No matter where you visit at Lago Maggiore in Europe, you will find vibrantly colored landscapes and charming villages painted with chroma. The ancient Romans called Lake Maggiore “Maximus”, meaning “The Greatest”. Maggiore is Italian for “Greater”. Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second largest lake.
Bronze and Iron Age peoples inhabited Lake Maggiore. The Romans began moving into its region close to the 3rd century. They began to fortify hamlets as defense against barbaric invasions from the Germanic Visgoths in the 4th century. Remnants of the Middle Ages appear in the form of Roman fortresses and historical sites around the lake.
Location of Lake Maggiore
Italy has 20 administrative regions divided into 110 provinces. Switzerland is a confederation of 23 cantons and 3 split cantons. Cantons are equivalent to what the U.S. calls states. Lake Maggiore touches Italy’s Piedmont region’s shores on the west and Lombardy’s on the east. The lake spans north into Switzerland’s Tichino Canton.
Lake Maggiore stretches from northeastern Italy into south central Switzerland, with four-fifths of the lake in Italy. Italian is the first language in the Tichino Canton. Italians speak ofLago Maggiore as “La Dolce Vita”, an expression that describes a life full of beauty, pleasures, and mundane events.
Is Lake Maggiore in Italy or Switzerland?
Lake Maggiore rests in both Italy and Switzerland, but most of the lake is in Italy.
Lake Maggiore Weather & Climate
Although Lake Maggiore is in an alpine region, its climate is of the idyllic Mediterranean Sea. The cold continental winds and the warm oceanic winds influence Lake Maggiore’s climate to create a mild average yearly climate that produces lush, exotic gardens.
The highest temperature around Lake Maggiore is 73°F (23°C) in July. The lowest temperatures arrive in January at 37°F (3°C).The average annual temperature is 55°F (13°C). In high summer, Lake Maggiore’s water temperature is often 80°F (27°C), and cools to around 41°F (5°C) in autumn. The lake sees an average of 220 days of sunshine.
Things to do at Lake Maggiore
When we think about Lake Maggiore, indoor and outdoor ultra luxury comes to mind. Lake Maggiore presents a paradise to relish in. The morning winds blow down from the mountains, and the afternoon winds swirl in from the Balearic and Tyrrhenian Seas, which are the northern seas of the Mediterranean Sea.
Why Is Lake Maggiore Famous?
Lake Maggiore has enchanted Italian and foreign artists for centuries. This European treasure showcases stunning botanical gardens, quaint traditional villas, and breathtaking views. Historical landmarks surround the lake, and its islands boast spectacular attractions, hotels, and restaurants.
Lake Maggiore is famously known as the Eden of Italy. Sky blue waters and snow-capped mountains with exciting adventures welcome visitors of the world today. In the 19th century, only the wealthiest Italians flocked to Lake Maggiore. These Italian aristocrats built amazing and beautiful works of architecture there.
Is Lake Maggiore Worth a Visit?
Lake Maggiore offers something to see or do for everyone—families, couples, and friends traveling together. Superb romantic excursions await couples. Visitors anticipate browsing in traditional and exclusive shops, dining in 5-star restaurants, staying in luxury accommodations, relaxing on the shores, camping and hiking, exploring historical landmarks and museums, touring exotic gardens, and boating and playing in the water.
Borromean Islands-Italy
The Milanese Borromeo family bought this archipelago in the 16th century and own most of them today. They include Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori and two small islets, Isolino di San Giovanni and the Rock of Malghera. Opulent palaces and glamorous gardens grace these isles, and they are a primary draw for tourists. Visitors can take daily boat trips to the Borromean Islands from lakeside towns like Stresa, Baveno, and Verbania. Some are only open seasonally.
Mottarone Mountain-Italy
Drive the winding picturesque road to the top Mottarone Mountain which provides sweeping vistas. It is a popular climb for local cyclists and quite challenging, with an average gradient of 6.5%. Halfway up, visitors can take advantage of the Alpinia Gardens before reaching the summit. There, visitors meet Alpyland, an amusement park with a 1.2-kilometer bobsled roller coaster.
Laveno-Mombello-Italy
Laveno-Mombello is home to the impressive 13th-century Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso. Visitors take boats to climb its 240 steps or drive there to the top of the steps, and there is an elevator. Take a ride on the open-air bucket gondola that takes you up to Sasso del Ferro for an epic view of the lake.
Luino-Switzerland
Wander the cobblestone lined streets of Luino to shop the traditional markets. It is the birthplace of writer Piero Chiara. Enjoy pastel-colored houses and charming cafés for the perfect place to relax.
Angera-Italy
Angera is known for its hilltop castle, Rocca Borromeo di Angera. The castle complex includes structures built from the 11th to the 17th centuries and lush gardens. Marvel at opulent rooms adorned with exquisite paintings and frescoes, plus children delight at its Doll and Toy Museum.
