Our most recommended things to do in Baveno

Baveno: Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour to 3 Borromean Islands

1. Baveno: Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour to 3 Borromean Islands

Visit the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore on a hop-on hop-off style boat tour from Baveno. Hop between the islands of Madre, Bella, and Pescatori, and have time to spend exploring them. Embark your boat and depart from Baveno, sailing into the lake towards your first island. Arrive at Madre Island where you can admire the famous English botanical gardens and Palazzo Borromeo. Leave Madre for Bella Island. Be in awe of its baroque palace, Italian gardens, and 10 terraces that slope towards the lake. Head for Pescatori Island to feel the charming effects of its picturesque fishing village with meandering alleys and multi-story buildings. From Pescatori, conclude your tour with a return to Baveno.

Lake Maggiore: Borromean Islands Tickets with Boat Transfer

2. Lake Maggiore: Borromean Islands Tickets with Boat Transfer

Discover Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori with a hop-on hop-off speedboat shuttle from Stresa, Lake Maggiore. Enter the islands with entry included in your shuttle ticket and spend time exploring at your leisure. Choose how many islands you want to visit. Start your day by meeting the skipper and boarding the boat in Stresa. Enjoy scenic mountain panoramas on a short trip across calm waters to the islands. Hop off at your chosen island (entry tickets depend on the option booked) and immediately start exploring. Spend time getting to know the islands at your own pace. See highlights like the Baroque-style Palazzo Borromeo museum and its adjoining grounds with ten terraced gardens. Marvel at the fountains, statues, and architecture of the gardens. Finish your trip with a return boat transfer back to Stresa.

Lago Maggiore: Adventure Park with Panoramic View

3. Lago Maggiore: Adventure Park with Panoramic View

Buckle up and start your day with a climb up one of the exciting rope courses available. You can try them all, with over 40 challenges, there are loads of possibilities. After the climb, soar over the park with a 65 meter long zip line, taking in spectacular views along the way. After your arrival, you will meet an instructor and get a safety briefing, ensuring your adventure for the day goes smoothly. Enjoy the stunning view and fall in love with the wildlife above Maggiore Lake. For the small ones, a playground and a sand box to enjoy surrounded by nature is available. If you're hungry, why don't you try some of the local specialties at WunderBar or Grotto Carza restaurants, both plastic free and pet-friendly.

Lake Maggiore: Gardens, Lake Cruise, & Gourmet Food Tasting

4. Lake Maggiore: Gardens, Lake Cruise, & Gourmet Food Tasting

1-day Hop-on / hop-off ferry ticket between Stresa and Villa Taranto or Intra. Possible embarcation points are: Stresa, Carciano, Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori, Baveno, Pallanza, Villa Taranto and Intra. Entry ticket to the Villa Taranto botanical gardens and gourmet food and wine tasting at the famous local food store and restaurant La Casera in Verbania Intra. After a lake cruise on a Lake Maggiore shipping company ferry, you will discover the beauty and armony of Villa Taranto botanical gardens. You may stop and visit the borromean islands enroute (palace and gardens entrance ticket not included). After visiting the Villa Taranto gardens a 500m walk will bring you to Verbania Intra, where you will have your aperitivo, brunch or lunch at the gourmet food store and restaurant La Casera (11am until 4pm). You will taste the best cheeses and cold cuts this region has to offer, accompanied by quality wines. You may arrange the food & wine tasting at your leisure, during the restaurant opening hours. We suggest to book your food tasting between 11am and 4pm: please check the last ferry departure time from Intra, in order to return to your original embarcation point. A special treat is also reserved for get your guide customers!!

Lake Maggiore: luxury 1-Day private experience

5. Lake Maggiore: luxury 1-Day private experience

Lake Maggiore: luxury 1-Day private guided cruise. Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori and Santa Caterina Approximate departure time 10:30 am Your private guide will meet you at your hotel in Stresa, Baveno or Verbania, or at your arrival point at Lake Maggiore. You will then reach the private cruise landing stage on foot, from where you will start your unforgettable and exclusive Lake Maggiore experience. First stop on Isola Bella for a tailored made guided tour of the worldly renown Borromeo Palace and botanical gardens. After the visit you will enjoy a gourmet 3 courses lunch at the upscale Elvezia restaurant on Isola Bella. A balcony table is reserved for Get your Guide customers as well as a special treat for each of our preferred guests. After Lunch you will sail to the other side of the lake, till the Santa Caterina del Sasso monastery. A medieval architectural jewel built on a cliff overlooking the lake; here, thanks to your guide, you will live a plunge in the mystical atmosphere of the monastery . ... your private boat will then bring you to the charming Isola dei Pescatori for a guided stroll along the historical alleys. The day ends with a romantic sunset cruise and an excellent aperitif on board: italian sparkling wine and gourmet finger food together with breathtaking landscape will give you longlasting memories. Should you wish to swim in the lake waters, please ask the captain. You may stop anywhere enroute for a cool dip! The cruise will end at the landing stage closest to your hotel or to your pick-up point, should you stay elsewhere than Stresa, Baveno or Verbania. Approximate arrival time 19:30 / 7:30pm

