Looking to visit Lake Maggiore and need a detailed guide to make the most of three beautiful days?
Here is the guide by Hartmann Feel at Home.
Hartmann Feel at Home is a villa nestled in nature near Lake Maggiore, where every space is designed to offer peace, harmony, and authentic hospitality. Completely renovated with natural and high-quality materials, the villa blends the understated elegance of historic residences with the warmth of a family environment—creating the perfect retreat for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.
The rooms, inspired by chakra balance, are spacious, bright, and furnished in a simple and essential style. Each features natural wood flooring, a private bathroom, and views of the well-tended garden, offering an intimate and relaxing atmosphere that encourages deep rest.
Lake Maggiore Guide: What to See in 3 Days
Panoramic view of Lake Maggiore from the Swiss side (Incella, Brissago). This vast alpine lake is the second largest in Italy (after Lake Garda) and the largest on the southern side of the Alps. Its shores are divided between Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Swiss canton of Ticino. Lake Maggiore’s climate is particularly mild even in winter, supporting lush botanical gardens and exotic plants along its banks, like those found on the Borromean Islands, Brissago Islands, and at Villa Taranto. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore three-day itineraries with specific stops, practical tips, and rainy-day alternatives to enjoy cities, villages, historic villas, and nature to the fullest.
Day 1: Stresa and the Borromean Islands We’ll dedicate today to exploring the most iconic islands of Lake Maggiore and the elegant town of Stresa. It’s a rich but manageable tour: start early to make the most of daylight. In case of rain, the boat trip can be replaced with other indoor visits (e.g., botanical gardens or small museums).
Morning (8:30 AM – 1:00 PM): From Stresa to the Borromean Islands Start in Stresa, a lakeside town with elegant liberty-style villas and historic hotels. Aim to arrive by 8:30–9:00 AM to enjoy breakfast by the lake before boarding the first ferry. The Navigazione Laghi day ticket allows stops on multiple islands. The trip to Isola Bella takes just a few minutes. Isola Bella (320×180 meters) is famous for the grand Palazzo Borromeo and its terraced Italian-style gardens covering most of the island.
What to see on Isola Bella: After docking at a small port, visitors walk to the baroque palace (with frescoes and historic rooms), then explore the descending gardens. We recommend allowing about 2 hours. On clear days, you can see Monte Rosa on the horizon. Avoid visiting the palace during midday in summer—morning is best when sunlight hits the gardens from above. On rainy days, you can focus on the palace interiors or reschedule the gardens for a sunnier day.
Isola dei Pescatori (Isola Superiore): A few dozen meters from Isola Bella, this is the only inhabited island. Known for its multi-story homes with balconies for drying fish and pedestrian alleys, the village is perfect for a lakeside fish lunch. Try lavarello, trout, or “missultin” and homemade pasta. On August 15, a striking boat procession honors the Virgin Mary around the islands.
Isola Madre (Afternoon 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM): The largest and greenest of the Borromean Islands, Isola Madre features a villa and subtropical botanical gardens with ancient trees and free-roaming peacocks. Enjoy the blooming camellias and rhododendrons (in spring). Plan for 1–1.5 hours here. Bring mosquito repellent in warmer months. The return ferry to Stresa leaves around 3:30 PM.
Afternoon (4:00 PM – 7:30 PM): Stresa and Mottarone After returning to Stresa, enjoy a lakeside stroll past liberty-style buildings, including the famous Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees. Around 5:00 PM, take the Stresa-Mottarone cable car to the 1492m summit. The panoramic view includes Monte Rosa, Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, and sometimes Monviso. Check seasonal operating times (usually closing around 6:30–7:00 PM). If the cable car is closed or weather is bad, you might opt to drive to Alpe Corte in the Vigezzo Valley.
What to expect at Mottarone: There’s a picnic area and playground at the summit. Bring a sweatshirt for the cool evening air. The view is best near sunset, but make sure to catch the last return trip. If needed, a substitute bus (Montesa line) runs between Mottarone and Stresa.
