Holidays in Baveno

Lake Maggiore , Italy

  • Walks for All Abilities
  • Sightseeing
  • Couples Holidays

Baveno is a beautiful, relaxed base for exploring Lake Maggiore, the Borromean Islands and walking along the panoramic footpaths of the Piedmont

  • Borromean Island views
  • Lakeside paths
  • Piazzas & historic buildings
  • Baveno Lake Maggiore Church Of San Gervasio And Protasio
    Church of San Gervasio and Protasio
  • Baveno Lake Maggiore Lakefront View Of Baveno
    View of Baveno
  • Baveno Lake Maggiore Lake View At Sunset
    Lake View at Sunset (copyright Boris Stroujko)
  • Lake Maggiore, Baveno, Lake Holidays, Italy
    Distant View of Baveno
  • Baveno Lake Maggiore Lakeside Promenade
    Baveno Lakeside
  • Baveno Lake Maggiore Lakeside Promenade With Lamps
    Lakeside Promenade

Inghams Guided Walks included in Lake Maggiore

Available between 13 May-26 Sep 25 and 12 May-25 Sep 26 (subject to availability)

Save up to £150pp this summer

Book your Italy 2025 walking holiday and take advantage of savings up to £150pp!

Walking in Baveno

Walking Trails:
250km of walking trails around Baveno, with easy access to other parts of the lake.

Terrain:
Flat, paved roads, dirt trails, lakeside promenades, hills, mountains
More walking info

Baveno at a glance

  • Italian
  • Euro (EUR)
  • Manchester Int. (MAN), London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), Bristol (BRS), Edinburgh (EDI)
  • London St Pancras (QQS)
More about Baveno

Travel included to Baveno

Depart on: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday

Arrive into: Milan airport or Stresa train station

Transfer time: approx. 1 hour by coach and 5 minutes from Stresa train station

More about travel & transfers

Included in your walking holiday to Baveno

  • Inghams Guided Walks from 13 May-26 Sep 25 and 12 May-25 Sep 26
  • On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Expert based in Lake Maggiore
  • Inghams Digital Resort Guide with things to do, walks and useful information on holiday
  • Flights or rail from the UK, transfers and accommodation

Walking in Baveno

Walks and hikes

Walking Trails:
250km of walking trails around Baveno, with easy access to other parts of the lake.
Terrain:
Flat, paved roads, dirt trails, lakeside promenades, hills, mountains

Spend your days strolling along Baveno's lakeside or head over to Mount Mottarone which towers beside Baveno's neighbouring town, Stresa, standing between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. At the top, you'll be treated to sweeping panoramas over Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands – and, on a clear day, you may even get a glimpse of up to seven shimmering Italian and Swiss lakes. Look out for the Alps in the distance too!

We’ve included one full-day and one half-day walk per week in Baveno, just for Inghams guests. Join a small group and be led by a professional walking guide on some of their favourite trails. It’s a great way to get to know the area. The full-day walk will run every Tuesday and the half-day walk will run every Friday from 13 May-26 Sep 25 and 12 May-25 Sep 26. You can add the walks onto your holiday at the time of booking, through Manage My Booking or by calling us.

Routes may vary from week to week but as a guide you can see some of our planned routes below.

Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended. Walks depend on weather, guide availability, and group size, and routes may change. Details are provided on arrival, and some may include a small local transport fee. Walks are not suitable for under 12s (under 18s must be with an adult). Please ensure the walk is right for you, our guides have the final say. See our booking conditions for full details.

Our guided walks in Baveno

Lake Mergozzo is a hidden lake in the Ossola Valley. From Mergozzo train station, you'll head to this quiet lakeside village. You'll then walk along the Sentiero Azzurro (the Blue Path), stopping in the medieval village of Montorgano and take in the marvellous views over Lake Maggiore. We guarantee they'll will remain etched in your memory!

  • Grade: Easy-Moderate (a decent fitness level is required)
  • Distance: 5km
  • Duration: Half day (walking time approx. 2 hours)
  • Ascent/Descent: 150m
  • Terrain: Asphalt, dirt tracks, natural trails
  • Useful information: The walk is reached by train and/or bus, you will take the train from Stresa to Mergozzo on the way to the walk, and back from Verbania-Pallanza to Stresa. There is a local cost for the train from Stresa to Mergozzo which is approx. €4.60 return, and for the train from Baveno to Mergozzo and back from Verbania-Pallanza to Baveno which is approx. €3.90 return.

