May 2, 2025, 8:05 am | Read time: 2 minutes
The picturesque lake located at the edge of the Alps is a popular travel destination, partly due to its small islands. Soon, there will be another one to explore.
This summer, the small lake fortress Castelli di Cannero opens to tourists at Lago Maggiore. It is located on a tiny island near the municipality of Cannero Riviera on the lake’s western shore.
After extensive restoration, the impressive ruin features a multimedia museum about the fortress’s history, which served as a defense against Swiss troops in the Middle Ages and was later used as a citrus plantation.
The exact opening date of the lake fortress is not yet known, according to Consorzio Maggiore, the region’s tourism marketing organization. However, it is confirmed that it will be this summer.
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Castelli di Cannero Belong to the Same Noble Family
The small fortress island is part of the estates of the Borromeo noble family at Lago Maggiore, as are the islands Isola Bella and Isola Madre, famous for their gardens. Visitors to the islands pay an entrance fee of about 20 euros, in addition to the ferry ride there.
The lake is mostly located in northern Italy, specifically in Piedmont (western shore) and Lombardy (eastern shore). The northernmost part belongs to the Swiss canton of Ticino. The nearest major city is Milan.
Incidentally, Lago Maggiore translates to “Greater Lake.” However, it is only the second-largest lake in northern Italy after Lake Garda. With its 212.5 square kilometers, it is still quite impressive. And a true insider tip. In terms of scenic diversity and Mediterranean charm, Lago Maggiore can certainly compete with Lake Gardab—bwhile being far less crowded during peak season. This also makes it significantly cheaper in terms of hotel prices, provided you vacation on the Italian rather than the Swiss part of the lake.
With material from dpa