Lakes in Lombardy: The 4 most famous lakes and places to visit

Lake Major

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Also called Verbano, Lake Maggiore è divided between Piedmont, Lombardy and the district of Locarno (Switzerland) and is the second largest lake in Italy. È particularly famous for its gardens and the Borromean Islands, shown in photo.

Let's discover them together.

The Borromean Islands as seen from above

Best-locations;

Locarno

The only municipality on Swiss territory, Locarno è famous for its Mediterranean microclimate that makes it the warmest city in Switzerland. The Piazza Grande è the centerpiece of the old town, rich in ancient buildings. In addition to its architectural beauty, Locarno è is also remembered for hosting the famous film festival each year, which is held right on the Piazza Grande.

Piazza Grande in Locarno

Verbania

Verbania è the largest urban center among those bordering Lake Maggiore. Thanks to the charming presence of numerous parks and villas, è it has been nicknamed "The Garden of Lake Maggiore". Among its attractions the most ù popular è undoubtedly Villa Taranto, with its beautiful botanical gardens enriched with plants and flowers from all over the world.

The botanical gardens of Villa Taranto in Verbania

Stresa

Stresa è perhaps the most famous resort on Lake Maggiore, not only for its monuments but also for the events it hosts each year. Beautiful are the gardens and parks full of colorful plants and flowers. Main attractions are the Villa Pallavicino and of course the wonderful Borromean Islands, easily reached by ferry from the port of Stresa.

The Park of Villa Pallavicino in Stresa

Arona

Arona è one of the mostù beautiful towns of the lower lake. Obligatory stop è certainly the visit to the Sancarlone, the colossal statue (height 35.1o m) of St. Charles Borromeo, born in this townà.

Sancarlone of Arona

Angera

On the Lombard side we find the romantic resort of Angera, dominated from above by the Rocca Borromea, by far one of the most beautiful attractions on Lake Maggiore. From the top of this fortification you can enjoy a splendid panorama overlooking the waters of the lake and Arona opposite. The interior of the castle is no less impressive either, with its frescoed rooms full of historical relics.

The Borromean Fortress overlooking Angera

Luino

Rising up the western shore of the lake, more precisely along the stretch called Costa Fiorita, a few steps from the Swiss border we find Luino, an elegant lakeside town famous for hosting every Wednesday the historic International Market that has been attracting tourists and shoppers from all over for 550 years. Also worthy of attention is the Art Nouveau-style Palazzo Verbania and the splendid lakefront that reaches almost 2 km in length.

Palazzo Verbania

Recommended Trips

1. Visit to the Borromean Islands (by ferry from Stresa)

If you are in Stresa, you cannot fail to take a ferry that will take you to the Isole Borromee, comprising the'Isola Madre, the'Isola Bella, the'Isola dei Pescatori, the'Isolino di San Giovanni and the Scoglio della Malghera. The first three islands can be visited and offer truly enchanting landscapes: the respective palaces present on Isola Madre and Isola Bella, both equipped with an astonishing garden, are marvelous; on Isola dei Pescatori, the only permanently inhabited island, it is possible to walk through the picturesque alleys that crisscross its small center.

The'enchanting garden of Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella

2. Trip to Lake Mergozzo

This small lake is a stone's throw from Lake Maggiore and its clear waters, among the cleanest in the Alps, are a favorite destination for water sports enthusiasts. The town of the same name that is mirrored on its shores è a beautiful hamlet characterized by stone houses leaning against each other. Symbol of the town è the centuries-old elm tree that dominates the central square.

The small village of Mergozzo

3. Trekking on Mottarone (from Stresa)

Staying in Stresa, another highly recommended destination è Mount Mottarone (1'492 m). Placed halfway between Lake Maggiore and Lake d'Orta, from its summit you can see a fantastic 360° view that allows you to see the Maritime Alps, the great Alpine peaks such as Monviso and Monte Rosa, the Po Valley and the unparalleled scenery of the Seven Lakes (Orta, Maggiore, Mergozzo, Biandronno, Varese, Monate, Comabbio).

In addition to being an important winter ski center, Mottarone è also perfect for those who love to trek: in fact, there are many trails that can be walked. We also remember the beautiful Giardini Alpinia located in Alpino, a hamlet of Stresa on the slopes of the mountain.

An aerial view of Mottarone and Lake Maggiore

4. Visit to the'Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso (Leggiuno)

Turning to the Lombard shore, last recommended trip to Lake Maggiore è a visit to the'Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso, in Leggiuno, a pleasant lakeside town in the province of Varese. The è hermitage is a monastery raised on a wall of raw rock, and it is precisely this position that makes it an extremely picturesque place from which it is possible to enjoy a splendid view of Lake Maggiore.

The'hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

How to get there

Finally, some logistical information. For those who want to reach the lake by car, as far as the Piedmont side is concerned, they can take the A26 highway to Verbania, and then continue with state road 34 that goes to Locarno; for the Lombard side to skirt Verbano è provincial road 69 that goes from Sesto Calende to Luino.

Turning instead to transportation by train both banks are well connected: on the western side there è the R23 Domodossola-Arona-Gallarate-Milan line, while on the eastern bank we have the Sesto Calende-Laveno line, the S30 Cadenazzo-Luino-Gallarate line (Luino è then also reachable from Milan via the R21 Luino-Gallarate-Milan line). Finally, one can reach Locarno via the R80 Locarno-Milano Centrale cross-border line.

Lake Como

Lake Como, also called Lario, è the deepest lake in Italy and the third largest. The basin è divided into three branches: to the north there è the Colico basin which then intersects into the two famous branches of Como and Lecco. A favored destination of the rich and noble since Roman times, Lake Como è is dotted with numerous prestigious villas that enhance its international fame.

