One of the most beautiful Italian lakes, it is also believed to be the largest of the pre-Alpine lakes, hence the name "Maggiore". Its 11 islands are among the many beauties of this lake, as are its beautiful villas and imposing fortresses and castles. Nature lovers will find Lake Maggiore the ideal place to spend their holiday thanks to the many botanical gardens, such as Villa Taranto, that offer more than a thousand plants.
The Val Grande and Ticino Valley national parks, the latter being a UNESCO biosphere reserve, also provide some breath-taking landscapes to explore. For sports lovers, Lake Maggiore is a natural paradise. There's the chance to go hiking, biking, or horseback riding and the option to play golf, try canoeing, give water skiing a go or even scuba dive.
