Stresa

Stresa is an elegant resort town on the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore, at the foot of Mount Mottarone. Renowned since the 19th century as a retreat for European aristocracy, it retains striking Belle Époque architecture, with grand villas and a lakeside promenade lined with gardens and historic hotels, including the famous Grand Hôtel des Îles Borromées. From Stresa's harbour, boat services connect to the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, home to a baroque palace and terraced gardens, Isola Madre with its botanical garden, and the picturesque fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori. The town also serves as a starting point for the cable car up Mount Mottarone, offering panoramic views over the Alps and surrounding lakes. The pedestrianised old town offers boutiques, cafés and restaurants serving Piedmontese cuisine and freshwater fish from the lake. Stresa enjoys a mild climate for much of the year, making it well suited to mountain walks, lakeside strolls and day trips to nearby towns such as Verbania and Baveno.