Looking for a scenic day trip from Milan? Then you must visit the Borromean Islands! This small grouping of islands located on Lake Maggiore along the Piedmont side and is somewhat of an untouched gem compared to other Italian tourist spots.
The Borromean Islands are made up of Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola Pescatori.
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When to Visit the Borromean Islands
While some islands are inhabited by full-time residents, the true “season” for the islands typically begins mid-March – early November. This is when the boats begin to operate and you can find guided tours of the islands as well.
How to Get to the Borromean Islands
To visit the Borromean Islands as a day trip from Milan, you’ll take a regional train from Milano Centrale train station to the Stresa Station via Trenord. The ride will take about an hour to an hour and a half depending on the timetable. Always remember to be sure to validate your regional train tickets before riding the train. Also, be sure to pay attention to when the train should arrive at Stresa, as it will likely not be the train’s final stop.
Once you arrive in Stresa, you’ll walk about 10 minutes toward the pier location on Piazzale Lido where you’ll find several options of tour guide/boat operators.
Visiting the Islands
Now that you’ve arrived at Piazzale Lido, you have several options of tour companies to book through. I can vouch for booking with Tour Isole Borromeo.
You can purchase tickets and visit one, two, or all three islands. I personally chose to spend most of my time on Isola Bella, so I selected the 2-island options. You can find all of the price options HERE.
Isola Pescatori
Isola Pescatori is the only island that is still inhabited by local residents. It used to be a fishing community (hence the island name translating to Fishermen Island), but today seems to be targeted more towards the tourism industry.
This is a nice island to stroll along, stop into the local stores, and enjoy a pastry and coffee at a bar. You likely won’t need more than 45-60 minutes on this island.
Isola Bella
Isola Bella has arguably the most to see amongst your visit to the Borromean Islands. When you first arrive, you find some very cute restaurants situated right on the water. If you prefer to enjoy a meal with a gorgeous view check out Ristorante Elvezia.
After a meal, you can spend some time walking around the island. There are many more vendors and shops selling clothing, souvenirs, etc.
One of the main reasons people flock to Isola Bella is to explore the Palazzo Borromeo and its baroque-style gardens. When you visit the Borromean Islands, you don’t want to miss it. The palazzo wasn’t open to the public until the 1970s. It will take, on average, about an hour to walk through the palazzo and the gardens.
You can also take a quick jump into the water next to the Palazzo, if you like. On warm days, you’ll find people taking a dip in the water along the shore.
This completes your day trip from Milan! Did you enjoy visiting the Borromean Islands?
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