VARESE

From the 18th century Palazzo Estense to the breathtaking panoramas of the Sacro Monte. To the silent ripples in the lake to the slopes of Campo dei Fiori. A garden city to be explored

POPULATION
80,694
DENSITY
1,471 inhabitants/sq. km
AREA
54.84 sq. km
ELEVATION
382 m a.s.l.

The parks surrounding the villas of Varese are the perfect welcome to what is commonly referred to as the garden city. Fresh blossoms create the green carpet leading to Palazzo Estense.
 

Tourism Varese. Giacomo Leopardi endearingly referred to it as the “Little Versailles” of Italy. A voyage through the splendor of the 1700’s, from the hill of Belvedere to the Italian gardens and their linear hedges. Villa Menafoglio Litta, managed by FAI, 'dimora di delizia' to the Marquis Menafoglio, tells about the passion for contemporary art of Count Giuseppe Panza di Biumo. Another artistic hub to be uncovered includes the Museum within the Masnago Castle, decorated with frescoes of scenes from the court.

Outside the city, there are plenty of opportunities to climb the surrounding steep slopes by bicycle. Start slow in Schiranna, and, in a more slow way, from the circumnavigation of Lake Varese. Here were found palafitte of primitive men, with the first remains found as far back as 1863. Some are in the museum of the Virginia Beetle, others are kept in the Civic Museum of the City of Varese, in Villa Mirabello.

By foot, just two kilometres from the Via Sacra, is the Sanctuary of the Sacro Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that connects 14 chapels winding into the sky. Under the mountain, in Sant’Ambrogio, check out the magnificent Villa Toeplitz, a testament park-gardens of Varese
 

Read moreClose
  1. Discover Lombardy
  2. VARESE

Experiences

Show all

10 Good reasons to visit Varese

  • Lifestyle
10 Good reasons to visit Varese

Church Varese

From the Sacro Monte of Varese to the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, a spiritual path made of artistic and landscape beauties
  • Religious Tourism
Church Varese, what to see

Eating in Varese

Peasant roots in traditional taverns
  • Food & Wine
Where to go when eating in Varese

Open sky museums Varese’s Painted Towns

  • Villages
Open sky museums Varese’s Painted Towns

Flavors on the lakes: Como and Varese

Lakes and mountains. Tasty dishes, heritage of rural culture
  • Food & Wine
Flavors on the lakes: Como and Varese

Museum Varese

Mummies, archaeological finds, design, ancient and contemporary art: museums to suit all tastes!
  • Art & Culture
Museum Varese, what to see?

Places

Show all

Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Art & Culture
Casa museo Pogliaghi

Basilica di San Vittore

Entering the historical core, walking through the streets of the center you'll be enchanted by the vision of the Basilica
  • Religious Tourism
Basilica di San Vittore, Churches of Varese

Palazzo Estense

  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Estense

The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

  • Religious Tourism
The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

Masnago Castle and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Art & Culture
Masnago Castle and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

Where to sleep

Check availability

ALBERGO RISTORANTE SCHIRANNA "MARIUCCIA"

Varese
ALBERGO RISTORANTE SCHIRANNA

HOTEL DI VARESE

Varese
HOTEL DI VARESE

ALBERGO COLONNE

Varese
ALBERGO COLONNE

ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL

Varese
ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL

HOTEL AL BORDUCAN

Varese
HOTEL AL BORDUCAN

CITY HOTEL

Varese
CITY HOTEL

Info

Go to the general info

How to arrive

BY PLANE
Milano Malpensa 35 km, Linate 70 km, Orio al Serio 110 km

BY TRAIN
trenord.it
tilo.ch

BY CAR
Autostrada A8

How to move

BY BUS
ctpi.it

BIKE SHARING
bicincitta.tobike.it

Information

INFOPOINT VARESE
Piazza Monte Grappa, 5
T. +39 0332 281913

WIFI
Varese Wifi

FIND OUT MORE
comune.varese.it

Useful numbers

EMERGENCY
112

HOSPITALS
Ospedale Filippo del Ponte 
Via Filippo Del Ponte, 19
T. +39 0332 299111

Ospedale Macchi–Va
Viale Luigi Borri, 57
T. +39 0332 278111

POLICE
Comando Provinciale Carabinieri Varese
Via Aurelio Saffi, 55
T. +39 0332 4501