Be sure to set aside at least five hours to take in the islands and town. It takes about an hour on each island to see the sights and an additional hour to stroll through Stresa itself.

Restaurants in Stresa are clustered in the warren of cobblestone lanes in the historic center; they are usually open from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. for dinner.

The town of Stresa is accessible to wheelchair users, but some of the sights on the islands have limited access. Confirm in advance.

Families enjoy the park at Villa Pallavicino, which is located along the lake, just outside the center of town, and is home to a small, kid-friendly zoo that includes llamas, zebras, flamingos, and toucans.