Things to Do and See in Varese

There are many places to visit in Varese, the capital of the province of the same name. A city with a distinctive urban layout, it is characterized by the historic “castellanze”—suburban settlements that were once independent towns and have since been incorporated into what is now the city center, namely Corso Matteotti and Piazza Monte Grappa, Piazza San Vittore, and Piazza Battistero, where you can take pleasant walks and enjoy the numerous historical and artistic landmarks. Known as a garden city, the provincial capital is also characterized by the presence of numerous parks and green spaces that are the hallmark of its splendid villas, such as Villa Menafoglio Litta Panza in Biumo, home to a collection of contemporary, African, and pre-Columbian art; Villa Ponti, with a pond fed by a natural spring; Villa Recalcati, in the Casbeno neighborhood, where the splendid garden once hosted the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi and the poet Giuseppe Parini; and Villa Mirabello, now home to the Civic Museums, featuring beautiful English-style gardens. Among the religious buildings, we highlight the Basilica of San Vittore with its famous bell tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni; while among the secular buildings, don’t miss the Baroque-style Palazzo Estense, considered a sort of smaller-scale version of the Palace of Versailles, and Castiglioni Mantegazza Castle in Masnago, which houses marvelous historical treasures to admire, such as the frescoes dating back to the 1400s, and the Tower of Velate, in the southern part of the city. Elsewhere in the province, other villas worth visiting include Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, dating from the 1400s, in Bisuschio, and Villa della Porta Bozzolo in Casalzuigno; while notable castles include the Rocca Borromeo in Angera and the Visconti Castle of San Vito in Somma Lombardo. Lake Maggiore is home to many must-see towns, such as Stresa—the “queen of Lake Maggiore”—situated in a magnificent panoramic location, with numerous villas, parks, and gardens; near the Borromean Islands, you can admire Isola Bella with the Palazzo Borromeo, Isola Madre with its exceptional vegetation, and Isola dei Pescatori, home to a picturesque village. Other notable landmarks include the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso in Leggiuno, perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Maggiore; the Voltorre Cloister in Gavirate, the Renaissance church of S. Maria in Piazza and the Basilica of S. Giovanni in Busto Arsizio, and the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Miracles in Saronno, whose original structure dates back to the 15th century.