The 15 Best Lake Maggiore & Borromean Islands Tours

1.3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,122 reviews · 1 day · from $14Our pick

Explore Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori from Stresa by flexible boat for $14, with gardens and palace tickets extra.

“We really enjoyed the island-hopping tour. The boater were friendly and brought us safely to every island. Especially the gardens and palace took our attention, they were beautiful. For them, we had to get tickets separately tho. We were lucky with the weather and could not complain in any matter. Can recommend!”

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2.3 Borromean Islands Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 629 reviews · 1 day · from $17

Explore Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Islands by boat, with palaces, gardens, a fishing village, free time, and flexible island-to-island travel.

“Accueil en français . Petits bateaux typiques avec capitaine parlant français . Rotation toutes les 30 minutes très ponctuelles .”

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3.Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella Hop-on Hop-off Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 298 reviews · 1 day · from $14

Cruise from Stresa to Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella, with free time for lakeside food, palace gardens, peacocks, and island walks.

“Puntualità e cortesia del capitano! Migliorerei il punto di incontro e attesa della barca a Stresa perché i soliti furbi (italiani con bambini e ragazzini!) si infilano in coda arrivando all’ultimo e rubando il posto a chi era già lì. Non facciamo una bella figura con gli stranieri. Basterebbero due transenne così si può creare una coda corretta”

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4.1-Day 3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 262 reviews · 4 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $18

Explore Lake Maggiore’s three Borromean Islands by flexible hop-on hop-off boat, with palaces, gardens, fishing villages, and mountain views.

“A bit disorganized with the multiple docks. Wish there was a sign for our tour boat by dock. One time they pulled in, dropped off and took off without letting anyone on.”

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5.Isola Bella Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 178 reviews · 1 day · from $9

Take a flexible boat from Stresa to Isola Bella, explore its palace and gardens at your own pace, and enjoy Lake Maggiore views for $9.

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6.Madre & Bella Borromean Islands Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 152 reviews · 1 day · from $15

Review of the $15 Stresa boat trip to Isola Madre and Isola Bella, with gardens, palace terraces, peacocks, shops, costs, and practical tips.

“An incredibly good and interesting tour, delivered with great professionalism. The guide was outstanding and went above and beyond. We traveled as a family with a two-year-old, and everything was perfectly organized. Highly recommended.”

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7.Unique Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · 7 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $167

Cruise Lake Maggiore from Milan, visit Stresa and two Borromean Islands, and tour Isola Bella’s palace and gardens on a full-day outing.

“too much time for 1 island and no time for strase....no added value to this trip. guide bearly talked.....”

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8.Private Tour of Borromean Islands with Micaela Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) Top rated

Explore Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Islands with Micaela Lucini, a private boat, palace, gardens, and practical advice on the true cost.

“Great tour by a very well informed guide. Only negative was difficulty in getting a taxi to bring us from downtown Stresa to the train station.”

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9.2 Borromean Islands Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 1 day · from $14

Cruise Lake Maggiore from Stresa, hopping between Isola Bella, Isola Madre, or Isola dei Pescatori at your own pace.

“Parfait! Équipe très professionnelle bilingue et chaleureuse. Je conseille vivement.”

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10.Alpyland Alpine Coaster Ride on Mount Mottarone

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 46 reviews · 1 day · from $7Best value

Ride the 1,200-meter Alpyland coaster above Lake Maggiore, control your speed, and enjoy Alpine views with practical tips on cost and access.

“Super activité en famille. Attention elle se mérite grosse montée avant d’y arrivé. Mais cela valait le coup.”

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11.Statua San Carlo admission ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 43 reviews · from $11

Climb inside Arona’s Sancarlone statue for lake views, a close look at its structure, and access to the surrounding park.

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12.Private Guided Boat Tour of Lake Maggiore’s Borromeo Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.)

Cruise Lake Maggiore by private boat, visit Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori, and add Isola Madre with local guide Micaela Lucini.

“Thoroughly enjoyed our time on the lake with Micaela. She was very knowledgeable and pleasant, great english too. Recommend for anyone visiting the area and looking for a great way to spend the day visiting the islands.”

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13.Lake Maggiore and Borromean Islands Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 32 reviews · from $23

Cruise Lake Maggiore at sunset from Stresa, circling Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori for $23 per person.

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14.Isola Bella Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 31 reviews · 1 day · from $9

Take a flexible boat from Stresa to Isola Bella, tour its Borromean palace and terraced gardens, and spot famous white peacocks.

“All the staff were very friendly and helpful. Good value and a great service”

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15.Isola Pescatori Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 29 reviews · 1 day · from $10

Explore Lake Maggiore by boat from Stresa, with flexible island stops, Isola Pescatori’s fishing village, markets, and lakeside dining.

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