To avoid: Midday summer sun on the boats and in gardens. Book tickets in advance during high season. In bad weather, replace the boat trip with a museum or covered café visit.
Day 2: Arona, Angera, and Lake Castles Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Arona and the Sancarlone Head southwest to Arona (25 mins from Stresa). The main sight is the colossal San Carlo Borromeo statue (“Sancarlone”), one of the world’s tallest statues (35m). Inside, you can climb to the top for breathtaking views. Arrive by 10:30 AM. Nearby, you can also visit the Rocca di Arona, with ruins and a small Italian garden.
Midday (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Angera and the Borromeo Fortress Continue to Angera on the Lombard side (20 mins). The Borromeo Fortress here hosts a museum and historic gardens, including the Doll and Toy Museum. Allow at least 1–1.5 hours for the visit. The views from the terrace and garden are stunning. Avoid the hottest times. For lunch, try lakeside restaurants such as Ristorante Delfino in Angera or head back to Arona.
Afternoon (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM): Cannero Riviera and Cannero Castles Drive northwest to Cannero Riviera (40 mins). From here, you can take a boat to the Cannero Castles—ruins of medieval towers on tiny islands. It’s a short, scenic walk but be cautious as the ruins are unprotected. In bad weather, opt instead for a stroll in Cannero or visit Angera’s castle museum. End your day with a sunset walk or a lakeside dinner in Cannero.
Day 3: Verbania, Villa Taranto, and Lake Orta Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM): Verbania and Villa Taranto Gardens Head to Verbania, the province’s capital. Visit the 16-hectare Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens in Pallanza. Open from March to October, it features thousands of plants, flowering paths, and historic greenhouses. Allocate 2–3 hours. Highlights include the Triton Fountain and the lily pond. Bring a hat and water in summer. No booking needed unless attending a special event.
Lunch Break (1:00 PM – 2:30 PM): Pallanza or Intra Choose a restaurant in Pallanza with lake views or head to Intra for more trattoria options. Local specialties include risotto with perch and the Pan del Torfignano dessert (chocolate and rum).
Afternoon (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Santa Caterina del Sasso Hermitage or Lake Orta Drive southeast to Santa Caterina del Sasso, a cliffside monastery in Leggiuno. It combines Romanesque and Renaissance styles with frescoed churches and peaceful courtyards. Reach it via stairs (200 steps) or an elevator. Admission is modest (€3+). Allocate 1–2 hours. Alternatively, visit Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta—medieval alleys, Sacro Monte, and a charming island.
What to avoid: Arrive at Santa Caterina before 3:00 PM to finish before it closes. In stormy weather, skip the cliffside visit and opt for indoor museums (like the Landscape Museum in Verbania or the MIDeC ceramic museum in Laveno).
Where to Eat Stresa and the Borromean Islands – Lakeside restaurants serve perch, trout, and “missultin.” Try La Rampolina or enjoy dessert like Pan del Torfignano. Verbania/Pallanza – Sample Toma cheese and risotto with perch. Osteria Bolla is a good traditional option. Arona and Angera – Rustic restaurants offer polenta, rabbit stew, and lake fish. Cannero Riviera – Try Vecchia Minturna with a view of the ruins. Locarno (Switzerland) – Upscale cafes and gelaterias by the lake, though prices are higher.
Seasonal Events Spring (April–May): Bloom festivals, Stresa classical music festival, guided garden tours. Summer (June–August): Patron saint feasts, Ferragosto boat processions, Palio regattas, evening artisan markets. Autumn (September–October): Food festivals (mushroom, chestnut), harvest tastings, and religious celebrations. Winter (December–February): Christmas markets in Cannobio, Ornavasso, and Stresa; Carnival parades and an ice-skating rink in Verbania.
