After a prolonged period with no rain, Spring 2023 has seen an unusually high amount of rainfall in the Italian Lakes. We’re very conscious that most of our guests over the last couple of months have had to contend with at least one wet day during their stay. Many people choose to holiday in the Italian Lakes, dreaming of days spent on the lake or at one of the lakeside beaches. So it’s easy to feel at a bit of a loss if the sun isn’t shining as you expected. But fear not, there is still plenty to do even if it’s wet outside. Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do on Lake Maggiore when it’s raining.
1. Drive to the sunshine
As silly as it may seem, the weather can vary quite dramatically across a very short distance in this area. If it’s raining on Lake Maggiore, it’s not necessarily bucketing down on neighbouring Lake Como or Lake Orta. So check the forecast and you may find it makes sense to take a short drive to enjoy the day seeing the sights elsewhere.
2. Go to Milan for the day
We think having a one day city break in Milan when it’s raining on Lake Maggiore is a great idea. Whilst it’s always nicer to enjoy some sightseeing in the sunshine, Milan is home to plenty of museums, art galleries and churches which allow you to explore quite easily under cover. Spend the day in one of over 60 museums and art galleries in the city (many of which are free to enter) or discover just some of the couple of hundred churches that Milan is home to.
Of course, by far the largest and most famous of these is the Duomo but there are a plethora of others, all dating from the 4th century onwards, which are quite fascinating. Our Milan bucket list has plenty of other inspiring ideas of things to see and do in the city. Make sure you book Milan skip the line tickets to avoid queuing in the rain for entry.
3. Go shopping at the outlet centre
There are a couple of outlet centres within reach of Lake Maggiore. The first is Foxtown just across the border in Switzerland. This boasts over 150 retail stores under one roof, all offering discounts of between 30% and 70%. Brands there include Hackett, Boss, Gant, Burberry, Bally and others. Also within easy reach of Lake Maggiore is McArthur Glen Serravalle – which boasts over 200 stores including a number of designed brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga, Ferla, Missoni and much more. Another option (although albeit not outlet shopping) is the more recently opened Il Centro in Arese near Milan. This can lay claim to being one of the biggest malls in Europe and has a wider selection of more affordable high street stores than the outlet malls do.
4. Spend the day at the spa
What better way to spend the day when it’s raining on Lake Maggiore than relaxing in the spa. A number of Lake Maggiore’s hotels have spas which non residents are able to enjoy. One rather luxurious example is the spa at Hotel Eden Roc in Ascona. Alternatively, in the mountains on the western side of the lake, there are two a couple of thermal baths – the Bognanco thermal baths as well as the thermal baths of Premia – where guests can relax in the natural springs and enjoy a range of treatments.
There is also a terrific natural saltwater spa on the lakeside in Locarno – Termali Salini & Spa – where there are both indoor and outdoor areas, sauna facilities and treatment rooms offering a range of massage and therapeutic treatments. As the name would suggest, Splash & Spa in Ticino also offer spa facilities. Here you’ll find an impressive range of saunas, Turkish baths, hammams, relaxation pools and rooms where you can enjoy a range of treatments including massages and facials. There is even a snow room!
5. Have fun at the waterpark
You don’t need to let a few raindrops spoil your fun! Lake Maggiore is home to some fantastic waterparks where you can have fun in the water indoors!
Arguably the smallest of these is the lido and adventure park at Baveno. This has a swimming pool open all year round. A retractable roof means that the pool is uncovered when the sun is shining but in the case of bad weather, it’s completely protected from the elements. There are 3 different waterslides to enjoy here.
At the other end of the lake, the lido at Locarno is more impressive with four outdoor pools and 3 indoor pools along with waterslides, table tennis, diving boards and inflatable obstacle courses. One of the outdoor pools is heated and is open most days of the year, whatever the weather, even in the snow!
