What to see and what to do in Laveno-Mombello

Laveno-Mombello is a municipality located on the Lombardy coast of Lake Maggiore, between Leggiuno and Porto Valtravaglia.

It is considered the tourist capital of the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore, located between the blue of the lake and the green of the mountains that surround it behind, first of all the Mount Sasso del Ferro that dominates the town from the top of its 1062 meters. The pier of Laveno Mombello connects the Lombard bank with Intra of Verbania on the Piedmont bank through a ferry service that also offers the transport of vehicles.

Laveno is a popular destination for tourists and visitors all year round.

Its particular position has made it an important strategic point for all the armies that passed from this area: from the Romans, through the Visconti, the Sforza and the Borromeo, up to Garibaldi. However, the origins of Laveno-Mombello are much older as traces of a pile dwelling settlement dating back to 3000 BC have been found.

The center of the village is located in a natural bay of the lake: at both extremities of the northern and southern gulf there are two forts.

Places to see and to visit in Laveno-Mombello

MIDeC - International Museum of Ceramic Design

Laveno Mombello was one of the largest ceramic and porcelain production centers in Italy and Europe. The plants are now shut down because they are no longer in operation, but have given rise to the International Museum of Ceramic Design (Midec).

It is located in the hamlet of Cerro inside The Palazzo Perabò owned by the municipality and was founded and opened to the public in 1971 under the name of “Civica Raccolta di Terraglie”. It is a patrimony of ceramic art which collects and registers the production of pottery in Lombardy from half 800 to half 900.

Churches of Laveno-Mombello

Laveno Mombello is rich in churches but the main ones are two: the first we recommend to see is the Church of Saints Philip and James, called old church, which dates back at least to 1315, the year in which there is talk of an ancient chapel dedicated to San Giacomo, located in the heart of the town; then there is the church of Sant'Ambrogio, known as new church, built around 1940 on a project by the architect Paolo Mezzanotte.

There are frescoes by Innocente Salvini and external sculptures by Egidio Casarotti.

Villa De Angeli - Frua

The historic center houses the beautiful Villa De Angeli Frua, an aristocratic villa dating back to the mid-1700s. It was built by the wealthy Tinelli family from Lavena but then taken over at the end of the 19th century by the family whose name it still bears today. The villa is surrounded by a large botanical park, rich in centuries-old and aromatic plants typical of the area.

The entire complex has reached the municipal administration of Laveno Mombello and also houses the library of the country which, with its over 50,000 volumes, is one of the largest in the province of Varese.

