Stresa
Stresa is a resort town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Go for boat trips to the Borromean Islands and the view from Mottarone.
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Stresa is a town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore, in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It became a resort in the 19th century, and its grand hotels and lakefront promenade still show that period. Boats leave the waterfront for the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, with its palace and terraced gardens, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori, a small fishing village. Above town, the Mottarone cable car climbs to a viewpoint over the lake and the Alps.
Stresa suits a trip built around the lakes: a few days of boat rides and mountain views, or a stop between Milan and the Alps. Trains from Milan reach the town, so the islands and Mottarone work as day trips without a car. Compared with larger lakeside towns, it is quieter, with fewer nightlife options and less shopping. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking and boating. Plan at least two nights to see the islands and the mountain without rushing.
Stresa in five
- Take the boat to Isola Bella and Isola dei PescatoriBoats leave from the Stresa landing for the islands in a few minutes. Isola Bella has a palace and gardens, Isola dei Pescatori a fishing village, and Isola Madre a botanical garden; check the official site for hours and tickets.
- Ride the Mottarone cable car on a clear dayThe cable car climbs from near Stresa to a mountain with views over several lakes and the Alps. Check conditions before you go, because cloud can hide the view.
- Reach Stresa by train from MilanRegional and some Intercity trains run from Milano Centrale on the Domodossola line in about 1 to 1.25 hours. The station is a short walk from the lake, so you can arrive without a car.Milan
- Check lake boat schedules the night beforeOperators run fewer boats in spring and autumn and may cut services in bad weather. Ask the operator whether a multi-stop ticket suits your plan before you buy single fares.
- Add Lake Orta for a quieter second stopA short drive or train and bus connection reaches Lake Orta and its small island town, which is calmer than Stresa in summer.Lake Orta
Need to know
- Airport
- Milan Malpensa (MXP), about 40 min by car; Milan Linate is farther
- Getting there
- Train from Milano Centrale about 1 to 1.25 hours
- Getting around
- Walking; boats link islands and shore towns
- Best base
- The lakefront in Stresa, or a smaller village for quiet
- Time needed
- A day trip or 2 to 3 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh2°Low-6°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low-4°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain11 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh6°Low-2°Early springMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 165 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Early spring
- AprilRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low1°Camellia bloomAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Camellia bloom
- MayRain20 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low5°Gardens, mildMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 238 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Gardens, mild
- JuneRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low10°Warm, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, long days
- JulyRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low12°Hot, crowdedJulyRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, crowded
- AugustRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low12°Hot, crowdedAugustRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 227 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, crowded
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Warm, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- 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°Rain, closedNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 171 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, closed
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Cold, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Stresa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Stresa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 42%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Stresa
11:41 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°8°0%Monday: Clear. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue13°8°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°8°5%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu12°8°5%Thursday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri10°8°20%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sat11°9°28%Saturday: Rain. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Sun12°8°34%Sunday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 34%.
Updated 09:31 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
Before you go to Stresa
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Rules for Stresa, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Declare large sums of cash when you enter or leave the EU. Check the current limit with the Italian customs agency (ADM) before you travel.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the parish church in Stresa.
Plan around Stresa
Lakes in a wider Italian route
Read the guideLake MaggioreThe whole lake, islands and shore towns
Read the guideLake OrtaA smaller, quieter lake next door
Read the guideThe Italian LakesCompare Como, Maggiore, Garda and Orta
Read the guideMilanGateway city 1 hour by train
Read the guideItaly by train, off-peakRegional and fast trains priced
Read the guideStresa FAQ
Is Stresa worth visiting?
Yes for the islands, the lakefront promenade and the cable car, plus easy trains from Milan. It is busy in summer, so go in May or September for calmer boats and cooler walks.
How do you get from Milan to Stresa?
By regional or Intercity train from Milano Centrale in roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter, or by car from Malpensa in about 40 minutes. Trains run frequently on the Domodossola line.
How many days do you need in Stresa?
One day covers an island or two. Two nights let you add Mottarone, a slow lake cruise and an evening without the day trippers.
Which Borromean island is best?
Isola Bella for the palace and gardens, Isola dei Pescatori for lunch and Isola Madre for a calmer botanical garden. Many visitors do two in a day.
Is Stresa or Lake Como better?
Stresa is easier by train from Milan and has the islands, while Como has the famous villas and a more dramatic shape. See our comparison of the main lakes before you pick one.