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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Experiences

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Cerro di Laveno Santa Caterina Arolo

Uno dei luoghi di fede più suggestivi della Lombardia, a raggiungere pedalando fra antichi borghi e splendide vedute della sponda occidentale del Lago Maggiore.
Cerro di Laveno Santa Caterina Arolo
  • Cicloturismo

Park Campo dei Fiori

Located in the Pre-Alps, the park of Varese is home to wetlands, natural areas and a rich variety of flora and fauna
Campo dei Fiori Regional Park
  • Parks

Varese itinerary

Take a walk in the "Garden City" and climb slowly up to the sacred mountain that is Unesco heritage
Varese and Sacro Monte day trip
  • Lifestyle

The Ghost of Manigunda

In Varese the legend of the ghost of Manigunda to the monastery
Legends of Varese: the Ghost of Manigunda at the Cairate Monastery
  • Art & Culture

Boroughs Varese

Take time for a slow visit among the historic villages of Varese through alleys, painted facades, festivals: it will not be wasted!
Boroughs Varese, hints for visiting
  • Villages

Rock climbing walls

The Campo dei Fiori crag is an open-air gym for all lovers of sports and alpine climbing.
  • Active & Green

From Lake Maggiore to Po River

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

Where to do Horseback Riding in Lombardy

Where to do horseback riding in Lombardy, route suggestions
  • Active & Green

Monumental trees in Lombardy: 12 incredible specimens

Among the scenic and cultural riches of Lombardy, one can discover outstanding green monuments.
  • Active & Green

Places

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The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

@inlombardia - Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso
  • Religious Tourism

Angera

  • Art & Culture

Laveno

Lago Maggiore-Laveno-panoramica da San Clemente
  • Lakes

Lago di Varese

Liberty villas, gardens on the lake, itineraries in the woods. And an islet with stilts from the Neolithic. Discover the Lake of Varese
Lago di Varese
  • Lakes

Villa della Porta Bozzolo

Villa Bozzolo, with its Rococo trompe-l’oeil and walls and Baroque decor, is one of Lombardy’s best-known “pleasure villas”.
Villa Della Porta Bozzolo, Casalzuigno, Monumenti Varese - @inLombardia
  • Art & Culture

Panoramic picnic on Alpe San Michele

Ph: I Mille
  • Active & Green

Rocca di Angera

Rocca di Angera
  • Art & Culture

Varese Lake

The hidden gem in Lombardy to explore
Vista dal drone del Lido della Schiranna di Varese all'alba.
  • Lakes

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

https://www.vareseturismo.it/infopoint

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