On Lake Maggiore, Choose Your Base First
On Lake Maggiore, I would begin the search slightly differently from the other major lakes of Northern Italy. Not with the question “Where is the most beautiful villa?”, but with: “Which location will make my life easiest?”
Stresa, Arona, Verbania and Luino are all on the same lake, but they create completely different scenarios. One buyer needs quick access to Malpensa, another wants to walk to restaurants and the waterfront. Someone may be looking for a large historic park, while someone else wants a contemporary house that can be closed for several months without complicated maintenance.
That is why, on Lake Maggiore, I would first define your base and only then search for the specific property.
ELENA'S NOTE
Lake Maggiore is also personally special to me: this is where I once decided to celebrate my wedding. Since then, I have returned many times, no longer simply as a guest, but looking at the different locations through the eyes of someone who needs to explain to an international buyer where it will be convenient not only to spend a holiday, but to actually live.
Stresa, Arona, Verbania or Luino?
I would not rank these towns because they suit different buyers.
Stresa naturally attracts buyers looking for the classic lake atmosphere, historic villas, large parks and international recognition.
Arona may be more practical for buyers who value everyday life, mobility and connections towards Milan and Malpensa.
Verbania works well for those planning to spend significant time on the lake throughout the year, while Luino creates a different geographical logic, closer to the Swiss border.
So I would not ask “Which town is the most prestigious?”, but “Which location will make it easiest for me to live my own life?”
Lake Maggiore Does Not End at the Lombardy Border
The lake lies between Lombardy and Piedmont and extends north into the Swiss canton of Ticino.
We work mainly with the Lombardy side and the locations most relevant to international clients, but a good search should not stop at an administrative border.
If Piedmont gives you a better property, an easier route and a town that suits you better, it should be considered.
For your everyday life, roads, services and distances matter more than a regional boundary.
For an International Buyer, Malpensa Is Part of the Property
Especially if you use the house as a second home, do not look only at the number of kilometres from the airport. I would check the actual route: how long the journey takes on Friday evening and Monday morning, how many towns you need to drive through and how predictable the traffic is.
If you fly in for only three or four days, the difference between an easy and complicated route quickly becomes important. A house that is easy to reach gets used more often.
That is why proximity to Malpensa may be more valuable to some buyers than another bedroom or a slightly larger garden.
FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS
If you fly frequently, tell us before the search begins. On Lake Maggiore, logistics can narrow down the right side of the lake much faster than a list of property features.
A Villa with a View and a Waterfront Villa Are Two Different Types of Property
A house may have a beautiful view of the lake but be located far from the water. Another property may have its own shoreline.
If a boat is important to you or you want to use the lake every day, check the specific features: a private mooring, boathouse, private beach, steps to the water, shared access and whether it is genuinely easy to get from the house to the shore.
Always verify the legal status of these elements as well.
I would not pay a premium simply for the words “waterfront” without understanding exactly how you will be able to use the water.
If your priority is the panorama, privacy and a large garden, a house higher above the lake may suit you considerably better.
DON'T MISS THIS
“Lake view”, “by the lake” and “direct access to the water” are three different characteristics. Ask to be shown exactly what belongs to the specific property.
Historic Villa, Contemporary House or Apartment?
On Lake Maggiore you can find very different types of property on the Italian lakes.
Historic villas with large parks are one of the strongest parts of the local market. High ceilings, large windows, mature trees, space and architecture create character, but together with that character you are also buying the roof, façades, technical systems, garden, fences and sometimes the need for staff.
A contemporary home may offer a simpler layout, better energy efficiency, large glazed surfaces and fewer works after purchase.
An apartment or penthouse may be the most practical solution for a buyer who spends only part of the year here: less maintenance, easier to leave the property unattended and often closer to restaurants and services.
Do not buy a villa simply because “you are supposed to own a villa on the lake”. Buy the format that fits how often you will actually use it.
A Large Park Looks Beautiful. But Who Will Look After It?
The mature gardens on Lake Maggiore can be exceptionally beautiful, but a large park requires constant care: trees, irrigation, lawns, fences, slopes and the swimming pool.
