Isola Madre and Isola Bella: Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

About this experience

The Isola Madre and Isola Bella Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour is a self-guided lake tour on Lake Maggiore, departing from Piazza Guglielmo Marconi in Stresa. The route connects two of the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, known for its Baroque palace and terraced gardens, and Isola Madre, the largest of the Borromean Islands and home to an eighteenth-century botanical garden. Boats are modern vessels with a multilingual captain on board, and an audio guide in English and Italian runs throughout the crossing, covering the history and features of the islands and the surrounding lake. Passengers can disembark at each island and explore independently, then board the next available boat when ready to continue. The pace is entirely your own. Note that entry to the palaces, museums, and gardens on both islands is not included in the boat ticket, nor is a small landing fee contribution of 0.50 euros payable on-site. For those planning a wider trip, Milan attractions are roughly an hour from Stresa by train, making this a practical day excursion from the city. Tickets cover the hop-on hop-off boat service between Stresa and both islands; hotel transfers, food, and drinks are not included.

Highlights

• Hop on and off at Isola Bella and Isola Madre at your own pace
• Departs from Piazza Guglielmo Marconi in Stresa on Lake Maggiore
• Visit the Baroque palace and terraced gardens on Isola Bella
• Explore an 18th-century botanical garden on Isola Madre
• Audio guide in English and Italian plays throughout the crossing
• Isola Madre is the largest of the Borromean Islands

What is included

• Ticket for the hop-on hop-off boat to visit Isola Bella and Isola Madre
• Multilingual captain

Not included

• Entrances to museums and gardens on Isola Bella and Isola Madre
• Landing fee contribution of 0.50 cents to be paid on-site
• Foods and drinks
• Hotel pickup/drop-off

Before you go

Arrival and timing Make your way to Piazza Guglielmo Marconi in Stresa before your departure time. Arriving a few minutes early gives you time to get your bearings at the embarkation point and board without rushing. On the boat and at the islands A small landing fee contribution of 0.50 euros is payable on-site and is not included in your ticket. Entrance fees for the museums and gardens on Isola Bella and Isola Madre are also not included, so carry some cash or a card. Food and drink are not included. Options may be available on the islands, but it is worth bringing a bottle of water for the crossing. An audio guide in English and Italian plays on board, so keep the volume on your personal devices low to follow along comfortably. You set your own pace on each island, hopping back on the next available boat when you are ready to move on.

Cancellation terms

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.