Stresa

Travel Guide
Borromeo Palace and Garden showing a small town or village, a river or creek and heritage elements
Discovering the shores of Lake Maggiore has to start with a holiday in Stresa, the famous town overlooking the Borromeo Gulf.

Stresa was founded before the year one thousand, when it was a small community of fishermen and farmers. Only during the subsequent rule by the Milanese patrician family of the Borromeos did the works to which Stresa owes its fame and modern structure begin, including construction of the famous palaces and gardens on Isola Bellaand Isola Madre. Its fame as a tourist destination began in the nineteenth century, when the luxurious aristocratic villas were built, including Villa Pallavicinoand Villa Vignolo. Then, thanks to the construction of the London-Paris-Milan railway line, travellers and writers from all over Europe began to discover the beauty of Stresa and Lake Maggiore, strengthening its international reputation.

Holidays in Stresa are the perfect opportunity to take a wonderful relaxing and cultural break in a charming setting that evokes the atmosphere of the Belle Epoque. The three Borromean Islands, quickly accessible from Stresa, attract lovers of art, history and botany. Isola Bella and Isola Madre are enriched by opulent palaces and rare plant gardens where peacocks, parrots and pheasants roam free in an exotic atmosphere reminiscent of distant lands. Isola dei Pescatori, however, is known for the simplicity of the old village, considered one of the most picturesque places on the Lake Maggiore. Villa Pallavicino, a typical mid-nineteenth century building, is renowned for its zoo, a large 20 -hectare park that provides a habitat for a large population of local flora and fauna.

Stresa’s elegant and refined lake front offers a spectacular view of the Borromeo Gulf. Walking along the lakeside, your eyes will be drawn to the Art Nouveau hotels and the three Borromean Islands. For lovers of landscapes and photography, the top of Mount Mottarone Stresa, overlooking the valley, is unmissable. A privileged vantage point, Mottarone is known as the mountain of the two lakes, for its strategic position between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.

Stresa is the starting point for other unforgettable excursions along the lakeside. To the north you can quickly reach the town of Pallanza, a quiet tourist centre, and Verbania, home to Villa Taranto, known around the world for its wonderful garden full of flowers and rare plants. Moving further up the lake you'll come to the village of Cannero Riviera, appreciated for its sunny position and famous for growing lemons. Especially impressive in this area are the ancient fortifications, the famous Castles of Cannero, located on a small archipelago of three islands facing the town. Moving southwards, you’ll reach the town of Arona, opposite the Rocca d'Angera, a fully preserved medieval building which houses the original Museum of Dolls and Toys. On the opposite lakeside to Stresa, perched on the sheer rock at one of the deepest points of Lake Maggiore, stands the Hermitage of Santa Caterina, a monastic complex of three buildings dating back to the thirteenth century.

Don’t waste time: check out our holiday packages to Stresa and get ready for a brand new, unforgettable adventure!

Hotel La Palma
Hotel La Palma
4 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 33, Stresa, VB
The price is S$280 per night from 14 May to 15 May
S$280
per night
14 May - 15 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Stresa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (714 reviews)
"What a fabulous hotel! A quiet and relaxing oasis on a beautiful lake. And the staff, particularly Julia at the front desk are extremely welcoming and helpful!!!! Loved sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine and looking at lake or from sky view lounge on roof!!"

Reviewed on 11 May,2024

Hotel La Palma
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
5 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 67, Stresa, VB
The price is S$384 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
S$384
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Stresa. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (980 reviews)
"Old world charm, the rooms are frumpy, not modern, but that's not a negative. The views of the lake are amazing, it is right across the street. Great location and food."

Reviewed on 10 May,2024

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Regina Palace Hotel
Regina Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 29, Stresa, VB
The price is S$352 per night from 19 May to 20 May
S$352
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Stresa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (985 reviews)
"Great stay and great staff. Rooms were a bit noisy as you can hear sounds from the hallway and other adjacent rooms. Besides that, only complaint is they didn’t have a “Do Not Disturb” sign in the room and housekeeping ended up walking in on me while I was asleep, they do start cleaning quite early. ..."

Reviewed on 12 May,2024

Regina Palace Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Antica Stresa
Antica Stresa
Corso Italia 18, Stresa, Provincia del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola
Stay at this apartment in Stresa. Enjoy free WiFi, cable TV channels, and a pillow menu. Popular attractions Stresa Ferry Terminal and Villa Ducale are located ...
Antica Stresa
Nicoletta's Lake View On Stresa Hills
Nicoletta's Lake View On Stresa Hills
via per levo 71/a, Stresa
Stay at this apartment in Stresa. Enjoy free parking, balconies, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Alpinia Botanical Garden and Carciano Ferry Terminal ...
Nicoletta's Lake View On Stresa Hills
Camelia Rosa Stresa
Camelia Rosa Stresa
Stresa
Stay at this apartment in Stresa. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Congressi Palace and Sapori d'Italia, Lago Maggiore are ...
Camelia Rosa Stresa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Stresa

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
21
" "5 - Excellent 72.41379310344827%
4 - Good
6
" "4 - Good 20.689655172413794%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 6.896551724137931%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
3 Oct 2019

Stresa is a picturesque small town with plenty of places to dine, enjoy a gelato or a cocktail. The lakeside promenade is easily walkable and you can enjoy the beauty of the lake and the beautiful frontages of the grand hotels which line the road.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Sep 2019

Going back next year

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
13 Sep 2019

Beautiful lakeside location. Lots of restaurants and little shops. Easy to navigate the lake by boat.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
12 Sep 2019

Somewhat less elegant than I was expecting. Perfectly adequate selection of restaurants but for a seemingly wealthy and affluent area, the town lacked up-market shops. Fine for a couple of days.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
3 Sep 2019

Stresa is a nice enough town, quite small. There is a central part with restaurants and shops, a few massive luxury hotels on the water front. You can get a cable car and a ferry for activities but it’s a pretty quiet town. Good transport links.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Sep 2019

Great spot for exploring the lake. We went to the Villa Taranto Gardens, would like to come back again when the rhododendron and camellia are in full bloom. We took the train to Milan, €16 return. Take a visit to the cathedral & the shops.