15 Lake Maggiore Tours Worth the Time

1.3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,122 reviews · 1 day · from $14Our pick

From Stresa, this one-day boat pass connects you with Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Bella. Spend your time among Isola Madre’s botanical gardens, the fishing island’s lanes and restaurants, and Isola Bella’s palace and terraces. Boat transport is included, but island landing fees and palace or garden admission are extra.

“The hop on hop off boat ride to The Borromean Islands was great. We had ample time to view the islands and the boat service was punctual.”

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2.3 Borromean Islands Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 629 reviews · 1 day · from $17

From Stresa, ride between Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori on a flexible boat service. Spend time at your own pace, with palace and garden tickets sold separately. Expect grand Borromean architecture, an old botanical garden, and a working island village, plus Lake Maggiore views from the water.

“Accueil en français . Petits bateaux typiques avec capitaine parlant français . Rotation toutes les 30 minutes très ponctuelles .”

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3.Baveno: Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour to 3 Borromean Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 306 reviews · from $16

From Baveno, Summer Boats runs a one-day hop-on hop-off service to Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola dei Pescatori. You set your own pace on each island. The boat ride is included, but palace and garden admission is extra, as is a small landing fee.

“I would definitely visit the Borromean Islands again. Very varied so worth seeing all three. Lots of places to eat. I wish I had bought the queen perfume while I was there! Wonderful perfume. Boats amazingly efficient. Booked in advance.”

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4.Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella Hop-on Hop-off Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 298 reviews · 1 day · from $14

Take a one-day hop-on hop-off boat from Stresa to two Borromean Islands. Wander Isola dei Pescatori’s narrow lanes, then explore Isola Bella’s village, shops and, for an extra fee, Palazzo Borromeo and its gardens. The ticket costs $14 per person; island landing fees, palace admission and lunch are extra.

“Schnelle Abfahrt bei Stresa. Etwas Unklarheit wann es Abfahrten an den anderen Inseln gibt. Hier hat eine Rückfrage beim Personal geholfen - wir hatten allerdings hier schon recht lange gewartet. Sonst ein guter Transport und hat trotz Gewitter gut und sicher geklappt.”

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5.1-Day 3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 262 reviews · 4 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $18

Board a shared boat at Piazza Marconi in Stresa and hop between Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Bella at your own pace. The route pairs palaces and gardens with a working island village and lake views. Captains are multilingual, and GPS commentary is available onboard. Palace admission, garden admission, and island landing fees cost extra.

“All was as advertised. We arrived on time however the boat was about 20 minutes late for the initial pick up.”

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6.Isola Bella Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 178 reviews · 1 day · from $9

Travel between Stresa and Isola Bella on a one-day hop-on hop-off boat ticket. Set your own pace on the island, where you can visit the Borromean Palace Museum and gardens for an extra fee, or wander the fishing village. Boats are listed as running every 30 minutes, with multilingual recorded commentary on board.

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7.Madre & Bella Borromean Islands Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 152 reviews · 1 day · from $15

From Stresa, use a day ticket to reach Isola Madre and Isola Bella by boat. Walk among Madre’s botanical plants and free-roaming birds, then explore Bella’s palace, garden terraces, shops, and local handicraft market. The $15 fare covers boat travel, not palace or garden admission; allow extra for entry and island landing fees.

“An incredibly good and interesting tour, delivered with great professionalism. The guide was outstanding and went above and beyond. We traveled as a family with a two-year-old, and everything was perfectly organized. Highly recommended.”

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8.Lake Maggiore: Borromean Islands Tickets with Boat Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 136 reviews · from $75

From Stresa, a hop-on hop-off speedboat links you with Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori, depending on your ticket. Visit at your own pace, with Isola Bella entry included and access to other islands based on the option selected. Onboard commentary, mountain views, and a return boat ride are part of the day.

“très bien, l'heure n'est pas toujours respectée (10 à 15 minutes pas plus) mais comme c'est une belle promenade, il peut il y avoir des surcharges - surtout vers l'heure du repas. Cette remarque va à ceux qui auraient un horaire de transport comme le train ou autres.”

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9.Unique Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · 7 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $167

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Milan to Lake Maggiore, then cruise among its islands and lakeside villas. You’ll have time on Isola dei Pescatori, a visit to Isola Bella and its Borromean Palace and gardens, and free time in Stresa. Guides on past departures have included Salvatore, Carlos and Antonella.

“Isola Bella Palace and surrounding gardens. Salvatore was terrific. Very knowledgeable about the history and geography. Thoroughly enjoyed spending time with him:”

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10.Private Tour of Borromean Islands with Micaela Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) Top rated

Spend about five hours exploring three Borromean Islands with licensed guide Micaela Lucini. Walk Isola dei Pescatori, visit Isola Bella’s Baroque palace and ten-level gardens, then stroll Isola Madre’s botanical garden. The tour is private for up to four people, but admission and private boat transfers cost extra.

“Michaela was an outstanding tour guide, also Alesondro our private boat captain!!! Best and very comprehensive experience!”

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11.3 Borromean Islands Private Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 68 reviews

This is a private boat service between Stresa and three Borromean Islands, not a narrated sightseeing cruise. Choose when to depart, spend time at Isola Bella’s palace, Isola Madre’s gardens and Isola dei Pescatori’s fishing village, then arrange your next boat transfer. Island and palace entrance fees are extra.

“Comfortable way to visit the islands. Is not a boat tour but a private taxi service between the islands! Appointments are kept punctually (the boat always arrived within 5-10 minutes after calling at the agreed place and that is very nice when it is 33 degrees).”

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12.2 Borromean Islands Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 1 day · from $14

From Stresa, take a modern boat to two Borromean Islands, choosing Isola Bella with Isola Madre or Isola dei Pescatori. Hop off to explore, then catch a later boat back. Commentary is available in English and Italian; island admissions and a €0.50-per-island local fee cost extra.

“Parfait! Équipe très professionnelle bilingue et chaleureuse. Je conseille vivement.”

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13.Alpyland Alpine Coaster Ride on Mount Mottarone

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 46 reviews · 1 day · from $7Best value

At Alpyland on Mount Mottarone, you ride a two-seat sled down a 1,200-meter rail track, choosing a brisk run or a slower look at the Alps and seven lakes. The ticket is listed at $7 per person. The ride suits ages 4 and up, subject to a 100-centimeter minimum height, and runs seasonally on a year-round schedule.

“Super activité en famille. Attention elle se mérite grosse montée avant d’y arrivé. Mais cela valait le coup.”

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14.Statua San Carlo admission ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 43 reviews · from $11

Visit the late-17th-century statue of Saint Charles above Arona. Your $11 ticket includes the statue’s interior, the climb to its head, a panoramic terrace, the surrounding park, and the Church of Saint Charles. Expect 60 outdoor steps and 85 steep indoor steps; wear closed shoes and leave large bags behind.

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15.Private Guided Boat Tour of Lake Maggiore’s Borromeo Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.)

Explore Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Islands with private boat transfers and English-speaking guide Micaela Lucini. Choose a shorter outing to Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori, or add Isola Madre’s gardens and villa. You’ll hear about the Borromeo family, see the islands from the water and have time to explore each stop.

“I have travel much around the world, the Borromeo Islands and lake Maggiore are among the 10 most beautiful places I have ever been !”

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