Holiday in Stresa
City in Italy — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇮🇹
Country
Italy
Type
City
Best time to travel
April to October (Islands and Lake), May (blooming season of the gardens), September (mild temperatures)
Budget/day
100-170 EUR: lakeside hotel, island tour, cable car, restaurant
Getting there from Germany
Car from Milan 1 h | Train to Stresa (Simplon line) | Flight to Milan Malpensa (40 km)
Deals for Stresa:
What makes Stresa special as a destination?
Stresa on the western shore of Lake Maggiore is an elegant spa town of the Belle Époque and a starting point for the world-famous Borromean Islands. The magnificent lakeside promenade with its grand hotels, the exotic gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre, as well as the cable car to Monte Mottarone make Stresa one of the most romantic lake destinations in Italy. Hemingway wrote parts of "A Farewell to Arms" in Stresa — the charm of the Roaring Twenties is still palpable today.
What are the top highlights in Stresa?
The top highlights in Stresa include Borromean Islands, Monte Mottarone Cable Car, Lakeside Promenade, Villa Pallavicino.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Borromean Islands
Isola Bella with baroque palace and gardens, Isola Madre with botanical park — by boat from Stresa.
Monte Mottarone Cable Car
Cable car to 1,491 m with panoramic views of Lake Maggiore, the Alps, and the Po Valley.
Lakeside Promenade
Elegant waterfront promenade with grand hotels in Belle Époque style and views of the islands.
Villa Pallavicino
Botanical park with exotic animals — flamingos, llamas, and kangaroos in an Italian garden.
Hotels in Stresa
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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Stresa?
The best time to visit Stresa is April to October (Islands and Lake), May (blooming season of the gardens), September (mild temperatures). Warm, 25-30°C, pleasant lake breeze In winter: Cool, 3-8°C, foggy winter romance
Recommended travel time
April to October (Islands and Lake), May (blooming season of the gardens), September (mild temperatures)
Summer
Warm, 25-30°C, pleasant lake breeze
Winter
Cool, 3-8°C, foggy winter romance
How much does a holiday in Stresa cost?
Budget travellers: 50-80 EUR: B and B, lakeside promenade free, boat from 12 EUR/day, mid-range: 100-170 EUR: lakeside hotel, island tour, cable car, restaurant/day, luxury: 300+ EUR: Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, gourmet menu, private boat/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
50-80 EUR: B and B, lakeside promenade free, boat from 12 EUR
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
100-170 EUR: lakeside hotel, island tour, cable car, restaurant
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
300+ EUR: Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, gourmet menu, private boat
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Stresa?
Car from Milan 1 h | Train to Stresa (Simplon line) | Flight to Milan Malpensa (40 km)
Book a package holiday to Stresa
Compare thousands of package holidays to Stresa and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Stresa?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Visit Isola Bella in the morning before day-trippers from Milan arrive.
Take the cable car to Mottarone — the view over 7 lakes at once is breathtaking.
Stroll along the lakeside promenade in the evening — the light on the lake and the islands is dreamy.
Combine Stresa with a trip to nearby Swiss Locarno — only 1 hour away.
What should you eat in Stresa?
Typical specialities in Stresa: Risotto alla Borromea — creamy rice with perch and saffron, inspired by the islands, Ossobuco alla milanese — braised veal shank with gremolata, a Lombard classic, Gorgonzola — the famous blue cheese comes from the region, Gelato al limone — fresh lemon ice cream at the lakeside promenade.
These specialties you must try!
