Isola Madre, a Garden on the Water – Private Guided Tour

Meet your guide and board a private boat heading toward Isola Madre, sailing along the northern part of the Borromean Gulf. This is an ideal destination for lovers of nature and tranquility. Departures are available only at 9:30 AM or 2:30 PM. Upon arrival on the island, you will be welcomed by a magnificent English-style garden, created by the Borromeo Family beginning in the 16th century and transformed during the 18th century. Along pathways alternating with gently rolling lawns, you will discover rich and varied vegetation: centuries-old trees, palm-lined avenues, pergolas filled with Mediterranean plants, citrus trees, and exotic species that create a surprising landscape at the foot of the mountains.

Each season gives the garden a different charm: camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons color the spring; the tree canopies provide freshness and vitality during summer; while in autumn, the park transforms into warm golden tones, offering enchanting scenery.

From the Viale Africa, you will continue toward the boathouse, the Gobbi Garden, and the Ginerium lawn, eventually reaching the Cashmer terrace, home to the oldest tree on the island beside the Borromeo Palace. This first residence of the Borromeo family on the islands, often described as a true “noble country house,” preserves subtle Renaissance features and an understated yet elegant charm.

From the loggia, you will begin your visit of the palace, exploring the bedrooms, dining room, sitting rooms, puppet theater, and library. This journey will allow you to immerse yourself in the daily life of the people who once lived on the island, surrounded by art, culture, and history. On Isola Madre, nature, art, and culture blend harmoniously, creating a place that a great French writer once described as “one of the most voluptuous in the world.”

At the end of the visit, your private boat will take you back to the departure point.

Included Services

• Half-day guided tour service (maximum 3 hours);
• Private boat from Baveno or Stresa for the tour as described;
• Municipal landing tax;
• Entrance tickets to the palace and gardens of Isola Madre.

Free service for children up to 5 years old.