Within the Borromean Gulf lie the famous Borromean Islands, all easily reachable with the efficient public service of Navigazione Lago Maggiore or via the characteristic ‘taxi boats.’
Isola Bella, with the Borromeo Palace (17th century), amazes visitors arriving from the lake with its majestic baroque scenery. The island is a breathtaking place thanks to its recurring blooms and priceless art treasures, which blend into a harmonious microcosm. Once transformed from a rocky outcrop into a blooming garden, the island now appears as a vessel floating on the blue waters of Lake Maggiore. The Italian-style baroque garden is arranged over parterres and terraces at different heights, alternating statues, obelisks, stairways, and stone balustrades, creating a theatrical layout designed to symbolize the power of the noble Borromeo family. Meanwhile, the palace is now used as an art gallery.
Isola dei Pescatori is a picturesque village inhabited by a small community still dedicated to fishing. A series of narrow streets invite you to discover typical restaurants, the traditional open-air market, and several shops for your souvenirs.
The last island, Isola Madre, is of great importance thanks to its botanical garden, rich in rare plants, exotic flowers, and free-roaming animals. Thanks to the favorable microclimate, these create the charm of a tropical greenhouse on the island. A visit to the palace (16th century) is also fascinating, with period rooms reconstructed and enriched by exhibitions of puppet theaters and significant paintings.
