Manuela’s guidebook
Sightseeing
This is Santa Caterina del Sasso hermitage carved in the rock. It is a beautiful place on Lake Maggiore. You can get there by boat or by car. You will park on top of the mountain and walk the many steps down to the lake (or simply take the elevator). It is run by monks and there is a monastery and a church with the remains of the hermit.
259 locals recommend
Santa Caterina del Sasso
13 Via Santa CaterinaThis is Santa Caterina del Sasso hermitage carved in the rock. It is a beautiful place on Lake Maggiore. You can get there by boat or by car. You will park on top of the mountain and walk the many steps down to the lake (or simply take the elevator). It is run by monks and there is a monastery and a church with the remains of the hermit.
There are 3 small island worth visiting across from the town of Stresa. They are called Isole Borromeo, owned by a noble family from Milan called Borromeo. Isola Pescatori or Isola Superiore is the smallest one of the 3 and there are many restaurants. I would suggest you to have lunch there. Isola Bella has a beautiful palace with a magical botanic garden. It is a must see. Isola Madre also has a palace and a botanic garden.
311 locals recommend
Borromean Islands
There are 3 small island worth visiting across from the town of Stresa. They are called Isole Borromeo, owned by a noble family from Milan called Borromeo. Isola Pescatori or Isola Superiore is the smallest one of the 3 and there are many restaurants. I would suggest you to have lunch there. Isola Bella has a beautiful palace with a magical botanic garden. It is a must see. Isola Madre also has a palace and a botanic garden.
Laveno Mombello is a small town on Lake Maggiore. You can drive or even take a train from the apartment. From Laveno you can take a boat and reach every destination. Laveno itself is very cute and it has many coffee shops and restaurants. There is also a cablecar that will take you on top of a mountain where people paraglide. The view is magnificent and there is also a restaurant with a terrace right on top. In summer it is open until late at night.
61 locals recommend
Laveno-Mombello
Laveno Mombello is a small town on Lake Maggiore. You can drive or even take a train from the apartment. From Laveno you can take a boat and reach every destination. Laveno itself is very cute and it has many coffee shops and restaurants. There is also a cablecar that will take you on top of a mountain where people paraglide. The view is magnificent and there is also a restaurant with a terrace right on top. In summer it is open until late at night.
Milano is a big city and there is a lot to do and see. Take a train early in the morning and make sure you get an early (at least 2 weeks) reservation for the Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci if you want to see it.
557 locals recommend
Milan
Milano is a big city and there is a lot to do and see. Take a train early in the morning and make sure you get an early (at least 2 weeks) reservation for the Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci if you want to see it.
This is a UNESCO site and you can actually see it from one of the bedrooms of the apartment. It is a small historical village on top of a mountain. No cars are allowed and it is a magical and secluded atmosphere with incredible views.
7 locals recommend
Santa Maria del Monte
This is a UNESCO site and you can actually see it from one of the bedrooms of the apartment. It is a small historical village on top of a mountain. No cars are allowed and it is a magical and secluded atmosphere with incredible views.
This castle offers beautiful views and has the biggest doll museum I have ever seen and some historical rooms.
113 locals recommend
Rocca Di Angera
This castle offers beautiful views and has the biggest doll museum I have ever seen and some historical rooms.
Orta San Giulio
A 45 minute drive, but really cute town by the Orta Lake
Many little restaurants are by this lake. You can unwind for the afternoon or the day, eat a gelato and swim. It is 2 miles from the house.
41 locals recommend
Lago di Monate
Many little restaurants are by this lake. You can unwind for the afternoon or the day, eat a gelato and swim. It is 2 miles from the house.
Perfect location for a walk, shopping, and eating. Go inside the statue of San Carlo for a one of a kind experience.
192 locals recommend
Arona
Perfect location for a walk, shopping, and eating. Go inside the statue of San Carlo for a one of a kind experience.
