A GUIDE TO ISOLA MADRE
Isola Madre, Lake Maggiore, Italy
Isola Madre is a tranquil oasis of gardens and peace.
ABOUT ISOLA MADRE
Isola Madre is the largest of Lake Maggiore’s islands and arguably its most tranquil.
Known for its lush botanical gardens, historic palazzo, and atmosphere of quiet grandeur, Isola Madre is often described as the most refined and meditative of the Borromean Islands.
Isola Madre enchants through natural beauty and understated elegance. It has no permanent residents, no bustling tourist shops, and no crowds�just winding paths, rare plants, and a timeless calm.
THE GARDENS OF ISOLA MADRE
A Garden Island of Exotic Splendor
The island�s crown jewel is its extraordinary botanical garden, which spans the entire landscape.
Developed in the early 19th century in the style of an English landscaped garden, it is home to rare and exotic species from around the world: Himalayan cedars, Chilean monkey puzzle trees, Japanese maples, Indian bamboo, camellias, rhododendrons, and giant magnolias.
Among the island’s most charming residents are the white peacocks, golden pheasants, and exotic birds that roam freely among the plants.
PALAZZO BORROMEO
Palazzo Borromeo
At the heart of Isola Madre stands the 16th-century Palazzo Borromeo, a Renaissance-style villa that once served as a summer retreat for the aristocratic Borromeo family.
It is more austere than its flamboyant counterpart on Isola Bella but rich in historical atmosphere.
The interiors display a remarkable collection of period furnishings, porcelain, puppets, and marionette theater sets from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The rooms are elegantly aged, and the large windows offer stunning views of the gardens and lake, blurring the line between the indoors and the outdoors.
SOULFUL ISLAND
Isola Madre is sometimes called the �soulful island� of Lake Maggiore.
It doesn�t overwhelm�it soothes. There are no grand events or spectacles here, only the slow rhythm of leaves in the breeze, the echo of bird calls, and the distant glimmer of lake water beyond the trees.
It’s a place for contemplation, slow walks, and botanical wonder. For visitors seeking peace, nature, and a deeper sense of time, Isola Madre offers a rare kind of beauty: subtle, enduring, and utterly serene.
ISOLA BELLA TICKETS & TRIPS
Powered by GetYourGuide
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
Powered by GetYourGuide
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.
Powered by GetYourGuide
Isola Madre Open-Date Entry Ticket
Entry ticket to Isola Madre
Access to Palazzo Borromeo
Admission to botanical gardens
Booking fee
Powered by GetYourGuide
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 Madre Hotels
There are no hotels on Isola Madre, to view nearby hotels in Stresa, view our Stresa hotel page here.
Information
FERRY INFORMATION
Ferries are fairly frequent from Stresa and Palanza to Isola Madre
For a more flexible alternative, consider the hop-on, hop-off, boat service (above)
LOCATION
Location
Isola Madre’s location on Lake Maggiore
Isola Madre is located just off the coast near Stresa/Pallanza, 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