The Lake Maggiore sights you really shouldn't miss

Lake Maggiore is an extremely popular destination for Swiss and international visitors alike. The lake is a sight in its own right, and there is plenty to discover in the surrounding area too. Hotels on Lake Maggiore – such as the Hotel La Palma au Lac – make an ideal base for eventful excursions.

Below, we reveal which sights around Lake Maggiore you simply mustn't miss. You'll also find out what awaits you at our hotel when you book a room or suite.

Things to see around Lake Maggiore

In German-speaking Switzerland, Lake Maggiore is also known as the Langensee. It is around 65 kilometres long, with 80 per cent of it in Italy and 20 per cent in Switzerland.

Its Italian share makes it the second-largest lake in Italy after Lake Garda. With an average water level of 193 metres above sea level, it is also the lowest point in Switzerland.

Lake Maggiore stretches from the Bolle di Magadino river delta in the north to the floodplains of Sesto Calende in the south. Its shores are home to well-known tourist resorts such as Locarno and Ascona. There are also numerous nature reserves along the lake, and its various islands regularly attract large numbers of visitors.

Things to see in Locarno

Locarno is probably the best-known town on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Not only is it home to the Hotel La Palma au Lac – the municipality of around 15,000 inhabitants also boasts a wealth of sights.

Its landmark is the pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso, which sits majestically above the town. It isn't only the complex of buildings that is well worth seeing: the site also offers breathtaking views over Locarno, the lake and the surrounding mountains.

In Locarno itself, a visit to the Piazza Grande is a must. Not only is it the heart of the town, tempting visitors with numerous restaurants, cafés and boutiques – on several days a year it also becomes the cultural centre of the whole of Switzerland.

In July, for instance, the square serves for several days as a stage for a host of renowned singers and bands. Since 2004, the Moon&Stars festival has been attracting Swiss and international musicians. Artists such as James Blunt, Eros Ramazzotti, Stefanie Heinzmann and Luca Hänni have all taken to the stage here.

When the Locarno Film Festival takes place in August, a variety of films are screened on the Piazza Grande. Around 8,000 spectators can sit in front of the huge screen – and they even get to rate the films shown. The film with the highest rating then receives the audience award, the Prix du Public.

Ascona, Arona, Verbania and Stresa

The small municipality of Ascona also lies on Lake Maggiore, in Ticino. It impresses with its lakeside promenade, home to the town hall built in the 16th century, among other buildings. The Casa Serodine, meanwhile, boasts one of the most beautiful facades in all of Switzerland.

The town of Arona lies in the Italian region of Piedmont and is very popular with tourists. Arona's landmark is a 35-metre, 17th-century statue of St Charles Borromeo. The monument stands on a hill above the town. The statue can be climbed inside: stairs and ladders lead all the way up to the head.

Verbania, also in Piedmont, is well worth a visit too. The town has several historic churches as well as the Oratorio San Remigio, a national monument. The botanical garden of Villa Taranto is another highlight. Situated largely on a promontory, it is home to more than 20,000 plants.

Although fewer than 5,000 people live in Stresa in Piedmont, this resort town has plenty to offer. Around the Villa Pallavicino, for instance, there is a 16-hectare park that includes a zoo. Stresa's local mountain, Monte Mottarone, is a popular destination for excursions.

From the summit of Monte Mottarone, at almost 1,500 metres, there are sweeping views over the surrounding lakes and the Alps. At around 800 metres, in Alpino, you'll also find the Giardino Botanico Alpinia, a botanical garden devoted to alpine and subalpine flora.

Islands on Lake Maggiore

But it's not only on the shores of Lake Maggiore that tourists and locals are spoilt for choice. There are several islands on the lake, namely:

• the five Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Scoglio della Malghera off Stresa, plus Isolino di San Giovanni and Isola Madre off Verbania
• Isola di San Pancrazio and Isola di Sant'Apollinare near Brissago
• the two small islands of the Castelli di Cannero (Castello di Malpaga) north of Cannero Riviera
• Isolino Partegora near Angera

Some of the islands are very small or closed to the public, which means they are of no interest to tourists. It's a different story with Isola Madre and Isola Bella, both of which are popular excursion destinations.

Isola Madre, the largest island on Lake Maggiore, is home to an English-style park. The island also boasts several historic buildings, including the Palazzo Borromeo. Isola Madre can be reached by boat from Stresa.

Isola Bella, the second-largest of the Borromean Islands, lies on the same route. However, it can be reached not only from Stresa but also from other places such as Baveno. On Isola Bella, visitors can look forward to the impressive Palazzo Borromeo and the picturesque gardens that surround it.

What criteria should a good hotel on Lake Maggiore meet?

There are quite a few hotels on Lake Maggiore, ranging from accommodation for fairly short stays to hotels for the most discerning guests. It's up to you to decide which criteria matter for your chosen hotel. If you simply want somewhere to spend the night, a bed and a bathroom are essentially all you need.

If, however, you want to enjoy a comfortable stay on Lake Maggiore, the hotel should meet certain requirements. These include an excellent restaurant and an in-house spa, among other things. At the Hotel La Palma au Lac in Locarno, you'll find both.

What should hotels on Lake Maggiore offer their guests?

Outstanding hotels on Lake Maggiore should offer their guests a special level of comfort. Anyone checking in to such a hotel should feel at ease in every respect. At the Hotel La Palma au Lac, you can choose from rooms and suites of various sizes, many of which offer fabulous views of Lake Maggiore and the mountains.

Naturally, every room and suite features free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a safe.

Good hotels on Lake Maggiore should also have their own restaurant. Our restaurant focuses on Ticino cuisine and regional producers. On the terrace above the lake, you can savour specialities from the kitchen while enjoying the finest of views.

On our ground floor, the Napulé pizzeria adds to the culinary offering, bringing classic Neapolitan pizza to Ticino.

Hotels on Lake Maggiore with a spa offer their guests maximum relaxation. At our hotel, a spa area with saunas and a whirlpool awaits you, along with Palm Leaf SPA by Gold Elephant and its traditional Thai massages.

If you have any questions about the services at our hotel on Lake Maggiore, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us via our contact form. And of course, you can also book your stay with us directly on our website.