We’ll be in Stresa for 2 days in late May. We won’t have a car. Should we plan to spend a full day visiting one or more of the islands? Are there things to see/do in Stresa itself? Laze on the beach? If you’re visited in the past year do you have recommendations for restaurants, bakeries, gelato shops?
If you’ve traveled to or from Malpensa airport, would you recommend the bus (nonstop) or train (transfer at Busto Arsizio — is this at all dicey for inexperienced travelers?)
Thanks!
I'd go with the bus. Make a reservation.
You’re heading to my favorite location to get over jet lag!
I take the small Alibus from Malpensa which will let you off almost across from the small ferry dock, very close to Hotel Milan Speranza. Need reservations ahead of time.
Activities:
Absolutely go to the little islands! Isola Bella has the Borromeo villa to walk through and the gorgeous formal Italian garden. Isola Pescatori is a small fishing village. I haven’t gone over to Isola Madre.
Villa Taranto is another beautiful garden without the very formal structure of Isola Bella’s. It’s a nice ferry ride up to it.
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso is a very short ferry ride in the opposite direction. A nice place for gorgeous view photos!
You will be disappointed in the beach. Nothing worth noting. But, it’s very nice to walk the promenade and enjoy the historic grand hotels.
My favorite hotel experience is to stay on tiny Isola Bella at Boutique Hotel Elvezia for my last night in Stresa. It’s such a special location, and you can stroll the island in the evening, almost having it to yourself. Reserve a water view room with the balcony. The small hotel has a nice restaurant, too.
When visiting Stresa, you must go visit the islands!
Thanks for the advice about the islands. How much time should we plan to spend there? Is it possible to visit both in the same day without rushing?
Ruth, you can easily see both in an afternoon. We have had lunch at Isola Pescatori and then gone over to Isola Bella.
This will give you an idea of the size of them. The video is Isola Bella. The small one briefly shown with the little steeple is Isola Pescatori.
Isola Madre's worth visiting too. I haven't been there recently enough to provide details and don't remember whether I managed to visit all three islands on the same day. The ferry schedule might make that tricky.
I was there last September. We ate at il vicoletto 3 times. Yes, we enjoyed it very much. We like gelataria k2 for gelato.
If you have time consider visiting also the quaint village of Orta San Giulio in nearby Lake Orta (bus 52). By car it’s less than half hour, I’m sure the bus will take longer but not by much.
You can also visit Cannobio, which I consider the quaintest little village in Lake Maggiore. You can go to Cannobio by ferry no. 200 from Stresa or also by bus (STN bus 12 then change at Verbania to VCO bus 26).
Thanks for all this great input, everyone! I really appreciate all the suggestions and am following up on many!
Trotter, do you know if Il vicoletto has a working website or way to make an online reservation? I’m not finding anything (and won’t have an international phone plan until May). A couple of other restaurants have very limited availability (weekend/late May) so I’d love to try to get a reservation.
Are there other things to do when not island hopping? Good places to hang out and relax?
Anyone traveled from Stresa to MPX recently? We have an early flight home and will be staying at an airport hotel our last night, but need to decide when to leave Stresa and whether to travel by bus or train.
Thanks!
Ruth, our first meal at Il Vicoletto was a late lunch and we just stumbled upon it as we were trying to get away from the crowds. The next meal was a dinner reservation for 8 people which was made by the hotel. We did not request that restaurant. We just asked that they choose a restaurant for us. We were quite happy that it was the same place. For our last meal, also a dinner, we stopped by earlier and asked to book for later.
Bus to Malpensa time-table
https://www.safduemila.com/linee/alibus-malpensa-lago-maggiore/
By train you can go to Busto Arsizio then catch the connection coming from Milan to Malpensa.
www.trenitalia.com
You could also take the train to Gallarate, which is halfway between Stresa and Busto, then a taxi. Probably a bit faster but more expensive.
It’s about one hour travel give or take.
Thank you! Roberto, can you tell me more about Cannobio and why it’s your favorite?
Do you think the bus would be our best bet since we’re not experienced travelers and it’s nonstop? The train runs more frequently and I’m a little concerned about changing trains with luggage and being confused and easy marks for pickpockets etc….
We spent 2 nights in Stresa last May -- nearly 2 full days actually. We did not visit the islands (gasp) but instead walked to and visited Parco Pallavicino. We really, really enjoyed it -- the gardens were GORGEOUS, the zoo part was pretty weird, and the cafe in the middle was just perfect. We also enjoyed the walk there (along the lake) and then the walk back (through 'town'). It was also somewhat rainy the day we went, so it wasn't very crowded which I think made it nicer to visit.
We had a lovely dinner at GranoDuro -- we were really hungry at a ridiculously early hour (I think 6pm) and they were open and just so nice. The outside terrace was great. It's definitely not fancy - it felt homey and folks knew each other there, etc.
We also had really good pizza in a very casual place for lunch one day: Il Faro e la Luna.
Is Stresa worthwhile as a day trip from Milan in August? I was thinking it could be fun to take the train up there, and then to get on a boat there. Is swimming possible from those boats? Or otherwise is the beach nice for a couple of hours of relaxation? Are there any recommended boat tour operators? Thank you!
