 1–1.25 hours
- Getting around
- Ferries, lake buses and a car; trains along the western shore
- Best base
- Stresa for trains and boats, Cannobio or Pallanza for quiet
- Time needed
- 2–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh2°Low-6°Quiet, closedJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, closed
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low-4°Quiet, coldFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cold
- MarchRain11 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh6°Low-2°Spring startsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 165 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low1°Gardens openAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Gardens open
- MayRain20 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low5°Blossom, mildMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 238 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Blossom, mild
- JuneRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low10°Warm, ferries busyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, ferries busy
- JulyRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low12°Peak, swimmingJulyRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak, swimming
- AugustRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low12°Peak, crowdedAugustRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 227 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak, crowded
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Warm, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 309 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh6°Low-1°Many closuresNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 171 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Many closures
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Quiet, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, lights
Average daily high and low in Stresa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lake Maggiore
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Lake Maggiore
03:58 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today14°7°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed13°9°22%Wednesday: Rain. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Thu12°9°25%Thursday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri11°9°43%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sat12°9°45%Saturday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sun12°10°26%Sunday: Rain. High 12°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 26%.
Updated 03:24 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Lake Ortaabout 30–40 min by carA small lake with an island and a village.Read the guide
- Milanabout 1 hour by trainDuomo, shopping and the Last Supper (book ahead).Read the guide
- Locarno, Switzerlandabout 45 min by road from CannobioSwiss lakeside town; bring your passport.
Before you go to Lake Maggiore
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Rules for Lake Maggiore, checked
- Italy and Switzerland are both Schengen states, but border checks can return at short notice. Check entry rules for your passport on esteri.it before you book.Source
- Switzerland is outside the EU customs union, so declare goods above the allowances when you cross into Ticino.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance in Italy and Switzerland. Swiss police also answer on 117.
Plan around Lake Maggiore
Lakes, Alps and cities across northern Italy
Read the guideGarda vs Como vs MaggioreThree lakes compared on cost, scenery and access
Read the guideLake OrtaA small quiet lake about 30–40 minutes west
Read the guideLake ComoVillas, mountains and ferries to the east
Read the guideMilanA day trip by train to the Duomo and Last Supper
Read the guideLanghe, Roero & MonferratoPiedmont wine hills, about 2 hours south
Read the guideLake Maggiore FAQ
How many days do you need at Lake Maggiore?
Two days covers the Borromean Islands and a lake cruise. Four days adds the Mottarone cable car, Cannobio and a day on Lake Orta or in Milan.
Where should you stay at Lake Maggiore?
Stresa for trains, boats and the islands, Pallanza for gardens and calm, Cannobio for a quiet harbor and Arona for a low-cost rail base. Stresa suits most first-timers.
Is Lake Maggiore better than Lake Como?
It is wider, less crowded and has the Borromean Islands. Como is narrower, steeper and more glamorous, with more famous villas. Our lake comparison page sets the three biggest lakes side by side.
Can you do Lake Maggiore as a day trip from Milan?
Yes, by train to Stresa in about an hour, then boats to the islands. It is a full day, so stay one night if you want the islands and the cable car.
Do you need a car at Lake Maggiore?
Not for the western shore with Stresa and Arona, where trains and boats work. A car helps for Cannobio, Cannero and the hills, and for pairing with Lake Orta.