Lake Maggiore: 1-Day Boat, Bus & Cable Car Travel Pass

6. Lake Maggiore: 1-Day Boat, Bus & Cable Car Travel Pass

Experience the enchanting beauty of Lake Maggiore with a convenient 1-day circle-travel pass. Discover the region's treasures as you glide across the water on a public boat, explore scenic routes by bus, and ascend to stunning heights in a cable car.  Immerse yourself in the botanical splendor of Villa Taranto gardens (optional ticket), marvel at the historic Santa Caterina del Sasso monastery, and soak in panoramic views from the Laveno cable car. Choose your preferred direction of travel, whether clockwise or counterclockwise, and embark on an adventure that starts and ends at the same boarding point. Enjoy the flexibility to hop on and off at any port of call along the way with your Lake Maggiore Shipping Company ferry ticket. Embark from official departure points like Verbania Intra, Laveno, Santa Caterina del Sasso, Stresa, Carciano, Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, Baveno, Verbania Pallanza, and Villa Taranto.  Please note that the direction of travel and embarkation point is fixed upon ticket purchase. This self-guided adventure offers you the freedom to explore at your own pace, without a tour guide.

Lake Maggiore: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class

7. Lake Maggiore: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class

You can't visit Italy without trying at least one pasta dish... So, we'll teach you two! Learn how to roll 'sfoglia' (fresh pasta) by hand and how to prepare 2 simple different kinds of pasta from scratch with your Cesarina. As the icing on the cake you will learn to prepare also the iconic Tiramisu. Share your passion for the Italian cuisine as you make new friends in this hands-on cooking class. It's a great way to truly experience Italian culture. Le Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of home cooks all over the country. They are welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.

Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour to Isola Bella

8. Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour to Isola Bella

Tour departure times start from 9:30am to 1:45pm (last departure of the day).Last daily returns 17\18 based on the period.In March, April and October the tour is only offered on weekends and public holidays.In the months of May, June, July, August and September the tour is offered from Monday to Sunday.Free time on the islands.In case of bad weather, the tour will not take place.

Lake Maggiore: Return Boat Transfer to Borromean Islands

9. Lake Maggiore: Return Boat Transfer to Borromean Islands

Explore a Borromean Island of your choice with a return boat transfer from Stresa. Take as much time as you want to see the sights before returning. Meet the boat directly at your hotel's dock and embark on a scenic ride across Lake Maggiore. Choose one of the islands to discover: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, or Isola Madre. Relax on the boat and take in scenic views of the lake as you sail to the island. Stay and see the sights as long as you want, your boat will be waiting for you when you're done.

From Stresa/Baveno: Verbania Pallanza and Island boat Tour

10. From Stresa/Baveno: Verbania Pallanza and Island boat Tour

Leave Stresa behind and take a relaxing panoramic cruise around the Borromean Gulf, and make a stop in one of its most famous villas, Verbania Pallanaza. Cruise around the Borromean Gulf, famous all over the world for its unique admire some of the most characteristic epoch-style villas in the Verbano area and stop at one of the most famous villas in this area, Verbania Pallanza. Set sail for this tourist cruise admiring one of the most evocative views of Lake Maggiore, the Borromean Gulf, before disembarking in Verbania Pallanza. See a place where tourism and culture are more alive, from a village that looks like a balcony from which to enjoy splendid views of the lake, such as Villa Giulia or Villa Rusconi Clerici.See some of the most fascinating gardens and parks in Italy while in the area, whose splendor and perfect state of maintenance highlight the fabulous lake atmospheres.

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What people are saying about Baveno

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 15 reviews

Excellent formula. Our skipper Alessandro took great care of us, giving us valuable advice on both restaurants and visits. We had the boat to ourselves, a dream! We will be back as it was a magical day. Sylvia

Great service, punctual, nice ride to the Borromean Islands