Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella: Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour

Additional Information & Description

Lake Maggiore’s hop-on hop-off boat tour combines a scenic crossing with time ashore on Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella. Departing from Stresa, this four-hour outing lets you explore two Borromean Islands at your own pace, rather than following a guide through each stop.

Isola dei Pescatori: streets and local food

The route begins with Isola dei Pescatori, the only Borromean Island inhabited year-round. Spend your free time wandering its streets, with the chance to stop at one of its eateries and try local cuisine. This first stop centres on the island’s lived-in character: its streets and places to eat give you something to explore beyond the lake views. Food is a choice during your visit, rather than part of the boat ticket.

Isola Bella: palace, caves and gardens

The tour ends at Isola Bella, known for its magnificent palace, fascinating caves and Italian garden. These are the island’s defining sights, but entrance to the Borromean Palace Museum and Gardens is not included in the boat service. The distinction matters here: your ticket brings you to the island and gives you free time ashore; it does not grant admission to those paid attractions.

What accompanies the crossing

The ticket covers boat service on Lake Maggiore, with a multilingual assistant onboard. During the voyage, an audio guide shares stories about the area in English and Italian, adding context as you travel across the water. A tour guide is not included, so the commentary accompanies the journey while your island visits remain independent. The landing tax is also excluded from the ticket price.

Where to arrive and how to use your ticket

Arrive at Piazza Marconi in Stresa 15 minutes before departure for Lago Maggiore Boat Trips, whose address is Piazza Guglielmo Marconi. Allow for that arrival time in addition to the stated four-hour duration. Tickets are delivered instantly, and smartphone tickets are accepted, so you can present the digital ticket for your boat trip.