Isola Bella
Stresa, Italy
The Borromeo family’s Baroque palace and terraced garden, with white peacocks, filling a whole island off Stresa. Public boats leave from the Stresa landing.
Before the Borromeo family, Isola Bella was a rocky reef with fishermen, two small churches and a few vegetable plots. In the first two decades of the 17th century the family turned its attention to the island; Vitaliano VI Borromeo expanded the project and is regarded as the true founder of the island. The Baroque palazzo holds salons with lake views, paintings, furniture, suits of armour and Flemish tapestries. The Italian garden consists of terraces and parterres at different levels with statues, obelisks, steps and balustrades, with an amphitheatre at its centre. From the top terrace you look out over the lake.
The island lies off Stresa, and the boats leave from the landing stage there. The palazzo and garden are open seasonally only; check the current times on the Borromeo website. Allow about two hours for the palazzo and garden.
- Nearest town
- Stresa, Italy
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 45.8960, 8.5270
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping ParisiCampsite2 km from Isola BellaTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
- IsolinoCampsite5 km from Isola BellaTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Lido ToceCampsite5 km from Isola Bella · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Continental Camping VillageCampsite7 km from Isola BellaTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping La QuieteCampsite7 km from Isola Bella · 160 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping Lago delle FateCampsite9 km from Isola BellaTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Isola Bella?
Isola Bella is in Stresa, Italy, at GPS 45.8960, 8.5270. It is about 3 km from Verbania.
Can you camp near Isola Bella?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Parisi, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 80 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Isola Bella?
Isola Bella is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.
What is there to see near Isola Bella?
Places worth a stop nearby: Villa Taranto gardens (4 km), Isola San Giulio (15 km), San Carlone statue (15 km) and Morcote (30 km).
When is the best time to visit Isola Bella?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)