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How do Stresa and Cannobio compare to Ascona?

Posted by on

Hi, I posted last week about Stresa and Cannero (big thanks to those who replied) , and I realise now that it's Cannobio not Cannero that's the place I'm trying to suss. Looking for direct comparisons please between Ascona (Swiss end of lake) and Cannobio or Stresa.
We stayed in Ascona 2 years ago and loved its colour, size, feel, choice of eateries, general setting and grass/sand beach.

Now seeking exactly that, but in the Italian (cheaper!) section of the lake. Stresa seems popular (but is it WAY more crowded in June than non-jazz-fest Ascona?) and Cannobio looks ideal but I worry it's too small for 7-10 days. When i read about tempting Baveno too, people often say you might as well be in Stresa for eaterie choice etc. Thoughts welcome.

Really grateful for detailed insight. Coming by train from London/Paris, i can see that Stresa is much more connected, but would consider a taxi from Domodossola or similar if needs be, to get to Cannobio if that's where we end up. We took one before from Locarno to Ascona and it was reasonable, although it is a shorter distance!

Thanks Maggiore travellers!

Posted by
64 posts

Following your post, giggyjames, would love to see some input as I have similar queries! :-)

Posted by
2181 posts

I loved Ascona but only visited it on a daytrip (we were staying in Locarno). On my latest trip, I spent two nights in Stresa and frankly don't think I would have enjoyed it for 7-10 days. Sorry, but I've never been to Cannobio, which appears to have a similar population to Ascona.

Posted by
15176 posts

Cannobio is probably the quaintest village on Lake Maggiore, however it is very small, so if you don’t mind that and if you have a car to move around, that’s fine, otherwise you should visit it only for the day.

Stresa is bigger and is probably the most important resort town on the lake (Italian side). It is in front of the Borromean islands, therefore it’s a great place for traveling around. Orta San Giulio, on Lake Orta, is also not far. I’ve been at the lake a few times but always very late June or July. I wouldn’t call it crowded at all, but it depends on what you compare it to. I have lived only in Florence and the San Francisco Bay Area, and compared to either San Francisco or Florence, Stresa is kind of empty even in July, which is peak season. However I’m sure for someone who has seen only the prairies of the Midwest or the steppes of Saskatchewan, Stresa would be unbearably overcrowded as you might be able to see more than 10 people at once.

Posted by
36 posts

Just an update (especially for Jean!) that after various replies to various threads on this website and also from people on TripAdv, we settled happily on Cannobio and have done loads more research since and very happy with that decision. Reviews are incredibly positive across many different types of website and forum and many call it the prettiest, quaintest, most charming village on the lake.

Seems very like Ascona in colour and feel and compactness, with several boat trip options to Luino, Stresa, Ascona and others. Great lakefront, great hillside accomm with exceptional views (or flatter central accomm), a lovely-looking river gorge nearby and a very well reviewed Lido/beach with facilities. We won't have a car and after all the research, that doesn't bother us. Arriving in Locarno by train from Zurich, then bus (or taxi 25 mins) from there.

Happy research! It's always such a personal decision and depends how much time one has, and whether you want to use a car and negotiate Italian roads and traffic, or just relax and stay local plus some boat and bus trips!

Posted by
64 posts

Sounds great! Thanks, giggyjames! We will for sure visit when we're there in September, but I think we've decided on Baveno for our home base. We also won't have a car but that'll be fine. Plenty of boats and buses and trains! :-)

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