2-Day Itinerary with a Stay at Hartmann Feel at Home
Wondering what to see at Lake Maggiore in two days?
Here’s a complete itinerary recommended by Hartmann Feel at Home, one of the most loved accommodations in the area.
Day 1
Your day begins in Stresa, on the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore. In the early morning, the soft sunlight turns the sky pink while a light breeze caresses your skin. After enjoying breakfast at a lake-view café, head out for a walk along Stresa’s lakeside promenade. The calm waters reflect the surrounding mountain peaks, gently swaying boats bob in the harbor, and in the distance, you can hear the soft whistle of ferries departing nearby. The scent of fresh coffee blends with the crisp air, and along the promenade, you can pause to take in the eastern view: a blue expanse of water dotted with the first Borromean Islands, framed by lush green hills.
It’s the perfect moment for a sensory immersion in the lake’s atmosphere—the hush of the waves, the circling seagulls, the warm sun on your skin. After visiting the natural viewpoint at Piazza Cadorna and the pier in front of it, stroll to Piazza San Vittore, enjoying a creamy gelato from a local gelateria while watching locals go about their morning.
Around noon, head back to Stresa’s old town for lunch. A recommended restaurant is La Stresa, tucked in a charming alley near Piazza Cadorna. The menu features local lake and sea specialties, like perch risotto or spaghetti with clams, made with fresh, regional ingredients. As you savor your meal, a warm breeze drifts through the open windows, carrying the briny scent of the lake. Laughter, clinking cutlery, and the lively ambiance create a relaxed setting. After lunch, enjoy a glass of chilled white wine in a garden café while watching the bustle of Stresa’s lively square.
In the early afternoon, it’s time to visit the Borromean Islands. Catch a public boat at Stresa’s ferry terminal, which offers frequent departures to Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. Onboard, the breeze brushes your face as the lake sparkles under the sun. After about 15–20 minutes, you arrive at Isola Bella, with the baroque silhouette of Palazzo Borromeo rising from the water.
Tickets can be purchased in advance—the 2025 season runs from March 15 to November 2, with entry allowed until 5:00 p.m. (the palace closes at 5:30, gardens at 6:00), ensuring you make the most of your visit. A short walk from the dock leads you into the Italian-style gardens: blooming rose beds, white marble statues, and bubbling fountains create a serene oasis. Each terrace reveals azaleas, rhododendrons, and panoramic lake views from the upper levels—a breathtaking combination of deep blue water and rolling green hills.
Inside Palazzo Borromeo, the grandeur continues: frescoed halls, antique furniture, tapestries, and gilded mirrors bathed in warm light. The polished wooden floors gently creak underfoot, and a fresh garden scent wafts through the glass doors. The symmetrical gardens, with their holly bushes and mythological statues, invite leisurely strolls. A series of terraces cascade toward the water, where lavender tufts attract butterflies. Take at least two hours to admire the details—from the Camellia Terrace’s statues to the peach trees in spring bloom.
By mid-afternoon, take a short ferry ride to Isola dei Pescatori (Isola Superiore), a quaint island village with stone houses, flower-filled balconies, and rustic fish taverns. Walking among the cobbled alleys, you’ll smell wood smoke from kitchens and the fresh scent of the lake. For dinner, Trattoria Imbarcadero is a top choice, famous for its lake fish dishes (salmon, fried whitebait) and perch risotto. Reserve an outdoor table on the dock: enjoy your meal to the sound of water lapping against boats, seagulls calling, and the sunset painting the lake orange. The few friendly locals enrich the evening with smiles and stories.
After dinner, a peaceful walk along the stone walls reveals the lights of Stresa shimmering on the dark water. The final ferry returns to Stresa under a calm night sky. As you disembark, the quiet lakeside leads you back to your accommodation, filled with memories of a colorful, flavorful day.
Day 2
Your second morning begins with a change of scenery. Drive from Stresa toward the Lombard shore, following scenic lake roads. After about 40 minutes through chestnut woods and terraced vineyards, you arrive at Santa Caterina del Sasso, near Leggiuno. Park nearby and descend on foot via a staircase surrounded by greenery, enjoying birdsong and pine scents. Alternatively, arrive by boat from Arona (line 14), a 45-minute journey operated daily by Navigazione Laghi with affordable tickets.
As the ferry approaches, you see the hermitage clinging to the cliff: panoramic terraces rise above the dark lake waters, seemingly suspended between rock and sky. Enter through a wooden arch with Italian and European flags, and a short climb brings you to a small stone courtyard in front of the church and monastery. Inside, the silence is broken only by the hum of insects and the scent of candle wax. The frescoes—especially in the Chapel of the Frescoes—still display vivid colors: saints and sacred scenes marked by time.
Walking under the arched porticoes facing the lake, the blue expanse opens before you. The water looks like glass, the view stretches from Monte Rosa to Mottarone. The hermitage radiates peace and sacredness, enhanced by shady cloisters and birdsong. After a one-hour visit (indoors and out), continue north.
