Island Madre, also called L’Isola Madre, is the largest of the three islands of the Borromeo Gulf and the most characteristic of them all. The magnificent palace on Island Madre is furnished with furniture from historical homes of famous Borromeo family. Here you will have the opportunity to take a walk through beautiful and richly decorated rooms, such as the Sala delle Bambole, the hall of four Seasons and a small theatre dedicated to the Marionettes.
Visitors will also have the possibility to visit the luxuriant garden with rare plants and exotic flowers, where peacocks, parrots and pheasants live in freedom. The climate, particularly mild, has in fact allowed the settlement of a surprising flora that is difficult to find in other places. From Patagonia to Arabia, from Brazil to New Zealand, from Bolivia to China: an incredible series of completely authentic species can be found and admired in what Gustave Flaubert called "a paradise on earth".
The island Madre can be accessed only by boat departing from Stresa, Baveno, Verbania or Arona.
Since we recommend you to start your journey from Stresa, you can take a boat from Stresa docks.
The best option might be not only to visit Island Madre, but all tree islands of the Borromeo Gulf. The same boat will take you on a 1-day tour.
The price is 15€ (return ticket per person). The boat tours start at 9:00am to 6:00pm.
(!) Please pay attention that this ticket does not include entrances to the villas or museums on any of these tree islands.
(!) Refund of the tickets can only be made due to bad weather.
