This calm town on Lake Maggiore has pink granite quarries that supplied stone for Milan's cathedral. Its waterfront promenade leads to Belle Époque villas and cafes.
Baveno sits along Lake Maggiore's western shore in northern Italy, where 5,000 residents live among grand 19th-century villas and waterfront gardens. From the harbor, boats depart to the Borromean Islands, while inland, pink granite quarries that once supplied Milan Cathedral still operate today. You'll find cafes and shops in the town center, near a medieval church complex with 16th-century frescoes.
Exploring the Borromean Islands
From Baveno's harbor, take a 10-minute boat ride to explore three distinct islands. Isola Bella's baroque palace contains 17th-century art collections and underground grottoes. In the terraced gardens of Isola Madre, white peacocks walk among rare plants and flowering trees. Stop at Isola dei Pescatori for lunch - its small restaurants serve fresh lake fish in outdoor settings along the water.
Pink Granite and the Granum Museum
The Granum Museum documents the town's granite industry through interactive displays and original equipment. You'll see the tools quarry workers used since the 1500s and learn how they moved massive stone blocks from the mountainside to construction sites across Europe. The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM, with guided tours available in English.
Historic Villas and Gardens
A waterfront path connects several 19th-century villas. Villa Fedora, home to composer Umberto Giordano from 1904 to 1924, welcomes visitors to its gardens and hosts classical concerts each July. The turreted Villa Henfrey-Branca looks like an English castle, with a small Protestant church in its grounds. Next door, Villa Barberis incorporates Asian design elements, including pagoda-style roofs and oriental gardens.
The Church Complex
Climb the stone steps to reach the Romanesque church of Santi Gervasio and Protasio, built in 1133. Inside, recently restored frescoes depict biblical scenes, while Roman inscriptions line the walls. The complex includes a 35-meter bell tower from 1075 and an octagonal baptistery. In the baptistery, 12 frescoes from the 1500s illustrate John the Baptist's life. The surrounding arcade contains painted Stations of the Cross.
Getting to Baveno
Direct trains connect Milano Porta Garibaldi station to Baveno in 90 minutes. By car, take the A26 motorway toward Gravellona Toce and exit at Carpugnino. The Alibus shuttle runs from Milan Malpensa airport hourly, with a journey time of about 60 minutes. Regular buses also operate from Milan's Lampugnano station throughout the day.
