On the western shore of Lake Maggiore, where the water shimmers like silk and the mountains lean in close, lies a place that feels suspended in time. Stresa is more than just a destination, it’s a reverie. One of lace-trimmed balconies, sun-warmed stone promenades, and the kind of beauty that arrives in whispers.
From artful island gardens to candlelit dinners on the lake, Stresa calls to those who seek more than sightseeing, it invites you to feel.
Getting There
Fly into Milan, then take a scenic 90-minute train north, watching city edges blur into alpine drama. For those craving freedom and detours, driving is a beautiful option. Wind your way through vineyard-covered slopes and charming villages, stopping for an espresso or photo op whenever the mood strikes. From Milan, it’s a 1.5-hour drive to Stresa, closer to 2 if you take the scenic route (and you should). As you arrive in Stresa, the lake glints into view. Calm, crystalline, and impossibly poetic.
Where to Stay
Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées – A sanctuary of Belle Époque elegance, this iconic hotel embodies the golden age of travel with its frescoed ceilings, marble corridors, and sweeping lakefront views that feel plucked from a sonnet. Hemingway once found inspiration here, and you’ll understand why. Sip a Negroni beneath Murano glass chandeliers, stroll the manicured gardens as dusk turns the lake to liquid rose gold, or retreat to the spa and shimmering pools for a moment of blissful restoration. This is where glamour lingers, softly and without hurry.
What to Do
Island-Hop the Borromean Trio
Float across the lake to explore Isola Bella (with its palatial terraces and white peacocks), botanical Isola Madre, and the charming fishermen’s enclave of Isola dei Pescatori. Time slows down between ivy walls and soft garden paths, don’t resist it.
Wander the Lungolago
Stresa’s lakefront promenade is a slow stroll of the most beautiful kind. Lined with wrought-iron benches, art nouveau villas, and café tables filled with delicate glasses of franciacorta, it’s a love letter to la dolce vita.
Alpinia Botanical Garden
Above town, this floral sanctuary offers wild alpine blooms and a quiet stillness that’s almost sacred. Ideal for an afternoon of wandering, sketching, or simply breathing deeply.
Where to Eat
Ristorante Piccolo Lago – Verbania
Two Michelin stars and one unforgettable lakeside setting. Just across the water, Piccolo Lago blends culinary artistry with local soul. Chef Marco Sacco crafts dishes that are as poetic as the scenery, this is destination dining at its most refined.
Albergo Ristorante Il Verbano – Isola dei Pescatori
A lakeside lunch on this romantic island feels like stepping into a 19th-century painting. White linens, the soft lapping of water, and dishes rooted in tradition, it’s rustic luxury at its most heartfelt.
Ristorante Villa Crespi – Orta San Giulio (for a day trip)
A short journey from Stresa, but utterly worth it. This moorish-style villa is home to Chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo’s Michelin-starred cuisine. It’s decadent, dramatic, and dreamlike. An indulgent affair to remember.
Aeve Travel Tip:
When the destination is this iconic, your packing should be just as considered. The Grand Vanity Case is your chicest companion, designed to hold your beauty essentials, fragrances, and skincare with effortless elegance. Structured, spacious, and endlessly photogenic, it slips seamlessly into your hotel suite or spa ritual. Because getting ready should feel as luxurious as the getaway itself.
Aeve Lounge Insider Moments
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Visit in May or September for soft light, blooming gardens, and fewer crowds.
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Ask for a lakeside table everywhere, you’ll never regret the view.
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Always say yes to dessert.
