THE
MAGGIORE
LAKE
The Lake
Lake Maggiore is one of the most beautiful Italian lakes that has enchanted great Italian and foreign artists who have stayed here.
Considered the largest of the pre-alpine lakes, hence the name "Maggiore", it is of glacial origin and its shores are in Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland.
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Surrounded by reliefs and hills that shelter it from the cold northern winds, the clear emerald green waters are not only reminiscent of the Caribbean sea.
Crystal clear sea beds, white rocks that shine in the sun and a water that rivals the tropics: an afternoon on the shores of Lake Maggiore or a visit to our valleys is enough to fall in love with it.
Let yourself be enchanted by the discreet charm of fresh water.
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Thanks to the ferry service the most beautiful cities and islands of the lake are connected to each other, perfect for fully enjoying every glimpse.
The Islands and Castels
Among the beauties of this lake there are its 11 islands. Between Stresa and Verbania, the archipelago of the Borromean Islands with Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori is of great charm. Also characteristic are the three rocks called Castelli di Cannero with the remains of the Vitaliana fortress built by Count Ludovico Borromeo. In addition to the islet of La Malghera and the Isolino Partegora, do not miss the beautiful Isolino di San Giovanni where Arturo Toscanini lived for a long time in the seventeenth-century Palazzo Borromeo.
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Around the lake and its islands you can find splendid villas, imposing fortresses and castles. Starting with the Visconteo Castle of Locarno, the Rocca di Arona and the Rocca Borromea di Angera which now houses a doll museum. Among the villas, the Borromeo Palaces of Isola Madre and Isola Bella, the eighteenth-century Villa Ponti di Arona and many more.
The Activities
Nature lovers will find in Lake Maggiore the ideal place to spend their holidays thanks to the existence of countless botanical gardens, including that of Villa Taranto with more than a thousand plants, that of Alpinia of 40000 m², the Camelia park in Locarno and the gardens located in the various islands. There are also many nature reserves such as the Val Grande National Park and the Ticino Valley Natural Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
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For sports lovers, Lake Maggiore represents a natural paradise. Already in the areas surrounding the lake you can practice sports such as trekking, mountain biking, golf, and horse riding, surrounded by natural landscapes of rare beauty. The waters of the lake are the ideal environment for sailing, canoeing, yachting, water skiing and underwater activities. On the shores of the lake, especially in the Lombardy area, there are facilities that offer various courses aimed at sportsmen of all levels.