Day trip to Varese: what to see in a day!

Like a terrace suspended between the lakes and the Pre-Alps, Varese offers tourists and visitors a wealth of art, culture, natural beauty and entertainment just waiting to be discovered and appreciated. Regardless of the season, the Garden City amazes and fascinates with various proposals suitable for young people, adults and families with children in tow, becoming a privileged destination for an unexpectedly beautiful out-of-town excursion.

Perhaps not everyone knows that the city of Varese stands on seven hills and that in ancient times it comprised a borgo, the civil and religious heart of the town, and seven Castellanze: Giubiano, Bosto, Casbeno, Biumo Inferiore and Superiore, Cartabbia and Bizzozero. The latter were small autonomous agglomerations with houses, churches, mills, farmsteads and inns closely linked to the central village. Among the itineraries in Varese, we suggest a stroll to discover the ancient Castellanze, starting with Casbeno, the oldest and most important, due to the presence of Villa Recalcati and its beautiful park, or Biumo Inferiore, where you can admire ancient mansions and period residences.

Deciding to visit Varese and what to see in a day puts you in front of a choice: devote yourself to natural beauty, choosing routes between the mountains and the lake, or opt to discover the historic centre and its attractions. For those wishing to visit the city on foot, the advice is to stroll through the streets of the centre among churches, monuments and shops. Among the most original itineraries in Varese, we suggest the one to discover Art Nouveau: splendid palaces and buildings from the early 1900s will allow you to take a real plunge into an atmosphere of yesteryear.

Among the things to do in Varese in a day walking around the old town centre, a visit to the Palazzo Comunale and the beautiful Estensi Gardens is almost a must. What was once the summer residence of Duke Francesco III D'Este and earned Varese the nickname Little Versailles now houses the town hall. Visitors are granted access to the surrounding gardens, which were designed according to the model royal residence of Schönbrunn. After a stroll through the gardens, continue on to the adjoining Villa Mirabello Park and make a stop for history and art, visiting the Varese Archaeological and Risorgimento Museum.

If it became a favourite holiday resort for the Milanese nobility and then the Lombard upper middle class as early as the 18th century, it is also thanks to the local natural beauty. Lake Varese in particular still attracts visitors and tourists from all over the world, enchanted by its magical atmosphere and interested in a second home for their holidays. So if you are looking for ideas on what to do in Varese with children, don't miss a regenerating walk along the city's lakefront, not forgetting a stop at the Unesco World Heritage Site Isolino Virginia. Here even the little ones can admire wild animals and lush vegetation, in an oasis of peace and tranquillity.

Among the proposals on what to do in Varese and what to see, we conclude with a perfect proposal to end a romantic getaway for couples or even a trip out of town with friends. After a wonderful day admiring the beauty of the centre or a bike ride along the lakefront, there is no better conclusion than enjoying a panoramic sunset from Piazzale del Belvedere at Campo dei Fiori, one of the most beautiful and most photographed places in Varese. Campo dei Fiori is a mountain massif whose peaks reach an altitude of 1227 metres above sea level. On fine days, when the sky is clearer, from this famous vantage point in Varese you can admire the lush green of the surrounding hills and the blue expanses of the lakes. If temperatures permit, we suggest you also stay after sunset to admire an expanse of stars. An experience not to be missed.