The Sacro Monte of Varese is a religious complex built on the mount of Velate between 1604 and 1698 and compoused by 14 Chapels dedicated to the mysteries of the Rosary, the Shrine and the Crypt. 

After walking along the 2 km pilgrims’ cobbled path, visitors reach the small village of Santa Maria del Monte, where they can enjoy the view on the land or follow the ancient covered paths, visit the Baroffio and Casa Pogliaghi museums before getting to the Shrine.

The G.V. Schiapparelli astronomical observatory is a natural sciance research center located on the Campo dei Fiori mountain. The observatory was built in 1964. The panoramic rooftop is provided with professional equipment for the study and analysis of meteorology, climate and earthquakes.

A small chapel later transformed into a church, built overlooking Lake Maggiore, flanked by a monastic complex of the fourteenth century: a breathtaking and unique view, reachable by boat, with an elevator or a staircase of 240 steps from the square above.

A German villa from the early 1900s, later remodeled in an eclectic style, home to the ethno-archaeological museum, with pieces from Egypt and the whole of Africa. The park is delightful, with spectacular fountains and monumental structures in Carrara marble.

A villa of sixteenth century origin, then remodeled into a sumptuous summer residence during the 18 century. The interiors, with flowery Rococo-style paintings, compete with the exterior, where you are taken by surprise by the Italian garden with the Baroque theater and its terraced setting.

Three islands on the Piedmont side of the lake owned by the ancient and powerful Borromeo family, each with its own characteristics: La Bella, its imposing Italian Baroque palace and garden; la Madre the English botanical garden; the Superiore, called dei Pescatori for her village.

An elegant lakeside town, from the pedestrian lakefront you can see the villas of the late nineteenth century, while in the narrow streets of the historic center the oldest houses. Its Wednesday market is famous, filling the streets with over 350 stalls since 1541.

City nestled at the foot of the Brè and San Salvatore mountains, on the shores of Lake Lugano, with an almost Mediterranean climate that invites you to stroll through the numerous parks and gardens. A high artistic proposal thanks to the presence of the LAC, and a history connected to numerous international artists.

A complex of medieval military architecture so unique that it was listed by UNESCO. The three castles, Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro, relive in all their splendor thanks to the numerous activities, exhibitions and events that are organized throughout the year.

Created by the artist himself with the desire to make it a place of reflection and culture, the house at the end of the Via Sacra preserves works from every corner of the world and from every historical era, as well as being itself of a unique beauty of its kind.

Count Panza's large collection of 20th century American art is located in an 18th century villa surrounded by an Italian garden. Today, under the protection of the FAI, contemporary art exhibitions are also organized.

Varese owes its name to the numerous parks and gardens, mostly belonging to the large villas of nobles or industrialists of the upper middle class. Today you can also appreciate the arcaded streets of the center and the numerous points of historical, artistic and naturalistic interest in the city and its surroundings.

An eighteenth-century villa in the center of an English park, from which you can admire the view over the city, the lake and the Alps. Inside the Civic Museums, divided into prehistoric-archaeological, art gallery and rooms dedicated to the Risorgimento, to the resistance and to the contemporary history of the city.

Characteristic village at the foot of Monte Nudo, at the beginning of the 50s artists of national and international fame were called to fight its abandonment thanks to their art: its houses are today decorated with frescoes so as to make it famous as "the country of painters ".

In the birthplace of the saint, what for two centuries was the tallest statue in the world with its 35 meters was built in his honor. Today you can go up inside, and through some holes corresponding to his eyes, admire the view of the lake.

In the recently restored Palazzo Verbania, the ancient Kursaal overlooking the lake, today there is the archive dedicated to the two important writers. It includes typed drafts, screenplays, unpublished sheets and critical texts by the two authors, as well as letters and parts of their private libraries.

The sunniest city in Switzerland grows around the Renaissance old town, still with its own identity. Around there are numerous points of historical, natural and religious interest; Internationally renowned is the Film Festival, active every summer even by the lake.

A complex of medieval military architecture so unique that it was listed by UNESCO. The three castles, Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro, relive in all their splendor thanks to the numerous activities, exhibitions and events that are organized throughout the year.

The first early Christian settlement in the area, centuries of places of worship overlap at this point, which over time incorporated their precedents. Unique frescoes depict saints, while the inscriptions reveal the life of the community.

Created thanks to the donation of Baron Baroffio, this small museum at the foot of the Church of Santa Maria del Monte contains an important collection of paintings, sculptures and objects from the sacristy of the Church, as well as curious votive objects.

Since the end of the 19th century Varese has seen large investments in the construction of villas and cottages, as well as tourism and industrial centers, designed according to the new Art Nouveau style, with great attention to the floral theme, still visible in many parts of the city.

The island of Lake Varese, a UNESCO heritage site, is the oldest pile-dwelling settlement in the Alps. Although little of this is still visible, it remains an oasis surrounded by nature: in particular the lotus plants, invasive and alien to the environment, but with immense summer flowering.

A small late 11th century abbey with legendary origins. It presents architectures in different styles, from Romanesque to Baroque; particular the pentagonal cloister and the small museum with local archaeological finds, sacred objects and sculptures.

Owned by the Visconti before passing to the Borromeo family, it was built on a strategic point on the lake for the control of the area. Today the subject of a major restoration, it is shown in all its refinement, as well as including the largest doll and toy museum in Europe.

Economic capital of the country, a city with many faces: from the ancient Roman vestiges to the Sforzesco castle, passing through the majestic Duomo in perennial work, up to the modern neighborhoods with skyscrapers and futuristic architecture; different souls for each visitor.

An exclusive, elegant, picturesque and refined tourist resort, with golf courses, high-end hotels and excellent restaurants. Behind it is Monte Verità, thus renamed by a group of intellectuals who withdrew there. His Jazz festival, JazzAscona, has an international appeal.