History, interesting facts and attractions of this green city, on the shores of the Martesana

At the start of the 20th century, Visconti Castle(PV) was acquired by the local municipality and has since been home to the civic museums

Very simple on the outside, inside this church conserves a magnificent cycle of frescoes.

This bridge is one of the last remaining pontoon bridges in Italy.

The Abbey of Morimondo, along with its monastery, is a place of worship and Cistercian spirituality, but also a tourist attraction

Every summer Sunday until September 14, you can reach the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso by boat from Laveno Mombello in just 20 minutes — the perfect opportunity to explore one of the most fascinating places on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore.And to make your day even more special, choose one of the five experiences designed for you by Varese DoYouLake?.Traveling by train? Take advantage of Trenord’s integrated ticket Train + Lake Navigation, allowing you to travel from any location in Lombardy to Laveno Mombello and then continue by boat to the Hermitage. The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso at Sunset Want to spend an afternoon on Lake Maggiore and enjoy the Hermitage at sunset? Arrive comfortably by car at Santa Caterina del Sasso and park nearby. From there, board the 3:05 pm boat to Laveno Mombello. Once in Laveno Mombello, the choice is yours: enjoy a relaxing lakeside stroll or take the adventurous cable car ride to the panoramic viewpoint atop Sasso del Ferro. At 5:30 pm, board the return boat to the Hermitage and enjoy a guided tour in the magical light of evening. At 6 pm on Sundays, as visitors leave, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso returns to silence. It's the perfect time for a guided visit — peaceful, golden-hued, and serene. The tour lasts about one hour and starts at the dock. The Flavours of Santa Caterina Want to visit the Hermitage and savour the tastes of Varese? Leave your car in the city and reach Santa Caterina del Sasso by train and boat — one of the most stunning locations on Lake Maggiore. Thanks to the new direct lake connection, every summer Sunday you can board the 2:00 pm boat in Laveno Mombello and arrive at the Hermitage in time for the 2:30 pm guided tour — your guide will greet you right at the dock!The guided tour lasts about one hour. Afterward, taste some of the local specialties of Varese as you ascend the scenic stairway to the Quicchio terrace — or take the elevator for extra comfort. Need a tip?From Milano Cadorna, take the 10:52 train, arriving in Laveno Mombello at 12:23 — perfect for a walk and a bite before catching the boat to the Hermitage. The Water Workshops: A Magical Start Before Crossing to the Hermitage Curious about the history of navigation on Lake Maggiore? Leave your car in the city and take the train to Laveno Mombello, one of the lake’s most charming towns.As soon as you get off the train, visit Officine dell’Acqua, a restored historic railway complex now home to a museum showcasing vintage boats, naval carpentry tools, and stories of lake navigation and craftsmanship. From Laveno Mombello, depart at 2:00 pm by boat to reach Santa Caterina del Sasso for the 2:30 pm guided tour. Before returning on the 4:35 pm boat, relax under the enchanting wisteria with a lake view. Sailing the Borromean Gulf Want to see the most scenic views of Lake Maggiore? In summer 2025, exploring the Borromean Gulf — between Leggiuno, Stresa and Laveno Mombello — has never been easier: every Sunday, you can reach the three most iconic viewpoints by boat. On Isola Bella, admire the lake from the upper terrace of the Teatro, built by Vitaliano Borromeo in the 17th century.In Laveno Mombello, ride the historic bucket-lift to the top of Sasso del Ferro for breathtaking views of Lake Maggiore, Lake Mergozzo, Val d’Ossola, and Valcuvia.At sunset, reach the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and be enchanted by its 1624 portico glowing in the evening light. Not sure how?Reach the Hermitage by car and take the 9:40 am boat to Isola Bella. At 1:00 pm, board the boat to Carciano, then on to Laveno Mombello, arriving at 1:55 pm.Enjoy the ascent to Sasso del Ferro and at 5:30 pm take the boat back to Santa Caterina del Sasso to catch the sunset — on your own or with the 6:00 pm guided tour. From Arona to the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso Want to explore both shores of Lake Maggiore? Easily reach Arona by train — the birthplace of Saint Charles Borromeo. If you’ve never seen the giant Sancarlone statue, this is your chance: a 30-minute walk from the station takes you to the monument that inspired the Statue of Liberty. At 12:15 pm, board the boat to Santa Caterina del Sasso. After a snack at the Locanda, enjoy the 2:30 pm guided tour of the Hermitage.At 4:35 pm, the boat will take you to Laveno Mombello, where you can enjoy a lakeside stroll before your train home. Need a tip?From Milano Centrale, take the 8:25 am train to Arona. For your return, catch the 6:28 pm train from Laveno Mombello Lago to Milano Cadorna.

Plan the perfect 3-day trip to Milan with the YesMilano City Pass. Visit top attractions like the Duomo, Sforza Castle, and Leonardo da Vinci Museum. Skip lines and enjoy free audioguides!

Portalbera is a municipality in the Oltrepò Pavese, located at the point where the Po River receives the waters of the Versa stream. The earliest documented history of the village is marked by disputes over its possession between the Diocese of Piacenza and the Diocese of Pavia. As early as the 13th century, Portalbera had a ferry and a small river port, with docking facilities for river navigation. Two large poplar trees marked the port’s location— in the local dialect, the poplar is called "albra", which gave rise to the name Porto Albra (Port of the Poplars), later evolving into Portalbera. The presence of travelers is evidenced by the construction of a Pilgrims' Hospice in Portalbera—the first encountered along the Via Romea from France—founded in 1114 by Bishop Guido of Pavia, with the support of cardinals, bishops, and abbots from both Italy and France. Along with the pilgrims, merchants also traveled through the area: trade routes from nearby Piacenza to Genoa necessarily passed through Portalbera, highlighting its strategic importance. Until about seventy years ago, the Po River flowed right next to the village. In 1916, Portalbera still had its historic pontoon bridge over the river. However, following a flood, the bridge was swept away by the rising waters. It was later rebuilt further downstream, in Spessa Po, where the remains of the old pontoon bridge had settled. Portalbera's economy was historically based on river transport and trade. However, after World War II, the economic landscape changed significantly, as the town could no longer rely on its port and bridge, and the Portalberesi had never been significantly involved in agriculture. The bell tower of the Church of Maria Vergine Assunta, an 18th-century building, stands at 51 meters, making it the tallest in the Diocese of Tortona. Source: Municipality of Portalbera

Is located in the setting of the cloisters of Sant'Eustorgio, integral part of one of the most antique monumental complexes of Milan