The village of Cernobbio seen from the waters of Lake Como

Best-locality;

Menaggio

Starting from the western branch of the lake, our first stop è Menaggio with its Piazza Garibaldi as its center. But the jewel in the crown of this town è probably its tree-lined lakefront overlooked by numerous stately villas. Another noteworthy attraction è the elegant Villa Mylius Vigoni, host among others of the German-Italian Center for European Dialogue.

Menaggio view from the lake

Cernobbio

Cernobbio is located just a stone's throw from Como and è famous especially for its beautiful villas including Villa Erba, an important conference center, the 16th century Villa Este, now a luxurious hotel, Villa Bernasconi, in Art Nouveau style, and Villa Pizzo. The center, with the beautiful Piazza Risorgimento, and the lakefront are also ideal for weekend walks.

Villa Erba in Cernobbio

Como

Cityà clearly the most important of the lake, to which among other things it gives its name, Como could not be missed. There are so many beauties that the city offers: the cathedral, considered one of the most beautiful monuments in northern Italy, Palazzo Broletto, the Tempio Voltiano, the nearby Villa Olmo l'rationalist architecture, the beautiful lakefront are only the main points of interest in the city. Also not to be forgotten is the nearby Brunate, which can be reached from Como by a funicular.

Como with its lakefront and the'imposing cathedral

Bellagio

Bellagio è has always been one of the most beloved Larian resorts even internationally. Set right on the offshoot of Lake Como (an offshoot that can be admired from the vantage point called Punta Spartivento), Bellagio boasts a beautiful old town characterized by romantic little alleys and a lakefront adorned with flowering plants. Worth seeing in Bellagio are the beautiful Villa Serbelloni, currently home to prestigious conventions, and Villa Melzi, equipped with a beautiful garden.

The village of Bellagio

Varenna

Varenna è on the eastern shore of the lake, on the Lecco side. This beautiful village, characterized by narrow alleys and steep stairways, è first and foremost famous for the Passeggiata degli Innamorati, a romantic pedestrian path practically suspended over the water that leads from the pier to the center of town. Another important tourist destination è are the wonderful historic villas and their botanical gardens, such as Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi.

The village of Varenna

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Lecco

Another major city besides Como, Lecco is located at the tip of the eastern branch of the Lario and its name è inextricably linked to Manzoni's celebrated work, I Promessi Sposi. Surrounded by rocky mountains, including the famous Resegone, Lecco offers visitors a delightful lakefront and a pleasant center. Definitely è a tour of the city's various Manzonian sites, such as the Lucia's house in Olate and the borgo di Pescarenico, should also be included on your list of things to do.

The center of Lecco

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Recommended trips

1. Walk or bike on the Lake Como Greenway

For those who love walking, the Greenway è an excellent solution for those who want to admire immersed in nature all the splendor of Lake Como: this route of about 10 km will take you through some of the beauty of the western shore of the Lario. The Greenway starts from Colonno and goes as far as Griante and touches the municipalities of Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra and Tremezzo.

The Greenway Trail in Colonno

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2. Visit to Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello

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We have already seen how Lake Como is rich in enchanting noble residences. Among these, the Villa Carlotta and the Villa del Balbianello are certainly among the most well-known. The first one, which among other things can be admired along the Greenway route, is located in Tremezzina and, in addition to being an architectural gem, it also houses a museum and a beautiful botanical garden inside.

Villa Carlotta

Another enchanting mansion, the Villa Balbianello is located in Lenno and è owned by the FAI. Shrouded in dense vegetation and located on the tip of the Lavedo peninsula, the complex enjoys an extremely scenic view to such an extent that it has become a particularly sought-after location for the film industry.

The wonderful Villa del Balbianello in Lenno

3. Visit to the Castle of Vezio

If you are in Varenna, you can, with a walk of about 30 min, reach the above village of Vezio and its castle of medieval origin, from which è you can enjoy a beautiful view. In addition to this, the fortress also houses a raptor training center thanks to which è it is possible to attend exhibitions on the'ancient art of falconry.

The ruins of Vezio Castle

4. Walk and visit to the Orrido di Bellano and Orrido di Nesso

If you are looking for natural beauty, the shores of Lake Como are full of it. Among the most original and interesting are two orridi (i.e., rocky gorges carved by rivers and streams): that of Bellano and that of Nesso.

While in Nesso you can only admire from afar the cleft in the rock from a pretty little bridge, in Bellano, on the other hand, there è a real path that through footbridges and bridges will lead you to the inside of the rocky ravine: from here è it is possible to admire the work of erosion conducted by the waters of the Pioverna stream over millions of years.

The footbridges that cross the'Orrido di Bellano

5. Trekking on the Sentiero del Viandante

We conclude our trip to Lake Como with the Sentiero del Viandante, a long hiking trail (it takes two or more days to walk it all) suitable for trekking lovers. È divided into four stages: the route starts from Abbadia Lariana and goes all the way to Piantedo via Lierna, Varenna, Dervio and Colico for a total length of about 40 km and allows the traveler to see places of rare beauty, both from a natural and cultural point of view.

Suggestive view from the Wayfarer's Trail

How to get there

The main road connections leading to Lake Como are the A9 highway, which passes through Como, the SS 340 that runs along the entire western shore from Como to the Swiss border, the symmetrical SS 36 that covers the entire eastern shore, and finally the SP 583 that covers the coast of the Larian Triangle (the strip of land between the Lecco and Como branches).

As far as rail connections are concerned, there are several lines that touch the cities of  Lecco and Como (S7, S8 and R7, for Lecco, S11, RE7, R17 for Como, the R18 connects both cities), while only the eastern shore is covered by two rail lines, the RE8 and R13.