Palazzo Borromeo
Palazzo Borromeo
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
In 1670 Count Vitaliano Borromeo decided to turn a rock awash in the middle of the lake into a “place of delights”. It took four centuries to complete this magnificent work that includes Palazzo Borromeo and its scenic gardens. The tour of the house is fascinating: the Throne and Queens rooms, the Napoleon's Room, the Gallery of General Berthier displaying a collection of 130 paintings. On a lower floor, six grottoes covered with pebbles, tufa rock, stucco and marble were designed to afford cool relief from summer heat. World famous, its baroque garden, with the Teatro Massimo at the centre, consists of ten terraces in the shape of a truncated pyramid. Visitors marvel at the sight of the monumental unicorn, the obelisks, the statues, the two towers and other architectural elements, as well as the mighty trees, like the camphor and citrus trees, and the collections of roses, rhododendrons and camellias.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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205 within 3 miles
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684 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- CFred733Phoenix, Arizona116 contributionsA MUSTIsola Bella is a must. In fact I recommend all three islands. Visit Bella in the morning and tour the palace and gardens. Then go to Superiore for lunch. Then Madre in the afternoon. Makes a great one day adventure.Visited March 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 27 March 2023
- Jane NLondon, United Kingdom970 contributionsA Must SeeThe palace was built as a holiday home and for entertaining. Guests included Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria and Charles and Diana. There is a lot to see and enjoy including 6 grottos made from volcanic rock, marble, pebbles and shells. When you have toured the palace you will come out into beautiful gardens which have white peacocks roaming freely. Go to the top tier of the Teatro Massimo and you will have lovely views of the lake. There is a cafe and a small gift shop and as you make your way out there are some narrow streets with a few shops.Visited August 2022Written 27 April 2023
- shirley123905Motherwell, United Kingdom32 contributionsSimply stunning!We decided to visit just the one island - Isola Bella although you can do all three. This really did work for us as there were no time pressures to get round all the islands. The entrance to the palace and gardens is an additional 20 Euros pp but so worth it. There is so much to see and everything is stunningly beautiful. It was surprising to see the white peacocks and so many of them too. The cafe within the palace grounds is really nice and serves good food at reasonable prices. Definitely worth a visit.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 June 2023
- PB123Boca Raton, Florida721 contributionsA “must visit” if in the areaThe Borromeo family has done a spectacular job in organising the Palazzo Borromeo and gardens. It is very well organised, very well maintained and really worth a visit. Most of the 199 rooms are kept for private family use, but that is not obvious because the 30 or so rooms open to the public are very impressive. The gardens are spectacular.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 September 2023
- Yas46Adliswil, Switzerland858 contributionsAmazing palace and gardensWe came here 5 years ago and had to come back! We bought a ticket for all 3 islands. You need about 6 hours to see them all properly and as last boat goes around 6pm you need to start well before noon. The palace is sumptuous with so many glamorous rooms and information about the contents. We have been in October and September and the gardens are superb but would love to come back to see it in the Sporing time. Definitely worth a visit and we shall be back.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 September 2023
- PaigeBirmingham, Alabama6 contributionsExtremely happy we didn’t miss this gem!!OH MY WORD!!! Do not miss the palace or the grounds. We’ve traveled the world and we were shocked that we had never heard of Palazzo Islo Bella! Give yourself three hours to shop, tour, see the palace, and the unreal gardens!!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
3,033 reviews
Excellent
2,347
Very good
569
Average
85
Poor
19
Terrible
13
Paige
Birmingham, AL6 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
OH MY WORD!!! Do not miss the palace or the grounds. We’ve traveled the world and we were shocked that we had never heard of Palazzo Islo Bella! Give yourself three hours to shop, tour, see the palace, and the unreal gardens!!
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hawk
Canada267 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
The tour on this island palace is definitely the highlight of our trip to Stresa. It has one of the most amazing gardens that we have ever been to. The hydrangeas are in full bloom and the white peacocks are just looking so noble. Lemons, oranges, grapefruits and a few other citrus family plants are all bearing lots of fruits...very tempting. There are so many varieties of trees and flowers in this well manicured garden, yet they are all in harmony: nothing seems out of place and nothing seems overgrown. It feels meditative. It's a must-see place if you ever come to Stresa!
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tribe772017
Cincinnati, OH7 contributions
Sept 2023
Beautiful Villa and gardens. Go early to avoid crowds. We took the Lido boat from Stresa harbor to the islands.
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yas46
Adliswil, Switzerland858 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We came here 5 years ago and had to come back! We bought a ticket for all 3 islands. You need about 6 hours to see them all properly and as last boat goes around 6pm you need to start well before noon. The palace is sumptuous with so many glamorous rooms and information about the contents. We have been in October and September and the gardens are superb but would love to come back to see it in the Sporing time. Definitely worth a visit and we shall be back.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrRizla
Eindhoven, The Netherlands158 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Beauty at his best, boat ticket was €14 for 2 adult and 2 kids there the line to buy a ticket is empty for the gardens. The building is also nice to see
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PB123
Boca Raton, FL721 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The Borromeo family has done a spectacular job in organising the Palazzo Borromeo and gardens. It is very well organised, very well maintained and really worth a visit. Most of the 199 rooms are kept for private family use, but that is not obvious because the 30 or so rooms open to the public are very impressive. The gardens are spectacular.
