Belgirate

Belgirate is a small village in Piedmont, on the western shore of Lake Maggiore, between Arona and Stresa, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The settlement is split into two parts, upper and lower Belgirate, linked by picturesque lanes and lined with historic 19th-century villas that recall the era when Milanese aristocrats came here for their summer holidays. The Romanesque church of Santi Nazaro e Celso, with its distinctive bell tower, is among the oldest religious buildings in the area. The lakeside promenade offers clear views over the Borromean Gulf and provides easy boat access to the Borromean Islands, including Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori, as well as to the nearby towns of Stresa and Verbania. The mild climate typical of the Lombard and Piedmontese shores of Lake Maggiore supports gardens filled with camellias and Mediterranean plants. Belgirate remains a quiet destination, well suited to lakeside walks, exploring the local architectural heritage, and easy access to the main attractions of the wider lake district.