The Secret Day Trip: Why Lake Maggiore is Our Favourite Quiet Escape…

A short drive along empty main roads to Lake Maggiore has been our go to break for a few years now, its the antidote when we’re in need of a quiet escape at any time of year. Unspoiled by the crowds who go to Maggiore’s more famous neighbours of Lake Como & Lake Garda, its classic Italian styling and wonderful cooling waters make the perfect quick day trip.

Water taxis shuttle you to tiny island restaurants or larger boats transport you across Lake. Maggiore to Verbania or other parts of this natural beauty. Most taxis and boats go from the town of Stresa on the south west side of the island.

Getting There & Parking After exiting the motorway for the charming town of Baveno, you immediately descend to the lakeside road and navigate toward the town centre.

Insider Parking Tip: Set your navigation to Baveno Lido Beach Club. Take a left down the side street to reach a green parking area inside the entrance. Remarkably, there is almost always parking available here—a rare gem for a location this beautiful!

Book a cabana or sunbed online before arriving and soak up the lakeside vibe.

The Luxury Spot: Lido Baveno Booking a cabana at [Lido Baveno](https://lidobaveno.it/) is the ultimate luxe option and well worth the extra euros. You get a large, comfortable cabana for two with sunshades, a private table, and chairs for a lazy lakeside lunch. Table service from the Ibiza-style bar directly to your cabana completes the experience.

A cabana is the best way to enjoy lazy lakeside views.

Swimming & Boat Hire & Lake Swimming: The water is calm, clean, and remarkably refreshing—even in the height of summer. The shore drops off at a steep slope, so while it’s great for competent swimmers, keep an eye on smaller children inside the designated buoy area.

Boat Hire: For the adventurous, motorised boats of various sizes are available for hire right at the Lido Beach Club. You can set sail for a few hours to visit the islands or simply anchor out on the water for a private afternoon with family and friends.

Island Taxis: Water taxis frequently shuttle guests from Baveno town centre a short walk away or from Stresa to tiny island restaurants, while larger ferry boats connect you across the lake to Verbania and beyond.

For lunch or dinner away from Baveno Beach Club, our top insider choice is L’Osteria. Located right in Baveno’s town center on the main Corso Sempione toward Stresa (an easy 15-minute walk down the road), it delivered some of the best pasta we’ve tasted in the area. We visited with good friends and their daughters, and every single one of us walked away raving about the food.

Host Tip: Make sure to save a little room for dessert! Just two minutes away on foot is La Deliziosa—a lively, local gelateria that makes the absolute perfect final stop after a day in Baveno.

La Deliziosa gelateria is a must stop after dinner, lunch or anytime after breakfast really!

The Grand Hotel Bristol with Isola Bella shown in the background.

Baveno is an architecture lovers delight! The hotels which line the lakeside road are so beautiful, classic architecture from a bygone era and in such immaculate condition, resplendent with flowered garden and balconies it’s worth the walk along the road to Baveno & further to Stresa just to stare in wonder at them. The Grand Hotel Bristol has to be my favourite, it really deserves it’s “Grand” title and it’s position on the roadside lake is imposing and welcoming at the same time. I really wouldn’t feel right entering unless I myself were suitably dressed for the occasion!

The Strada del Sempione which runs along from Baveno to Stresa is filled with these beautiful hotels and it should be a tourist attraction in it’s own right just strolling along wondering at the majesty of these wonderful hotels. They lead you to Stresa which is a bustling and busy town, full of tourists during summer high season. Here you’ll find shops, bars and restaurants to suit any tastes.

It’s worth visiting to walk the “lungolago” where you’ll find monuments to historical events and the taxi and ferry stops to Borromeo and beyond.

Insider tip: You’ll find plenty of parking along lungolago and EV charging stations too. Be sure to pay at the paypoints or download the Easypark app which will get you parked throughout your stay in Italy.

Experience Italy Like a Local When you stay at Number 18, insider escapes like Lake Maggiore are right on your doorstep.