Lake Maggiore is the quieter, more elegant alternative to Lake Como, and its best tours follow the water: the Borromean Islands off Stresa, the Mottarone viewpoint above them, the gardens of Verbania and the Swiss shore at Locarno. This page compares tours by type, operator and price, rather than repeating accommodation advice. For lake-by-lake context, see our Lake Como vs Lake Maggiore comparison.
Stresa is the main base, with a ferry pier, cable car and train station on the Simplon line from Milan, about an hour away. Most of the tours below run from April to October. Prices are indicative for 2026. Compare with Lake Como tours and Lake Garda tours if you are choosing between the lakes.
Borromean Islands Ferry and Palace Tour
Duration: 4-5 hours | From: approximately 35 per person
Three islands lie off Stresa: Isola Bella, with its baroque palace and ten terraced gardens; Isola Madre, a botanical garden; and Isola dei Pescatori, a fishing village. Navigazione Laghi runs the public ferries, with fares from about €7 one way as of 2026, and palace entry costs about €20 for Isola Bella. Guided tours add commentary and skip-the-line entry. Go early, as day-trippers fill Isola Bella by midday.
Mottarone Cable Car and Alpine Views
Duration: 3-4 hours | From: approximately 30 per person
The cable car from Stresa climbs to the Mottarone summit at 1,491m, with views of Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and, on clear days, the Alps and Monte Rosa. A return ticket costs around €25 as of 2026. At the top, the Alpyland alpine coaster and walking paths offer short activities, and the cable car stops for maintenance, so check the schedule first. Go in the morning for the clearest views.
Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens, Verbania
Duration: 2-3 hours | From: approximately 25 per person
Villa Taranto is a 16-hectare botanical garden on the Verbania shore, founded by a Scottish captain in 1931 and now home to over 20,000 species and varieties. It includes dahlia displays, a Dahlia Valley and sweeping terraces. Entry is around €15 as of 2026. A guided tour helps with the plant stories. Late April and May bring the best tulip and azalea displays.
Lake Orta and Orta San Giulio Day Trip
Duration: 5-6 hours | From: approximately 50 per person
Lake Orta is a small, quiet lake west of Maggiore, with the island of San Giulio and its basilica reached by a short boat. Orta San Giulio itself has cobbled lanes, lake-view cafes and a car-free centre. Day tours from Stresa combine the lake with a Mottarone stop. It is less crowded than the Borromean Islands and good for a gentle day.
Santa Caterina del Sasso and Lake Cruise
Duration: 3 hours | From: approximately 30 per person
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso is a medieval monastery built into a cliff face above the eastern shore. Boat tours from Stresa or Laveno stop at its landing stage, and the walkway runs through a series of frescoed chapels. Entry is by donation. The view back across the lake is one of the best on Maggiore.
Locarno and Swiss Shore Boat Trip
Duration: Full day | From: approximately 65 per person
Boats run from Stresa to Locarno and Ascona on the Swiss shore, passing the Cannero Castles on the Italian side. Swiss prices are higher than Italian, and you need a passport or ID card for the border. Locarno has a lakefront promenade and the Madonna del Sasso above the town. Some tours include the funicular.
Practical Information
Best season: April to October, with May and June giving the best flowers and September offering clearer weather. Ferry timetables and fares are on the Navigazione Laghi site.
Getting around: Trains run from Milan to Stresa in about an hour, and ferries connect the main lakeside towns. Tours from Stresa normally meet at the pier or hotel.
Prices: Prices are approximate as of 2026. Island palace tickets and ferry fares change every year, so check before you go.