The Borromean Islands

The Borromean Islands, set in Lake Maggiore, are easily reached by boat from Stresa, Baveno, or Pallanza. Owned by the noble Borromeo family since the 16th century, they were created as exclusive retreats and gardens. The three main islands are: Isola Bella, with its sumptuous Borromeo Palace and baroque gardens; Isola Madre, the largest, famed for its botanical garden and elegant villa; and Isola dei Pescatori, picturesque and inhabited year-round, with narrow lanes and lakeside restaurants. Open to visitors from March to October, they offer a journey through art, nature, and history suspended between water and sky.

Isola dei pescatori

Fishermen’s Island, the most authentic of the Borromean Islands, is a small jewel suspended between water and sky. Its cobbled lanes, ancient houses with flowered balconies, and the slow rhythm of life create a timeless atmosphere. Here, inns and lakeside restaurants invite you with the aroma of freshly caught fish. The cuisine celebrates local flavors: perch with butter and sage, creamy risottos, grilled trout, and homemade desserts, all paired with fine Piedmontese wines. At sunset, as the lights shimmer on the water, the island becomes a living painting — a place of pure poetry on Lake Maggiore.

Strolling through flowered alleys, admiring lake views, and savoring local cuisine is an experience that lingers in the soul. Visiting the Borromean Islands means gifting yourself moments suspended in time, an indelible memory of magic, elegance, and pure poetry.