Stresa - Stresa visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Stresa' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Piedmont.

First appearing in written documents in 998AD, Stresa is a small, Alpine town on the shores of Lago (Lake) Maggiore in the Piedmont, northern Italy. Although originally a fishing community, Stresa became a popular retreat for European aristocrats who built luxurious hosing in the region. Stresa lies on the road and rail routes to the Simplon pass linking Italy with Switzerland and is a popular Alpine tourist destination in Italy. The town has many luxury hotels, like the Grand Hotel Stresa, which overlook the beautiful lake.

Stresa - Tourist Attractions

Stresa is surrounded by mountains, which provide most of the tourist attractions in the area. Top and most popular tourist attractions in Stresa include:

• Isola Bella - the most famous of the Borromean Islands in Lago Maggiore, accessible by boat.
• Villa Taranto Gardens - created by the Scot Captain Neil McEarcharn, these are beautifully laid out English gardens.
• Isola Madre - largest of the Borromean Islands with an elegant villa surrounded by extensive botanic gardens.
• Mottarone Cable Car - 20 min cable car ride to the top of Mount Mottarone (1491m) with 360° panoramic views across the Po Valley to the Alps.
• Mount Mottarone - take one of several hiking and walking trails up the flanks of the mountain to the summit.
• Orta Sacro Monte - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this sacred mount contains 20 chapels, San Nicolao church, the New Chapel and the friar's hospice all built between 1590 and 1785.
• Isola Pescatori - island covered with narrow cobbled streets, pretty harbour and traditional houses.
• Umbrella Museum - first opened in 1939 this museum contains about 150 examples of parasols and umbrellas showing the change in fashion from the 19th century to the present day.
• Museo Ogliari Transport Museum - founded about 50 years ago it contains an eclectic collection of transport through the ages.
• Santa Caterina del Sasso - hermitage founded in 1170 by Alberto Besozzi, now a a national monument and open to the public.
• The Bucket Lift - cable car lift from Stresa to the summit of Mount Sasso del Ferro.
• Rocca Borromeo (Borromeo Castle) - medieval fortified building with good views over the lake, frescoes in some rooms, a 17th century grape press and doll's museum.
• Simplon Pass (Passo del Sempione) - rising to 2,008m the pass links Stresa in the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps and Brig in Switzerland.
• Villa Ducale - built around 1770 for Giacomo Filippo Bolongaro it was once home to philosopher Antonio Rosmini-Serbati.
• Villa Dell'Orto - house built by Boffi for Liberto Dell'Orto in 1900.
• Villa Pallavicino - built for Ruggero Borghi in the 19th century it now houses the zoological park.
• Ente Parco Nazionale Val Grande - covering 14,598 hectares north of Stresa, the park is a fantastic protected wilderness area with a few picturesque villages.

Stresa Tourist Information Office
Stresa Ferry Station
Piazza Guglielmo Marconi
Tel: +39 0323 30150
Email: touristoffice@visitstresa.com
Web: visitstresa.com

Ferry: Carciano Pier and Stresa Ferry Terminal with ferries to various Borromean Islands.
Flight: Malpensa Airport, Linate Airport, Bergamo Airport and then transfer.
Road: Stresa is on the E62 / SS33 road, about 90km north of Milan and 60km from the Swiss border.
Train: Stresa Train Station, Stresa is situated on the Domodossola - Milan line.