A little history
Lake Maggiore is an Italian-Swiss lake since it is divided between Lombardy to the east and Piedmont to the west, and its northern tip extends into the Swiss region of Ticino. It is the second largest lake in Italy after Lake Garda (212 km2).
A few interesting figures :
. Altitude : 193m
. Length : 54km
. Width : 11km
. Depth : 372m
Lake Maggiore is an impressive size and is one of the largest of the pre-alpine lakes (hence its name). It is famous world-wide and is considered the most majestic of the Italian lakes, mainly due to the small archipelago of the Borromean Islands.
A walking holiday in the Italian lakes exploring the Borromean Islands, the villas and gardens
The Borromean Islands are home to magnificent palaces, baroque style buildings and exquisite gardens. The true dolce vita in the heart of a place rich in history and art. This archipelago is named after the Borromeo family, who have been the largest owners of the area around the lake since the 15th century, and who still own the two largest islands and the fishing rights. The Borromean Islands are also known as the « Pearls of Lake Maggiore » and are made up of 5 islands, 3 of which can be visited.
Not to be missed !
- Isola Madre: the largest of the 3 islands, (magnificent baroque style palace and an English botanical garden).
- Isola Bella: the most famous (superbe baroque palace and magnificent gardens)
- Isola dei Pescatori or Isola Superiore: the smallest of the 3 islands and the only one inhabited (narrow streets, small fishermen houses, and traditional markets)
Lake Maggiore boasts stunning villas and imposing forts and castles. The town of Verbania is home to many sumptuous villas, such as Villa Giulia and Villa Taranto, and are absolute must-see’s on your Italy walking tour! It is heaven on earth for nature lovers for the stunning villas all have exquisite botanical gardens. The gardens of Villa Taranto contain over 1 000 species of plant, without forgetting of course, the Alpinia gardens with a surface of around 40 000m2 and the Camellia park in Locarno. In Stresa, the Villa Pallavicino is surrounded by a wonderful zoological garden, appreciated just as much by adults as by children.
An ideal playground for a walking holiday in Italy
Lake Maggiore is an ideal destination for sport enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors. There are many hiking trails through the mountains offering fantastic views over the lake. It is also possible to enjoy mountain biking, golf and horse riding. For the water sports enthusiasts, the shores of the lake offer opportunities for sailing, canoeing, water skiing and underwater activities.
The dolce vita on Lake Maggiore
The lake is bordered by the Swiss Alps to the north and the Lombardy Plain to the south and boasts a mild climate. You can enjoy a self-guided walking holiday in the Italian lakes and hop from one town to another via shuttle ferries that regularly cross the lake.
The best time to visit Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore’s mild climate means that you can enjoy a walking holiday at any time of the year. We do, however, recommend the spring or the autumn. In spring, the gardens are in full bloom and the weather is not too hot to enjoy the hikes. In the autumn, the wave of tourism has subsided somewhat, and you can fully immerse yourself in local life. Lake Maggiore is also a great family holiday destination. It is however a very popular location and can get extremely busy during the high season. If you do book your Italian walking tour during the summer then we suggest hiking into the hills and valleys surrounding the lake, the weather will be slightly cooler and there will be fewer people. You can take the cable car from the lake up to the ski resort of Mottarone and enjoy the stunning views from above.
Lake Maggiore Express tour
If you choose a short break walking holiday in the Italian lakes and you do not have the time to squeeze everything in, then we recommend the Lake Maggiore Express Tour that enables you to explore the lake by boat and by train – a great experience for all the family.
Local cuisine
The inhabitants of Lake Maggiore enjoy good authentic food and making the most of their local produce. One of the main ingredients of Piedmontese cuisine is rice with many variations of risotto. The regional cheeses are also known world-wide such as Gorgonzola, Toma del Mottarone, Ossolano… The production of honey, cured meats and wines from the Ossola and Novarais valleys are key to the local economy. For those with a sweet tooth, you must sample the Margheritine di Stresa biscuits or the Fugascina aus Mergozzo cakes.
See our Italy walking holidays on Lake Maggiore
