Discover Baveno: the town of the pink granite

History, culture, unique landscape: Baveno Lago Maggiore offers all you need 

A visit to the Borromean Islands

First of all, Baveno is close to Stresa. This means you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Borromean Islands. You can take the ferry directly from Baveno or also reach Stresa by bus or taxi and take the ferry there. Isola Madre, Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori - the only one still inhabited - host many unusual animal species like for example peacocks or the golden pheasants, as well as wonderful botanical gardens.  

You may be interested in: Isola Bella, one of the most fascinating places according to the NYT

Baveno lake promenade

The undisputed protagonist of Baveno is its lake promenade, from which you can admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape at its fullest. On the promenade there’s the famous monument of the “picasass”, that is the stonecutters, really famous in this area in the past since the town was strictly connected to the pink granite quarry. At the same time, here you can also visit the museum dedicated to the pink granite, also known as Museo Granum.

Museo Granum

The museum of the pink granite is located in one of the rooms of Palazzo Pretorio in piazza Chiesa. In this interactive space you can retrace the history and the cultural and economic value of this refined mineral. Did you know that it was used to build Arco della Pace and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, the columns of Opera in Paris, Saint Charles’ Church in Vienna, Columbus’ monument in New York and the Royal Palace in Bangkok?

The territory north of Baveno, on the street leading to Feriolo, is rich in pink granite quarries. The village of Feriolo itself is one of the places to visit on Lago Maggiore, starting from the characteristic lake promenade with its small houses and buildings overlooking the lake. Don’t miss the ruins of the castle, Saint Charles’ Church. The original village was destroyed by a landslide in 1867 and was then rebuilt. The traces of this now submerged village are still visible today in the seabed in front of Feriolo.

Baveno Adventure Park

An opportunity for recreation and well-being for all ages. A visit to the Adventure Park is definitely one of the things to do in Baveno. It is a multi-purpose centre located in a large green area close to Lake Maggiore, and is the first park of its kind that opened in the area. Sports and nature enthusiasts will undoubtedly find some activity that suits them in this centre, from swimming pools to suspension bridges, from sailing to trekking, from bike cross to climbing.

Villa Henfrey-Branca

This splendid villa built between 1871 and 1873 in Baveno at the behest of Sir Carlo Henfrey looks like something out of a costume film or a fairytale. The English Gothic style of the villa stands out for its originality in the panorama of Lake Maggiore. In the past, both Queen Victoria of England and Prince Wilhelm of Prussia stayed there during summer periods. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged by fire in 2007, and has only recently returned to its former glory.

Villa Henfrey-Branca is a historical example, but there are many extraordinary villas for sale in the Baveno area, such as this villa under construction in the hills of the town, designed with all the best innovative technologies and fine finishes. A magnificent garden houses the swimming pool, and the whole house is built for maximum energy saving. This residence is also among the must-sees in Baveno without a doubt.