Top Lake Maggiore How to Get Around in 2026

Explore the ‘Beautiful Island’ of Isola Bella at your leisure with a hop-on hop-off ferry ticket departing from Stresa. Glide across Lake Maggiore to this most renowned of the Borromean Islands, where you can visit the Palace Museum and Gardens, grab a bite to eat or simply stroll around the palazzos and villas that decorate the port. Ferries run every 30 minutes, so you can customize your day.

There’s no better way to see Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Islands than by private boat. This 1-hour tour allows you to travel in true Italian style around Isola Bella, Isola Madre and more. As you bask in the sun, your captain navigates the boat on a route that takes in sights of the islands’ lakeside gardens, palazzos and private villas. If you want to learn about the area as you cruise, upgrade to include a guide.

Discover the beautiful landscapes around Stresa with guided e-bike tours. Ride through lush forests and charming villages, admiring postcard views of Lake Maggiore and the picturesque Borromean Islands. Enjoy pleasant excursions suitable for all levels, from beginners to nature lovers, with stops at local farmhouses to taste regional specialties such as cheeses, cold cuts and wines. Whether you prefer a half-day adventure or a full-day excursion, tours offer a unique mix of culture, gastronomy and stunning scenery. - Guided e-bike tours from Stresa, suitable for all levels - Explore the beautiful Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands - Tasting of cheeses, cold cuts and local wines - Flexible tour options : half-day or full-day experiences available

Two of the top sights on Lake Maggiore are its jewel-like islands of Isola Pescatori and Isola Bella. With this hop-on-hop-off boat tour, set your own schedule and pace to cover both islands in a single day. Set off from Stresa to Isola Pescatori at the time you prefer, and disembark to explore the island at your own pace. Then catch the next passing boat to Isola Bella for more independent sightseeing before the return trip.

Admire the wonderful gardens of Isola Madre, an ancient hunting reserve of the Borromeo family. Sail to Isola Bella for the elegant Borromean Palace, Italian garden terraces, and boutique shops. Explore Lake Maggiore, Isola Madre, and Isola Bella on a hop-on hop-off cruise from Stresa. Admire the gardens of Isola Madre and see the fantastic palace and Italian terraces.

Explore Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands at your own pace with a private hop-on and hop-off boat service from Stresa. Admire the beautiful scenery and visit the enchanting islands of Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella.

Every Sunday and Monday Leave urban Milan for the day and spend some time at picturesque Lake Maggiore, located in Italy's Lake District. Explore the chic town of Stresa, learning about the area's history from your guide and perusing the shops. Then hop on a boat for a cruise around the lake, and take in the scenery of the water and surrounding mountains. Visit Isola dei Pescatori, where you have free time to explore, and then explore Borromeo Palace in Isola Bella, before making the return trip to Milan.

Spend a morning or afternoon at Lake Orta, and see the highlights of its charming village and lake island with your own private guide. After you hear the history of Orta San Giulio’s medieval houses on a stroll, you will take a shuttle boat for a short ride to Isola di San Giulio. Wander the cobblestone streets to the Roman Catholic basilica, then choose to stay on the island to explore more at your own pace or return to Orta San Giulio with your guide.

Experience the beauty of Italy’s Lake Maggiore during this half-day private tour to Isola Bella and Fisherman’s Island. This private excursion leaves from the villages of Stresa where you board a boat to Isola Bella. Explore the island’s Italian-style garden before heading to Fisherman’s Island for a walking tour of the quaint village. This tour is inclusive of a private tour guide, all entrance fees are to be paid on site.

Slow your pace and take in the dazzling scenery along Lake Maggiore with this leisurely tour on board a traditional wooden boat. Relax as you slowly motor along the shoreline past highlights like the Borromean Islands of Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola Pescatori, and the Santa Caterina del Sasso hermitage. Enjoy an “aperitivo” of wine and snacks during your scenic mini cruise.

Experience the beauty of Lake Maggiore on a private boat tour that blends history, culture, and relaxation. Cruise past Isola Madre, admiring its lush botanical gardens and the elegant Palazzo Borromeo from the water. Continue to the breathtaking Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso, a monastery perched on a cliff, perfect for stunning photos. Your first stop is Isola Pescatori, a charming fishing village with narrow streets, quaint shops, and lakeside cafés. Take a leisurely stroll, browse for handmade souvenirs, or enjoy a coffee while soaking in the authentic atmosphere. Afterward, dive into the crystal-clear waters for a refreshing swim in one of the lake’s best spots. Finally, visit Isola Bella, where you can explore the magnificent Palazzo Borromeo and its spectacular gardens at your own pace. Choose to stay on the island and return by ferry or enjoy a quick visit before we bring you back to Stresa by boat, completing a memorable day on the lake.

Discover the Borromean Islands in style with this private tour from Stresa created just for you and your group. Your guide will whisk you away to explore the three iconic Lake Maggiore islands—Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Bella. Stroll through the lush gardens of Isola Madre and soak in the history of the baroque Palazzo Borromeo. This private tour offers a personalized experience of Italian charm.