If you live abroad, you should understand before buying who will supervise all of this while you are away.
I always separate two statements: “I like having a large garden” and “I want to manage a large garden”. They are not the same.
Sometimes a smaller garden or a high-quality apartment with a large terrace gives an international owner more freedom than a large estate.
Are You Planning to Live Here Throughout the Year?
If so, do not evaluate the town only in summer. Come in November and see which restaurants and shops remain open, how transport works, where the hospital is and whether you still enjoy the waterfront without the tourist season.
That is when the differences between the towns become clearer. For a second home, you may choose a quieter and more remote location; for permanent living, the structure of the town and everyday services carry more weight.
That is why I would not reduce the choice of Lake Maggiore simply to the beauty of the panorama.
Don't Compare Lake Maggiore with Lake Como Only by the View
Both lakes can offer historic villas, beautiful panoramas and international prestige. But the logic of buying can be different.
On Lake Como, I would often pay particular attention to the terrain, orientation, specific side of the lake and car access.
On Lake Maggiore, for many international buyers, the base for everyday life, distance from Malpensa, connections with Switzerland, ability to live here throughout the year and the choice between a large estate and an easier-to-manage property often become more important.
So do not choose the lake simply from a photograph. Spend enough time on each one to understand its real logic.
Some Prestigious Properties Are Sold Confidentially
This is particularly relevant for large family villas, historic residences and waterfront properties. Some owners do not want to publish the address, photographs of the interiors or even the fact that the property is for sale.
As a result, some opportunities may be available as off-market properties in Italy or through professional contacts and cooperation between agencies.
If your requirements are very specific, communicate them even when there is no suitable property among the public listings. For example:
- private mooring;
- large flat garden;
- historic villa;
- five or more bedrooms;
- maximum distance from Malpensa;
- a specific side of the lake.
LOOKING FOR PROPERTY ON LAKE MAGGIORE?
Send us your preferred towns or side of the lake, budget, how you intend to use the property and the three characteristics you are not prepared to compromise on. This helps identify the right area before you arrive.
A Good Purchase on Lake Maggiore Should Work Beyond August
It is easy to fall in love with the lake in August. But I would test the property using a different scenario.
You arrive by plane in November. It is cool outside. You need to buy groceries, in the evening you want to go out for dinner, and the next morning you need to drive to Malpensa. Are you comfortable?
If the answer is yes, the property has a much better chance of remaining the right purchase many years from now.
On Lake Maggiore, I would value not only the beauty of the property, but also the ease of life around it.
BY THE WAY... DO YOU OWN A VILLA OR APARTMENT ON LAKE MAGGIORE?
Your buyer may live abroad. You can
offer your property to LuxuryVillaItaly's international audience, including through a confidential sales process.
Elena Manzhos is a licensed real estate agent and the founder of LuxuryVillaItaly. She has worked with international buyers on the Italian lakes, including Lake Maggiore, for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Property on Lake Maggiore
Which towns should I consider on Lake Maggiore?
The main locations include Stresa, Arona, Verbania, Baveno and Luino. The right location depends on access to Malpensa, everyday services, connections with Switzerland, property type and how often you plan to stay on the lake.
Is proximity to Malpensa important?
For an international owner, often very much so, especially if you visit for short periods. Check not only the number of kilometres but the actual journey time and how predictable the route is.
How is a waterfront villa different from a villa with a lake view?
A waterfront position means a direct connection with the shore, but this can take different forms. Check the existence and legal status of the mooring, beach, boathouse, boat house, steps or other access to the water. A panoramic villa may be located considerably higher and have no direct access to the lake.
What is more practical for a second home — a villa or an apartment?
If you spend only part of the year on the lake, an apartment is often easier to manage. A large villa provides more privacy, land and character, but requires continuous maintenance.
Is all prestigious property on Lake Maggiore publicly advertised?
No. Some owners choose a confidential sale or an off-market format. If your budget and criteria are already defined, it is worth communicating them even when there is no suitable property on public portals.