• Lakes
    • Villages
    • Art & Culture

The Lombardy Shore of Lake Maggiore — Exploring historic villages

Walking on the eastern shore of this vast lake for a refreshing break filled with peace and beauty.

 

Whether it's a brief summer Sunday afternoon visit or a broader holiday break, Lake Maggiore (or Verbano) is well worth a trip as a sweet escape from the heat of the city. Nestled between Piedmont and Lombardy, the lake extends for a length of 66 km, from Italy into Switzerland, from the plains of Lombardy to the Ossola mountains, and is divided between  two very different shores, the eastern Lombardy shore and the western Piedmont shore. 

Between Sesto Calenda and Zenna, on the border with Switzerland, the Lombardy shore of Lake Maggiore is in fact the wildest and least touristy of the two: characterised by rolling hills, dense reeds and archaeological finds from prehistoric times stretching as far as Laveno, to the north it offers enchanting landscapes, with a steeper coast and an inland with forest-covered mountains measuring over 1000 metres in height.

In addition to the city of Varese and its historic “castellanze”, formerly independent towns that now an integral part of the city, the villages of Angera, Leggiuno, Laveno, Maccagno and Luino overlook this side of the lake, each with their own historical and architectural wonders, which include the splendid Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and the stunning Rocca di Angera.

Come with us on our route along the Lombardy shore of Lake Maggiore as we explore this side of the lake which, thanks to its magnificent colours and its enormous cultural heritage, has been an inspiration to poets, musicians and writers for centuries and which continues to inspire and enamour its lucky visitors to this day.    

On the same topic

5 Thing-to-do in Menaggio

Be enchanted by Menaggio, marvelous town on Lake Como
  • Lakes
cosa fare a menaggio lungolago

Angling

If you like fishing, in Lombardy you will be spoiled for choice on where to launch the hook.
  • Lakes
Angling

5 Thing-to-do in Domaso

An amazing place for your active holiday on Lake Como
  • Lakes
domaso cose fare

Lake Como Itinerary

  • Lakes
Lake Como Itinerary

Luino

The tourist boast of Luino is the picturesque and folkloristic weekly market.
  • Lakes
The Luino Market

Lakes in Lombardy: 5 unmissable experiences

5 consigli per una giornata indimenticabile: da Gardone Riviera all’Isola Comacina, alle sponde perfette per chi ama la bici
  • Lakes
Laghi in Lombardia autunno

The Lombardy Shore of Lake Maggiore — Exploring historic villages

Discovering the Lombardy shore of Lake Maggiore, a region characterised by hills, dense reeds, archaeological finds and enchanting villages for you to visit.
  • Lakes
The Lombardy Shore of Lake Maggiore — Exploring historic villages

Canoeing - Rafting

The perfect activity for nature-loving people looking for excitement and spectacular landscapes
  • Lakes
Foto di Ass. Canoa Club Valtellina

Lago Maggiore Old stories

Finds from the Iron Age, evidence of the Ice Age, monuments of industrial archaeology, dolls from the eighteenth century to date: lower Lago Maggiore (the Verbano area)
  • Lakes
Lago Maggiore Storie antiche

Lakeside and centre of gargnano

Gargnano: one of the most beautiful historical centers of Lake Garda.
  • Lakes
Lakeside and centre of Gargnano

5 Thing-to-do in Lecco

Welcome in the Town of The Betrothed, between Lake Como and the Mountains
  • Lakes
Lecco

Lago di Lugano The Little World of the Past

A place of cultural interest indeed with the landscapes of Fogazzaro’s novels, the fossils of Monte San Giorgio, the fortifications of World War land the secret places of Ceresio
  • Lakes
Lago di Lugano Piccolo mondo antico

Explore Lake Idro and its surroundings

At an altitude of four hundred metres, Lake Idro is a place of peace, nature and history, and is the coolest and most secluded of the Lombard lakes
  • Lakes
Explore Lake Idro and its surroundings - in Lombardia

Lago di Garda: the shadow of D’Annunzio

From the Vittoriale degli Italiani to the fifteenth-century Cathedral in Salò, via the Valle delle Cartiere valley in Toscolano Maderno: all the spectacular sights around Gardone Riviera
  • Lakes
Lago di Garda, lungolago Zanardelli

The loveliest island in the Lakes

Visit the islands of the Lombard lakes: a dip in little enchanted worlds.
  • Lakes
The loveliest island in the lakes: Montisola, Isola Comacina, Isola del Garda

Rabbit Island in Lake Garda

A very suggestive island, a small lake paradise.
  • Lakes
Discover San Biagio, the Rabbit Island in Lake Garda

Lakeside and centre of gravedona

Welcome to Gravedona, one of the most important historical-religious centers of Alto Lario.
  • Lakes
Lakeside and centre of Gravedona

Como Photo Gallery

Ideas and ideas for your holiday on the lake.
  • Lakes
Como and its Lake from a to Z hits for an unforgettable vacation

Summer in Lombardy

The best places to see, the most beautiful excursions and lots of ideas for your holiday: discover the territory of Lombardy!
  • Lakes
Live Summer in Lombardy to the fullest

From Como to Bellagio by Boat

Traveling between the two shores of the lake, between splendid coasts and the majestic frame of the Pre-Alps
  • Lakes
From Como to Bellagio by Boat