Ascona-Switzerland
Colorful houses overlooking the lakefront characterize the enchanting town of Ascona, which is referred to as “The Pearl of Lake Maggiore”. Stroll along its romantic promenade, and go holiday shopping in traditional shops.
From Ascona, you can also take a boat to discover the Brissago Islands where the colorful Botanical Gardens of Ticino lies. Over 1,700 plant species from across the world include agaves, magnolias, orchids, and yuccas and make for a romantic interlude.
Locarno-Switzerland
Locarno is famous for its Film Festival every August and popular for its delightful climate. This is a charming town where narrow cobblestoned streets lead you to the 12th-century Visconteo Castle. Stroll through the romantic and colorful Parco delle Camelie and hop on the funicular to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, which is a popular pilgrimage site. The Madonna del Sasso is a pilgrimage church in Orselina and located right above Locarno.
Verbania-Italy
In Verbania, the Gem of Lake Maggiore, feel the lushness of the Giardini Botanici di Villa Taranto or the magnificent botanical gardens of Villa Taranto with over 2,000 species of endemic flora. Twelve hamlets, with some dating back to the 11th century, make up this romantic and historic village.
Gambarogno Riviera-Switzerland
The world of Riviera del Gambarogno, on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, looks out over the lake and is popular for secluded beaches and lidos in the Ticino villages along the riviera.
What Swiss Town Is Near Lake Maggiore?
Table of Towns on the Shores of Lake Maggiore
| Switzerland | Italy | Italy |
| Ticino Canton | Piedmont Region | Lombardy Region |
| Ascona | Arona | Angera |
| Brissago | Baveno | Besozzo |
| Gerra | Belgirate | Brebbia |
| Locarno | Cannero Riviera | Brezzo di Bedero |
| Magadino | Cannobio | Castelveccana |
| Minusio | Castelletto sopra Ticino | Germignaga |
| Muralto | Dormelletto | Ispra |
| Ranzo | Ghiffa | Laveno-Mombello |
| Ronco sopra Ascona | Lesa | Leggiuno |
| San Nazzaro | Meina | Luino |
| Tenero | Oggebbio | Maccagno |
| Vira | Stresa | Monvalle |
| Verbani | Pino sulla Sponda | |
| Porto Valtravaglia | ||
| Ranco | ||
| Sesto Calende | ||
| Tronzano |
Lake Maggiore FAQ
Is Lake Maggiore Cheaper than Como?
Yes, in decades past, Lake Maggiore was more popular that Lake Como and more expensive. In 2024, Lake Como is more expensive than Lake Maggiore in terms of accommodation and food because Lake Como has increased in popularity.
What Is the Prettiest Village on Lake Maggiore?
Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder…This is a difficult query to answer. The internet says the prettiest village on Lake Maggiore is Cannobio in the Piedmont region.
Can You Swim in Lake Maggiore Italy?
The further north on Lake Maggiore, the cleaner the water will be. Lake Maggiore is famous for the plentiful beach areas that stretch along the shores and rivieras. The Cannobio’s municipal beach attracts watersports lovers. Cannero boasts with one of the cleanest beaches on Lago Maggiore.
Yes, swimming and watersports are allowed on Lake Maggiore. Most Lake Maggiore villages and towns have spiaggias (beaches). Visitors are warned to not swim further out than 100/200 meters (328/656 feet) from the shore. Swimmers need to keep a safe distance from speedboats and ferries.
Besides public bathing beaches, called spiagges, there are swimming pools and private beaches on the lake. The most popular and ideal time for swimming is from June to September, when the water reaches 20°C/68°F to 24°C/75°F. Some public beaches are free.
Beaches may have access to a variety of bars and restaurants and rental services for water sports like kayaking, pedal boating, or motor boating, windsurfing, sailing, and stand-up paddling. Diving schools offer courses and guided dives.
Camping, Cycling, and Hiking at Lake Maggiore
For nature lovers, the Lake Maggiore region provides a plethora of hiking trails and cycle paths. They offer impressive views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. There are campsites in Italy and Switzerland at Lake Maggiore. Future travelers can do research to find out where camping is and is not allowed.
How to Get to Lake Maggiore
You can get to Lake Maggiore by car, train, and public transport. Visitors have to travel to Milan in Italy, and from there they can make arrangements to travel to the lake. You can drive through Austria, Germany, or Switzerland. From Munich through Liechtenstein and Switzerland, it takes about five to six hours to reach your destination on Lake Maggiore.
Lake Maggiore is served by Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Italy and Lugano Airport (LUG) in Switzerland. From there, you can rent a car or take public transport to Lake Maggiore.
