Nestled at the base of Sacro Monte di Varese, Varese is a historically rich city in northern Italy’s Lombardy region. It has existed since at least the Early Middle Ages and flourished as a manufacturing hub in the early 20th century, with many of its beautiful Art-Nouveau villas dating from the period.
Things to do in Varese
Don’t miss the magnificent landscaped gardens of the Estense Palace, which was constructed in the 1760s in a Baroque style. French-inspired parterres and a nymphaeum feature in the Romantic gardens, together with oak, elm and chestnut trees. Highlights of the interior include the Grand Staircase and the Hall of Honour with its polychrome marble fireplace.
Sprawling north-west of Varese is Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, which is home to a diverse range of floral and faunal species. You can stretch your legs on one of the interpretive trails that lead to the 15th-century Rocca di Orino or admire the frescoed chapels along the Via Sacra. A highlight of the park is the UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte di Varese.
A short drive west of the city is Lago di Varese, a glacial-formed lake ringed by a trail frequented by walkers and cyclists. It regularly hosts canoeing world championships and rowing regattas and provides a habitat for more than 170 recorded bird species. Just off the western shore is the triangular-shaped Isolino Virginia, which is scattered with archaeological remains.
Getting around Varese
Varese is around 45 minutes’ drive from Como and 30 minutes from Milan Malpensa Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trains connect from major Italian cities to the Varese railway station while buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Varese can easily be explored on foot.