What to see and what to do in Monvalle

Monvalle is a small town in the province of Varese overlooking the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore. Here you can find beaches and hills, a natural port and a river: nature has been really generous with this place!

The historian Paolo Morigia offered two hypotheses on the origin of the name Monvalle. The first relates to the privileged climatic conditions of the climate, which inspired the first name of the country, or Movallo, "which is very valuable". The second hypothesis refers in a more narrow sense to the peculiarities of the territory: the mild climate, the fertile land and the richness of water that allowed farmers to grow wheat, vines and fruit trees, especially peaches.

Places to see and to visit in Monvalle

Santo Stefano Protomartire

The parish church, dedicated to Saint Stephen Protomartyr, was erected at the end of 1500 to replace the oldest SS. Cosma and Damiano; later the structure has been considerably restructured. It is worth mentioning, in the hamlet of Turro, the oratory of S. Nazaro e Celso.

Guree Beach

Also known as Guree Beach, it is mainly sandy, with several reeds and weeping willows. Nearby there is a small wood where you can enjoy a cool shade on the hottest days and for refreshment, in the summer months there is also a small kiosk with umbrellas and tables outside.

Things to do in Monvalle and its surroundings

• visit the Borromeo Islands: a boat trip is definitely the best way to turn your trip on Lake Maggiore into a unique and unforgettable experience. However the main attraction of the Gulf is the famous Borromeo Islands: Isola Bella, with the noble Palazzo Borromeo and the Italian-style gardens, created by the exuberant Baroque imagination; Isola Madre, beloved for its lush greenery, rare plants, exotic flowers, peacocks, and parrots in nature; Isola dei Pescatori, where you will find a picturesque village; finally the islet of San Giovanni, the only one not open to visitors. At the end of June, during a weekend, the traditional Bleak Festival is held, on the occasion of which a rich food stand with music and dance is set up on the Lido sand
• visit the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso: the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, or of the Sasso Ballaro, undoubtedly represents one of the most evocative and fascinating scenarios of Lake Maggiore. In addition to the superb beauty of the place, it is the history of the Hermitage itself which attracts many visitors and pilgrims each year. You can't miss it!
• visit Laveno-Mombello and the Sasso di Ferro: Laveno-Mombello, among the villages that overlook the shores of Lake Maggiore, is certainly among the most famous and well-known. Among the reasons of notoriety there is certainly the presence of the ferry that connects the Lombard coast with that of Piedmont: enchanting, among other things, is the view of the Gulf of Laveno that can be admired from the ferry. The walk along the lake is enchanting, but also strolling through the streets of the historic center has its charm. The cable car that leads up to Monte Sasso del Ferro also departs from Laveno, from which you can enjoy an excellent view of the whole of Lake Maggiore and the Prealps
• visit the MIDEC (International Museum of Ceramic Design): in the beautiful hamlet of Cerro, you find the MIDEC, a very important ceramic museum (open all year long), which is really interesting and worth a visit
• visit the Rocca Borromea of Angera: on the way back from the valleys to the lake, it is worth making a stop at the Rocca d'Angera, the Borromean fortress clinging to a spur of rock overlooking the lake, which houses the extraordinary Museum of dolls and toys, one of the most important exhibitions in Europe of toys of all types of materials and craftsmanship
• visit Stresa: Stresa overlooks Lake Maggiore near the Gulf where the scenic Borromean Islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori) are located, in a very suggestive position. This peculiarity, combined with the mildness of the climate and the scenic and architectural beauties, attracts thousands of tourists every year and makes the town one of the most popular Italian tourist destinations since the second half of the nineteenth century. Its lakefront is ideal for relaxing walks and to admire historic houses and luxurious liberty-style hotels surrounded by greenery
• visit the Villa Pallavicino Park: the Villa Pallavicino Zoo Park has an area of about 20 hectares and is populated by over 40 species of animals including mammals and tropical birds: fallow deer, llamas, Tibetan goats, hares and macaques live in freedom in a area known as Lombardina. Zebras, kangaroos and ferrets are hosted at the Antica Cascina. Not far from the bar there is a small lake with turtles and beavers. The park's centuries-old trees are famous (we remember the imposing Liriodendron, and the ancient Ginkgo biloba) and the botanical garden

Tips about where to stay in Monvalle

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

Curiosities about Monvalle

Felice Fo, father of the Nobel Prize for literature Dario, was born in Monvalle (11 November 1898), he was stationmaster and also an actor in an amateur company. Some scenes of the film “Io tigro, tu tigri, egli tigra” with the actor Renato Pozzetto were shot in Monvalle.

How to get to Monvalle

It is possible to reach Monvalle from Milan / Malpensa Airport:

• by car: take the A26 Gravellona Toce motorway to the Sesto Calende exit. At the motorway exit, follow the signs for Angera / Laveno along the SP 69 along the lake
• by train: the Monvalle railway station is on the line that connects Novara to Luino. On the Milan-Luino line, the reference railway station is the Besozzo station

Milan Malpensa airport is the closest to the village of Monvalle.