And, last but not least, there is the Splash & Spa at the foot of Monte Tamaro in Ticino. It has a plethora of indoor and outdoor pools including one indoors that boasts a wave machine, along with a number of water slides. Their website describes it as a ‘splashtastic’ day out and we’d have to agree!
6. Enjoy a cooking class
Our love of Italy revolves much around its delicious cuisine so what better way to spend the day than learning some of the secrets of an Italian chef. There are a couple we would highly recommend.
First is the more contemporary style cooking of Angelica and Jharvavi from Flore Dinner Nights. Their food is incredible and their professional training in Michelin star restaurants such as Galvin la Chapelle, One Aldwich and the Savoy Hotel is clearly evident.
Alternatively, you have the more traditional style of Marco Marco Perocco from Marco’s Kitchen. He can come and run a cookery class for you in the comfort of your Italian Lakes villa rental or you can enjoy this experience at his home in Sesto Calende.
7. When it’s raining on Lake Maggiore – Eat!
Of course, if you’re not in the mood to be doing the cooking yourself, you can still enjoy the eating! There are some terrific restaurants on Lake Maggiore, a number of which have been awarded Michelin stars. And of course, you have the option of a private chef service courtesy of Flore Dinner Nights or Marco’s Kitchen. So if it’s raining, sit back, relax and just enjoy a long, lazy Italian style lunch!
8. Take a ride on the Lago Maggiore Express
Whilst this is a trip that is arguably nicer in the sunshine, it’s certainly possible to still enjoy it on a rainy day on Lake Maggiore. The Lake Maggiore express is a rather unforgettable journey by both boat and train. The trip can be started in a number of different locations on the lake but, wherever you start, you will enjoy the opportunity to experience a ride on the narrow gauge Centovalli railway, a journey which enjoys some incredible views as you meander through vineyards, meadows, valleys and forests, past waterfalls and alpine pastures and across bridges and streams. In fact, in total you’ll cross 83 bridges on your journey as well as heading through 31 tunnels between Domodossola and Locarno. The boat journey will also take your way past the Borromean islands as well as the other islands on Lake Maggiore including the Cannero Castles and Brissago islands. The train journey takes an hour and a half whilst the boat trip is 3 hours in length. Of course, you can choose to stop en route.
9. Spend the day at the museum
There are a number of museums dotted around Lake Maggiore should you need to explore away from the rain. These cater for quite an eclectic mix of tastes. In Ranco there is the European Museum of Transport (part of which is outside), whilst in Maccagno there is a Museum of Modern art and in Angera there is a Doll Museum. In Verbania there is the Museo del Paesaggio, where you will find an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures dating from the end of the 19th century to the early 20th century. There are works here by Daniele Ranzoni, Mario Tozzi, Arturo Martini and Paolo Troubetzkoy among others. Verbania also has a museum outlining the work of the resistance in this area whilst just up the lake in Ghiffi, there is the Museo dell’ Arte del Cappello which explains the old craft of felt hat making in the region.
And, whilst the Borromean Islands are best to be visited in the sunshine to fully appreciate the incredible islands there, a tour of the Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella is the perfect way to wait for the rain to stop. A tour will allow you to admire Napoleon’s Room, the Throne and Queen’s rooms and the Gallery of General Berthier, home to a collection of 130 paintings.
10. Learn how to make chocolate
Whilst not strictly on Lake Maggiore, it’s an easy drive from the lake to the Alprose Swiss chocolate factory in nearby Caslano which welcomes visitors. We definitely recommend you try and visit on a weekday when it’s more likely that they will have production taking place as it’s great to watch from this the viewing platform above the factory floor. It’s a very simple tour and exhibition but if you have children, they will love it… Plus, if you’re fed up with the rain outside, we find that the free chocolate tastings can help to alleviate the disappointment that you can’t be outside enjoying the sunshine!
Find out more about what to see and do on Lake Maggiore in our list of 60 things to do on Lake Maggiore. And check out the Italian Lakes villa rentals available from Bookings For You.