This calm city in northern Lombardy sits beside Lake Varese, with mountains framing its skyline. Its lakefront paths, art galleries, and historic villas make it a gateway to Como and Maggiore.
Varese, a city in northern Lombardy, sits at the foot of Sacro Monte mountain, 55 kilometers from Milan. The city spreads across seven hills and overlooks Lake Varese. You'll find Villa Panza with its contemporary art collection, the 17th-century Palazzo Estense with its geometric gardens, and the medieval Baptistery of San Giuseppe decorated with 12th-century frescoes.
Getting to Varese
Trains run regularly from Milan's Porta Garibaldi station, taking about an hour to reach Varese. The city lies 30 minutes from Malpensa Airport by car. The A8 motorway connects Varese directly to Milan, while local buses serve the surrounding towns and lakes.
Walking the Sacred Mountain
The Sacro Monte di Varese, a UNESCO World Heritage site, rises above the city with its chain of 14 chapels leading to Santa Maria del Monte village. The 2-kilometer path winds through woods and gardens. Each chapel displays religious artworks and frescoes from the 17th century. From the summit, you can see the Alpine foothills and the surrounding lakes.
Parks and Historic Villas
Palazzo Estense's French-style gardens include symmetrical flower beds and water fountains dating from the 17th century. At Villa Panza, you'll find American contemporary art installations within its 18th-century rooms and a 30,000-square-meter Italian garden. Villa Mirabello, from the late 1600s, houses the city's archaeological museum, displaying Roman artifacts and Bronze Age tools found in the region.
Exploring the Historic Center
Corso Matteotti forms the main artery of Varese's pedestrian zone, connecting several squares including Piazza Podestà and Piazza San Vittore. You can visit the 12th-century Baptistery of San Giuseppe on Wednesdays, Fridays, and the second Sunday of each month to see its medieval frescoes. The bell tower of San Vittore Basilica marks the center of the old town.
Lakes and Natural Areas
A 28-kilometer cycling path circles Lake Varese, located 6 kilometers from the city center. In the middle of the lake, Isolino Virginia holds remains of 5,000-year-old stilt houses, now a UNESCO site. The Campo dei Fiori Regional Park covers 5,000 acres north of the city, with marked hiking trails and an astronomical observatory at 1,226 meters above sea level.
Sports and Local Culture
Cyclists gather for the annual Tre Valli Varesine race each autumn, continuing a tradition that began in 1919. The local basketball team, Pallacanestro Varese, won five European Champions Cups between 1970 and 1979. Today, aerospace company AgustaWestland and electronics manufacturer Bticino maintain factories in the area.
