Lying on the shores of Lake Maggiore in north-western Italy, the Piedmont town of Verbania is a relatively recent construct, being formed in 1939 by the merger of the towns of Pallanza, Suna and Intra. The name comes from 'Verbanum' as the Romans once called the entire verbena fringed lake. Since 1992 it has been the provincial capital of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. Lake Maggiore itself is a delight, a huge expanse of water and, for generations, the first glimpse of Italy for visitors as they journeyed from Switzerland by rail or road. Coming after the chill of the Alps, Maggiore is an extraordinarily temperate and fertile area - hence the main tourist draw in the town. The Giardini Botanici Villa Taranto were laid out in the 1930s by a Scottish soldier, Captain Neil McEachern, who created the most prized of the many botanical gardens of the Italian Lakes.
The lakefront at Pallanza is lined with beautifully kempt flower beds too. With tidy little cafes, gelaterie and bars, the Pallanza district can be accused perhaps of verging on the bourgeois (though many visitors think it none the worse for that) but things change as you climb the hill from the waterfront. The old town is more the real Italian deal, with fruiterers and grocers, pasticcerie and little restaurants. You'll find a tourist office too, at Corso Zanitello Number 8.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Verbania hotels.