For summer 2025, this walk will run on the following Fridays: 16 May, 30 May, 13 Jun, 27 Jun, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 8 Aug, 22 Aug, 5 Sep, 19 Sep.

For summer 2026, this walk will run on the following Fridays: 15 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 23 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep.

The walk begins in the colourful village of Suna where the path will take you to the medieval village of Cavandone. Along the walk you'll pass a chestnut wood, a medieval tower and of course wonderful views of Lake Maggiore - make sure to pack you camera! Once at Cavandone there's so much history and culture to enjoy including; a 400 year old yew tree, ceramic pottery and a well preserved stone village. The walk ends in Suna, where you can wander along the lakeside promenade.

  • Grade: Easy-Moderate (a good fitness level is required)
  • Distance: 8km
  • Duration: Full day (walking time approx. 4 hours)
  • Ascent/Descent: 260m
  • Terrain: Asphalt, dirt tracks, natural trails
  • Useful information: The walk is reached by bus, from Stresa to Verbania-Suna and the return is by bus from Verbania-Pallanza. There is a local cost for the bus which is approx. €6.80 return. You'll have the opportunity to stop for lunch in Verbania-Pallanza towards the end of the walk (payable locally).

For summer 2025, this walk will run on the following Tuesdays: 20 May, 3 Jun, 17 Jun, 1 Jul, 15 Jul, 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 23 Sep.

For summer 2026, this walk will run on the following Tuesdays: 19 May, 2 Jun, 16 Jun, 30 Jun, 14 Jul, 28 Jul, 11 Aug, 25 Aug, 8 Sep, 22 Sep.

Starting at Belgirate you'll walk up to the beautiful Romanesque church of Santa Maria, where you can enjoy some fantastic lake views. Continuing uphill to the chestnut forest you'll get a feel for rural life in the terraced fields and mountain huts. You'll get even more fantastic views as you pass by the village of Passera and the gardens of Villa Pallavicino, which are a real highlight.

  • Grade: Moderate-Challenging (a good fitness level is required)
  • Distance: 12km
  • Duration: Half day (walking time approx. 3 hours 30 mins)
  • Ascent/Descent: 360m
  • Terrain: Asphalt, dirt tracks, natural trails
  • Useful information: The walk is reached by bus, from Stresa to Belgirate. There is a local cost for the bus which is approx. €3.20 one way. If you're staying in Baveno you can get the bus from Baveno to Belgirate which costs approx. €3.40 one way.

For summer 2025, this walk will run on the following Fridays: 23 May, 6 Jun, 20 Jun, 4 Jul, 18 Jul, 1 Aug, 15 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 26 Sep.

For summer 2026, this walk will run on the following Fridays: 22 May, 5 Jun, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 31 Jul, 14 Aug, 28 Aug, 11 Sep, 25 Sep.

The walk starts at Domodossola, which is the main town of the Ossola Valley with its quintessential market place, stone houses and a rustic centre. A real highlight of this walk is visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Sacred Mount of Domodossola. On the descent towards Domodossola you'll have the opportunity to visit the town with its arcades, cafés and different shops selling typical products from the region.

  • Grade: Moderate-Challenging (a good fitness level is required)
  • Distance: 8km
  • Duration: Full day (walking time approx. 3hrs 30 mins)
  • Ascent/Descent: 340m
  • Terrain: Asphalt, dirt tracks, natural trails
  • Useful information: The walk is reached by train or bus, from Stresa to Domodossola. The train costs approx. €9.60 for a return ticket. If staying in Baveno you can get the train or bus from Baveno to Domodossola which is approx. €8.80 for a return ticket. You'll stop off along the walk to have your lunch in the open air. Make sure you come prepared with a packed lunch and snacks.

For summer 2025, this walk will run on the following Tuesdays: 13 May, 27 May, 10 Jun, 24 Jun, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep.

For summer 2026, this walk will run on the following Tuesdays: 12 May, 26 May, 9 Jun, 23 Jun, 7 Jul, 21 Jul, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 1 Sep, 15 Sep.

Our favourite self-guided walks in and around Baveno

A very pleasant walk between two of Lake Maggiore’s most popular resorts providing fantastic views over the beautiful Borromean Gulf with it's famous islands which can be done in either direction.

