Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan: Scenic Exploration of Italy's Beautiful Lake District
4.5
95 Ratings
Milano
Embark on a scenic day trip from Milan to Lake Maggiore in Italy's beautiful Lake District. Explore the fashionable town of Stresa and take a panoramic boat cruise to the Borromean Islands.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Lago Maggiore - On the borders of Piedmont, Lombardy and Switzerland, Lake Maggiore, also known as Verbano is the second largest Italian lake. Your visit will start with a lake cruise.
On board you will enjoy the view of exquisite lakeside villas and lush gardens surrounded by crystal blue waters set amidst the beauty of snow capped alps.
- Island of the Fishermen (Isola dei Pescatori) - First, we pass the exotic Isola Madre, home to a 20 acre park that is considered one of the most impressive in Italy, before heading back in time to the simple life of Isola dei Pescatori where you will have free time to explore, shop or enjoy a light lunch.
- Palazzo Borromeo - The next stop will be the luxurious Isola Bella with the elaborate gardens of the Borromean Palace surrounded by boutiques and cafés housed in grand historic buildings ( entrance to Palazzo Borromeo included).
Finally, you will re-join the boat and cruise back to Stresa where you can have free time to explore this quiet and fascinating little town, try some local food or indulge in some shopping before returning to Milan.
- Stresa - our tour will take you from Milan to picturesque Stresa, on the western shores of Lake Maggiore. Stresa is a lovely town with beautiful villas and gardens, some of which are open to the public. With a comfortable climate, Stresa offers stunning lake views, and you can also take the cable car up to Monte Mottarone for views of the Alps and the lakes.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Boat cruise
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional Information
Embark on a day journey to Lake Maggiore, a picturesque view in Italy’s magnificent Lake District, from Milan. Stresa, a trendy town by the lake, is about a 1.5-hour drive from Milan, enveloped by impressive mountains topped with snow. After having some leisure time in Stresa, whether for shopping or simply unwinding and soaking in the astounding vistas, you’ll embark on a two-hour scenic boat trip on Lake Maggiore. During this journey, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Borromean Islands - Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Bella.
Location
Milan Visitor Center - Zani Viaggi
Largo Cairoli
Please be ready at the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(95 Ratings)
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Annamaria_c
Sep 5, 2023
Entertaining, informative and enjoyable. 100% - We enjoyed the geography and history lesson from Salvatore. The tour thru’ the Barromeo residence was truly amazing. Our guides were informed, professional and passionate. We don’t generally commit to tours but we are thrilled we booked this one ! It was a memorable day in every respect and Stresa is certainly a destination not to be missed.
Review provided by Viator
Tony_g
Jun 13, 2023
Well organized day - I have been to Lake Como a few times on different trips to Milan, but was looking for something different to do with friends from work on the free Sunday we had. This trip did not disappoint and was well organized and exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Review provided by Viator
Benoitblair
May 17, 2023
Beautiful day at Lake Maggiore - Fabulous trip, Lake Maggiore is absolutely stunning and the tour guide were brilliant. We had a fantastic day. The driver of tour bus was very skilled and efficient.
Review provided by Viator
Camacheli
Sep 11, 2019
great half day in italy - well organized day with everything related to the tour. the host was great!! recommended for all travelers to Milan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sheryn_e
Aug 7, 2019
A Wonderful Tour, Not to be missed! - My husband and I took this tour on Monday the 5th August and we were not disappointed. We traveled in a very comfortable Air conditioned coach all perhaps 13 of us. Our tour guide Stephano (I think) was very informative and knowledgeable. The highlight for us was definitely Isola Bella, the gardens so very beautiful. In my opinion more so, than Monet's gardens in Giverny of which we also saw with Viator 2 years ago. If you love gardens, the sea air, little boat trips and pretty island villages then this is the tour for you. We absolutely loved it!
Review provided by Viator
Texas_ollie
Jun 2, 2019
Excellent Day Trip from Milan - Beautiful Views!! - This day trip from Milan was a great way to spend the afternoon in northern Italy. The bus ride was comfortable and the boat ride was a lot of fun. We visited the palace and small fishing village and enjoyed beautiful views from the lake. We also spent some time in Stresa and enjoyed a drink in the shade at one of the local restaurants. Our tour guide Carlo was outstanding and was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. He was a great tour guide and did a great job answering our questions. I would highly recommend this tour. Great value for your money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrea
Oct 2, 2018
Quite often snubbed in favor of Lake Como, this Lake is actually a beautiful place. - Extremely surprised by the history and landscape which are not, quite frankly, enough advertised. Definitely worth few days to visit it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_c
Sep 5, 2023
Isola Bella Palace and... - Isola Bella Palace and surrounding gardens. Salvatore was terrific. Very knowledgeable about the history and geography. Thoroughly enjoyed spending time with him:
Review provided by Viator
Lisa_c
Sep 2, 2023
Spectacular scenery - Visiting the palace and our guide was amazing .Gardens were spectacular .Weather dreadful but still amazing scenery .Town of Stressa and it’s big old hotels great to walk around .Boat trip great.Recommend if you are short on time
Review provided by Viator
Vhuth5
Jul 20, 2018
Lake Maggiore and Isola Bella - We had a wonderful time on our trip to Lake Maggiore and Isola Bella Lake Maggiore is beautiful and the boat ride was wonderful. My favorite part of the trip was to see Isola Bella and take a tour of the beautiful Borromean Palace and gardens. It was amazing. I would like to go back some day to see the palace and the gardens. We stopped on Isola Pescatori for a short time. The tour from Milan was only for a half day. Our tour guide said that it used to be a whole day tour. I wish we could have spent more time on Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori.
Review provided by Viator
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