Stresa to Isola Bella Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Ticket

Set your own schedule on the water between Stresa and the Borromean Islands.

A hop-on hop-off boat ticket connects Stresa to Isola Bella, the most famous of the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, letting you leave the boat whenever you want and board again when you're ready. The service runs between roughly one and six hours depending on how long you spend on the island. A multilingual captain narrates the crossing. The Palace Museum and Italianate gardens on Isola Bella require separate admission, and the islands are open from late March through early November.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour and island visit

• Board hop-on hop-off boat in Stresa
• Enjoy views of Lake Maggiore and islands
• Hop off at Isola Bella island
• Visit Palace Museum and Italianate gardens
• Stroll around Isola Bella fishing village
• Return by boat to Stresa
• Optional visit to Giardino Botanico Alpinia

The experience

The boat leaves Stresa and carries you across Lake Maggiore to Isola Bella, where you can step off to explore the Palace Museum and its formal gardens (white peacocks roam the grounds and a fountain anchors the center), or wander the fishing village on the island's far side. The hop-on hop-off system means you're not locked into a group schedule. You stay as long as you want, then board the next boat back to Stresa or onward to another stop. Modern vessels make the crossing, and a captain who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language provides commentary as you travel.

From Stresa, you can also use the same ticket to visit the Giardino Botanico Alpinia, the botanical gardens in the hills above town, exploring them at leisure before returning to the waterfront. The exact travel time shifts with the time of day and weather, so the service adapts to conditions rather than holding to a fixed timetable. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome aboard.

What’s included

• Hop-on hop-off boat ticket between Stresa and Isola Bella.
• multilingual captain commentary in English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.
• access to explore Isola Bella and the Giardino Botanico Alpinia at your own pace.

Options for this experience

4 options

Daily tour to Isola BellaGuide in 5 languages · No fixed timeDaily tour to Isola Bella: Discover Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands at your own pace with a one-day hop-on hop-off ferry trip from Stresa.

Private boat service to Isola BellaGuide in 5 languages · No fixed timePrivate boat service with exclusive use of a taxi boat

Tour of Isola Bella and the Pescatori islandsGuide in 5 languages · No fixed timeTake a boat trip across the scenic Lake Maggiore and visit the magnificent Isola Bella, one of the Borromean Islands and the Fisherman Islands. Travel at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off ferry.

Daily ticket for hop-on hop-off serviceGuide in 5 languages · No fixed timeBoat tour with a day pass

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years): free · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 300

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by ISOLE LAGO MAGGIORE SRL

Is this one for you?Choose this ticket if you want to set your own rhythm on the water instead of following a fixed group itinerary. You stay on the island as long as you want and catch the next boat when you're ready to move on.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years): free; Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I get off the boat at Isola Bella and explore on my own, or do I have to stay with a group?

You hop off whenever you want and explore Isola Bella entirely at your own pace. There's no group requirement. The boat simply returns on its regular schedule, and you board again when you're ready to leave the island.

What's actually inside the Palace Museum and gardens on Isola Bella?

The Palace Museum occupies the main building on the island, and the Italianate gardens surround it with formal landscaping, white peacocks, and a central fountain. Entry to both requires a separate ticket beyond the boat fare.

How long does the boat ride from Stresa to Isola Bella take?

The crossing itself is relatively short, but the total time you spend on the water depends on how long you stay on the island. The service runs between roughly one and six hours in total, shaped by your own schedule.

Does the ticket include food, drinks or entry to the museums?

The boat ticket covers only the transport between Stresa and the islands. Museum entry, the botanical gardens, and any food or drinks you buy are separate costs.

When is the best time of year to take this boat tour?

The Palace Museum and gardens on Isola Bella are open from late March through early November, so plan your visit within that window. The exact opening and closing dates shift slightly year to year.