  • Grade: Easy
  • Distance: 3.5km
  • Walking time: approx. 1 hour 20 minutes

A lovely easy walk, mostly on the flat, combining two unspoilt lake side villages, harbour and lake views. The walk will take you from Belgirate lake front heading along the lake front promenade, passing through the little ‘Passeggio Giuseppe Serafini’ garden and the beautiful prestigious villas that overlook Lake Maggiore.

  • Grade: Easy
  • Distance: 3.6km
  • Walking time: approx. 1 hour, 30 minutes

A trip up to the mountains where the cooler, fresh mountain air and spectacular views await you. The walk will take you to the beautiful Lago delle Fate where the water is always a gorgeous blue and its shores are perfect for taking a relaxing break, and past an historic 13th Century oratory.

  • Grade: Moderate
  • Distance: 6km
  • Walking time: approx. 2 hours

Our accommodations in Baveno

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    Hotel Beau Rivage Lake Maggiore Pool Area

    Hotel Beau Rivage

    Baveno, Lake Maggiore, Italy

    Outdoor pool Charming garden Lake views
    Couples Holidays Central Location
    • Half Board
    • London Gatwick
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    From £749 View details

Discover Baveno

  • Learn the history of the Romanesque Church of San Gervaso and Protaso
  • Hop between the Borromean Islands; from Isola dei Pescatori to Isola Bella
  • Walk along the famous Chestnut Route on an Inghams guided walk

Baveno stretches along the western shore of Lake Maggiore, welcoming wanderers and walkers with its mountain-view waterfront. Here, Venetian villas and castle-like hotels have hosted VIP's in the summer for centuries. They’re an elegant backdrop to the lakeside promenade, where boats bound for the nearby Borromean Islands leave the harbour. Back in town, the parks and villa gardens of Baveno are made for walking, while more challenging paths climb into the Alps behind. See some bald patches on the slopes? They’re the famous quarries that have supplied pink granite to the churches and opera houses of Paris, Milan and Rome.

Baveno is truly a beloved resort town, and the countryside around it hints at its peaceful past. Walking routes zig-zag uphill through hamlets and past chestnut forests, and along old mule tracks once used by fishermen. Simpler strolls stick to the lakeside promenade, heading north to the ancient port and village of Feriolo. Remember to carve out time for some culture and stop by the monument dedicated to the “picasass” stonemasons en route. These workers have long toiled in the quarries above Baveno, carving out the building blocks for some of the loveliest opera houses, churches and arcades in Europe.

There’s plenty to peruse while exploring Baveno. The round, Romanesque Church of San Gervaso and Protaso with its characteristic six-storey bell tower sits on the Piazza della Chiesa, filled with frescoes and a quarry museum. Some of the villas come with grand public gardens. And the cafés that line the waterfront between the port and harbour are a great place to pause… preferably for a bite to eat; perhaps a board of mortadella salami and herby alpine cheese? As for the best ice cream – duck into the cobbled streets of the old town for a scoop of pistachio gelato or sorbet-like granita.

The Borromean Islands lie just across the water, best reached by the ferries – or, if you fancy travelling off-schedule, the water taxis that depart from Baveno’s harbour. In the summer sun travelling on the ferry is one of the best ways to see Lake Maggiore. Each island has its own speciality. Isola Bella and Isola Madre lay out palaces with extravagant gardens (keep an eye out for the wandering peacocks). Isola dei Pescatori is home to the last remaining fishing boats on the islands, plus restaurants serving fresh lake fish dishes.

Treetop walking, suspension bridges, climbing walls, pools and a cyclo-cross course will keep you busy at Lake Maggiore Aquadventure Park - particularly if you have teenagers with you! If watersports are more your speed, there are wakeboarding and boating centres on the lake too. And you don’t need a car for a day trip. Stresa is only a few minutes away by train – or you can embark on a mini-adventure to Milan, which is less than two hours away on the historic Simplon railway line.

Ferries

The hydro-foil ferries in Lake Maggiore are extremely useful and more eco-friendly than your average ferry! They're perfect for hopping over to the Borromean islands for a day trip. Check out those sparkling waters as you drift along the lake. Many of our hotels are close to ferry landing points, so you won't have far to go.

