2026 season ends on 8 November
A Baroque palace with terraced gardens on Isola Bella, a botanical garden on Isola Madre, a fishing village on Isola dei Pescatori: from Turin it makes a long but doable day. Here's how to get there, what admission costs and how long the islands stay open.
from€40.00per person
See Bella + Madre tickets
Lake Maggiore lies north-east of Turin on the border between Piedmont, Lombardy and Switzerland. Most day-trippers head for Stresa on the Piedmontese western shore. Just off the town lie the three Borromean Islands, a few minutes away by boat:
Important for planning: from Turin you'll spend several hours each way by train or car. There is no direct train; you change at least once. For a relaxed day, two islands are usually enough – for example Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. If you want to see all three, start early or stay overnight in Stresa.
Isola Bella and Isola Madre still belong to the Borromeo family and are run by Terre Borromeo. They are only open from spring to autumn.
Isola Bella and Isola Madre are only open during the season. In 2026 it runs from 12 March to 8 November. So if you want to make the trip this year, you only have a few weeks left. The boat timetable and opening hours also change on 5 October and 25 October.
| Period in 2026 | What applies |
|---|---|
| until 4 October | Navigazione Laghi summer timetable, island tour from Stresa covering all three islands |
| from 5 October | Navigazione Laghi summer timetable and island tour have ended – check the timetable before you travel; private motorboats from Stresa keep running |
| until 24 October | Isola Bella and Isola Madre daily, last admission 17:00 |
| 25 October to 8 November | Isola Bella and Isola Madre daily, last admission 16:00 |
| from 9 November | Palaces and gardens closed until next season |
Sources: terreborromeo.it and navigazionelaghi.it, as of 1 October 2026. The reopening date for 2027 has not yet been published; in 2026 the islands opened on 12 March.
Each island has its own character. Isola Bella and Isola Madre require a ticket; Isola dei Pescatori is free to visit.
In the 17th century the island was a bare rock. Carlo III Borromeo and his successors turned it into a palace and garden; the name comes from his wife, Isabella d’Adda. The gardens descend in terraces to the lake, with the Teatro Massimo at the southern end. Admission covers the Palazzo Borromeo and the Baroque garden.
The largest of the Borromean Islands covers around eight hectares. From the 19th century its vineyards and citrus groves became a botanical garden – the first greenhouses were built in 1826. There is also a 16th-century Palazzo Borromeo with furnished rooms. Quieter than Isola Bella.
The fishing village between the two palace islands is officially called Isola Superiore. There is no admission charge, but there are lanes, a lakeside path and restaurants. A good place for lunch between two palace visits.
The botanical garden in Verbania-Pallanza was created by the Scotsman Neil McEacharn, who began the project in 1931. The villa has its own “Villa Taranto” boat landing. In 2026 it opened on 6 March; shorter hours apply in late autumn – check villataranto.it for current times.
These are the prices given by the operator Terre Borromeo for the 2026 season. Each ticket covers the Palazzo Borromeo and garden. The boat trip is not included and costs extra.
| Ticket | Adults | Ages 6 to 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Isola Bella | €27.00 | €18.00 |
| Isola Madre | €23.00 | €15.00 |
| Combined Isola Bella + Isola Madre | €40.00 | €23.00 |
| Combined Isola Bella + Isola Madre + Rocca di Angera | €55.00 | €28.00 |
| Isola dei Pescatori | free | free |
Official prices according to terreborromeo.it, as of October 2026. Children up to 5 free. According to the operator, prices may vary depending on the day of your visit and the sales channel. On top of this there is a landing fee of €0.50 per island (age 6 and over).
Both islands are open daily during the season, including public holidays. The key time for your schedule is last admission.
| Period in 2026 | Opens | Last admission | Palace closes | Garden closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 March to 24 October | 10:00 | 17:00 | 17:30 | 18:00 |
| 25 October to 8 November | 10:00 | 16:00 | 16:30 | 17:00 |
Same hours for Isola Bella and Isola Madre according to terreborromeo.it.
Stresa is on the Milan–Domodossola railway line. There is no direct train from Turin; you have two options:
Either way, allow several hours each way and look up the connection for your day on trenitalia.com. You can catch the first train from Turin at Porta Susa or Porta Nuova – more on our page about public transport in Turin.
Please note – engineering works in October 2026: on 2–4, 16–18 and 23–25 October, replacement buses run instead of regional trains between Arona and Domodossola. On these days the EuroCity trains between Milano Centrale and Domodossola are replaced by buses which, according to RFI, only stop in Milan and Domodossola. On these weekends allow extra time or go by car (source: rfi.it).
By car: from Turin take the A4 towards Milan, and west of Novara join the A26 towards Gravellona Toce. For Stresa, take the Carpugnino exit (heading towards Gravellona Toce) or the Baveno exit (heading towards Genoa), then follow the signs for Stresa. The car stays in Stresa; the islands can only be reached by boat.
