Isola Bella — Attraction in Stresa

Isola Bella, located in Lake Maggiore near Stresa in northern Italy, is renowned for its enchanting blend of history, art, and natural beauty. The centerpiece of the island is the magnificent Baroque Palazzo Borromeo, owned for centuries by the Borromeo family.

This palace impresses visitors with its richly decorated rooms, grand reception halls, and a range of art collections. Noteworthy spaces include the Music Room, the Throne Room, and the Hall of Love, while the unique Murano mosaic table and beautifully furnished grottoes, adorned with shells and pebbles, provide a glimpse into the craftsmanship of past eras.

Beyond the palace, Isola Bella’s Italian-style terraced gardens are a true highlight. Referred to as the Hanging Gardens, they are a masterpiece of landscape design, featuring ten distinct terraces embellished with statues, fountains, vibrant flowerbeds, and a dazzling variety of rare and exotic plants.

The terraced layout offers spectacular panoramic views over Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains, making it a photographer’s paradise and a delight for garden enthusiasts.

A fascinating aspect of the gardens is the Unicorn Grotto, an evocative cave decorated with shells, pebbles, and a sculpture symbolizing purity and nobility. At the summit, the Teatro Massimo, a small outdoor theater, recalls the private performances of the Borromeo family’s heyday.

The island itself is easily accessible by regular ferries from Stresa, Verbania, and Baveno, and the process is typically straightforward.

Upon arrival, the initial impression can be busy, especially in peak season or during the mornings when tour groups disembark. As you make your way from the small central square along narrow alleys, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed, leading towards the main attractions.

There are ample opportunities for refreshment, with cafés and restaurants scattered around the island, many offering picturesque lake views. While food and drink prices can be higher in the tourist hubs, exploring quieter spots may lead to more reasonably priced and authentic options.

Souvenir stands and boutiques add a lively, bustling feel, but they do not overshadow the island’s cultural and historic character.

Visitors occasionally note that the island can become crowded, which sometimes diminishes the tranquil experience the gardens and palace are meant to evoke. For a more serene visit, it is advisable to avoid opening hours or high season weekends.

The palace and gardens require an entrance ticket, which also helps manage the flow of tourists, though the price is sometimes considered high relative to the crowded conditions at peak times.

Overall, Isola Bella captivates with its remarkable synthesis of architecture, horticulture, and scenic grandeur. Whether you are interested in art, history, or simply enjoying lake and mountain vistas, the island offers a memorable experience that stands out among Italy’s most unique and romantic...

A beautiful island accessible by ferry from Stresa. Ferries also link the other islands. We visited 2 out of 3. Most of this island is private and you have to pay 22euros each to access the palace and its gardens. I don't really think it'd be worth visiting this island if you do not intend on paying the access fee. We did wander the island before paying the entrance fee but kept wandering onto streets with one way turnstile 6ft gates. The palace and palace gardens are beautifully kept. We were unfortunately in a bit of a rush so did not really make the most of the 22euro entrance fee. We could have done with more time if I am honest. We visited in the height of the heatwave so walking around the indoors of the palace was a great break from the sun. We did see that one of the poor peacocks had passed away (perhaps due to the extremely hot weather). I loved the shell grottos - never seen anything like it before. You're sadly forced to walk through the giftshop/bookshop and the cafe as it is all one way however you do not feel pressured into buying anything. The prices in the cafe were quite extortionate but the patrons seemed to be enjoying their refreshing drinks in the palace courtyard. The toilets in the gardens are ok but need cleaning more regularly in my opinion. The floor was muddy and wet when I used the restrooms. The main photo areas such as the fountains and the viewpoints in the gardens are very busy. Be prepared to have photos with members of the public in them. Fantastic views from the island. My advice would be to either pay the 22euros to enter the palace or not bother with actually getting off the ferry here. You can appreciate the views from the ferry as you pass by and can probably get some...

Isola Bella (lit. 'beautiful island') is one of the Borromean Islands of Lago Maggiore in north Italy. The island is situated in the Borromean Gulf 400 metres from the lakeside town of Stresa. Isola Bella is 320 metres long by 400 metres wide and is divided between the Palace, its Italianate garden, and a small fishing village. Isola Bella is a popular tourist attraction, with a regular ferry service from Stresa, Laveno, Pallanza and Intra. It plays host to the annual Stresa music festival. The island achieved its highest level of social success during the period of Giberto V Borromeo (1751–1837) when guests included Edward Gibbon, Napoleon and his wife Joséphine de Beauharnais, and Caroline of Brunswick, the Princess of Wales. It is said that Caroline, having fallen in love with the place, did her best to convince the Borromeo family to sell her Isola Madre or the Castelli di Cannero islands; her request being turned down, she established herself on the banks of Lake Como at Cernobbio in the...