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike W
Wimbledon, London157 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
It is just an amazing and varied building and contents. And once you have spent at least an hour in the “palace”, there is a fabulous garden which must be in the best top 10 in Europe
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shirley123905
Motherwell, UK32 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We decided to visit just the one island - Isola Bella although you can do all three. This really did work for us as there were no time pressures to get round all the islands. The entrance to the palace and gardens is an additional 20 Euros pp but so worth it. There is so much to see and everything is stunningly beautiful. It was surprising to see the white peacocks and so many of them too. The cafe within the palace grounds is really nice and serves good food at reasonable prices. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 29 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willard D
Novato, CA3 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Probably worth two or three days of wandering to begin get -the grandness- of this family and its sensibilities.
Written 7 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane N
London, UK970 contributions
Aug 2022
The palace was built as a holiday home and for entertaining. Guests included Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria and Charles and Diana. There is a lot to see and enjoy including 6 grottos made from volcanic rock, marble, pebbles and shells. When you have toured the palace you will come out into beautiful gardens which have white peacocks roaming freely. Go to the top tier of the Teatro Massimo and you will have lovely views of the lake. There is a cafe and a small gift shop and as you make your way out there are some narrow streets with a few shops.
Written 27 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alis
Italy1,198 contributions
Si sa quanto riapre al pubblico ?
Terre Borromeo
Stresa, Italy14 contributions
Buongiorno tutte le location Borromeo riapriranno il prossimo 19 marzo se sarà consentito riaprire i musei a causa delle restrizioni Covid.
Claudia M
Malsch, Germany
Ciao abbiamo un Cane piccolino. Lo possiamo portare con noi?
Terre Borromeo
Stresa, Italy14 contributions
Buongiorno,
al museo di Palazzo Borromeo non è consentito l'accesso ai cani.
In questo momento siamo chiusi, riapriremo il 20 marzo 2020.
Cordiali saluti
Fabiana T
Brasilia, DF5 contributions
Hi, i’ll be staying in Baveno. How do I get to Isola Madre from there?
Terre Borromeo
Stresa, Italy14 contributions
Hi 303fabian, from Baveno you have two alternatives: by the public scheduled service ferryboat Navigazione dei Laghi or motorboats.
If you prefer you could buy the tickets on our website (isoleborromee) and add the transport after selecting the number of people.
Waiting for you!
Monica C
Cumiana, Italy309 contributions
buongiorno ,qualcuno sa dirmi se è agibile in carrozzina per disabili ?
Terre Borromeo
Stresa, Italy14 contributions
Gentile Monica
all'interno del Palazzo é possibile poter visitare le sale grazie ad un ascensore presente all'ingresso.
Tuttavia per la morfologia e l'architettura dell'isola occorre avere un supporto di due accompagnatori per via di scalinate nel borgo antico, nella piazza antistante il Palazzo è nei giardini.
Cordiali saluti
stefie12
Ware, UK13 contributions
I bought the pass to the 4 attractions do you have to visit in the same day ?
Terre Borromeo
Stresa, Italy14 contributions
Dear Stefie12, thank you for choosing @TerreBorromeo.
If you are a private visitor you could visit the 4 attractions once by the end of the season. Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Rocca di Angera October 20th, Parco Pallavicino November 3rd.
Judy Jones
Pacific Coast Australia, Australia4 contributions
Is the island accessible by ferry from The eastern side of Lake Maggiore
redeco
Warren, MA9,469 contributions
We took a private water taxi, which I think is your best option.
Randall
Dean A
Ilminster, UK54 contributions
If I book online do I need to print anything?
Terre Borromeo
Stresa, Italy14 contributions
Hi Dean, after booking you will receive a voucher with a QR code via email and you can choose to print it or to show on your mobile/device at the entrance of the Palace. Enjoy your visit!
Lisbeth45
Vänersborg Sverige4 contributions
När byggdes slottet? Napoleon och Josefin hade legat i sängen. De gifte sig 1795 ca? Kan slottet vara byggt 1600-1750?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Palazzo Borromeo
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Palazzo Borromeo:
- Unique Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan (From £87.57)
- Sightseeing tour of Lake Maggiore from Stresa (From £60.80)
- Private tour on isola Bella with a tour guide and sunset cruise. (From £226.29)
- Micaela Local Tour Guide for Groups for the Borromean Islands (From £379.39)
- Lake Maggiore Daytrip from Milan - Private (From £522.21)
- Hotels near Palazzo Borromeo:
- (0.10 mi) Boutique Hotel Elvezia
- (0.44 mi) Hotel Belvedere
- (0.52 mi) Hotel Villa & Palazzo Aminta
- (0.34 mi) Albergo Il Verbano
- (0.60 mi) Hotel La Locanda
- Restaurants near Palazzo Borromeo:
- (0.11 mi) Ristolounge Elvezia
- (0.08 mi) Ristorante Vittoria
- (0.11 mi) Il Fornello, Bottega con Cucina
- (0.08 mi) Delfino
- (0.08 mi) Il Chiosco Bar