Isola Madre Botanical Garden

Isola Madre Botanical Garden which includes heritage elements, interior views and a house
Experience the grandeur of this island paradise halfway between Baveno and Pallanza, where exotic flowerbeds provide a home for peacocks, parrots and pheasants.

The Isola Madre Botanical Garden is Madre Island’s own slice of Eden. Dating back to the 16th century, the botanical garden is one of Italy’s oldest. Today it showcases a remarkable collection of rare and exotic plants in the grounds of a centuries-old palazzo. Explore the English-style terraced garden, which is spread across the island’s 7.8-hectare (19.8-acre) area.

Isola Madre was first landscaped by Earl Lancillotto Borromeo, who built a grand palace in 1590 on the former grounds of a church dedicated to St. Victor. The earl established an olive grove before transforming parts of the estate into botanical displays. The garden was updated over the centuries and is now laid out in a distinctive English style.

Wander around the garden’s terraces, admiring Isola Madre’s horticultural highlights. Subtropical species thrive in this climate, so you might see some of the island’s exotic flowers in bloom. Be alert to spot the lilac-colored flowers of the garden’s wisteria vines, which blossom spring through early summer.

Year-round highlights include the garden’s jubaeae spectabilis palm, which is more than a century old, and the 200-year-old Kashmir cypress tree. Follow the winding trails to arrive at viewpoints that showcase the surrounding lakeshores. Admire the unfolding views of Baveno and Isola Superiore to the west and Pallanza to the northeast. You might come across some of the island’s resident birds, which include Chinese pheasants, showy peacocks and brightly colored parrots.

Don’t miss a visit to the garden’s exquisite 16th-century palace. Enter the palazzo to see its authentic period furnishings and grand halls, including the Sala delle Bambole (Hall of Dolls) and the Sala delle Stagioni (Hall of Seasons).

Isola Madre is easy to reach by private and public boat services departing from Stresa, Arona, Pallanza and Baveno. Consider renting an English audio guide. The price of admission includes access to the botanical gardens and the palazzo. The island is open to visitors daily between March and October.

Plan a trip to see Isola Madre Botanical Garden

Active Hotel La Torre
Boutique & Gourmet Hotel Orso Grigio
Boutique Hotel Villa Blu Cortina
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit


Top Hotel Deals

Hotel Della Torre
Hotel Della Torre
3 out of 5
Via Sempione, 47, Stresa, VB
Hotel Della Torre
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
5 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 67, Stresa, VB
Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees
Villa e Palazzo Aminta Hotel Beauty and SPA
Villa e Palazzo Aminta Hotel Beauty and SPA
5 out of 5
Via Sempione Nord 123, Stresa, VB
Villa e Palazzo Aminta Hotel Beauty and SPA
Hotel La Palma
Hotel La Palma
4 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 33, Stresa, VB
Hotel La Palma
Regina Palace Hotel
Regina Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 29, Stresa, VB
Regina Palace Hotel
Hotel Astoria
Hotel Astoria
4 out of 5
Corso Umberto I, 31, Stresa, VB
Hotel Astoria
Hotel La Fontana
Hotel La Fontana
3 out of 5
Via Sempione Nord, 1, Stresa, VB
Hotel La Fontana
Grand Hotel Bristol
Grand Hotel Bristol
4 out of 5
C.so Umberto I, 73, Stresa, VB
Grand Hotel Bristol
Grand Hotel Dino
Grand Hotel Dino
4 out of 5
Via Garibaldi, 20, Baveno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola
Grand Hotel Dino
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.