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 ideal. You'll 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 from the pier in Stresa's Piazza Guglielmo Marconi.

This island features botanical gardens covering 8 hectares. You can walk through this English-style garden, observing camellias, magnolias, cypresses, palm trees, and various African plant species. During your visit, you may also see peacocks, parrots, and pheasants.

Visitors can view the exterior of Borromeo Palace, a mansion from the 17th century.

After exploring Madre Island, hop back on the boat to sail to Bella Island. Many consider Bella to be the most beautiful of the Borromean Islands, allowing you to spend ample time discovering its charm.

The final stop of the hop-on hop-off boat will be Stresa, after which the boat starts its route again. You can choose to visit Madre Island again as well.

Boat Schedule

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

How Does It Work?

You'll have a whole day's access to the boat, departing from Stresa to Madre and Bella Islands, allowing unlimited hopping during the operational hours.