- Explore the famous Borromean Islands
- Take a day trip to the stunning Lake Orta
- Try local food; from polenta to gorgonzola cheese
Lake and mountain views, Michelin-recommended restaurants and historic hotels – it’s easy to see why Stresa is Lake Maggiore’s most popular spot for a summer holiday. Come the sunny season, it’s abuzz with people soaking up the atmosphere of the old town and promenade and walking atop Mount Mottarone. This once sleepy fishing village was transformed by the Borromeo family, who planted palaces and gardens on the now-famous Borromean Islands just offshore. Another transformation came with the arrival of the Venice-Simplon Orient Express railway and its prosperous passengers. Grand hotels, villas and gardens sprung up that still decorate the town today. Walking holidays to Stresa explore all of this, as well as the picturesque paths beyond.
Walking in Stresa
Royalty, philosophers, musicians and writers (Hemingway included) have all been wooed by Stresa’s marvellous lake views and walkers love it for the same reason. Mount Mottarone towers beside the town and stands between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. With Sweeping panoramas over Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands – and, on a clear day, you may even get a glimpse of up to seven shimmering Italian and Swiss lakes. Look out for the Alps in the distance too!
Easy sightseeing: catch a boat to the Borromean Islands
The Borromean Islands are opposite Stresa, just ten minutes away by ferry. Explore the lake's most prominent island, Isola Bella, with its baroque palace, terraced gardens and dusting of white peacocks; majestic in the summer sunshine. Boats also bustle across the water to Isola Madre, where you can ramble between carefully cultivated magnolia groves, wisteria walkways, palm gardens and lily ponds. Isola dei Pescatori is the odd island out – home to a busy fishing village with a cluster of trattorias and shops, walking around it will give you a taste of the old Lake Maggiore.
Finding food: refuel with lake and mountain fare
A mix of pizzerie, panini lunch stops and family-friendly restaurants fill the narrow streets that run from the waterfront. Piazza Cadorna is in the heart of the old town; pull up a chair in a sunny spot for antipasti plates piled high with cheese and cured meat from Piedmont. Plus, a handful of Stresa's food and drink haunts are recommended by the Michelin guide, thanks to their ingenious takes on local lake and mountain cuisine. We'd recommend trying out the unassuming foodie spots, off the tourist trails, they tend to be where you'll find the most authentic and delicious Italian food and drink!
Villas and the Venice-Simplon Orient Express
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Simplon Pass opened and Stresa became a stop on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express line. Every summer wealthy visitors began to flock in for their Italian holiday getaways – and the town welcomed them by building grand hotels along the waterfront. Some of the villa gardens and extravagant mansions are open to curious wanderers. The Simplon line still exists, too. The trains that pull into Stresa station are more rustic nowadays, but you can still be amongst the stylish streets and shopping arcades of Milan in less than an hour.
Why book a summer holiday in Stresa with Inghams?
At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of Stresa's best activities at your own pace.
Plus, we've included two optional guided walks every week in Stresa. Join a professional mountain guide and really get to know the area (see more details in the ‘walking’ tab below).
With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Stresa include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team in resort can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.
