Italy’s Lago Maggiore, a less-crowded alternative to Lake Como, definitely has the scenery to rival its more famous counterpart. Backed by the snow-capped Alps, its shoreline is dotted with picturesque villages, among which Stresa may be the fairest of them all. Located on the lake’s southwestern shore, the town faces the three tiny Borromean Islands — Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Madre — each with its own distinct personality and history.
Once a tiny fishing village, in the early 20th century Stresa blossomed into a luxurious resort town and a playground for the rich and famous, including George Bernard Shaw, J.D. Rockefeller, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Princess Margaret, and Ernest Hemingway (more on him in a bit). Today, Stresa remains a vibrant European destination for summer travelers, catering to luxury travelers along with those on a more modest budget. With its colorful Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau architecture, elegant restaurants serving fresh, local cuisine, lovely lakefront promenade, and slow pace of life, Stresa is easy on the soul as well as on the eyes — a perfect setting for some serious relaxation.
Where to stay in Stresa
Walking the promenade in Stresa and other things to do
Stresa is the ideal setting for the Italian evening ritual known as la passegiata. This basically just means walking just for the sake of walking, without a particular destination in mind. And in Stresa there’s no better place to do this than the stately tree-lined promenade along the town’s waterfront, which boasts stunning views of the lake, islands, and mountains as well as some of the gorgeous villas and hotels. Don’t forget to stop and get a requisite gelato along the way.
After walking southeast around 1.4 miles from town along the promenade, you’ll arrive at the Villa Pallavicino, a 19th-century neoclassical villa with beautifully manicured gardens and a small zoo — well worth taking the time to visit. Another great place to stroll is right around the main square, Piazza Luigi Cadorna, where you can shop to your heart’s content for souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, and local wines and other products. If more rugged walking is what you’re after, plenty of hiking trails wind through the hills above Stresa, some with incredible panoramic vistas. Meanwhile, those who prefer to rest their legs can take a boat ride to visit the enchanting Borromean Islands or to nearby towns that are also on the lake, such as Baveno or Intra.
