Private Tour
Private Guided Boat Tour of Lake Maggiore's Borromeo Islands
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Hello, I'm Micaela Lucini, an expert local guide in Stresa. If you wish a tailor made tour, with different timings and options, please get in touch with me. This is a 3-hour guided tour of lake Maggiore's islands using private charter boat for our transfers to explore beautiful isola Bella, the most famous of the Borromeo islands, and Fishermen's island accompanied by a personal English-speaking tour guide. Discover an incredible island - isola Bella - where art, history, architecture, exotic and mediterranean species make this place at the foot of the Alps something unique in the world. Stroll through the quaint village on isola Pescatori to discover the old island's activities. Enjoy a private water tour around isola Madre to admire it from the lake or make the most of your trip and include also a stop and guided visit to isola Madre to explore its lovely botanical gardens with orange trees, agaves, palms and the island's 16th-century villa which houses a puppet theatre collection.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please get in touch with Micaela for any doubt, if you have special needs or should you wish to customize the length or itinerary of your tour
Longer tour ( 5 hours) is not recommended if visitors have walking problems. Longer tour is not recommended for small children
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Borromeo Palace
You will visit the 16th-century villa on isola Madre if you choose the 3 islands'option. Otherwise you will see isola Madre from the boat if you book the 3-hour tour for 2 islands
Isola Bella
You will stroll through the enchanting Italianate gardens on isola Bella and will be guided through the opulent rooms in the 17th-century Borromeo palace
What‘s Included
Professional local guide
Private tour
Private boat transfers as described
Borromeo Palace (for the 2 islands)
Borromeo Palace (for the 3 islands)
Options
From Stresa 3 islands 5 hours
From Pallanza 2 islands
From Stresa 2 islands 3 hours
From Laveno or Intra 3 islands
From Pallanza 3 islands
From Laveno or Intra 2 islands
Reviews
40 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Borromean Islands oct 2025
Safari44844666061,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour, we enjoy it too much, our guide Micaela did a "super job", she knows the islands and the historical part very well; strongly recommended.
Best Private Tour of the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore with Micaela
Journeystaken456,,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible private tour with Micaela of the Borromean Islands on our recent visit to Stresa, Italy! Micaela and her captain arrived by private boat at the pier across the street from our hotel! That was so wonderful to be privately whisked away to each of the islands! We spent the day -visiting each of the three islands (Bella, Madre and Pescatori) and having a wonderful light lunch on the fishing island of Pescatori! Micaela was such a knowledgeable guide- sharing the history, architecture, horticulture( garden plants) and family genealogy of the islands. We were quite interested in the horticulture and the many different trees, plants and flowers that thrive on each of the islands! Micaela was well versed and answered all our questions of interest. She provided us with one of the best guided tours in Italy! We hope to someday return and book another tour with Micaela. She brilliantly navigated our tour to make it one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences! Ciao!!
THE way to tour the Borromean Islands!
G3936WGpatm,,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The private tour with Micaela of the Borromean Islands was a highlight of our trip to Italy. We were traveling as a family of 10 with ages varying from 8 to 79. The ease and convenience of having the private boat and private tour guide made us much more able to enjoy the tour and much more able to really enjoy the beauty and history of the sights. Micaela shared with us her knowledge and love of the beautiful islands…….so much more meaningful for us than a regimental group tour. If we wanted to linger a little longer at a certain place, we could. If we wanted to stop to eat, Micaela found us a really great restaurant that we all enjoyed. The Borromean Islands are beautiful and full of history. Our family group was able to appreciate them so much more because of Micaela and this particular tour.
Lack of discretion
kathleenaX2147QQ,,Jul 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The sites were amazing - Micaela very knowledgeable. Disappointed when in hotel later in evening met Americans who were on the tour after us who had great laugh at our expense as Michaela had told them she couldn’t understand us!!
Above and beyond expectations!
H6437CDaliceg,,May 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Micaela is very responsive when planning a tour and very thorough with details. She goes into great depth during the tour on topics of botany, history, art and architecture. Our tour with her went totally above and beyond our expectations. She was also very observant to our needs and interests. Her English is excellent and she is very easily understood. We highly recommend booking with her, but do so well in advance to be sure she is available.
Best Guide For Small Group Private Tour of Lake Maggiore
CharlesD306,,Oct 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00While conducting research for my recent trip to Stresa, Italy seeking a private, small group tour guide for our party of three to explore Lake Maggiore, Micaela Luccini's name kept coming up. Every review had wonderful things to say about Micaela. After working with Michaela to plan our outing and after experiencing Micaela's tour first hand, I can attest that Michaela is absolutely the very best tour guide that your small group could engage to tour the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore. Micaela communicates well and responds quickly to emails. The costs are clearly stated, flexible, all inclusive, and a bargain compared to the large group tours! Micaela asked questions and offered guidance to help tailor her tour to meet our needs and expectations. In person, Michaela couldn't be more vibrant, fun, welcoming, attentive, and knowledgeable! Micaela is an absolute joy to be with! Micaela's knowledge of Isola Bella, Isola Pescatore, and Isola Madre is truly impressive. For my two friends and I, our day with Micaela was the best day spent during our three weeks in Italy. Grazie mille, Micaela! Next time, we will also go with you to Orta!
Beautiful day with Micaela on Lake Maggiore
U6907QNbrigittea,,Aug 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day on Lake Maggiore. Micaela is a very nice Guide , the explanations are exciting whether in the palace where the gardens , she was very understanding because we had a change of date at the last moment , she found us a solution , thank you Micaela for this day with you
Great guided tour
Tore S123,,Jul 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic trip to the beautiful Lago Maggiore islands. We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. The boat is quite large and very comfortable. Micaela is a fantastic tour guide, both funny and very knowledgeable. We went to all three islands, all very different and interesting. The restaurant Micaela chose for lunch was perfect.
Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan
MaluBernas,,Jun 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I took the Viator's "Unique Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan". The Isola Bella from Lake Maggiore is impressive. 30 out of the 200-room grand castle was available for viewing which was quite magnificent. Our tour guide was very clear and informative. The garden was equally magnificent and there were 2 peacocks who opened their feathers and they looked so pretty. From the castle, you can find some small cafes, food kiosks and a small chapel. From Isola Bella, the boat took us to the Fisherman's island where we had a delicious lunch at the Imbarcadero. The streets are lined with small shops. Its good to wear rubbershoes or flats for this trip.
Great guide
T4986MZlucd,,Jun 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This guide is extraordinarily friendly and so brilliant...highly recommended.... So many good reasons to trust him
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Operated by Micaela Lucini