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Borromean Islands

Borromean Islands: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Stresa: 3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

1. From Stresa: 3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

Discover the beautiful Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands on this hop-on hop-off boat tour. Cruise from Stresa to the 3 Borromean Islands, Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Madre, and choose to include stops at 2 or all 3 of the islands. After making your way to the meeting point, board the modern boat and set off to Lake Maggiore's most characteristic places. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the lake as you go. As you cruise, hear fascinating facts about the sights with a geolocalized audio guide in English and Italian. Embark on a boat trip from Stresa Piazza Marconi and discover three Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore. First, visit Isola Madre which is the farthest island from Stresa. Explore the island, which is famous for its botanical gardens. See the free-living birdlife and admire the peacocks and pheasants who stroll calmly through the gardens. Discover the unique plants of the island, such as the famous Cashmere tree and Bougainville. You can also visit the villa with its puppet collection. Next, visit Isola dei Pescatori the only one of the Borromean Islands inhabited all year round. Explore its many charming alleys and stop to taste the typical dishes of the lake at one of the numerous restaurants. Finish your island tour with a stop at Isola Bella most famous for its palace, splendid caves, and Italian-style gardens. Admire the views from the famous terraces, enjoy some shopping in the elegant boutique stores, or visit the local handicraft market, before returning to Stresa.. Explore the islands' attractions and natural beauty at your own pace.

Baveno: Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour to 3 Borromean Islands

2. Baveno: Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour to 3 Borromean Islands

Visit the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore on a hop-on hop-off style boat tour from Baveno. Hop between the islands of Madre, Bella, and Pescatori, and have time to spend exploring them. Embark your boat and depart from Baveno, sailing into the lake towards your first island. Arrive at Madre Island where you can admire the famous English botanical gardens and Palazzo Borromeo. Leave Madre for Bella Island. Be in awe of its baroque palace, Italian gardens, and 10 terraces that slope towards the lake. Head for Pescatori Island to feel the charming effects of its picturesque fishing village with meandering alleys and multi-story buildings. From Pescatori, conclude your tour with a return to Baveno.

Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella Hop-on Hop-off Boat

3. Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella Hop-on Hop-off Boat

Discovery of the fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori, the only one of the Borromean Islands inhabited all year round. Explore its many charming alleys and stop to taste the typical dishes of the lake at one of the numerous restaurants. Then continue to Isola Bella, the queen of the Borromean Islands, where, in addition to the beautiful ancient village full of typical craft shops, you can decide to visit the Palazzo Borromeo with its wonderful gardens and peacocks ready to be photographed.

Lake Maggiore: Borromean Islands Tickets with Boat Transfer

4. Lake Maggiore: Borromean Islands Tickets with Boat Transfer

Discover Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori with a hop-on hop-off speedboat shuttle from Stresa, Lake Maggiore. Enter the islands with entry included in your shuttle ticket and spend time exploring at your leisure. Choose how many islands you want to visit. Start your day by meeting the skipper and boarding the boat in Stresa. Enjoy scenic mountain panoramas on a short trip across calm waters to the islands. Hop off at your chosen island (entry tickets depend on the option booked) and immediately start exploring. Spend time getting to know the islands at your own pace. See highlights like the Baroque-style Palazzo Borromeo museum and its adjoining grounds with ten terraced gardens. Marvel at the fountains, statues, and architecture of the gardens. Finish your trip with a return boat transfer back to Stresa.

Lake Maggiore: luxury 1-Day private experience

5. Lake Maggiore: luxury 1-Day private experience

Lake Maggiore: luxury 1-Day private guided cruise. Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori and Santa Caterina Approximate departure time 10:30 am Your private guide will meet you at your hotel in Stresa, Baveno or Verbania, or at your arrival point at Lake Maggiore. You will then reach the private cruise landing stage on foot, from where you will start your unforgettable and exclusive Lake Maggiore experience. First stop on Isola Bella for a tailored made guided tour of the worldly renown Borromeo Palace and botanical gardens. After the visit you will enjoy a gourmet 3 courses lunch at the upscale Elvezia restaurant on Isola Bella. A balcony table is reserved for Get your Guide customers as well as a special treat for each of our preferred guests. After Lunch you will sail to the other side of the lake, till the Santa Caterina del Sasso monastery. A medieval architectural jewel built on a cliff overlooking the lake; here, thanks to your guide, you will live a plunge in the mystical atmosphere of the monastery . ... your private boat will then bring you to the charming Isola dei Pescatori for a guided stroll along the historical alleys. The day ends with a romantic sunset cruise and an excellent aperitif on board: italian sparkling wine and gourmet finger food together with breathtaking landscape will give you longlasting memories. Should you wish to swim in the lake waters, please ask the captain. You may stop anywhere enroute for a cool dip! The cruise will end at the landing stage closest to your hotel or to your pick-up point, should you stay elsewhere than Stresa, Baveno or Verbania. Approximate arrival time 19:30 / 7:30pm

Stresa: Madre & Bella Borromean Islands Boat Trip

6. Stresa: Madre & Bella Borromean Islands Boat Trip

Embark on a boat trip from Stresa and discover two of the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore. First, visit Isola Madre which is the farthest island from Stresa. Explore the island which is famous for its botanical gardens. See the free-living birdlife and admire the peacocks and pheasants who stroll calmly through the gardens. Discover the unique plants of the island, such as the famous Cashmere tree. You can also visit the villa with its puppet collection. Next, continue the tour to Isola Bella, most famous for its palace, splendid caves, and Italian-style gardens. Admire the views from the famous terraces, enjoy some shopping in the elegant boutique stores, or visit the local handicraft market, before returning to Stresa.