Two kinds of boats go to the islands:
Neither option includes admission to Isola Bella and Isola Madre. Depending on the operator, you pay the €0.50 landing fee per island when you buy your ticket or in cash on site.
From 25 October, last admission on Isola Bella and Isola Madre is as early as 16:00. If possible, avoid the October weekends with replacement buses (2–4, 16–18, 23–25).
Take an early-morning train so that you reach Stresa for the 10:00 opening or shortly afterwards. Look up your return journey in advance.
Isola Bella plus Isola dei Pescatori is the classic combination. Garden lovers go for Isola Bella and Isola Madre with the combined ticket. Allow about one and a half to two hours for each palace island.
You can book admission and the boat in advance – so in high season you won't depend on queues at the ticket office. Check the cancellation terms first: the entry tickets are non-refundable.
Between the palace islands lies the fishing village with restaurants by the water. Afterwards, head to the second island and back to the train in good time.
The entry tickets are sold by the island operator Terre Borromeo itself, while the boats are run by private operators from Stresa. Check what's included: the entry tickets don't include the crossing, and the boat tickets don't include admission.
Official combined ticket for the Palazzo Borromeo and garden on both islands, with an audio guide. You can visit the islands on the same day or on different days. Boat trip not included. Non-refundable.
from €40.00
Details & booking
Palazzo Borromeo and Baroque garden on Isola Bella, with an island map. Boat trip and landing fee not included. Non-refundable.
from €27.00
Details & booking
Admission to Isola Bella and Isola Madre plus a return boat trip from Stresa, with an audio guide. Go to the ticket desk first, then to the landing stage. Non-refundable.
from €64.00
Details & booking
Motorboat from Piazza Marconi in Stresa to Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre, also available as a two-island option. Crew speaks Italian, English, French, German and Spanish. Admission and landing fee not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
from €12.00
Details & booking
Motorboats run by the Lake Tours consortium from Piazza Marconi, departing roughly every 30 minutes, with stops on all three islands. According to the provider, it runs all year in good weather. Admission and landing fee not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
from €15.00
Details & bookingPrices and reviews live from the provider. According to the providers, the three admission products are non-refundable, while the two boat tickets can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.
We currently can't find an organised day tour from Turin to Lake Maggiore with transfer, boat and admission among our partners. The offers all start locally in Stresa. That isn't a drawback: the train journey is straightforward, and in Stresa you book exactly what you need.
If you'd rather stay in Piedmont: you'll find trips to the vineyards on our pages about the Langhe and Barolo and Alba and white truffles. The page day trips in Piedmont gives an overview.
The Borromean Islands belong to the Borromeo family; they do not appear in Turismo Torino's information on the Torino + Piemonte Card – expect to pay standard admission there. For your days in Turin itself the card is worth it: free entry to the Egyptian Museum, the Musei Reali and La Venaria Reale, among others.
Yes, if you start early and limit yourself to two islands. There is no direct train; you change in Milan, or in Novara and Arona, and spend several hours travelling each way. To see all three islands at a relaxed pace, an overnight stay in Stresa is more comfortable.
Isola Bella and Isola Madre are open from 12 March to 8 November 2026. Until 24 October last admission is at 17:00, and from 25 October to 8 November at 16:00. Isola dei Pescatori is a village and accessible all year round.
No. The palaces and gardens on Isola Bella and Isola Madre are closed after 8 November until the next season. The date for 2027 has not yet been published; in 2026 the islands opened on 12 March.
Officially €27.00 for adults and €18.00 for children aged 6 to 15. The combined ticket with Isola Madre costs €40.00 and €23.00 respectively. Children up to 5 go free. The boat trip and the landing fee of €0.50 per island are extra.
Not with the standard entry tickets. You book the boat separately with Navigazione Laghi or the private motorboats from Stresa. There is, however, also a package with admission to Isola Bella and Isola Madre plus a boat trip from Stresa.
By train via Milan (high-speed train to Milano Centrale, then a regional train or EuroCity to Stresa) or by regional trains via Novara and Arona. By car via the A4 and A26 to the Carpugnino or Baveno exit.
Yes. On 2–4, 16–18 and 23–25 October 2026, buses replace trains between Arona and Domodossola, which includes Stresa. According to RFI, the EuroCity replacement buses only stop in Milan and Domodossola. Allow extra time on these days.
We currently can't find a day tour from Turin among our partners. The bookable offers – admission, boat tickets and packages – start in Stresa.
About one and a half to two hours each for Isola Bella and Isola Madre. On Isola dei Pescatori an hour is enough for a stroll, more with lunch.
You shouldn't count on it. The Borromean Islands do not appear in Turismo Torino's information on the Torino + Piemonte Card; expect to pay standard admission. The card is worth it for the museums and residences in Turin.