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Lake Maggiore, Italy & Switzerland

Lake Maggiore, also known as Verbano, is Italy’s second largest lake. Although not quite as popular as the well-known Lake Como, the beautifully romantic Lake Maggiore has charms all of its own and beckons travelers from all over the world. Italy is not the only country that has a claim to Lake Maggiore; the northern tip of this spectacular lake makes its home in Ticino, Switzerland, while…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Maggiore! Article topics include:

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    • All About Lake Maggiore, Italy / Switzerland

    Lake Locations: Italy - Lombardy Region, Italy - Piedmont Region, Italy - Switzerland - Ticino Region, Switzerland -

    Lake Maggiore, also known as Verbano, is Italy’s second largest lake. Although not quite as popular as the well-known Lake Como, the beautifully romantic Lake Maggiore has charms all of its own and beckons travelers from all over the world. Italy is not the only country that has a claim to Lake Maggiore; the northern tip of this spectacular lake makes its home in Ticino, Switzerland, while the rest of the lake resides in two regions of Italy, the Lombardy and the Piedmont.

    The glacier-formed lake is nestled in the foothills of the Alps. On a clear day lake visitors on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore may spot the snow-capped majestic Monte Rosa which has 10 peaks, with four of the peaks counted among the highest in the Alps. The mild Mediterranean-like climate of Lake Maggiore enables beautiful gardens to grow and features rare and exotic plants. A great place to view these beautiful gardens is on the Borromeo Islands. The Borromeo Islands were named after the Borromeo family who still owns some of the islands after hundreds of years. The beautiful castle-like homes built on the islands entice visitors to take one of the tour boats to explore the picturesque settings. The Borromeo Islands consist of Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and the Isola Pescatori. Isola Bella, known in English as the Beautiful Island, features a baroque style castle and terraced gardens. Isola Madre or Mother Island is the largest of the islands and is the residence of the Borromeo estate. While exploring the beautiful gardens of the Mother Island, it is not uncommon to catch a glimpse of peacocks, parrots or pheasants. Isola Pescatori, also known as Fisherman’s Island, is still inhabited by working fishermen and their families. During a couple weeks in the summer a flag is hoisted to announce that the Borromeo family is on Isola Pescatori to enjoy some time fishing.

    After visiting the Borromeo Islands, Lake Maggiore visitors can take a boat from the town of Stresa to the eastern shores of the lake to a place called Santa Caterina del Sasso. Dating back to the 13th century the incredible architecture intrigues visitors due to the fact the building clings to the steep cliffs of Sasso Ballaro. Once a hermitage, the palace-like structure is now used for classical concerts.

    On the western side of Lake Maggiore, known as the Piedmont, visitors will find two Natural Reserves, the Cane Reservation of Dormelletto, and the Fondotoce Reservation. Both Natural Reserves offer habitats for many wildlife and bird species, including swans and ducks. Also in the Piedmont, lake visitors will find the National Park of Val Grande which offers a beautiful area for naturalists to enjoy the many species of plants and animals, some of which are rare.

    With so much to see and do, visitors may want to take some time to enjoy the refreshing waters of Lake Maggiore. Swimming, sailing, wake-boarding, water skiing and scuba diving are some of the water sports Lake Maggiore’s visitors may enjoy. Off-water activities include mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, and bungee jumping. Golf is also popular with award-winning greens and exquisite settings.

    When looking for sleeping accommodations, Lake Maggiore visitors will find numerous places to stay that meet a wide variety of tastes, including camping, resorts and vacation rentals. Lake Maggiore visitors who fall in love with the culture and beauty of northern Italy or southern Switzerland may want to find a place to call home. Real estate along the shores of Lake Maggiore is abundant, and can be purchased as summer homes or as permanent residences.

    While vacationing at Lake Maggiore, visitors can enjoy the culture as well as the culinary arts all around them. Museums, fine dining, art galleries and little villages that transport visitors back in time are all just a short drive or walk from the lake’s shores. The beauty and enchanting view of Lake Maggiore will leave visitors wanting to come back for more. The romantic setting will leave couples spellbound as they enjoy their time visiting grand homes and the magnificent gardens.

    Things to Do at Lake Maggiore

    These are some activities in the Lake Maggiore, Italy / Switzerland area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Water Skiing
    • Scuba Diving
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • National Park
    • Museum
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Maggiore

    If you’re considering a Lake Maggiore lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Maggiore Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Maggiore lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Maggiore Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 52,510 acres

    Shoreline Length: 93 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 633 feet

    Average Depth: 582 feet

    Maximum Depth: 1,220 feet

    Water Volume: 29,996,388 acre-feet

    Water Residence Time: 4 years

    Drainage Area: 2,548 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Oligo-mesotrophic

    Lake Maggiore Map

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