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
 

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  1. Discover Lombardy
  2. VARESE

Experiences

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10 Good reasons to visit Varese

  • Lifestyle
10 Good reasons to visit Varese

Varese in a weekend

From the gardens of Palazzo Estense to the infinite vistas of the Sacro Monte. 48 hours to discover a city on a human scale
  • Lifestyle
Varese in un weekend

Doing sports in Varese

From rowing on the lake to gliding. From cycling to trekking. From golf to horse riding. Tips for playing sports in Varese
  • Active & Green
Doing sports in Varese

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

From Lake Maggiore to Po River

Art Nouveau friezes, museum bread and cycleways along river banks
  • Cycle Tourism
Borgo di Arcumeggia

Lago di Varese a jewel in the Alps

Just six kilometres away, this natural city break offers unexpected views, from water to mountains.
  • Lakes
Lago di Varese Un gioiello tra le Alpi

Places

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Palazzo Estense

  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Estense

Sacro Monte Varese

  • Religious Tourism
Sacro Monte Varese

Villa e Parco Toeplitz

  • Art & Culture
Villa e Parco Toeplitz

Where to sleep

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ART HOTEL VARESE

Varese
ART HOTEL VARESE

HOTEL STELVIO

Varese
HOTEL STELVIO

UNAHOTEL VARESE

Varese
UNAHOTEL VARESE

CITY HOTEL

Varese
CITY HOTEL

ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL

Varese
ALBERGO RISTORANTE BOLOGNA SRL

HOTEL DI VARESE

Varese
HOTEL DI VARESE

HOTEL AL BORDUCAN

Varese
HOTEL AL BORDUCAN

HOTEL CAPOLAGO

Varese
HOTEL CAPOLAGO

ALBERGO COLONNE

Varese
ALBERGO COLONNE

HOTEL RISTORANTE VECCHIA RIVA

Varese
HOTEL RISTORANTE VECCHIA RIVA

Info

Go to the general info

How to arrive

BY PLANE
Milano Malpensa 35 km, Linate 70 km (closed from 27 July to 27 October), 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