The top 7 cities to live in Italy

• Lake Maggiore, in northern Italy on the Swiss border, is home to some of the most exclusive prestige real estate markets in the country.
• Verbania combines a lively historic centre, botanical gardens and stunning lake views with the full amenities of a major Italian lakeside town.
• Stresa is the aristocratic heart of Lake Maggiore — Belle Époque villas, views over the Borromean Islands and an enduring reputation for Italian elegance.
• Cannobio, close to Switzerland, offers preserved authenticity, colourful historic streets and strong appeal for expats and international buyers.
• Luino, Lesa and Baveno each have a distinct character: Lombard elegance and cross-border convenience, discreet luxury, and a more family-oriented community atmosphere.
• Laveno-Mombello rounds out the selection as the most modern and active hub on the lake’s eastern shore — a compelling option for those living in Italy year-round.

Italy draws people in through its art de vivre, its historic heritage and its stunning landscapes — and few parts of the country do this more quietly or more completely than Lake Maggiore. Tucked in northern Italy, on the border with Switzerland, this natural jewel attracts an international clientele of expats, investors and families looking for serenity, refinement and a quality of life that is genuinely difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Surrounded by green mountains and lined with elegant villas, Lake Maggiore is home to some of the most exclusive prestige property markets in Italy.

Not sure where to find luxury real estate for sale in Italy? Here is FGP Swiss & Alps‘s selection of the 7 finest places for living in Italy on the shores of this exceptional lake.

1. Verbania: the elegant capital of Lake Maggiore

On the Piedmontese shore, Verbania is the largest town on Lake Maggiore and one of the most vivid Italian cities in the region. Nicknamed the “garden on the lake”, it is celebrated for its parks and botanical gardens — the Villa Taranto gardens in particular.

Verbania’s appeal as a place to live rests on a combination that few lakeside towns manage: a lively historic centre, refined shops, a rich cultural programme and uninterrupted views over the lake. The port and regular boat services make the other lakeside towns feel close rather than distant — a practical advantage for expats and commuters alike.

On the property side, Verbania offers prestigious villas with private gardens and panoramic views, alongside elegant apartments in historic palazzi. For those seeking an exclusive way of life in Italy without sacrificing the conveniences of a larger town, it is hard to find better.

2. Stresa: aristocratic charm

Stresa has been a destination in Italy since the nineteenth century, when European aristocracy and artists first made it their own. The Belle Époque villas, the grand hotels and the stunning panorama over the Borromean Islands have lost none of their power.

The lakeside promenade, lined with palms and flowering gardens, carries the unhurried pace of life of the Italian Riviera. The town also has a serious cultural life, with the Stresa Music Festival drawing visitors from across Europe.

The most sought-after properties are historic villas with gardens opening directly onto the lake, alongside apartments with panoramic terraces. Stresa is a symbol of Italian refinement and dolce vita that has earned its reputation over two centuries.

3. Cannobio: authenticity and serenity

Cannobio, close to the Swiss border, is one of the most picturesque villages in this part of Italy. Cobbled lanes, brightly painted houses and a genuinely welcoming community atmosphere give it a character that international buyers in search of Italian authenticity find immediately compelling.

The lakeside piazza, with its cafés and restaurants, looks out over the water and the mountains beyond. The beach and the surrounding unspoilt nature bring in water sports enthusiasts and walkers alike.

Property here runs to carefully restored traditional houses and contemporary villas with exceptional views — a destination that embodies the perfect marriage of Italian charm and lakeside life.

4. Luino: Lombard elegance

On the Lombard shore, Luino is an Italian town with a distinctive character. Its weekly market — one of the largest in the region — has drawn visitors for generations, and its strategic position makes it a natural base for those wanting to combine Italian living with easy access to Switzerland.

The lakefront here is elegant: villas, lush gardens and shaded promenades. The railway station and road connections make Luino particularly practical for families and cross-border commuters, and the convenience of the location is a genuine part of its appeal.

The property market ranges from renovated townhouses to villas with pools and open lake views — characterful properties for buyers who want practicality alongside elegance.

5. Lesa: refinement and discretion

Lesa is the kind of Italian address that does not announce itself. A small, quietly sought-after village between Arona and Stresa, it combines the charm of a peaceful lakeside community with proximity to the major towns — and a level of privacy that is increasingly rare in this part of Italy.

Historic villas and residences surrounded by private parkland give the place its particular weight. Sailing clubs, beaches and a gentle pace of life complete an address where very little is left to want.

The property market is defined by scarcity: few properties come up, which is precisely what underpins their value. Lesa is discreet luxury at its most natural.

6. Baveno: between tradition and modernity

Baveno, just along the shore from Stresa, has its own character. Its lively port, historic churches and majestic villas give it a presence that is warmer and more family-oriented than its famous neighbour, while the infrastructure is thoroughly modern.

The Borromean Islands are easily reached from here, and the prestige residences — often with swimming pools, private gardens and stunning views — attract both Italian families and international expats.

Baveno’s appeal is the balance it strikes between energy and serenity — an Italian town that is fully alive without being overwhelming.

7. Laveno-Mombello: modernity and openness

On the eastern shore, Laveno-Mombello is the most modern and active of the seven. Its marina, lively shops and regular ferry connections to Verbania and Intra give it a year-round vitality that some of the quieter villages cannot match.

The cable car — a local landmark — offers a remarkable view over the lake basin. Property here is varied: modern apartments, villas with gardens, a market well suited to families and working professionals, and a strategic position that continues to attract buyers.

The Italian art de vivre on the shores of Lake Maggiore

To live in Italy on the shores of Lake Maggiore is to inhabit something specific — a place where nature, history and Italian elegance are simply part of the daily backdrop. From the Belle Époque villas of Stresa to the discreet residences of Lesa, from the vitality of Verbania to that of Laveno-Mombello, each town offers a different version of the same fundamental quality: a way of life that draws expats and international buyers back to this corner of Italy, year after year.

With FGP Swiss & Alps, you have access to a personalised and confidential service for discovering and acquiring the most prestigious real estate on Lake Maggiore.

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