Opposite Stresa and Baveno, the Borromean Islands are one of the best-known sights on Lake Maggiore and one of the most visited tourist destinations in the whole of Piedmont. Three islands, each with a different character, accessible by boat from several points on the lake.
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is dominated by the Borromeo Palace, with its sumptuous Baroque interiors, and by the famous Italian-style garden arranged in terraces towards the lake and populated by white peacocks. It is probably the most photographed image of the Borromean Islands and one of Italy’s most famous historic gardens.
Isola Madre
Larger and less crowded than Isola Bella, Isola Madre is home to an English-style botanical garden, with exotic plants, camellias and a microclimate that allows Mediterranean and subtropical species to grow. It is the ideal choice for those seeking a more peaceful visit surrounded by greenery.
Isola dei Pescatori
The smallest and the only one inhabited all year round, Isola dei Pescatori retains the appearance of an authentic fishing village, with colourful houses, narrow lanes and restaurants overlooking the lake. It is the ideal stop for a lunch break during an island tour.
How to organise your visit
The islands are connected by regular boats departing from Stresa, Baveno, Verbania and other points on Lake Maggiore. Most visitors plan their day by combining a visit to two or all three islands.
For timetables, boat frequency and up-to-date prices, refer to the official website of Navigazione Laghi.
After the lake, the vineyards of Val d’Ossola
Those staying on Lake Maggiore to visit the Borromean Islands can also easily reach the Ossola hinterland in a day, among vineyards and mountain villages: another opportunity to discover a lesser-known yet equally rich area, perhaps with a tasting between one island and the next.
Isola dei Pescatori, the only one always inhabited
Unlike Isola Bella and Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori never belonged to the Borromeo family, of Florentine origin, which became the owner of the other two islands in the 14th century, transforming them through the construction of elaborate residences and gardens. Isola dei Pescatori, also known as Isola Superiore, has been inhabited for around seven hundred years and is the only one of the three to be populated all year round, today by around fifty residents who remain steadfastly attached to local traditions. Its long balconies, once essential for drying fish, are distinctive; fishing was the island’s main economic activity and today, together with local craftsmanship, attracts numerous tourists. Fishing, once the principal activity, is still practised by some families, while the tall, closely built houses and beola stone roofs still tell of the village’s seafaring origins.
An archipelago to experience in every season
Even outside the summer months, the Borromean Islands offer evocative atmospheres: in spring, the gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre burst into bloom, while in autumn the warmer light creates particularly striking photographic views, with significantly fewer visitors than during the high season.
One final practical tip: buying a day ticket for the boat service allows you to visit all three islands at leisure, without the anxiety of having to choose just one stop due to lack of time.
Three islands, three different ways to experience the lake.
Bella, Madre and Pescatori: three names, three souls, one lake.
Three islands, one unforgettable day.
One final note: each island, with its distinct character, shows how variety can arise even within a very small geographical space such as this little archipelago.
A small archipelago, a great emotion.
Three islands, one unforgettable day on the lake.
The Borromean Islands remain one of the most photographed destinations on Lake Maggiore, and for many visitors they also represent the first step towards a broader itinerary that follows the Val d’Ossola up to the vineyards and wineries of the hinterland.
