MILAN · ITALY
The Milan classics, and the best way to do each.
The 15 most popular lake maggiore & borromean islands day trips for visitors to Milan. The ones worth building a morning or a day around, with prices, running times and who you book through.
Hop-on hop-off boats from Stresa to Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Bella. Flexible island time and great views.
Most Popular“Hop on hop off tour to the three islands can be comfortably done in one day if you start early 9.00am. Beautiful castles and gardens worth it all”
Hop between Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola Pescatori on Lake Maggiore from Stresa, with time for peacocks, lunch, and sights.
“Accueil en français . Petits bateaux typiques avec capitaine parlant français . Rotation toutes les 30 minutes très ponctuelles .”
Hop on Lake Maggiore boats from Stresa to Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella for village streets, peacocks, and terrace lunch.
“Servizio molto efficiente e sempre puntuali”
Hop on and off ferries from Stresa to Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Bella, with flexible island time on Lake Maggiore.
“Stresa is a beautiful place. The people running the boats were patient and terrific. Boats comfortable. You do have thay searatey to get to the gardends and castle. Lunch was great. This was a "don't miss".”
Hop on a Stresa boat to explore Isola Bella at your pace, with frequent departures, Borromean views, and time for the Palace.
Stresa boat trip to Isola Madre and Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore. Peacocks, botanical gardens, palace terraces, caves, shopping.
“An incredibly good and interesting tour, delivered with great professionalism. The guide was outstanding and went above and beyond. We traveled as a family with a two-year-old, and everything was perfectly organized. Highly recommended.”
Milan to Lake Maggiore by coach and boat, with Stresa time and two Borromean Islands plus Isola Bella’s palace gardens.
“My husband and I took this tour on Monday the 5th August and we were not disappointed. We traveled in a very comfortable Air conditioned coach all perhaps 13 of us. Our tour guide Stephano (I think) was very informative and knowledgeable. The highlight for us was definitely Isola Bella, the gardens so very beautiful.…”
Private 5-hour Borromean Islands tour from Stresa with Micaela, boat ride, and guided visits to Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Bella, and Isola Madre.
“Michaela was an outstanding tour guide, also Alesondro our private boat captain!!! Best and very comprehensive experience!”
Hop between Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Islands from Stresa with a modern speedboat, free island time, and English/Italian audio.
“Parfait! Équipe très professionnelle bilingue et chaleureuse. Je conseille vivement.”
Speed-control thrills on Mount Mottarone in Stresa: a 1200m alpine coaster with 360° Alps and seven-lakes views.
“Activité sympa. Mais le tarif sur place est bcp plus avantageux. Aussi, inutile de réserver en ligne vu qu’il n’y a qu’une file d’attente et nous ne gagnons rien d’avoir anticipé l’achat… Un minimum d’amabilité du personnel ne serait pas de trop…”
Private guided boat tour on Lake Maggiore to the Borromeo Islands, with skip-the-line pier access, Isola Bella palace, and Isola Pescatori village.
“Micaela was an AMAZING guide! We were in Stresa for our honeymoon, and Micaela picked us right up from our hotel. The private boat alone makes this tour worth it and micaela makes sure you are never stuck in a line. The history she told about each of the islands was fascinating. Highly HIGHLY recommend”
1-hour Stresa Lake Maggiore sunset cruise with Borromean Gulf views and Isola Bella gardens, led by a multilingual captain. $23.
“wonderful”
Boat from Stresa to Isola Bella with hop-on freedom, palace and gardens, and famous white peacocks on Lake Maggiore.
“All the staff were very friendly and helpful. Good value and a great service”
Hop on a boat from Stresa across Lake Maggiore, exploring Borromean islands and Isola Pescatori’s fishing village at your pace.
“la météo 😀”
Flexible hop-on boat from Stresa to Isola Madre and Isola Bella, with botanical gardens, terrace views, and palace-style island time.
“Departure was fine. The kiosk to the left of the NAVIGAZIONE ISOLE BORROMEE building will give you a dock colour to go to. Small speedy taxi boat to Madre. Be aware seeing this island costs 20 Euros pp. It was worth it and we had a lovely time. No swimming possible on Madre. Boat to…”
From the Duomo to the lakes, and every way to see them.
