Lake Maggiore: What to See in a Few Hours
Torna indietroLake Maggiore is the Second Largest Lake in Italy
It is surrounded by charming villages that preserve the allure of a past connected to the Belle Époque. In these villages, artists and thinkers loved to gather in literary cafés to discuss and fill long summer days with endless conversations.
- Are you in Milan for business or leisure?
- Have you decided to take a break and enjoy a day at Lake Maggiore?
What to Visit in Arona in a Day
Topics
- What to Visit in Arona in a Day
- Belgirate and Its Villa
- Stresa: The Pearl of Lake Maggiore
- What to See in Stresa in a Few Hours
The historic center of Arona begins at Corso Cavour, a pedestrian area where some of the best shops in Arona are located. Continuing north, you'll reach Piazza del Popolo, which was formerly called Piazza del Mercato, as it served as the site of the local market during the Middle Ages.
In this square, you can find the ancient Palazzo di Giustizia and the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto, which features a replica of the Holy House of Mary of Loreto.
The impressive and unmissable statue of San Carlo stands tall. For centuries, it was the largest statue in the world, reaching thirty-five meters in height, and it is also known as the “Colossus.” Built in the sixteenth century, this bronze masterpiece can be accessed from the inside via a spiral staircase that leads up to the head of the Saint, where you can enjoy a view of Lake Maggiore from his eye.
Belgirate and Its Villa
The next stop after Arona is Belgirate, a small town of medieval origin. Its streets are narrow and charming. The famous Hotel Villa Carlotta is located here, where the author Alessandro Manzoni once stayed.In Belgirate, especially during the spring and summer, you can see sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts in the small bay, as its cove creates favorable winds for these sports.
Stresa: The Pearl of Lake Maggiore
Stresa is the most renowned location on the western shore of Lake Maggiore. This town is famous for its Art Nouveau hotels and a vibrant convention center.From July to August, a music festival called "Stresa Festival" takes place. Among the most luxurious hotels, we remember: Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées, Hotel Villa and Palazzo Aminta, Regina Palace, and Grand Hotel Bristol.
The tourist movement in Stresa originated at the end of the 1800s with the opening of the Simplon Road, which was initiated by Napoleon. It gained further momentum with the inauguration of the railway that crossed the Simplon Tunnel in 1921.
Among the trains that passed through and terminated in Stresa during those years were the Orient Express and the Peninsular Express, which brought illustrious and aristocratic figures from London and Paris heading to Venice or along the Adriatic coast. In 1935, the Treaty of the Stresa Conference was signed in Stresa between Mussolini and the Prime Ministers of France and England in an effort to prevent World War II. Even today, important thinkers and powerful individuals enjoy spending their vacations in this charming area of Lake Maggiore.
What to See in Stresa in a Few Hours
• Villa Paravicino: This is an important botanical park.• Isola Bella: The island features a fascinating Italian Baroque garden that is set on different levels. It also contains an amphitheater and an important palace. Artwork can be found everywhere.
• Isola Pescatori: Its name comes from the fishing activities that took place here in the past. Nowadays, it mainly has restaurants that offer visitors an ancient atmosphere preserved intact.
• Isola Madre: This is the largest of the Verbano islands, and it boasts an important botanical garden with plants and species from all around the world, designed in an English park style. The palace on Isola Madre was opened to the public only in 1978 and is richly furnished with rooms reflecting the style of the 16th and 17th centuries.
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