Buses & trains

Baveno's bus network is really useful for exploring towns like Stresa which takes around eight minutes on the bus. You can usually buy tickets in a nearby tabaccheria or on the bus itself. You can also get the train to nearby towns such as Belgirate, with its little Romanesque church of St Mary dating back to the 11th Century. This journey only takes about 10 minutes direct.

Walking

If you'd rather walk, it doesn't take long to walk along the lakeside to picture perfect towns such as Feriolo with its little beaches and quaint harbours. This walk only takes about 50 minutes.

Travel to Baveno

Travel by air

Flights to Milan depart on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday between 03 May - 11 Oct 25 and 02 May - 10 Oct 26

Fly from: 

  • London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol and
    Edinburgh

Transfer time:

  • Approx. 1 hour by coach from Milan airport

Please be aware transfer times may vary depending on weather conditions and volume of traffic, especially during peak season.

Travel by train

We offer holidays by train to Baveno, which depart on a Wednesday and Friday. The journey takes around 12 hours. On arrival, you will transfer to Baveno by taxi/coach, which will take around 5 minutes.

Please note, from June 2025 the train will run from London St Pancras to Domodossola. From Domodossola you will travel to your hotel by taxi.

 

Provisional outbound timings are:

  1. London St. Pancras

  2. Paris Nord

  3. Lausanne

  4. Stresa

Provisional inbound timings are:

  1. Stresa

  2. Geneva

  3. Paris Lyon

  4. Paris Nord

    Change

  5. London St. Pancras

Things to do in Baveno

Baveno Lake Maggiore Church Of San Gervasio And Protasio

If you're into history, the Romanesque church of Baveno San Gervasio e Protasio's a must see. The church dates back to the 14th Century and was consecrated by the Viscount Guglielmo Amidano on 13 May 1343.

You could also hop on a ferry and visit the Roman town of Pallanza; home to artefacts dating back to the 1st Century! It's crammed full of colourful period buildings and a Romanesque basilica, the church of Madonna di Campagna, which has architectural features dating back to the 16th Century. 

A trip to Baveno wouldn't be complete without visiting at least one of the three Borromean Islands. Isola Bella's the most famous island and was turned into an Italian terraced garden in the 17th Century by the Borromeo family. It's so beautiful that it's inspired writers and poets throughout time. Dickens wrote, 'However fanciful and fantastic Isola Bella may be, and is, it is still beautiful'.

Isola Madre's the biggest island and has peacocks strutting around its' gardens. Check out the villa and its classic Italian style.

The third island, Isola dei Pescatori is a lot more down to earth. It's an old fishing island and still is today. This is where Maggiore gets it's delicious fresh fish. It's easy to get to these islands on the ferry (services reduce to weekends only in October) or by water taxi.

Watersports in Lake Garda, Riva

If you love the water then Baveno has a great lido for swimming or you could do some water sports on the lake. From paddle-boarding to kayaking, there's are some fun options if you want to spend your days by the water!

from €55 per person

Experience the stunning hidden gem, Lake Orta. You'll head along the lakeside to Arona and will stop at the enormous statue of St Charles Borromeo. Then you'll drive through some fantastic countryside all the way to Orta, an old picturesque village which is full of art and historic architecture. You'll have the option to visit the island of Saint Giulio and its 4th Century Basilica.

Details: Departs on Mondays. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our Terms & Conditions.

Zermatt Matterhorn At Golden Hour
from €96 per person

Don't miss this opportunity to get a taster of Zermatt and the iconic Matterhorn mountain that dominates the landscape. You'll take a bus over the Simplon road and into the Ossola valley where you'll get some fantastic views of the Simplon pass. Once you reach Zermatt you'll be at about 5,300 feet above sea level. It's known as the 'Queen of the Alps' because of it's many surrounding mountains, which are amongst the highest in the Alps. You'll get some time for lunch before heading back to Lake Maggiore (payable locally).

Details: Departs on Thursdays. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our Terms & Conditions.

from €52 per person

A photographer's dream, Visit the elegant Swiss town of Ascona, home to an attractive lakeside promenade and interesting boutiques before heading to the sleepy Italian village of Cannobio - its picture postcard setting is a favourite with local artists.

Details: Departs on Thursdays. You can book this excursion locally with your Destination Expert.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our Terms & Conditions.

Make sure you don't miss the Villa Fedora public park. Lake Maggiore's known for it's botanical gardens and the 18th Century Pallavicino park's no exception. 

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