Borromean Islands
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 15 January 2024
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The Borromean Islands occupy a westward spur of the southern section of Lake Maggiore in the northern Italian region of Piedmont.
The island group consists of three small islands that are favourite spots for tourists, along with the islet of San Giovanni and a small rock called Lo Scoglio di Malghera. Named after the aristocratic Borromeo family which has owned them since the sixteenth century, the islands can be reached by ferry from the lakeside town of Stresa to the south or from the larger city of Verbania to the north. |
Isola Bella, Borromean Islands
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Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori
Each island has its own charm with perhaps the most popular being Isola Bella with its beautiful garden and accompanying palace, the Palazzo Borromeo. Isola Bella lies just off the shore of Stresa and from the island's north-western tip you can gaze directly across to the neighbouring Isola dei Pescatori with the tiny Scoglio di Malghera in between.
The fishermen's island of Isola dei Pescatori is of a similar size to Isola Bella but of a quite different character; whereas Isola Bella is all about manicured gardens and a grand palace, Isola dei Pescatori has a small number of residents whose economy was originally based around fishing but now also relies on tourism to a certain degree.
The fishermen's island of Isola dei Pescatori is of a similar size to Isola Bella but of a quite different character; whereas Isola Bella is all about manicured gardens and a grand palace, Isola dei Pescatori has a small number of residents whose economy was originally based around fishing but now also relies on tourism to a certain degree.
Isola Madre and Isolino di San Giovanni
Sitting roughly halfway between Stresa and Verbania is the pretty island of Isola Madre which again has a garden and its own Palazzo Borromeo that makes for an engaging visit.
The final island of the main group of four is the Isolino di San Giovanni, sometimes called the Isola San Giovanni and located just a short distance from the shore of Verbania. Also owned by the Borromeo family, it's the only one of the four that can't be visited without a special invitation.
The Borromean Islands will no doubt appeal to any gardening enthusiasts with Isola Bella and Isola Madre among the prettiest gardens in Italy. However, even better than those two are the incredible gardens of Villa Taranto which have their own ferry jetty just south of Verbania.
To visit all three islands and Villa Taranto in one day might be pushing things a little too far but you can just about visit the three gardens in one day or alternatively, the three islands on the same day.
The final island of the main group of four is the Isolino di San Giovanni, sometimes called the Isola San Giovanni and located just a short distance from the shore of Verbania. Also owned by the Borromeo family, it's the only one of the four that can't be visited without a special invitation.
The Borromean Islands will no doubt appeal to any gardening enthusiasts with Isola Bella and Isola Madre among the prettiest gardens in Italy. However, even better than those two are the incredible gardens of Villa Taranto which have their own ferry jetty just south of Verbania.
To visit all three islands and Villa Taranto in one day might be pushing things a little too far but you can just about visit the three gardens in one day or alternatively, the three islands on the same day.
Isola Bella
Isola Bella
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Isola dei Pescatori
Isola dei Pescatori
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Isola Madre
Isola Madre
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Isolino di San Giovanni
Isolino di San Giovanni
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