Lake Maggiore Islands Tour: Private Guide to Isola Bella & Madre
Three islands, one guide, no other travelers tagging along
A five-hour private guided tour of Lake Maggiore's Borromean Islands with a licensed local guide, visiting Isola Bella's 17th-century baroque palace and ten-level terraced gardens, Isola Madre's 16th-century villa and botanical garden, and the Fishermen's island village. The guide speaks English, Italian or French, and can adjust the itinerary for walking difficulties or shorter time windows. Entrance fees (€36.50 per person) are not included; private boat transfers cost €250.
5h
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore
- Guided stroll on Isola Pescatori
- Visit 17th-century palace on Isola Bella
- Explore terraced gardens on Isola Bella
- Visit 16th-century villa on Isola Madre
- Explore botanical garden on Isola Madre
The Experience
Five hours gives you time to move through three islands without rushing. You start with a guided stroll through the Fishermen's island village, then cross to Isola Bella to walk the baroque palace with its grottoes and ten levels of terraced gardens built into the hillside—a private guide means you move at your own pace and stop where something catches your eye. Isola Madre comes next, its 16th-century villa and botanical garden a quieter counterpoint to Bella's grandeur. Micaela, your guide, is a licensed local who speaks English, Italian or French and knows the islands well enough to answer the questions that come up as you walk.
The tour is private, so it's just you, your group and the guide—no other travelers, no set departure times beyond what you arrange. That flexibility matters if you want to linger at one stop or skip ahead to another. Lunch is not included, so you'll find time to eat on one of the islands. If walking is difficult, Micaela can design a shorter version or suggest which parts of each island work best for your mobility. The boat transfers between islands can be arranged through her (€250 for the private option), or you can use the public ferries that run regularly from the mainland.
Entrance fees to the palaces and gardens run €36.50 per person and are paid separately at each site. Public transportation to the tour's starting point is available nearby if you're coming from Stresa or another lakeside town. Because this is a private arrangement, get in touch directly if the date you want isn't showing as available—Micaela often has flexibility, and she's open to customizing the route if you'd rather spend more time on one island or add a boat tour of the lake itself.
What’s included
- Private tour with no other travelers joining.
- licensed local guide speaking English, Italian or French.
- guided access to Isola Bella's baroque palace and ten-level terraced gardens, Isola Madre's 16th-century villa and botanical garden, and the Fishermen's island village.
Operated by Micaela Lucini
Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide who knows the islands and can move at your pace without a fixed group schedule—the private format means you choose when to linger and when to move on. If you'd rather follow a set itinerary with other travelers or prefer a shorter visit to just one or two islands, a shared group tour or a self-guided boat ride might suit you better.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What exactly is inside the Isola Bella palace that we'll see?
Isola Bella's 17th-century baroque palace includes grottoes and the terraced gardens built across ten levels of the island's slope. Your guide will walk you through the palace and grounds as part of the tour.
Can we do this tour if walking is hard for us?
Micaela can design a shorter version of the tour tailored to walking difficulties and will suggest which parts of each island work best for your mobility. Let her know before booking so she can plan the right route.
Do we have to book the private boat transfers, or can we use the public ferries?
Public ferries run regularly between the islands, so you can use those if you prefer. Private boat transfers cost €250 and skip the lines and waiting, but they're optional—not part of the standard tour price.
How much does it cost to enter the palaces and gardens?
Entrance fees are €36.50 per person and are paid separately at each site when you arrive. They're not included in the tour price.
What languages does the guide speak?
Micaela speaks English, Italian and French, so you can book in whichever language you're most comfortable with.
Is lunch included, and where do we eat?
Lunch is not included in the tour, but you'll have time to eat on one of the islands. Both Isola Bella and Isola Madre have restaurants and cafés where you can stop.
Lake Maggiore Islands Tour: Private Guide to Isola Bella & Madre
5h · EN · IT +1
from € 300 per group
★★★★★★★★★★4.9680 reviews