Back in the car, drive through hairpin turns surrounded by greenery. In under 30 minutes, you reach Verbania-Pallanza. Around lunchtime, stop in the town center. A fresh, lively restaurant is La Latteria – Ritrovo Gastronomico, in Piazzetta San Rocco. Its outdoor tables overlook the lakefront and church. The menu features inventive lake fish dishes—perhaps trout carpaccio with celery cream or pike and char fillet with beet purée. The vibe is youthful and colorful: chatter, clinking glasses, and delicious aromas create a cheerful pause.
After lunch, take a walk along the LungoZattoni promenade, a wide pedestrian path lined with red and orange geraniums. The lake lies calm, the sky vast, snowy peaks rise in the distance, and blooming linden trees add to the peaceful atmosphere.
Around 2:00 p.m., head to Villa Taranto, just minutes from Verbania’s center. The famous botanical garden is open daily from March 13 to November 2: 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. in spring/summer (last entry by 4:45/5:45 depending on the season). Plan to spend at least two hours exploring. Tickets are about €13 for adults.
At the entrance, a gravel path flanked by hydrangeas leads to the historic Tagliana Villa, with old exotic plant pots beneath its arches. Beyond, the trail winds through magnolia groves and grassy lawns.
Deeper into the gardens, surprises abound: azalea meadows, pink and yellow water lilies, fiery cannas, and boxwood mazes. Every section is landscaped like a painting, and the air smells of flowers and damp earth. A wisteria pergola casts dappled shade—a perfect photo spot. Papyrus, palms, and tropical plants thrive here. Birds chirp, leaves rustle, and a small artificial canyon appears, with a trickling stream and waterfall adding a cool touch. Allow 1–2 hours to enjoy highlights like the orchid greenhouse (seasonal), the Triton fountain, and the iron bridge over the lily pond.
By 4:30 p.m., leave Villa Taranto and drive to Arona, about 40 minutes south via the panoramic SP229. Once in Arona, park near the lake and explore the historic center on foot. A short walk brings you to Lungolago Marconi, home to the monumental San Carlone (St. Charles Borromeo statue), visible from afar. If time allows, climb inside (small fee) to the head for sweeping views of the Borromean Gulf and Santa Caterina at dusk.
Just north lies Piazza del Municipio, with pastel buildings and a large circular fountain where children play. Sit on the steps, feet cooled by a lakeside breeze, as the scent of fresh bread and pizza drifts from nearby shops.
For dinner, don’t miss Ristorante Piroscafo Lombardia 1908, a former boat moored on the lake. Dine by candlelight, practically on the water, with views of Angera’s illuminated profile across the lake. The menu features lake fish (roasted char, marinated whitefish) and creative seafood dishes paired with Piedmont wines.
After dinner, stroll along the pebbled lakefront. By night, Lake Maggiore becomes still as glass, reflections like watercolor paintings. You’ll spot the silhouettes of opposite villages like Angera lit softly by ancient walls.
Around 9:00 p.m., return comfortably to Stresa (30 minutes by car) or end your stay in Arona. The itinerary closes with vivid impressions: baroque villas, botanical gardens, lakeside sanctuaries, and authentic flavors savored in scenic restaurants.
Where to Stay for the Perfect 2 Days: Hartmann Feel at Home
To explore Lake Maggiore slowly and authentically, where you sleep makes all the difference. Choose Hartmann Feel at Home, in Gignese, in the hills above Stresa.
It’s not a hotel. It’s not just a B&B. It’s a place that welcomes you.
Hartmann Feel at Home is much more than a villa—it’s a retreat designed to restore, embrace, and offer a true wellness experience in harmony with nature. Surrounded by a large, well-kept garden, this elegant residence has been renovated using natural, high-quality materials, blending refined interiors with the simplicity of a style that invites relaxation.
The rooms, inspired by the chakras and designed to promote rest and serenity, are spacious, bright, and meticulously furnished. Each one features natural wood floors, a modern private bathroom, and large windows overlooking the greenery, creating a seamless connection with nature. Every element is thoughtfully chosen to create a warm, calming atmosphere.
Common areas at Hartmann Feel at Home are designed for deep well-being: an outdoor hot tub nestled among the trees for pure relaxation, a lounge with a round fireplace for cozy gatherings or peaceful reading, and a dedicated yoga room for those wishing to cultivate balance through yoga, meditation, or simply unwinding in a quiet, protected space.
Each morning, a wholesome breakfast is served with fresh, carefully selected ingredients. The variety includes both sweet and savory options, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free alternatives available—ensuring a healthy, light, and energizing start to your day.
Hartmann Feel at Home is the ideal place for anyone seeking a break from the fast pace of daily life. Time seems to slow down here, allowing guests to rediscover inner calm, reconnect with nature, and enjoy days marked by tranquility, good taste, and genuine attention to detail. It’s an experience to savor slowly, wrapped in the intimate, harmonious atmosphere of this corner of paradise on Lake Maggiore.
Unique Chakra-Inspired Rooms:
- Swadhisthana – family suite with garden and hot tub
- Manipura – comfortable and accessible double
- Anahata – triple room perfect for families
- Vishuddha – cozy and bright
- Ajna – two separate spaces
- Sahasrara – panoramic turret with lake view
And More:
- Yoga room always open
- Natural breakfast with no time limits
- Hot tub among the trees
- Garden for reading, breathing, relaxing
We look forward to welcoming you in Gignese. Book directly on our website for an authentic Lake Maggiore experience.