Summer: places to visit in the Varese area

A beautiful area, stretching between mountains and the waters of its marvellous lakes and parks. A scenario that offers activities suitable for everyone. If you wonder what to do in summer in the Varesotto region, you will be spoilt for choice between places to visit, trips and excursions on foot or by bike.

Those in search of places to visit in the Varese area cannot miss out on a real gem of the area. Villa Panza is an 18th-century FAI-protected mansion that shows off its splendid Italian-style gardens. But the reason the villa is known worldwide is its contemporary art collection. Commissioned by the visionary Count Giuseppe Panza, who made it grow over the years, it now has around 150 works by international artists and is a must-see for art lovers.

The summer residence of Francesco d'Este III, Duke of Modena and Lord of Varese, the Palazzo Estense with its gardens is another place worth visiting. Today the Palazzo is the seat of the Municipality of Varese. The Hall of Honour, the jewel in the crown of the Palace, can only be visited on the occasion of events and initiatives, while the gardens, created in a mixture of Italian and French style, are open to the public free of charge.

A bike ride to immerse oneself in nature, what better way for those wondering what to do in summer in the Varese region? The old Valmorea railway, which once connected Castellanza to Mendrisio, has now partly become a cycle path. Its route is the ideal setting for a relaxing outing. And it is also an opportunity to visit another FAI-protected building, the Monastery of Torba. This Monastery is located within the RTO (Rile Tenore Olona) Park and is definitely among the places to visit in the Varese area. The RTO Park is a true green lung in one of the most urbanised areas of northern Italy, with many paths that can be explored on foot or by bicycle.

Those who enjoy cycling will treasure this information. The entire perimeter of Lake Varese can now be cycled, thanks to a cycle and footpath that is only interrupted for very short stretches and thus guarantees maximum safety for a trip to the lake. On the tour around the lake, one encounters various villages such as Capolago, Azzate, Bodio Lombardo and Cazzago Brabbia. In the latter you can also see a curiosity, three ancient iceboxes once used to store food.

Historically, Campo dei Fiori is the mountain of the Varese people, due to its proximity and ease of access to its trails. Today it is also a park where you can spend whole days in six nature reserves and more than 20 marked trails. The most special of these is the E1 trail, which starts in Norway and goes all the way to Sicily, also passing through the Varese region. A path that crosses the whole of Europe, among the Varese trails it is certainly the most symbolic. The Campo dei Fiori massif is also known for its caves, of which there are around 130 in the park with ten kilometres of tunnels, where it is possible to go on speleological excursions accompanied by expert guides.

The route of the Sacro Monte, which today lies within the Campo dei Fiori Park, was created as a place of devotion in the 1600s. Today it is protected and admired by tourists from all over the world, having entered the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the other Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy. It took almost a hundred years to build this path through 14 chapels retracing the Mysteries of the Rosary. It is definitely a recommended destination for a trek, which also offers a unique panoramic view at the end.