Markets:
It’s market day pretty much EVERY day somewhere around the lake. And there’s always something fun to find from local produce, meats and cheeses, to fun clothes or souvenirs. Or you can just enjoy walking around in the open air market. it’s a way of life here. Below is the schedule we are aware of for some of the nearby towns. Click the town names for more info on each. (The one’s in bold are closest)
Also here’s a good site with some market overviews . We recommend the Luino market and you can catch a nice 25 minute bus ride along the lakefront to there from right in front of the Laveno train station.
| DAY | TOWN | MARKET HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Baveno | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Arona | 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM |
| Tuesday | Laveno-Mombello | Morning hours |
| Wednesday | Luino | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Gravellona Toce | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Orta San Giulio | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Thursday | Omegna | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Friday | Stresa | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Saturday | Verbania-Intra | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | Cannobio | 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM |
The Boromean Islands
This is a MUST do if you have the time. Basically, the Boromeo family were (and still are) “ballers” and they share some pretty amazing places with the public. It’s an easy ferry ride to visit them all, and you can do the whole thing in a day, if you want. Including a visit to spectacular and fancy Stressa. You just need to start a little early. Below is a suggested itinerary and a few tips we learned along the way.
Suggested Itinerary
Laveno —-> Intra —-> Isola Madre —-> Isola Pescatore (Superiore) —-> Isola Bella —-> Stresa —-> Intra —-> Laveno
Now let’s break that down. First of all, here’s the ferry company website to check times and buy tickets. But you can also buy them at the terminal. Be sure to grab a ferry schedule for the day. You will use it all day long.
First Stop, Laveno to Intra by ferry:
The ferry between Laveno and Intra leaves about every 30 minutes, and takes only 20 minutes. It just goes back and forth, so it’s very easy. Leave early. Maybe before 9am at latest.
Buy a round trip or “return” ticket, and keep your ticket for later in the day to come home. Check the time for the NEXT leg of the journey, then plan your departure from Laveno accordingly.
YOU CAN BUY ALL YOUR FERRY TICKETS FOR THE DAY AT THE LAVENO BOOTH.
The only slightly tricky bit is the bus ride at the end. Scroll down for tips to make it easy.
Intra to the Boromean Islands by ferry:
There’s a ferry that goes from Intra to ALL of the islands, then to a couple cute towns on the other side of the lake, and ultimately to Stressa. It runs about every hour or so. This is the ticket you want. Just buy one-way, ending in Stressa. Then jump on your ferry.
Second Stop, Isola Madre:
This is an AMAZING botanical garden island with a lovely rustic villa, wandering exotic birds, a parrot habitat, and just a really relaxing peaceful vibe. Also, the mysteriously temperate micro-climate allows them to grow remarkably tropical plants. With wandering paths and lots of little places to discover, it’s often a group favorite.
NOTE: Don’t hurry, but do take a peak at the time of the next ferry departing for Isola Pescatore, (also called “Isola Superiore”) so you don’t miss a good timed one and have to wait around. But even so, not a bad place to relax, and you can get food and coffee there while you wait.
Third Stop, Isola Pescatore (Superiore):
This used to be the island where all the fisherman lived. Hence the name. Now it’s an adorable little tourist stop which you can peruse very easily and do some shopping on their tiny quaint “Main Street”. Again, take a peak at the ferry schedule for your next departure.
Our recommendation would be that you time your previous stops so you can grab lunch here. There are lots of great spots. Some right by the docks, some on the “local’s side” of the island. There a couple of very fancy restaurants, one facing Isola Bella. Some restaurants perched on top of the center buildings. We often stop at the open cafe restaurant on the park side. Enjoy.
Fourth Stop, Isola Bella:
This island is simply stunning. Suffice it to say the Boromeo family had wealth, status, and influence. This island is a crowning jewel in their vast collection, meant to show all of that off. And it does not disappoint. The incredible Italian Baroque palace, the extravagant layered gardens. It’s a mind blower and a kind of hidden architectural gem of the world.
You may need to buy a separate ticket for the palace, but it is DEFINITELY worth it! Once again, keep an eye on your schedule then catch the next Ferry to Stresa
Fifth Stop, Stresa:
With its royal hotels and fancy designer shops, Stresa is a classy destination for many visitors to the lake region. You can get lost in the tiny streets and plentiful shops, and hopefully stop (more than once) at a cafe or pasticceria (speaking of, one of my favorites is il Gigi on the main street. Maybe head there for a snack and bathroom stop as soon as you get off the ferry.)
Besides several cute piazzas, Stresa also has a wide and beautiful lakefront park. Worth a relaxing walk to explore, and maybe grab a gelato.
Bus ride back to Intra:
There’s a bus stop in front of the ferry terminal where you got off the boat. THIS is the one you want. Sometimes when you look up the bus stop, it will suggest one in the next town over, on the way back around the lake to Intra.. Don’t fall for that.
The busses are very nice and the schedule is posted on the bus stop. You are likely looking for a bus that says “Intra” or “Verbania”. Just ask the driver or a local if you’re not sure. Sometimes they take card, but you may want to have cash available for this ride. It’s only a few Euros.
Possible dinner in Intra:
If you haven’t already explored Intra, there’s plenty to see there. But by this time you are probably pretty tired. At minimum though you might have time for a nice dinner al fresco in one of the lovely restaurants around Piazza Ranzoni.
There are also plenty of shops and gelaterias for you to enjoy.
Last stop, Ferry back to Laveno:
Whether you grabbed dinner in Intra or not, the bus drops you near the ferry terminal. Time to find that return ticket back to Laveno that you hopefully saved somewhere, then head back home for the night, with lots of photos and memories.
Hope you had a great taste of la Dolce Vita today!
Santa Caterina Del Sasso:
This is an amazing place just a few minutes south of us. A peaceful hermitage carved into and hanging off of a lakeside cliff. It is in operation today with services and a small compliment both of monks and nuns living there.
A long flight of stairs or a new elevator bring you down to the enclave. There’s a tiny fee for the elevator (to help pay for it).
You can get there by bus from in front of the Laveno train station. On the way there is also a small nearby rocky beach (spiaggia) in the tiny town of Cero.
Here’s their website and their google maps location.
Luino:
This is a slightly larger town just north of us with probably the biggest market in this part of the lake which takes place on Wednesday. It also boasts a fabulous lakefront park and promenade. Luino is a great place to spend the day shopping in town, or drinks on the lakefront, or just a nice stroll. It’s about a 25 minute bus ride from the Laveno bus and train station.
Here’s Luino’s google location. Below is a video walkthrough of the market.
Cannobio:
This elegant little lakeside village is just a little north across the lake from Luino, and also reachable by a ferry that runs about every 1.5 hours. It has a fabulous “Lungo Lago” along the lake with lots of restaurants, and it hosts a wonderful market day of its own on Sunday
Rocca di Angera:
Angera Castle is another amazing historical and architectural treasure owned by the Boromeo family. It’s only about 30 minutes south of us by car, perched high above the cute little town of Angera. This would be a great little side trip. Check their website to make sure they are open.
Their google maps location.
Arona:
Just across the lake by ferry from Angera is the splendid little down of Arona. With its quaint streets, lovely lakefront promenade, and excellent shopping and restaurants, this is a nice addition to a trip to Angera Castle.
The ferry from Angera departs frequently so it’s easy to get to Arona and back. Their market day is Tuesday, same as Laveno. Here’s the google maps location.
There’s also a giant almost 100 foot tall statue of San Carlo Boromeo above the city.