Lake Maggiore lies close to the three Milan airports, with Malpensa 12 miles (20 km) from the southern part of the lake, so a first-time visitor can be on the shore soon after landing. The lake suits travelers who like a mix of island visits, museums, small-town waterfronts and a mountain viewpoint: from the top of Mottarone, at 4,895 feet (1,492 m), seven lakes come into view.
Cars are the catch in some lakeside towns. Stresa and Ispra both run restricted traffic zones, and the lake’s public transport is by ship. The Terre Borromeo season runs until November 8, 2026, and the autumn calendar fills with festivals, so a late-season trip still has plenty on.
At a glance
- Nearest airport: Malpensa (MXP), 12 miles (20 km) from the southern part of the lake
- Other airports: Linate (LIN), Bergamo (BGY) and Turin, about 81 miles (130 km) away
- By train: the Milan-Domodossola rail route
- Viewpoint: Mottarone summit, 4,895 feet (1,492 m), with seven lakes in sight
- Terre Borromeo season: March 12 to November 8, 2026
- On the water: swimming, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving
Where is Lake Maggiore and what is it like?
Lake Maggiore is served by the three Milan airports: Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo. Malpensa is the closest, 12 miles (20 km) from the southern part of the lake. Turin Airport is about 81 miles (130 km) away.
The shore is a string of towns: Arona, Stresa, Verbania, Cannero Riviera, Ghiffa, Luino and Angera, among others. The Borromean Gulf holds three islands, and Isola Madre is the largest. Above the water, the villages of Trarego, Viggiona and Cheglio lie on the slopes of Monte Carza, at 3,661 feet (1,116 m). From the top of Mottarone, Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Lake Mergozzo are all in view.
The towns carry a long past. Angera is dominated by the Rocca, a medieval fortress, and its Museo Diffuso covers 15,000 years of art, history and landscape. In Ghiffa, the Hat Museum tells the history of Italian glamour.
Where to go on Lake Maggiore
Stresa
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromées, Regina Palace and Hotel Du Parc are all listed here, which makes it a natural base for visitors who want a classic lakeside stay. Access by car is controlled: an electronic gate stands in Via Roma between Piazza Cadorna and Via De Amicis.
The Stresa Festival takes place here from May to September.
Verbania
Verbania suits travelers who want museums as well as water. The Museo del Paesaggio has collections of landscape painting, sculpture, popular devotion and archaeology, and Grand Hotel Majestic is listed in town.
In Pallanza, Villa Giulia on the lakeshore hosts the 20th Winter Camellia Exhibition on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 2026. The Choir Festival of Lago Maggiore (6th edition) is held in Verbania on October 4 and 5.
Arona
It is also where the Lago Maggiore Marathon starts.
The 15th edition of the marathon runs on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Arona’s Chestnut feast (Castagnata) falls on October 4 and 5, so it is an early-October date to plan around.
Angera
Angera works well for a day with history and a swim.
Two beach areas, Noce and Nocciola, allow swimming. Both are covered in the water section further on.
What is there to do on Lake Maggiore?
Isola Madre and the Borromean Gulf
Isola Madre is the largest of the three islands in the Borromean Gulf. Public transport on the lake is by ship, so the boat is the way to reach the islands.
The Terre Borromeo season started on Thursday, March 12 and lasts until November 8, 2026. A trip in the first week of November is still inside the season, but the end date is close.
Mottarone and Monte Carza
Mottarone is the viewpoint. Its summit stands at 4,895 feet (1,492 m), and seven lakes can be seen from the top, including Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Lake Mergozzo.
Pick a clear day for either one, since the view is the point.
San Carlone and the sacred mountains
The San Carlone is a statue 115 feet (35 m) tall in total, dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo. It stands out among the lake’s sights for sheer size.
Two sacred mountains sit near the lake. The Sacred Mountain of Orta has 20 chapels recounting the life of St. Francis. The Sacro Monte Calvario di Domodossola has 15 chapels dedicated to the Passion of Christ.
