Destinations

The city of Varese and the small towns on the east shore of Lake Maggiore belong to the region of Lombardy. Varese is built on seven hills, Biumo Superiore, Giubiano, San Pedrino, Sant’Albino, Montalbano, Campigli and Miogni, and is surrounded by the historic “castellanze”, which were fortified districts set outside the historic centre, once self-governing and today an integral part of the city. A lively, busy town, Varese abounds in historical and cultural attractions, such as the ancient Castle of Masnago and the 17th century Villa Mirabello.  It is also famous for its many gardens and green spaces, winning it the appellation of “garden city”. Set in the Regional Nature Park “Il Parco dei Fiori”, Varese offers a wealth of walks and trails for jogging, cycling and walking for all tastes.

Points of Interest

Palazzo Estense, today the Town Hall, is one of the most popular visitor destinations in Varese. The Palazzo was originally the residence of Francesco III of Este, who visited Varese...
The Sanctuary of the Sacro Monte of Varese is one of the most important of the Sacri Monti, which are acknowledged as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Located at a height...
The Romanesque Basilica of San Vittore, dedicated to the patron saint of the town who was martyred under the Emperor Maximinus, cannot be dated with precision, but was built before...
The Estense Palace Gardens of Varese are among the finest in the north of Italy, and remain one of the main tourist attractions of the city. The park surrounds the...
The Regional Park of Campo dei Fiori is one of the largest nature parks in the Varese area. It borders to the north and west on the Cuvia Valley, to...
The Regional Park of Campo dei Fiori offers cross-country skiing in winter on the trails of the Brinzio Cross-country Ski Centre. The centre maintains ski trails of 3, 5 and...
The area around the city of Varese, with its low hills and green spaces, is ideal country for golf courses. The Panorama Golf Course just outside the town is perfect...
March in Varese sees the “Cortisonici” Festival of Short Films, which began in 2003 on the initiative of the film club Filmstudio ’90 and the culture association Ronzinanti. In addition...
The Solevoci Festival is a summer event which since 2003 has offered singers and lovers of a cappella singing to attend a series of concerts, seminars and competitions that sees...
The Ponti Villas are a complex of three residential villas built between the 18th and 19th centuries, and have been owned by Varese Chamber of Commerce since 1960. They are...
Villa Toeplitz was built towards the end of the 19th century on a hill in the Varese district of Sant’Ambrogio Olona, in the centre of a complex of orchards and...
Villa Recalcati was built in the 17th century as a summer residence for the aristocratic Milanese families who came on holiday to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the area. The...
The Castle of Masnago, the result of a series of modifications and extensions from the Middle Ages (11th – 13th centuries) to the 18th century, is one of the most...
The Velate Tower is one of the finest medieval buildings in the Varese area. Built in the 11th century in a dominating position to protect the southern part of the...
The Church of San Giuseppe was built in 1504 as an oratory of the Confraternity of the Blessed Conception and of the Banner, but took on its present appearance only...
The building that houses the Museum was originally designed in 1900 by the architect Ulderico Tononi and the sculptor Lodovico Pogliaghi to display the collection that Baron Giuseppe Baroffio Dall’Aglio...
The Sanctuary of the Madonnina in Prato of Varese was mentioned for the first time by the then archbishop of Milan, Carlo Borromeo, during his pastoral visits in 1574. The...
A genuine “Golden Bear” golf course! In the early 1990s, Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golf player worldwide, decided to build on the seventy hectares of flat land between...