Looking for a scenic day trip from Milan? Then you must visit the Borromean Islands! This small grouping of islands are located in Lake Maggiore along the Piedmont side and remain somewhat of an untouched gem compared to other Italian tourist spots in Northern Italy.
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The Borromean Islands are made up of Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola Pescatori. Save this post to help plan your Borromean Islands adventure.
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When to Visit the Borromean Islands
While some islands are inhabited by full-time residents, the true “season” for the islands typically begins mid-March through early November. This is when the tourist boats are operating and you can find options of guided tours.
How to Get to the Borromean Islands
To visit the Borromean Islands as a day trip from Milan, you’ll take a regional train from Milano Centrale train station to the Stresa Station via Trenord. The ride will take about an hour to an hour and a half depending on the schedule options.
For those unfamiliar with the Italian train system, always remember to validate your regional train tickets before getting on the train (no one wants a fat fine to ruin the start of your day). Also, be sure to pay attention to the train stops and when you are close to Stresa, as it will likely not be the train’s final stop.
Once you arrive in Stresa, you’ll walk about 10 minutes toward the pier location on Piazzale Lido where you can find several options of tour guide/boat operators.
Visiting the Islands
Now that you’ve arrived at Piazzale Lido, you have several options of tour companies to book through. The options and pricing will more or less be the same. In these scenarios I do a walk-by of all the options and then select whoever gives me the best vibe. It has yet to fail me. On the particular day I went to visit I booked with Tour Isole Borromeo, which I can vouch for.
You can book a ticket on-site or book a “hop-on, hop-off ticket for all three islands here.
Keep in mind that at the time I visited I didn’t realize how easy it is to visit all of the islands in one day and not feel rushed. So, if you are really itching to see all 3 islands, I say go for it!
Isola Pescatori
Isola Pescatori is the only island that is still inhabited by local residents year-round. It used to be a fishing community (hence the island name translating to Fishermen Island), but today caters more towards the tourism industry.
This is a nice island to stroll around, stop into the local stores, and enjoy a pastry and coffee at a bar. You likely won’t need more than 45-60 minutes on this island unless you plan to eat lunch here.
Isola Bella
Isola Bella has the most to see of all the Borromean Islands. When you first arrive, there are a variety of cute restaurants overlooking the water. If you prefer to enjoy a meal with a gorgeous view check out Ristorante Elvezia. The seafood risotto was extremely satisfying and the view was the cherry on top.
The scenery with the mountains, the lake, and the greenery are so peaceful. Growing up in the land of the Great Lakes (Midwest, USA), I could never have fathomed that THIS is what some lakes look like. Let’s just say the lakes in Wisconsin don’t have the same views.
After a meal, you can enjoy walking around the island. There are vendors setup along the sides of the walking paths as well as other shops to find clothing, souvenirs, and more.
One of the main reasons people flock to Isola Bella is to explore the Palazzo Borromeo and its baroque-style gardens. Of all the things to see during your visit to the Borromean Islands, don’t miss this one. The palazzo wasn’t open to the public until the 1970s. And thank God it is today! It’s stunning. It will take, on average, about an hour to walk through the palazzo and the gardens.
Want to heat off from the thick summer heat? You can also take a quick jump into the lake directly next to the Palazzo. You’ll find people wading in the water and soaking up the rays on the rocks. Don’t forget to pack a towel or you may have a wet boat-ride back!
This completes your day trip from Milan! Did you enjoy visiting the Borromean Islands?
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