Each is a walk through a series of chapels, so wear good shoes.
Swimming and water sports
Swimming, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving and water games are all possible on Lake Maggiore. Angera has two beach areas where swimming is allowed, Noce and Nocciola.
The Spiaggia della Noce is made of sand and fine gravel. The Spiaggia della Nocciola is not equipped and is accessible to dogs, so it suits travelers with a dog.
Swimming is forbidden along the shores facing the tree-lined avenues because of port and boat traffic. Stay on the two designated beaches.
Autumn and winter events
Baveno da Vivere is a series of initiatives that keeps the town lively in autumn and winter, with a calendar running until spring 2027. MeleMiele-Fest takes place in Baceno on October 31 and November 1, 2026, with an exhibition market, workshops and local flavors.
NU Arts & Community returns in Novara from November 5 to 8, 2026, with music, theatre, dance and participatory projects. Winterland turns Locarno into a winter village from November 19, 2026 to January 6, 2027, with an ice rink, a Christmas market and children’s entertainment.
If you want museums, the shore towns and a fortress, Angera and Verbania fit. If you want views, Mottarone is the pick.
Where to stay on Lake Maggiore
Park Hotel Italia is in Cannero Riviera, Grand Hotel Majestic in Verbania and Hotel Atlantic in Arona.
Lodging on the lake runs from hotels and B&Bs to room rentals, aparthotels, guesthouses, farmhouses, cottages, lodges, campgrounds and hostels. Refuges are listed too, and the Ascona-Locarno side adds holiday homes, farm stays and alpine huts. Event weekends, such as the Marathon on November 8 in Arona, are worth booking ahead.
How do you get to Lake Maggiore and get around?
Fly into one of the three Milan airports: Malpensa (MXP), Linate (LIN) or Bergamo (BGY).
By car from Milan, take the A8 or A26 motorway to Sesto Calende for the East Shore. The A8 Milano-Laghi and the A26 Genova-Gravellona Toce have exits at Arona, Meina, Brovello Carpugnino, Baveno-Stresa and Gravellona Toce.
The train runs from Milan to the lake along the Milan-Domodossola route. Once on the lake, public transport is by ship.
Some lakeside streets are closed to most traffic. In Ispra, the ZTL (restricted traffic zone) on the Lungolago A. Vespucci bars all vehicles except a short list, with goods vehicles allowed to load and unload from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. On the Lungolago C. Colombo and Magellano, vehicles for boat launching or hauling are allowed before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.
Leave the car outside these zones and walk in.
What to know before visiting Lake Maggiore
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa.
- Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. A 6-month validity is recommended. Passports must have 2 blank pages for entry stamp.
- You will need proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.
- Entry: 10,000 euros currency limit or equivalent. Exit: 10,000 euros currency limit or equivalent.
- There are no vaccination requirements.
- If you intend to live or stay in Italy for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a visa from an Italian Embassy or Consulate. Once in Italy, you must also obtain a permit of stay (permesso di soggiorno).
Sources
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/italy.html), checked 2026-10-30
- distrettolaghi.it (https://www.distrettolaghi.it/sites/default/files/news/allegati/DTL_DossierStampa_Stagione%20Turistica%202026_ENG_1.pdf), checked 2026-10-30
- illagomaggiore.com (https://www.illagomaggiore.com/tourist-info/), checked 2026-10-30
- illagomaggiore.com (https://www.illagomaggiore.com/what-to-do/culture-music-and-entertainment/), checked 2026-10-30
- angera.it (https://www.angera.it/), checked 2026-10-30
- illagomaggiore.com (https://www.illagomaggiore.com/accomodation/?jsf=jet-engine%3Astrutture&pagenum=26), checked 2026-10-30
- illagomaggiore.it (https://www.illagomaggiore.it/eventi/?lang=fr), checked 2026-10-30
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25