Mercato di Luino

A quintessential Italian market experience! Every Wednesday from 8:30am to 5pm, a 350+ stall outdoor street market is hosted in the town center. The bazzar dates back to 1535 and hosts vendors selling everything from crafts, leather goods, local wares, and plenty of foods and cheeses! If you're staying at the wedding venue, there is a free shuttle or parking lakeshore (Viale Dante Alighieri).

FoxTown Mall

About 40min East, between Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, in Mendrisio, Switzerland, is FoxTown shopping center and outlets. 160 stores including International and Italian luxury brands. Open 7 days a week.

There is an achipelago in Lake Maggiore to explore, known as the Borromean Islands. They can be accessed by the public ferry or a private taxi boat. Each island can take 1-4 hours. The ferry ride is ~1-1.5hrs from the Lombardy side of the lake with a transfer. We highly recommend spending an entire day to visit all 3 in the order below.

Ferry tickets can be purchased online or at the dock. Please note that if you buy ferry tickets online, you must still pay the island tax of €0,50/island/person at the ticket office at the dock - keep this receipt.

Keep track of the stops, the ferries make several stops. Use this official website to see the time table, stops, and costs.

If coming from Luino, the ferry is in Laveno (~30min south). Drive past the dock/ticketing office using the roundabout to veer right, and there will be a parking lot near the park with kiosks. All-day parking is several euros (there is usually an attendant here to help). We recommend this gelato shop near the dock: La Dispenseria dei Baldi.

1. Isola Bella

Famous for the historical Palazzo Borromeo , a scenic baroque palace with terraced gardens and peacocks. Access to the palace, museum, and garden is €27.00 pp. Open from 10a to 5pm. At this first stop, you can also purchase a ticket package for all 3 gardens. More information can be found here.

2. Isola Madre

Large botanical gardens with exotic plants, rare flowers, and roaming peacocks and pheasants. Tour historic villas and private museums.

3. Isola dei Pescatori

Charming fishing village with quaint restaurants and local artisan boutiques. Enjoy fresh seafood!

Visit Luino in Lombardy

The village dates back to ancient times. The village has played crucial roles in history, such as during the clashes between Garibaldi and the Austrians in 1848. Notable historic places to see include Masnago Castle (castle turned civic art museum), Angera Fortress (13th-14th century castle), and Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso (monastery).

Visit Stresa/Verbania in Piedmont

Lago Maggiore is divided into the Piedmont region on the West and the Lombardy region on the East.

Stresa/Verbania are a great mix of lakeside charm, history, nature, and easy adventures. They are located in Piedmont and there are several passenger and car ferry options to cross the lake.

Visit Cardada‑Cimetta in Switzerland

Located on the Swiss northern side of Lago Maggiore, you can drive up Cardada (1,340 m) or Cimetta (1,670 m) to see panoramic views of the lake. This is known as the "balcony over the lake" (Passerella Panoramica di Cardada). There is a gondola-cable car option starting in Locarno. There are also walking trails and restaurants at the peaks. On clear days, you can see the high peaks of the Swiss Alps!