Food scene
You will need a reservation for this sea food restaurant at least a week in advance. It is a popular place with amazing food. The town where this restaurant is located is called Lisanza.
MAREMIO
40 Via AngeraYou will need a reservation for this sea food restaurant at least a week in advance. It is a popular place with amazing food. The town where this restaurant is located is called Lisanza.
La Scuderia is the restaurant of Villa Borghi Spa. It is a restored horse stable that now serves 30 different types of pizzas and other Italian food. The food is good and the place is very comfortable.
Wellness and Spa "Il Borghi" - Villa Borghi
1 Piazza BorghiLa Scuderia is the restaurant of Villa Borghi Spa. It is a restored horse stable that now serves 30 different types of pizzas and other Italian food. The food is good and the place is very comfortable.
Peperosa | Pizzeria & Griglieria
21 Via PiaveIf you like pizza and meat, this is a local favorite
This restaurant specializes in local food and fish from the lakes. Cesarino loves to cook and has a decent wine list.
Cesarino
1861 Via LabienaThis restaurant specializes in local food and fish from the lakes. Cesarino loves to cook and has a decent wine list.
Very special restaurant owned by one of the Master Chefs of Italy Antonino Cannavacciuolo. The restaurant is a 2 star Michelin. Check the menu before you go and get a reservation. The town of Orta is also very beautiful. 45 minutes drive.
27 locals recommend
Villa Crespi
18 Via Giuseppe FavaVery special restaurant owned by one of the Master Chefs of Italy Antonino Cannavacciuolo. The restaurant is a 2 star Michelin. Check the menu before you go and get a reservation. The town of Orta is also very beautiful. 45 minutes drive.
IL Sole Di Ranco
5 Piazza VeneziaGreat food, great wine, beautiful lake view, and a 20 minute drive.
Follia Di Grano
20 Via Guglielmo MarconiSmall place with excellent food, just a walking distance from the apartment
LisanzaLake
Via Al LagoSpritz by the lake and easy dinner. There is also a DJ in the summer evenings
The food is good, very nice ambiance mainly in summer and the wine list is also good
6 locals recommend
Ristorante e Pizzeria Ninfea
310 Via MognoThe food is good, very nice ambiance mainly in summer and the wine list is also good
Spa
Relax in Villa Borghi Spa. You can enter the spa and pay by the hour or book a treatment. It is a walking distance from the condo.
Wellness and Spa "Il Borghi" - Villa Borghi
1 Piazza BorghiRelax in Villa Borghi Spa. You can enter the spa and pay by the hour or book a treatment. It is a walking distance from the condo.
Shopping
Mazzucchelli Calzature
2 Via TomasettoHuge selection of shoes.
The city of Varese is not only good for shopping, but it has one of the most interesting gardens of the area that is also the city hall. Enjoy an afternoon shopping trip and a walk in the gardens
71 locals recommend
Varese
The city of Varese is not only good for shopping, but it has one of the most interesting gardens of the area that is also the city hall. Enjoy an afternoon shopping trip and a walk in the gardens
Sport
This is the lake where the house is. You can walk to it. There is a bike trail all around the lake for about 12 miles that connects also to another longer (22 miles) bike trail around Varese Lake. You can rest bikes at Hotel Residence Montelago by Ternate park
19 locals recommend
Lago di Comabbio
Viale RepubblicaThis is the lake where the house is. You can walk to it. There is a bike trail all around the lake for about 12 miles that connects also to another longer (22 miles) bike trail around Varese Lake. You can rest bikes at Hotel Residence Montelago by Ternate park
Forte di Orino
Nice hike with great views of the area
weFly Laveno
1 Via CittiglioI have never done this, but it is popular here
City advice
Getting around
Take the train to Milano
The traffic in Milan can be difficult, just take the train and the subway system
Getting around
You need a car to go and explore the Lake District
You can have an easy afternoon access to the lake from Laveno by train, but beware that the trains are not very often and you need to be well planned. If you want to explore the area easily please rent a car.