Hidden Gems Sacro Monte di Ghiffa (UNESCO site): 13 baroque chapels with panoramic views. Lagoni di Mercurago (Arona): A wildlife reserve near town with quiet paths. Lake Mergozzo: A pristine, motor-free lake ideal for swimming and canoeing. Isola Madre Gardens: Lesser-known paths with rare plants. Mottarone Hiker’s Trail: An ancient route through woods and villages. Montorfano and Sasso del Ferro: Panoramic spots above Laveno. Brissago Islands (Switzerland): Subtropical botanical garden with palm trees and rare plants.
Where to Stay for Three Days on Lake Maggiore: Hartmann Feel at Home To fully experience the magic of these three days.
🌿 Hartmann Feel at Home – Your Retreat Above Lake Maggiore
Just minutes from the lake, nestled in the peaceful hills of Gignese, Hartmann Feel at Home isn’t a typical hotel or B&B—it’s an authentic retreat designed for those seeking peace, beauty, and genuine hospitality.
Here, your stay is not about schedules or checklists. It’s about slowing down, breathing deeply, and reconnecting—with nature, with others, and with yourself.
🧘♀️ A Place of Calm and Comfort
At Hartmann, every detail is designed to bring you back to what matters:
- 🛁 Outdoor Hot Tub nestled in greenery – perfect for soaking in silence under the trees
- 🔥 Circular Fireplace Lounge – a cozy place to gather, read, or reflect
- 🧘 Yoga & Meditation Room open 24/7 – quiet, serene, always available
- 🥐 Wholesome Breakfast Buffet – with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, served with care and no fixed hours
- 📚 Reading Nooks with wellness books and garden views
- 🌳 Private Garden to explore barefoot, just for the pleasure of feeling the grass
Every morning begins slowly. Every evening ends in stillness. You’ll feel it from the moment you arrive.
🛏️ Rooms That Tell a Story
Each of Hartmann’s rooms is named after a chakra and reflects a different aspect of nature, well-being, and light. Every room is unique, thoughtfully decorated, and filled with warmth.
- 👨👩👧 Swadhisthana – Family Suite with Garden Access
Spacious and bright, with two connecting rooms and direct access to the garden. Ideal for families who want room to breathe. - ♿ Manipura – Accessible Double Room
Located on the ground floor with a French bed. Simple, calm, and barrier-free for complete accessibility. - 🛏️ Anahata – Triple Room with Loft Bed
Airy and inviting. Two beds below and a cozy sleeping loft above—great for friends or creative spirits. - 💕 Vishuddha – Intimate Double
Soft colors, French bed, romantic and peaceful. Perfect for couples. - 👪 Ajna – Family Suite with Living Room
Includes a master bedroom and a separate living space. Privacy and space for families or couples seeking comfort. - 🌄 Sahasrara – Tower Room with Panoramic Views
Set in the villa’s turret, offering 360° views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Truly one of a kind.
🌟 More Than a Room: An Experience
At Hartmann, you’re not just booking accommodation—you’re entering a different rhythm of life.
- 🧘♂️ Yoga Room always open
- 🌿 Outdoor Hot Tub for deep relaxation
- 📖 Wellness Library and tranquil corners for reading
- 👣 Barefoot Garden Paths for grounding and peace
- 🥗 Flexible Breakfast with seasonal and nourishing options
- 🕯️ Atmosphere of Stillness designed for rest and reflection
Here, you’re not just a guest. You’re part of a home, a mood, a new way to experience time.
🗺️ The Ideal Base to Explore Lake Maggiore
If you’re planning to discover Lake Maggiore over three slow, rich days—its islands, gardens, villages, and hidden treasures—Hartmann Feel at Home is the perfect base.
- 📍 Just 10 minutes from Stresa and the Borromean Islands
- 🏞️ A few steps from forest trails and Monte Mottarone
- ⛳ Walking distance from the historic Alpino Golf Club
- 🧘♀️ Surrounded by nature, silence, and light
💫 We Await You in Gignese
Between lake and woods, between stillness and beauty—Hartmann Feel at Home invites you to discover not just a destination, but a new way of caring for yourself.
Because Hartmann isn’t just accommodation.
It’s an experience of belonging.
A moment of healing.
A true home away from home.
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