A GUIDE TO ISOLA BELLA
Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore, Italy
Isola Bella: The Jewel of Lake Maggiore
Nestled within the glimmering waters of Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella is a vision of baroque elegance and botanical magnificence.
ABOUT ISOLA BELLA
Location
Located just off the coast of Lake Maggiore near Stresa, Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori form the Borromean Islands.
Isabella d’Adda
Isola Bella takes its name not from a queen or myth, but from Isabella D’Adda, the wife of Count Carlo III Borromeo.
In the 17th century, the Borromeo family began transforming what was once a rocky outcrop into an opulent retreat.
From this Isola Bella was born.
PALAZZO BORROMEO
Music Room in Palazzo Borromeo in Isola Bella
Tiia Monto, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Palazzo Borromeo
At the heart of Isola Bella lies the Palazzo Borromeo, a lavish baroque palace.
With sumptuously decorated halls, intricate stucco work, and a collection of paintings and tapestries, the palazzo offers visitors a glimpse into the refined lifestyle of the Borromeos.
Its subterranean grottoes, adorned with shells and mosaics, are a particularly whimsical highlight.
THE GARDENS OF ISOLA BELLA
Gardens of Isola Bella
Equally breathtaking is the Italianate terraced garden, often considered one of the most extraordinary in Italy. The gardens were laid out between 1632 and the late 1600s and constructed on ten terraces that rise like a giant wedding cake from the shores of Lake Maggiore.
Symmetry & Sculptures
The garden is an orchestration of symmetry and color. Sculptures, obelisks, and exotic plants frame views of the lake and surrounding mountains, while white peacocks – symbols of elegance – strut freely among the terraces.
Theatrical Baroque
The gardens of Isola Bella are not merely beautiful, they are theatrical. Conceived in the grand Baroque style of the 17th century, they were designed to astonish, to overwhelm, and to express the power and taste of the Borromeo family, who envisioned the island itself as a floating palace.
A Baroque Theater in Bloom
The garden’s structure is symmetrical and formal, typical of Italian Renaissance influence, but the Baroque flair elevates it into the realm of spectacle.
Teatro Massimo: The Garden’s Crown
At the heart of the garden stands the Teatro Massimo, a monumental multi-tiered structure adorned with statues, obelisks, and grottos. It is crowned by the figure of a unicorn, the heraldic symbol of the Borromeo family.
Botanical Riches and Exotic Beauty
Despite its formal structure, the garden is lush and vibrant, home to over 2,000 plant species. Rare camellias, rhododendrons, citrus trees, magnolias, and azaleas flourish here.
The garden is not static; it changes with the light and the seasons, rewarding repeat visits with new sensations.
ISOLA BELLA TICKETS & TRIPS
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3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour
Hop-on hop-off boat tour
Stops at the 3 Borromean Islands
Multilingual Captain and crew
Free time on each island
Multilingual pre-recorded commentary on board
Does not inlude entrance to the Borromean Palace Museum and Gardens
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Ticket for Isola Bella All-Inclusive
Daily hop-on hop-off boat transportation between Stresa and Isola Bella.
Admission to Palazzo Borromeo and the baroque gardens of Isola Bella
Free time to visit the village with characteristic restaurants and stores.
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Isola Madre Open-Date Entry Ticket
Entry ticket to Isola Madre
Access to Palazzo Borromeo
Admission to botanical gardens
Booking fee
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Madre & Bella Borromean Islands Boat Trip
Hop on hop off boat trip from Stresa.
Embark on a boat trip from Stresa and discover two of the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore. First, visit Isola Madre which is the farthest island from Stresa.
Next, continue the tour to Isola Bella, most famous for its palace, splendid caves, and Italian-style gardens before returning to Stresa.
Does not include entry tickets.
Isola Bella hotel
The only hotel on Isola Bella is the Boutique Hotel Elvezia (below).
For a wider choice of hotels view our Stresa hotel page here.
Boutique Hotel Elvezia
***
Described as real gen of a hotel and with great reviews, Boutique Hotel Elvezia is situated on Isola Bella Island and can be reach only via ferry boat from Stresa or Baveno.
The hotel has eight rooms and an on-site restaurant serving Italian and international dishes. Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and is fitted with a flat-screen TV.
REVIEWS
A real gem of a hotel. Amazing position, lovely room, comfortable bed, excellent restaurant, very friendly staff. Will have to come back. Lovely views from the balcony.
Everything about this hotel. Its location. Its stunning view from the balcony. Its dinner and breakfast. Its staff. The beauty of the building and the guestrooms. Highly recommended for a romantic get away.
The staff were all friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on Isola Bella, and eating in the hotel’s excellent restaurant.
information from Booking.com
Information
FERRY INFORMATION
Ferries run more-or-less hourly from Stresa to Isola Bella.
For a more flexible alternative, consider the hop-on, hop-off, boat service (above)
LOCATION
Location
Isola Bella’s location on Lake Maggiore
Isola Bella is located just off the coast near Stresa, Lake Maggiore.
LAKE MAGGIORE TOWNS
Places to see on Lake Maggiore
Link to: Arona
Arona
History, relaxation and charm on Lake Maggiore
Link to: Baveno
Baveno
A relaxed town close to the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore
Link to: Cannero Riviera
Cannero Riviera
A small resort town renowned for its Mediterranean climate
Link to: Luino
Luino
History, a weekly market and is close to Lake Lugano
Link to: Stresa
Stresa
The most popular resort on Lake Maggiore near the Borromean Islands
Link to: Verbania
Verbania
Know as the Garden on the Lake with its lush botanical gardens
Link to: Locarno
Locarno (Switzerland)
A sun-soaked town in Switzerland famous for its film festival.
Link to: Ascona
Ascona (Switzerland)
Like a small Italian Riviera town on Lake Maggiore