Which Borromean Island is the most beautiful?

How to go to the 3 islands:

1. Isola Bella
   
2. Isola dei Pescatori (Isola Superiore)
   
3. Isola Madre

Published on August 23, 2024

The Borromean Islands - Practical Info and Useful Tips

Adored by Ernest Hemingway and a favorite spot for the English ​royals, the Borromean Islands consist of three main islands and ​several smaller rocks, like the Islet of S. Giovanni and the Malghera ​rock. They are situated in the middle of Maggiore Lake, between ​Verbania and the well-known tourist hub of Stresa.

Isola Bella houses the Borromeo Palace from the 17th century and its ​stunning gardens, Isola dei Pescatori, also called Isola Superiore, is a ​charming spot, and Isola Madre is famous for its botanical garden ​showcasing unique plants.

The history of these locations is intertwined with the prominent noble ​families of Lombardy, especially the Borromeos and the Viscontis, ​who selected Maggiore Lake as their preferred location and ​constructed luxurious homes there.

The Borromeo family specifically initiated this change in the 14th ​century by constructing stylish villas with intricate gardens.

Today, the family still possesses Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and the two ​rocks in the northern part of the lake known as Castelli di Cannero, ​which house some ruins of medieval buildings.

I hop on the ferry leaving from Intra town, cruising the beautiful ​Maggiore Lake, stopping at all three main islands, giving me the ​chance to relax and enjoy the entire day.

1 - ISOLA BELLA

Isola Bella, as the name implies, is a real gem located in the center of Maggiore Lake.

The Italian gardens that ascend the terraces were established between 1631 and 1671 and now ​captivate visitors who wander among flowers of various colors depending on the seasons.

The Teatro Massimo is the primary monument in the garden, featuring statues, obelisks, and ​fountains that blend seamlessly with the lush terraces. Atop these terraces is the heraldic symbol ​of the Borromeo family, the unicorn.

The Garden of Love is delightful to see.

The box hedges surround various plants and flowers like camellias, rose espaliers, oleanders, and ​hydrangeas that bloom beautifully in different seasons. White peacocks roam around, bringing a ​sense of nobility and mystery to the scene.

Citrus fruit cultivation has a long history of over 400 years. Lemon and orange trees with various ​qualities were meticulously documented. Nowadays, the trees along the "bitter orange avenue" ​mirror the island's landscape and produce exceptionally sweet fruits despite their name.

The Borromeo Palace, known for its baroque architecture, 20 lavishly decorated rooms, and the ​Berthier Gallery showcasing over 130 paintings, narrates tales of a bygone era. Since 1630, the ​island has evolved from a simple fishing village with two small churches and a handful of ​vegetable gardens into a prestigious destination.

One of the stunning white peacocks at Isola Bella

I hop back on the ferry that's scheduled to take me to the next island.

The first days of September bring a refreshing breeze, offering a clear sky, a view of Mount ​Mottarone (1491 m), and the calm waters of the lake.

2 - ISOLA DEI PESCATORI

My footsteps on the gravel of Via Lungo Lago echoed the ​peaceful pace of a leisurely stroll on an island where life seems ​to mirror the gentle flow of the lake.

Isola dei Pescatori, the smallest of the Borromean islands, is ​permanently inhabited by only around fifty residents.

Unlike the other islands in the archipelago, it is not owned by the ​Borromeo family.

The island looks its best in the evening when the tourists depart, ​and the locals reclaim it, or on a day like today when a brisk ​breeze hints at the upcoming autumn.

A few years back, the island was mostly home to fishermen. ​Nowadays, due to tourism, the fishermen have become ​restaurant owners, hotel managers, and store owners.

However, the island still keeps its genuine essence within the cobblestone streets surrounding ​the Church of San Vittore, amidst the houses with lengthy balconies for drying fish, and the ​rooftops that nearly meet.

Take a look at the little graveyard located behind the church.

Local families' fishermen are laid to rest here, identifiable by the model boats positioned beside ​their graves.

It's the perfect spot to try out local dishes and products in charming restaurants with terraces ​overlooking the serene lake.

Reluctantly, I depart from the island with its old-world atmosphere as the ferry is already pulling ​away from the shore.

It's time for us visitors to allow this land to return to its natural state.

3 - ISOLA MADRE

A view from above of Isola Madre

Isola Madre, the biggest of the Borromean Islands and separated from the rest, has no residents.

Mainly covered by beautiful English-style botanical gardens maintained with love and dedication, ​the island is home to a variety of exotic plants and rare flowers that turn it into an "earthly ​paradise," as described by the writer Gustave Flaubert.

It's well-known for Europe's oldest Cashmere Cypress, over 200 years old, as well as the ​pergolas draped with ancient wisteria, lemon espaliers, hibiscus, and ginkgo biloba.

The sight from the ferry as it approaches Isola Madre

White and colorful peacocks, parrots, pheasants, and ducks roam ​freely along the pathways, setting an exotic ambiance of a tropical ​land in northern Italy.

The Borromeo Palace, built in the 16th century, is a stunning example ​of architecture and art. Its rooms are decorated with frescoes, ​tapestries, and antique furniture from different family residences, ​showcasing the lifestyle of past times.

Make sure you check out the must-see area all about "Puppet ​Theatres": back in the 17th century, they were a source of ​entertainment for families, friends, and servants, and they continue to ​captivate visitors with their enchanting magic to this day.

Practical Information and Useful Tips for the Borromean Islands.

How to go there: you can take scheduled and private ferries from the main towns around the lake ​without needing to make a reservation (Intra, Verbania, Baveno, Stresa, from Laveno with a ferry ​change in Intra). There are spacious parking lots close to where the ferries depart.

The ticket price for unlimited travel between the islands is €20-27 for adults and €10-13 for ​children up to 12 years old (prices vary depending on the departure point) - ​www.navigazionelaghi.it. Isola Bella and Pescatori attractions are open from mid-March to early ​November, while Isola Madre attractions are open from April to October. There is a bookshop, café, ​and restaurant available on-site.

Accommodation: consider staying between Baveno and Stresa, on Isola dei Pescatori or Isola ​Maggiore

Typical dishes: lake fish such as whitefish, bleak, pike, and trout; cheeses from Bettelmatt, Toma ​del Mottarone, or Ossolano d’Alpe; Tapulone (a boiled meat), Margheritine di Stresa biscuits, and ​Baci di Arona

Souvenir: citrus perfumes, unicorn items (symbol of the Borromeo family), and ceramic items