From Stresa: Isola Bella Return Boat Transfer

7. From Stresa: Isola Bella Return Boat Transfer

Get stunning views of Lake Maggiore and the small islands and islets of the Borromean Islands on an exclusive boat service between Stresa and Isola Bella. Travel at your own pace and according to your preferred schedule. Leave the boat at any of the islands and hop back on the next boat when you want to continue. Relax aboard the modern vessels as they ferry you between the most characteristic places on Lake Maggiore. Hop-off at the romantic island of Isola Bella to visit the Palace Museum and its Italianate gardens at your own expense. Go for a stroll around the fishing village on the other side of the tiny island. Cross back to Stresa, where you can journey up into the hills to visit the botanical gardens of the Giardino Botanico Alpinia at leisure. 

From Stresa: 3 Borromean Islands Private Boat Tour

8. From Stresa: 3 Borromean Islands Private Boat Tour

Avoid the restrictive schedules of most sightseeing tours and discover the beauty of Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands at your own pace. Avail of an exclusive private boat service between Stresa and the islands of Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre. Relax aboard the comfortable boats as you take in the stunning views of the lake. Jump off at Isola Bella to visit the summer palace of Count Vitaliano VI. Stroll around the gardens of Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Madre. Find a nice spot for lunch in the fishing village on Isola dei Pescatori, the only island of the archipelago still inhabited.

From Stresa: 2 Borromean Islands Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

9. From Stresa: 2 Borromean Islands Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

Discover the beautiful Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands on this hop-on hop-off boat tour. Cruise from Stresa to 2 of the Borromean Islands, either Isola Madre and Isola Bella, or Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella. After making your way to the meeting point, board the modern boat and set off to Lake Maggiore's most characteristic places. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the lake as you go. As you cruise, hear fascinating facts about the sights with a geolocalized audio guide in English and Italian. When the boat arrives at each island, simply hop off the boat and hop back on the next boat when you want to continue your tour. Explore the islands' attractions and natural beauty at your own pace. Isola Madre and Isola Bella Embark on a boat trip from Stresa Piazza Marconi and discover the two most visited Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore. First, visit Isola Madre which is the farthest island from Stresa. Explore the island, which is famous for its botanical gardens. See the free-living birdlife and admire the peacocks and pheasants who stroll calmly through the gardens. Discover the unique plants of the island, such as the famous Cashmere tree and Bougainville. You can also visit the villa with its puppet collection. Next, visit Isola Bella most famous for its palace, splendid caves, and Italian-style gardens, before returning to Stresa. Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella First, visit Isola dei Pescatori, the only one of the Borromean Islands inhabited all year round. Explore its many charming alleys and stop to taste the typical dishes of the lake at one of the numerous restaurants. Finish your island tour with a stop at Isola Bella most famous for its palace, splendid caves, and Italian-style gardens. Admire the views from the famous terraces, enjoy some shopping in the elegant boutique stores, or visit the local handicraft market, before returning to Stresa.

Lake Maggiore: Gardens, Lake Cruise, & Gourmet Food Tasting

10. Lake Maggiore: Gardens, Lake Cruise, & Gourmet Food Tasting

1-day Hop-on / hop-off ferry ticket between Stresa and Villa Taranto or Intra. Possible embarcation points are: Stresa, Carciano, Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori, Baveno, Pallanza, Villa Taranto and Intra. Entry ticket to the Villa Taranto botanical gardens and gourmet food and wine tasting at the famous local food store and restaurant La Casera in Verbania Intra. After a lake cruise on a Lake Maggiore shipping company ferry, you will discover the beauty and armony of Villa Taranto botanical gardens. You may stop and visit the borromean islands enroute (palace and gardens entrance ticket not included). After visiting the Villa Taranto gardens a 500m walk will bring you to Verbania Intra, where you will have your aperitivo, brunch or lunch at the gourmet food store and restaurant La Casera (11am until 4pm). You will taste the best cheeses and cold cuts this region has to offer, accompanied by quality wines. You may arrange the food & wine tasting at your leisure, during the restaurant opening hours. We suggest to book your food tasting between 11am and 4pm: please check the last ferry departure time from Intra, in order to return to your original embarcation point. A special treat is also reserved for get your guide customers!!

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What people are saying about Borromean Islands

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 1,663 reviews

Everything is fine. The meeting point is on the lake and there is a yellow sail to recognize. They are very punctual, I recommend to be from boarding at least 5 minutes before to ensure your seat. I recommend going around all 3 islands because the fishermen's island is tiny and in 30 minutes you can go around. Spectacular beautiful island

Wonderful experience- highly recommend! Easy to hop off the boat to the islands & spend as much time as you like exploring and then hop back on as a boat comes every hour on the hour to the same drop off location.

A little hard to find the meeting location, it’s a light yellow flag on the water front. Boats were frequent and easy to hop on and off! Well worth It, we loved the islands

booked a family of 8, for isola madre, pescatore and bella. beautiful views and boat rides on time and very efficient. A must do !

The information was very good and you didn't have to search long. Top!