Madre & Bella Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat

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

Madre & Bella Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat

Madre Island is the largest of the Borromean Islands. To access it, board the boat at the pier in Stresa's Piazza Guglielmo Marconi.

This island features notable botanical gardens covering 8 hectares. Visitors can enjoy the English-style gardens, featuring various plant species including camellias, magnolias, cypresses, and palm trees, as well as African plants. Wildlife such as peacocks, parrots, and pheasants can also be observed.

While at Madre Island, you can view the exterior of Borromeo Palace, a mansion that dates back to the 17th century.

After visiting Madre Island, you may hop back on the boat to Bella Island, often regarded as the most beautiful of the Borromean Islands. You may explore Bella Island at your convenience.

The final stop of the hop-on hop-off boat is Stresa, from where the route will repeat. You can choose to visit Madre Island again if desired.

Boat Schedule

The hop-on hop-off boat operates from March to November, setting sail daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm, with departures every 30 minutes.

How Does It Work?

You will have access to the boat for an entire day, which departs from Stresa to Madre and Bella Islands. You may hop on and off as often as you wish during the operational hours.