Visit the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore with your own private guide, and enjoy transport by private motorboat just for your group plus a tour of Isola Bella’s 17th-century palace. Perfect if you want to understand the lake’s history and avoid the tourist crowds, the experience offers everything you need to explore the islands with ease. The standard tour includes stops at Isola Pescatori and Isola Bella, but you can upgrade to visit also the botanical gardens of Isola Madre, if you wish.

The Borromean Islands are one of the highlights of Lake Maggiore, but the logistics of visiting all three in one day can be complicated. On this private tour, visit Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori with a boat and guide to admire their historic villas, lush gardens, and charming lanes. Stop for lunch (at your own expense) on Fisherman's Island before the boat trip back to Stresa.

Hello, I am Micaela, an expert licensed tour guide who has been guiding travellers for 28 years! This product is bookable for ready-made groups and small parties searching a private guide to visit the Borromean islands. By booking this product, you are booking for your ready-made group or for your smaller party my services as a local licensed and experienced tour guide that will provide a guided tour of isola Bella with its 17th-century palace and gardens and isola Pescatori taking care of your group / party from the port or your hotel lobby up to the end of the tour. Micaela will also take care of the logistics for your group, providing useful information and all costs to be considered such as admission tickets and logistics/boat transport just for your group. IF YOU WISH TO VISIT ALSO ISOLA MADRE, please get in touch directly with Micaela to plan a different itinerary and a different length of the tour!

Step into a world where Italian luxury meets the magic of the water. Experience Lake Maggiore's ultimate golden hour aboard Aurum, a premier boutique boat designed for travelers seeking pure elegance, comfort, and authenticity. As the sun dips below the horizon, you will glide across the crystal-clear waters of the Borromean Gulf while relaxing on custom Herno designer seating and cushions—a unique luxury collaboration found nowhere else on the lake. Sip a complimentary glass of fine Italian sparkling wine, breathe in the alpine breeze, and marvel at illuminated historic villas and island palaces on this exclusive, private 1-hour escape.

Book ahead to see the three Borromean Islands by boat, and save yourself the hassle of working out boat cruise tickets at the lakeside. A hop-on hop-off ferry cruise, the experience starts from Stresa and stops at Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Bella, and Isola Madre: Lake Maggiore’s famous trio of islands. Ferries depart every 30 minutes through the day, leaving you with ample time to explore each island at leisure.

If you are looking for a tour that introduces you to the unique beauty of the Borromean Islands, its palaces and Lake Maggiore in a relaxed and fun atmosphere .. This is the best tour! We will talk about history and art but without forgetting to introduce you to the true and authentic atmosphere of this beautiful region. And at the end of the tour, an aperitif is what will make the experience even more genuine, relaxed and friendly Join us!!

Hello, I am Micaela, an official local guide. This is a very special tour that will enable you to visit isola Bella accompanied by your expert private tour guide that will show you the sumptuous Borromeo palace with its treasures and isola Bella's amazing gardens. The private cruise around isola Madre and Fishermen's islands at the end of the private guided tour to enjoy the views will make this tour even more exclusive, something that you will be able to cherish for long!

Experience the most that Isola Bella has to offer with this private tour of two of Italy's most famous islands. Visit the aptly-named Isola Bella (Beautiful Island) and Isola dei Pescatori (Fisherman's Island). This private tour offers a morning or afternoon departure to best suit your personal needs.

Arona, a beautiful town laying on the South-Western coast of lake Maggiore, gave birth in the 16th century to the future saint and bishop of Milan Carlo Borromeo. After a few decades from his death, a huge bronze statue dedicated to the memory of the revered citizen was built close to Arona and acted as an inspiration and a technical instruction for Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the designer of the Statue of Liberty in New York. This exclusive tour will lead you from the charming centre of Arona to the hill where you will be able to visit the statue and enjoy a view of the lake, definitely from its "point of view". Later on, you will be guided to a local seasoning cellar, where a full tasting of wine and local, delicious varieties of cheese will be served. A day between amazing art and taste.

We know that flexibility in this moment is necessary to organize a trip out of town; for this reason we want to make the Flex service available. We guarantee flexibility on all available dates, you can book your next tour in complete freedom. Should your plans change, you can change the date of your Flex-Ticket by easily requesting a voucher for the new date. No cost for changing the reservation of the chosen date. Book the Flex-Ticket service made available by the Consorzio Motoscafisti Associati C.M.A. by Stresatours with its fleet of 11 motor ships with variable capacity from 30 up to 60 seats, we will guarantee flexibility on the booking dates of transport to the Borromean Islands, you can plan your next trip to Lake Maggiore in total freedom.

Discover the romantic Piedmont village of Orta and the nearby lake island of San Giulio on a private tour with a local guide. You’ll hear the history of the bustling little town that sits on the shore of Lake Orta, discover the must-see sights around Piazza Motta, and enjoy a walking tour around the island. Just note that boat crossing is payable on the day.