Lake Maggiore Car Tours: Top 5 Scenic Drives & Reviews
Lake Maggiore, that really is snuggled between the Alps and the Lombardy region of Italy, could be one place that offers this special blend of sparkling waters, fancy gardens, and villages seemingly pulled straight from a painting, and so, one fantastic option to fully take it all in is certainly by car, giving you this freedom to find hidden viewpoints and visit little towns at your own pace, just a bit, because let’s be honest, nobody likes sticking to someone else’s schedule when they’re on vacation.
1. The Classic Lakeside Route: Arona to Stresa
This route, starting in Arona and leading to Stresa, is, very, one you shouldn’t miss for that reason, is that it features all the beauty Lake Maggiore provides, almost, starting in Arona, where that big, very big statue of San Carlo Borromeo will greet you, before that drive turns quite scenic, following the lake’s western side, as a matter of fact.
Now, picture this: you’re there, like your car’s windows are rolled down, a little, the sun’s shining very lightly, and the fresh air from that lake just feels amazing on your face; now you continue on, and a bit later you will get to Stresa, a place that really has this vibe that it used to be important long ago, almost. So, you might choose to stretch your legs in the beautiful gardens of Villa Pallavicino or actually get on a boat headed to the Borromean Islands – Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori each will charm you with that own kind of flair, as I was saying.
A particular tip to keep in your mind, is that if you’re around during summer, it may be pretty busy, maybe even crowded, so just consider that for the possibility that you drive out of the towns completely, a little. As a matter of fact, plan to just leave early, like your hair’s on fire, or go in the late afternoon for, basically, a relaxing experience and a better chance for the best parking spots, because you can be sure everyone wants that.
Read our full review: Arona to Stresa Full Review and Details
2. The Panoramic Heights: Stresa to Mottarone
So, after enjoying the elegance of Stresa, maybe actually change direction and drive toward Mottarone, since it features incredible panoramic sights that give, almost, a look at Lake Maggiore that can’t be got anywhere else, arguably, really, to put it simply, it’s kind of awesome! Now, the winding drive as you rise gives even more pretty scenes until that highest point of Mottarone where you are going to want to catch your breath as you gaze upon the stunning scene of the Alps and the lakes nearby, in other words, very scenic!
Oh, there is something that could really make the visit special, since it seems like it is more for the adventurous folks at all, or you’d love the view, so I suggest that you get a load of the “Alpyland” bobsled, where you can race down that hillside and take in this really exhilarating experience, in some respects, because who doesn’t like getting a thrill? So that way, you will definitely have an even better story from up above Mottarone, and that could make your visit just awesome, you realize?
Just a little something more: be sure to check that weather prior to going out; clouds may reduce your viewing ability quite, so, you could pick this super clear day so you can take every little bit from that 360-degree scene, more or less; after all, you are wanting memories you can keep, that are like, seriously incredible, since, basically, who knows whenever or not you are going back!
Read our full review: Stresa to Mottarone Full Review and Details
3. The Swiss Connection: Locarno and Ascona
And just so you know, feel like having some trip that features some bit of different cultures, then consider venturing just a little outside Italy right on into Switzerland through visiting Locarno then Ascona that gives something to view from Lake Maggiore that’s different from the norm; starting out right in Locarno, widely known since that very famous Locarno Film Festival comes round annually there.
Then feel like some relaxed atmosphere strolling along the promenade that will go up right onto Ascona which brags very colorful structures, really amazing looking lakeside cafés plus restaurants; then that drive may present beautiful scenes since you snake down Lake Maggiore giving the ideal time so you can discover some things. Now feel very welcome just grabbing lunch out right at Ascona tasting at certain Swiss-Italian fusions maybe enjoying several from that very fresh seafood since taking pictures along Lake Maggiore. That will allow them some real taste just for things nearby Switzerland is actually similar, in some respects.
Now just remember those crossing of border regulations as, actually, they will change a lot according to what’s happening and whenever or not something special has already come; so, prior going actually make certain things go much better since checking what paperwork may need especially, actually if, renting yourself some car throughout Italy that might be a good bit of consideration you can sort of put somewhere since moving out right through Switzerland might have these laws attached along by stuff.
Read our full review: Locarno and Ascona Full Review and Details
4. Cannobio and the Cannobina Valley
Right after leaving Ascona go south straight along Italy right toward Cannobio that marks last major coastal town actually, just to say where Italian land meets Swiss, very beautiful location featuring certain beauty along the lake side with even great historical appeal also actually where it offers those starting point directly towards Cannobina Valley where this goes out and leads toward that rugged part away from Lake Maggiore.
Thus that scenic road is what’s calling at where, just imagine how picturesque small towns with the streams running past, yet that route even offers up several activities along like treks but besides that, there really seems very serene with several opportunities to basically engage from some outdoors which features basically that Cannobina, basically some bit rugged still untouched. Oh yeah, take extra good care in particular for driving upon those roads because some segments wind right along tiny spots!
Think that stopping point would come out at Orrido di Sant’Anna, right away after you drive out and then move just over route Cannobio, really amazing area since, by stuff being right at place this is quite amazing featuring just a beautiful rocky creek and bridge too, honestly which makes them very favorite to locals which will feel special since doing your route and getting a load what happens around.
Read our full review: Cannobio and the Cannobina Valley Full Review and Details
5. Angera and the Eastern Shores
Switch completely for your final lake side which lies across on Italy itself directly which features Angera which also brags one pretty striking Rocca Borromeo where really worth going over right to. Then that tower offers completely amazing viewpoints viewing down the entire Lake, almost really incredible historical murals within these Rocca will give amazing view inside which, in that case helps it become worth checking along your whole driving plans over on Lake Maggiore also.
Drive down through on Arona even, is that that lesser tourist side even shows quiet communities small restaurants down on banks with a good glimpse over on life round right from on lake away beyond many crowds, so imagine some tranquil scene over viewing Lake with perhaps sampling food down those communities nearby this route allows really special glimpse outside that well known towns allowing, really some reflection and several unwinding activities during entire drives at Lake Maggiore also, for example.
Just think of how easy to be mindful especially traveling round in warmer months whenever towns set off quite active which will bring greater occasions to stop by several festivals or possibly outdoor parties especially which could enhance driving experience with, I mean getting fully engrossed along culture directly from which locations can come out right within, in that case this creates an absolutely important chance even more directly through experiencing region over with Italy; thus the entire driving plan could go all along completely to suit almost just like what type in person actually will love, by stuff or what happens right alongside also!
Read our full review: Angera and the Eastern Shores Full Review and Details