The Lombardy town of Varese sits at the foot of the Alps, and is the largest town in the Italian Lakes, lying on the eastern banks of Lago di Varese. Within a few kilometres are Lakes Maggiore, Como, Lugano and a smaller stretches of open water such as Lakes Comabbio, Monate, Ghirla and Ganna. To the south of here lies Milan, and Varese is well situated for Milan Malpensa airport.
The countryside is quite beautiful, with walking and climbing as well as fun on the water. Unmissable sights include the Sacro Monte di Varese (literally the 'sacred mountain of Varese') which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for centuries has been a place of worship and pilgrimage. Sandwiched between the mountains and the lake, with little villages peppering the slopes, this is a quite stunning part of Italy. The border with Switzerland is just north of here, and seen from above the province appears to be simply thick woodland with huge stretches of blue - the lakes of course. In winter, white dusts the green.
The town of Varese sits 382 metres above sea level. Dominated by Milan during the Middle Ages, it was a free city state until 1765 when it came under the Dukes of Este. It was to play a major role in Garibaldi's war of independence in the 1800s. Today, it's known as 'the garden city' because of its natural beauty. Sites include the Basilica di San Vittore, the Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Church of San Stefano, the Palazzo Estense, and the Estensi Gardens.
To the left you'll find a selection of Varese hotels, just to whet your appetite.
See also Varese hotels (full listings) and our Varese hotel map.
