Madre & Bella Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat

If you're staying in Stresa and want to visit Madre and Bella Islands, our hop-on hop-off boat is an ideal choice. You will sail across Lake Maggiore and explore these islands at your leisure.

Madre & Bella Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat

Madre Island is the largest of the Borromean Islands. To reach it, hop on the boat at the pier in Stresa's Piazza Guglielmo Marconi. This island features 8 hectares of botanical gardens, where you can see camellias, magnolias, cypresses, palm trees, and some African plant species. Wildlife such as peacocks, parrots, and pheasants can also be spotted.

During your time on Madre Island, you can view the exterior of Borromeo Palace, a mansion from the 17th century.

After exploring Madre Island, hop back on the boat to visit Bella Island. Many consider Bella the most beautiful of the Borromean Islands, and you can spend as much time as you wish discovering its charm.

The final stop of the hop-on hop-off boat is Stresa, after which the route begins again. You can choose to revisit Madre Island if desired.

Hours

The hop-on hop-off boat operates from March to November, setting sail every day from 10 am - 6 pm. Please note that timetables may change.

How does it work?

You will have access to the boat for an entire day, allowing you to travel between Stresa, Madre, and Bella Islands as many times as you like during the operating hours.