There is a good website, so I will just say that this villa is stunning. Getting there from Stresa is very easy - plenty of boats running very frequently. We paid 26.50 euros for the boat ride and the villa, or 29 euros gives the option to do Isola dei Pescatore as well - you then just hop on the boats when you are ready. Pescatore is the Isle of the fishermen and there are good fish restaurants. More expensive down where the boats land, but we had a good lunch for two for 26 euros in a small restaurant away from the front - and added a litre of excellent rose wine for 12 euros!

What an amazing island and visit. It is a must-see. We spent a day (6 hours exactly) visiting the beautiful palace and the gardens. We also had a quick lunch/snack at the Caffetteria Torre Noria. The highlight of our visit was the Palazzo Borromeo with the famous Berthier gallery with more than 100 paintings, the throne room, and above all the 6 grottoes. These 6 rooms were built for the summer. The decoration made of stone incrustations, black marble slabs, and stuccos in the form of shells, turtles, and sea divinities, is just outstanding. The Baroque Italian-style gardens are just amazing. The parterres are filled with beautiful flowers, cedars, lemons, palm trees, peacocks, and more. From my personal point of view, you need a whole afternoon to visit Isola Bella, especially if you like painting, furniture and history. My only negative comment is the audio guide which kept constantly reloading. The system is not working properly.

Greatest garden and palace ever. Been everywhere in Europe, Asia and MEA however this beats all. Attention as not fun queuing during holidays (especially Italian, German, Benelux school holidays) so avois. Take public ferry to Island (10 Euro per adult) and choose your island. Isola Bella is really a MUST visit !

Felt a bit ripped off when entering, hence 4* not 5* rating. Prices on display clearly show "garden only" price as well as "garden/house" price but they will not sell you garden only when you get to the cashier. Garden is simply amazing, one of the world's best. Have been before but had more time to explore this time. Just a shame I had to walk all the way through every room in the house before I could get to the garden! Interior grottoes worth seeing however.

This is the largest of the three Borromeo islands in Lake Maggiore. It has been home to the Borromeo family for a long time and it is full of precious treasures, from paintings to furniture to furnishings. The garden is beautifully kept and you have excellent views from the top terraces all up Lake Maggiore itself. For history, art, gardens and a wonderful day out, you can't beat these three islands: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre. Highly recommended. An hour's train ride from Milan's Central Station to Stresa, then a short walk down to the lakeside and the boats. In high season it might be best to book ahead.

Probably the best thing Lago do Maggiore has to offer. I know the tickets are quite free costly but it is totally worth the cost. You can spend all day in the beautiful Borromeo palace or wonder through the shady gardens away from the hot sun. I would totally recommend visiting this place as it has so much to see.

We visited the 3 Borromean Islands and by far, this place is the prettiest and more interesting. It has a proper palace, with all the halls and apartments and a big collection of art. The gardens have many flowers, beautiful fountains and sculptures. Piscatori is the best place to have lunch, because it’s mainly restaurants and souvenir shops. Isola Madre has a more plain villa, with a botanical garden of exotic trees and plants, but for those os us who come from tropical countries, it’s not as interesting as Isola Bella.