Stresa is the most popular and wealthiest of all the towns on Lake Maggiore. When visiting, stroll down the lake promenade and marvel at the large and opulent hotels on the main street, grab a drink at sunset at Sky Bar (La Palma's rooftop bar), walk around the main town's cobblestone streets, visit the zoo or garden, stop by the club for a dip in the pool, and more.
A must-try local biscuit are 'Margheritine di Stresa.'The history of these local delicacies goes back to the mid-1800s. As a gift to Princess Margherita for her first communion, a local Pastry chef named Pietro Antonio Bolongaro created these indulgent biscuits. The Princess liked the biscuits so much, that once she became Queen she decreed that the Margheritine di Stresa be the staple pastry in the Royal House for the holiday Ferragosto. They taste kind of like a shortbread cookie, BUT BETTER. The best Margheritine can be found at Pasticceria Marcolini and are made with vanilla, lemon zest and a touch of icing sugar.
Feriolo is nestled into the corner of Lago Maggiore. It's the most charming and picturesque town on Lake Maggiore. It has a sleepy fisherman village vibe, but is rich in restaurants, cafes, and beaches. My favorite things to do in Feriolo are: 1) Grab a cappuccino and brioche (or croissant) for breakfast at one of the many lakeside cafes (it has some of the best on the lake) while enjoying the view of the neighboring towns and Borromean Islands. 2) Stop by the beach called il Bocc, or the hole, for a quick dip in the lake. 3) Stop by La Terrazza Mirafiori for lunch for one of their unique pizza flatbread sandwiches!
Feriolo is my personal favorite town on Lake Maggiore (and it's also where my family is from!). Feriolo's prime location directly in the middle of the lake makes it the perfect homebase for visitors on Lake Maggiore. You are a short distance from Stresa, Baveno, and Arona in one direction, and Pallanza, Intra, and Cannobbio in the other. But hurry, there are only 2-3 boutique hotels available in this small village!
From Feriolo, I recommend you drive up to the orphan (literally) town of Montorfano, which means Mount Orphan. It's a super small, medieval, sleepy town with stunning architecture and views of Lake Maggiore.
For those who like to hike, there is a fabulous trail called il Sentiero Azzurro that takes you from Montorfano all the way down to the town of Mergozzo on Lake Mergozzo.
Mergozzo is hidden behind the town of Feriolo. It has it's very own small lake and is a great escape for those looking to escape the more populated beaches of Lake Maggiore. The town has a myriad of cute cafes and bars you can enjoy.
Pallanza has plenty of chill nighttime bars, a cute beach to lounge on during the day, and a number of old, wealthy, and rich palaces you can marvel at during a lakeside promenade.
Intra is the most cosmopolitan of all the towns. It has the widest selection of bars, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Mix this with it’s prime location just steps away from the arena beach and it’s the town that has something for everyone. It’s beautiful on a sunny day, but you’re probably more likely to be hitting the various beaches and towns in the area. You get the most use out of Intra when the weather isn’t working in your favor. If you’re looking for things to do on a cold or rainy day on Lago Maggiore, then Intra is a good starting place.
Looking for the best gelato in a main town? Then Gelateria d'Altri Tempi is the place to be and voted by all the locals. The alternate option is Candoglia next to Mergozzo, but it's a bit more off the beaten path.
Visit the statue of San Carlo and climb your way to the top to view the lake from San Carlo's eyes (literally!). You are able to walk up a small staircase inside the statue to reach the top. Not recommended for those who are claustrophobic or have fear of heights.
Tour the castle and it's wineries on a sunny day and view Arona from above. Rocca d'Angera is easily accessible by boat and is a great day time activity.
For those who like hiking, you can hike to the top of the Mottarone for views of Lake Maggiore. The alternative is to take a cable car that will take you to the top. Mottarone has a bar at the top that allows you to take in views and the sunset.
A bit different from the more famed Borromean Islands, this old convent is built into a cliff on the side of Lake Maggiore. It's only reachable by ferry or boat and is a wonderful morning activity.
The main attraction on Lake Maggiore are the Borromean Islands. Isola Bella, translates to the beautiful island, and is the most famous. You can tour the enormous palace on the island with it's luxurious gardens. Isola Pescatori is the neighboring fishing village with a ton of quaint and picturesque restaurants. Lastly, Isola Madre is the quieter of the three and perfect for nature lovers and those looking for solace in a private beach. It also hosts a small villa and garden you can tour. All the islands are connected and accessible by boat and ferry from Stresa on a daily basis.
If it's raining and you want to go home with a high quality Italian gift, or clothing for yourself, then shopping is what you want to do. Lake Maggiore is home to the outlet store for Herno, a high quality brand that specializes in stylish winter jackets. The prices here are unbelievable and half price since it's the only outlet store they have. Stop by if you can!