Destinations

Upper Lake Maggiore

This area stretches from Cannobio to Ghiffa. The main villages on the Piedmont shore—Cannobio, Cannero, Oggebbio, and Ghiffa—preserve local history and traditions. In Ghiffa, visitors can explore the Hat Museum and the Sacred Mount, while in Cannero they can admire the striking Castles of Cannero. From Cannobio, one can also access the wild Val Cannobina, with its 11,000 hectares of varied and unspoiled landscapes.

Borromean Gulf

From Verbania to Stresa, this area also includes the famous Borromean Islands. The elegant towns of Baveno and Stresa are distinguished by their luxurious villas and romantic atmosphere. Verbania, the provincial capital, is renowned for its historic villas (Villa Taranto, Villa Giulia, Villa S. Remigio). On the surrounding hills lie picturesque mountain villages, which serve as gateways to the Val Grande National Park, the largest wilderness area in the Alps.

Southern Piedmont Shore

From Belgirate to Castelletto Ticino, this part of the lake is rich in art and history. In Belgirate stands the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria (12th century), and in Massino Visconti the Sanctuary of San Salvatore. Along the main road, elegant 19th-century villas follow one another, such as Villa Correnti and Villa Faraggiana. Arona is home to the majestic Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo, over 23 meters high, offering a unique view of the lake. Castelletto Ticino closes the route with the Torriani–Visconti Castle and its impressive medieval tower.

Destinations

Verbania is the capital of the Verbano Cusio Ossola Province...
Internationally recognised as the jewel of Lake Maggiore, Stresa is...
Towards the end of the Lake Maggiore is Arona, the...
The enchanting little lakeside town of Baveno, next to Stresa,...
Cannobio is the last town on the shore of Lake...
Cannero Riviera, a small lakeside town on the shore of...
Just outside Verbania and surrounded from green hillsides and blue...
The municipality of Oggebbio includes 15 little villages, some on...
The last part of the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore...
Gignese is a town in the Verbano Cusio Ossola province,...
Dormelletto is located in the southern part of Lake Maggiore,...
Bèe is a municipality in the province of Verbano Cusio...
A site of ancient settlements (archaeological remains dating back to...

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What

The church of Santo Stefano in Pallanza, of Romanesque origin, conserves one of the most ancient sacred objects in the local area: the Roman Ara delle Matrone or “Altar of...
The pretty Church of Santa Maria (the “Old Church”) stands on a promontory above the town of Belgirate, and provides a spectacular view over Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains....
The Stresa Festival (Musical Weeks) of Stresa and Lake Maggiore is one of the prime events in the Lake Maggiore area. Started in 1961 by the aristocratic Venetian lawyer Italo...
The Gravellona Toce area is historically very interesting. In 1954, excavation work for a new house turned up some fragments of pottery. This prompted a research activity which continued until...
Two distinctive wayside chapels, each on its rocky outcrop, stand on an ancient mule-track leading towards Calogna from the little village of Magognino. While the first rock has one small...
Upper Piedmont is the ideal destination for those looking for outdoor experiences for the whole family at this time of year. From horse riding to the thrill of adventure parks,...

Events in the territory

Learn about events to attend

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17 May 2025
- 28 February 2026
Starting from May 17, the GranUM Museum in Baveno will host the exhibition “Stone Stories: from picasass to stonecutter”, which recounts the epic tale of the emigration of Baveno’s stonemasons...
8 November 2025
- 14 March 2026
SpettAttori is a theatre festival that will accompany the city of Arona throughout the winter, with a series of shows dedicated to adults and children, which will be staged at...
1 December 2025
- 1 March 2026
The large ice skating rink in Arona is located in Piazza del Popolo and will remain open until March 1, 2026, with the following hours: Monday to Thursday: 3:00 PM – 8:00...
18 January 2026
- 18 April 2026
The 39th edition of the “Lampi sul Loggione” review returns to the Spazio Sant’Anna in Verbania, featuring six appointments from Saturday, January 17, to Saturday, April 18, 2026.  The full...
30 January 2026
- 24 May 2026
Following the success of its initial seasons, the fourth edition of the theater review “BIS! 2 Lakes 2 Stages” will begin on January 30, 2026, in the municipalities of Gozzano...
31 January 2026
- 31 January 2026
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the prestigious national conference “Between Wood and Water,” dedicated to the world of historic boats and traditional seamanship, returns to the Fondazione Officine dell’Acqua in...
1 February 2026
- 1 February 2026
On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Arona hosts the return of the Cimento Invernale, the traditional winter dip in the waters of Lake Maggiore.  The event is open to everyone and...

Travel responsibly

An area where events, initiatives and
destinations are all about respecting the environment around them