This elegant resort town on Lake Maggiore has grand 19th-century hotels and a waterfront promenade. From here, boats sail to the three Borromean Islands.
Stresa sits on the western shore of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Art Nouveau hotels like the Grand Hotel des Îles Borromées line the waterfront promenade. From the town's cafes, you can watch boats shuttle to the Borromean Islands, where the 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo rises above terraced gardens. The Alps create a dramatic backdrop across the water.
Getting to Stresa
You can reach Stresa in 80 minutes by train from Milan, making it an easy day trip or weekend destination. The closest airport is Milan Malpensa, a 50-minute drive away. Regular ferries connect the town's two docks to other lake destinations and the Borromean Islands.
Historical Background
Stresa began as a fishing village in 998 AD. When the Simplon rail tunnel opened in 1906, wealthy tourists started arriving, leading local developers to build several luxury hotels. The weekly market, which started in the 14th century, continues every Friday morning.
The Borromean Islands
Three islands make up this archipelago: Isola Bella with its 17th-century palace and Italian gardens, Isola Madre with its botanical collection and wandering peacocks, and Isola dei Pescatori, a small fishing village with restaurants serving lake perch and trout. The boats to the islands run every 30 minutes during summer from Stresa's main pier.
Along the Waterfront
The 1.5-kilometer lakeside promenade stretches from central Stresa to Carciano, passing by 19th-century hotels and cafes. The Grand Hotel des Îles Borromées, built in 1861, maintains its original Art Nouveau design with crystal chandeliers and period furniture. Ernest Hemingway stayed here in what is now the hotel's largest suite at 200 square meters.
Food and Drinks
Restaurants serve Piedmontese specialties like risotto al Barolo and vitello tonnato alongside fresh lake fish. At Taverna del Pappagallo, you can dine on their vine-covered patio, while L'Idrovolante by the Carciano pier serves meals right by the water. For gelato, walk to K2 on Via Anna Maria Bolongaro, known for its pistachio and dark chocolate flavors.
When to Visit
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) bring mild temperatures and fewer tourists. Summer sees the most visitors and hosts the Stresa Festival, with classical and jazz performances from mid-July to early September. Winter temperatures drop but the town remains open with reduced services.
Day Trips
The cable car to Monte Mottarone (reopening in 2025) will take you to a height of 1,491 meters with views of seven lakes and the Alps. Milan lies 90 kilometers south, while the Swiss border is less than an hour north. At Villa Pallavicino, you can walk through botanical gardens and see the zoological park between Stresa and Belgirate.
