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Stresa or Cannero for 2 weeks in June?

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Hi, am seeking experiences of Stresa and Cannero (and how they compare with each other and with Ascona) from people who know Lake Maggiore! Has anyone stayed in both for over a week, self-catering?

We stayed in Ascona in 2022 during the jazz festival and it was perfect in terms of ambience, eateries, colour, beach vibe, shops etc. It looks hard to beat! Keen to explore a new (and cheaper i.e. over the border) resort, but with a similar feel. We're looking at Stresa and Cannero. But I wonder if Stresa is too big and too 'grand palace' vibe compared to the quirky quaintness of Ascona?

(In case you've also been to Malcesine on Garda, that too was our ideal setting and size: cobbled streets, colours, stunning views and choice of eateries, boat trips etc. but plenty of quiet spots.)

Cannero looks interesting but I wonder if it's too small compared to Ascona? Is it similar to Ascona in some ways?
Cannobio looks gorgeous, but probably way too small?

We're thinking 10-14 days in June, love funiculars, cable cars, plenty of eateries, colour and tourist shops, breathtaking views (we'll find a self-catering apt) and great train/bus connections + good choice of little beaches (with facilities) and cobbled streets etc.
We won't have a car - will travel by train, bus, boat and taxi. Coming from London/Paris by train. 40s/50s couple, no kids.

Thanks for any insights and tips!

Posted by
11500 posts

I would not describe Stresa as “grand palace” type of place.

Posted by
7259 posts

Stresa has a bit of faded grandeur to it. Perhaps a bit too faded. The big hotels are not the luxurious places that they might have been in the early/mid-20th century.
Still a very good place to stay.

As an alternative, I like Verbania but it is less convenient without a car. I have never been to Cannero or Ascona so I cannot compare.

Posted by
7645 posts

I love Stresa and have stayed there three times. Just checked the dates for the Stresa Music Festival which I think you would love, but it looks like it won’t begin until mid-July.

I haven’t been to Cannero, so I can’t give you a fair comparison.

Stresa is very convenient to Milan with the train and has a direct bus shuttle to Malpensa. Personally, I wouldn’t want to stay there for two weeks. I think it’s too popular for what you’re seeking.

There’s a couple from California who lived just north of Stresa for a year, along with their black lab. Her name is Karen. Hopefully she sees this because they are a wealth of information about that area.

Posted by
15829 posts

Without a car I wouldn't stay in Cannero. I'd rather stay in Cannobio than Cannero. I'm not even sure the ferry stops in Cannero.
Check the boat schedules below:
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/

I'd go for Stresa, which in my opinion, is quainter (and smaller) than Ascona/Locarno, and in any case way less expensive than the Helvetic tip of the lake.

I would consider anything over a week a bit too long for the area, at least for my taste, but to each his own. For sure for a long stay over 3 days, Stresa offers many more opportunities to visit places. From Stresa you can also visit Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta by bus or train+bus.

Posted by
1532 posts

I haven't been to Ascona but have been to Stresa, Cannero and Cannobio. I was not a fan of Stresa. Way too crowded and touristy for my taste. I loved Cannero. But it is small. Less than a handful of places to eat, although there's a great bar with terrific live music once a week. Cannobio is bigger with a larger waterfront and therefore more restaurants and more tourists. Both Cannero and Cannobio are popular with the Swiss and Germans. You tend to hear German first, then Italian then English. We were on Lago Maggiore to hike and the hiking and views in all 3 were pretty awesome. It's easy to hop on the ferries to get to both Cannero and Cannobio. You can also head over to Luino from Cannero and Cannobio for the weekly market. It's got everything including the kitchen sink.

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