Varese
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 11 March 2022
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The city of Varese is the capital city of the Province of Varese with a population of 80,559 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 382 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 54 km² and lies 50 kilometres north west of Milan, the regional capital of Lombardy. Aside from its own charms, Varese sits in an enviable location with Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Lake Lugano all within striking distance and a series of smaller lakes even closer to the city centre. |
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The main square in Varese is Piazza Monte Grappa; largely consisting of Fascist-era architecture from the 20th century it's quite different from typical piazzas throughout Italy but no less charming. From Piazza Monte Grappa you can take a short walk along the main shopping street: Corso Matteotti, before turning towards the Basilica di San Vittore. Replete with its own impressive bell tower, the Basilica is the main religious building in the city and stands on the square named after it: Piazza San Vittore.
Once you've explored the porticoed streets around the Basilica, you can head back towards Piazza Monte Grappa and edge away from the city centre. In this south-western area of the city you'll find the Giardini Estensi, the public gardens (free to enter) of the Palazzo Estense which is these days the home to Varese's town hall. A pleasant stroll through the gardens will bring you to Villa Mirabello which houses the Civic Museum and Archaeological Museum.
On the opposite side of the city to the Giardini Estensi is perhaps Varese's most famous visitor attraction: Villa Panza. To reach the villa it's either a 15 minute walk or around 10 minutes if you take the Line A bus from Verratti 14 (del Cairo) stop. On display at the villa is a selection of contemporary art pieces combined with historic furniture and surroundings, making for an unusual and appealing combination.
Further still from the city centre is the Sacro Monte di Varese. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountain can be reached by the Line C bus in 18 minutes. Another sight on the outskirts of the city is Lake Varese, the largest of a group of three lakes that lie to the south of the city.
Varese's train station is situated half a kilometre west of the city centre, an 8 minute walk from Piazza Monte Grappa. Trains run south from here to Milan with a journey time of 52 minutes to Milan's Porta Garibaldi station. Heading east by train you can reach Como in around 45 minutes, a route that temporarily passes through Switzerland. Another popular route from here is to the town of Laveno-Mombello on Lake Maggiore, a journey of 36 minutes.
The most convenient airport for Varese is Milan Malpensa Airport which is a 35 minute car journey away (40 km), while a second option is Milan Linate Airport which is just over an hour away (75 km).
Once you've explored the porticoed streets around the Basilica, you can head back towards Piazza Monte Grappa and edge away from the city centre. In this south-western area of the city you'll find the Giardini Estensi, the public gardens (free to enter) of the Palazzo Estense which is these days the home to Varese's town hall. A pleasant stroll through the gardens will bring you to Villa Mirabello which houses the Civic Museum and Archaeological Museum.
On the opposite side of the city to the Giardini Estensi is perhaps Varese's most famous visitor attraction: Villa Panza. To reach the villa it's either a 15 minute walk or around 10 minutes if you take the Line A bus from Verratti 14 (del Cairo) stop. On display at the villa is a selection of contemporary art pieces combined with historic furniture and surroundings, making for an unusual and appealing combination.
Further still from the city centre is the Sacro Monte di Varese. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountain can be reached by the Line C bus in 18 minutes. Another sight on the outskirts of the city is Lake Varese, the largest of a group of three lakes that lie to the south of the city.
Varese's train station is situated half a kilometre west of the city centre, an 8 minute walk from Piazza Monte Grappa. Trains run south from here to Milan with a journey time of 52 minutes to Milan's Porta Garibaldi station. Heading east by train you can reach Como in around 45 minutes, a route that temporarily passes through Switzerland. Another popular route from here is to the town of Laveno-Mombello on Lake Maggiore, a journey of 36 minutes.
The most convenient airport for Varese is Milan Malpensa Airport which is a 35 minute car journey away (40 km), while a second option is Milan Linate Airport which is just over an hour away (75 km).
Comune di Varese
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Province: Varese
Region: Lombardy Population: 79,350 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 54 km² Elevation: 382 metres Highlights: Giardini Estensi, Basilica di San Vittore, shopping Close by: Lake Varese, Sacro Monte di Varese, Lake Comabbio Recommended accommodation: Palace Grand Hotel Varese |
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Public transport: central train station, local buses
By train: Laveno-Mombello - 36 mins, Milan Porta Garibaldi - 52' |
By car: Como - 54 mins (29 km), Monza - 1 hour 7 mins (67 km)
Fly to: Milan Malpensa Airport - 35 minutes by car (40 km) |
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