Things to do in Laveno-Mombello and its surroundings

• walking around the lake: actually, walking through the streets of the center of Laveno is really nice because you come across bars, restaurants, shops and small shops. Equally fascinating is the entire promenade on the lakeside that from the park Gaggetto (green area near the railway station FN where there is a large car park) leads to the Hotel De Charme, in front of Porto Labieno which is the main port of the country for the mooring of sailing boats and motor. The promenade is very suggestive at any time of the day and in the evening, although the most intense colors and the most fascinating views you have at sunset. From the shore of the lake you can admire the profile of the Piedmont coast along which lies Verbania, located just opposite the Laveno pier
• reaching Poggio Sant'Elsa by cable car: Poggio Sant'Elsa is a town located behind Laveno at an altitude of 974 meters above sea level. at the foot of Mount Sasso del Ferro, the top of the Varese Prealps that embraces the village, reaching 1000 meters above sea level. From the center of Laveno is available a basket lift with cableway that allows the transport of 2 people at a time and that in 20 minutes leads to Poggio Sant'Elsa; It's really been a while. During the journey you can enjoy a wide view of Lake Maggiore, Monte Rosa and the Alps as far as the plain. In Poggio Sant'Elsa there is a panoramic terrace with a hotel, a bar and a restaurant and in the outdoor space there is a small playground for children and a platform for the take-off of hang-gliders
• spend the summer relaxing on the beach: also in Laveno Mombello there are many beaches where you can relax during the hot summer days, even if you need to move from the center and reach the hamlet of Cerro. Here you will find a long sandy beach very popular with locals and tourists. There is also a small stone pier that stretches into the gulf right near the entrance gate of Villa Intragnola-Sarti which is a private villa that houses a 7-hectare park with plants and shrubs from all over the world. Many times the park of the villa is open to the public with guided tours on the occasion of the days of the FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano. Behind the beach there are bars, restaurants and in the same area you can find the Midec
• hiking in the mountains: for those who love walking in the mountains, Laveno Mombello is the focal point of many trails, first of all the Verbano Trail, a route that connects Laveno Mombello to Sesto Calende passing through Leggiuno, Monvalle, Besozzo, Brebbia, Ispra, Ranco, Angera and Taino. The trail is identified with the initials VB and expands for about 49.6 km, giving a spectacular view of the lake and the opposite shore and then enters nature. Also from Laveno develops the ring of Santa Caterina, a path that touches the belt of the Lombard coast between Laveno and Monvalle, passing by the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso di Leggiuno. From the center of Laveno Mombello other hiking trails depart that reach several mountain resorts located in the pre-alpine areas close to the country: for example the paths that lead to Sasso del Ferro, the village of Vararo or Casere and the famous Pizzoni
• visit the submerged Nativity during the Christmas season: an appointment not to be missed on the Christmas holidays, is the illuminated submerged crèche, capable of attracting the inhabitants, visitors and curious of all Italy. Towards the end of November, a group of divers of the organization begin with the laying of the platforms right in the space of the lakeside Alessandro Volta not far from the Imbarcadero. The platforms are placed about 2-3 meters below the surface of the water and on them are anchored the statues representing the characters of the crib in natural dimensions. The Underwater Nativity Scene of Laveno consists of 42 statues in white stone laid on 5 metal platforms whose total dimensions are 15 x 3.5 meters. with a total weight of about 18 tons (only the camel statue weighs 1 ton!). On the evening of Christmas Eve after the solemn mass usually held in the Church of Sant'Ambrogio, the statue of the Child Jesus is placed in the lake with the blessing of the whole Nativity scene. The crib is illuminated by underwater lighting so that it is visible even at night directly from the terrace overlooking the lake

Laveno-Mombello is easily connected to the bank of Piemonte through a line of ferries and boats. Thanks to them, the Borromean Islands are easily reachable.

Going instead towards the mountains, you can reach the waterfalls of Cittiglio and Villa Della Porta Bozzolo, a villa of the sixteenth century surrounded by a large baroque garden, located in the town of Casalzuigno and now managed by the FAI.

Tips about where to sleep in Laveno Mombello

These are just some of the accommodation facilities in Laveno Mombello. You can find all the hotels, B & Bs and campsites where you can spend a stay or a holiday in Laveno Mombello on Lake Maggiore here.

How to get to Laveno Mombello

It is easy to reach Laveno Mombello from the main urban centers of Lombardy by any type of vehicle:

• by train: the village is connected with Varese and therefore with Milan by the trains of the Ferrovie Nord; the station is located right next to the lakefront and near the ferry landing stage. The trains of the State Railways connect Laveno to Switzerland too
• by ferry: you can cross the lake by car arriving in Verbania and then quickly reach the main Piedmontese tourist centers. The ferry operates every day with departures approximately every 20 minutes from early morning until midnight.
• by car: the “Laghi motorway” allows you to easily reach Laveno: take the Sesto Calende-Vergiate exit and take the SS629 Vergiate-Besozzo highway following the signs for Laveno Mombello, easy peasy

From the main urban centers of Lombardy it is easy to reach Laveno Mombello by any means: it is connected with Varese and then with Milan by the trains of the Ferrovie Nord; the station is located right next to the lakeside and near the ferry pier. State Railways trains connect Laveno to Switzerland.

With the ferry you can cross the lake by car arriving in Verbania and quickly reach the main tourist centers of Piedmont. The ferry operates daily about every 20 minutes from early morning until midnight.

For those who travel by car, the motorway of the Lakes allows you to easily reach Laveno: you must take the exit Sesto Calende-Vergiate and take the highway SS629 Vergiate-Besozzo following the signs for Laveno Mombello.