Hotel Ponti
Angera - 21 Piazza Garibaldi
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A charming town nestled along the shores of Lake Maggiore, Angera is the perfect destination for a day trip steeped in history, art and nature. On one side lie the placid waters of the lake, whilst on the other the Lombardy Prealps rise majestically, their reflections mirrored in the water creating a truly picturesque landscape.
Since Roman times, the town was regarded as an important river settlement that connected Gallia Cisalpina with Raetia and served as a transit point for materials such as timber from the forests of the Upper Verbano, which was used in the construction of buildings in Milan and surrounding territories. Due to the town’s strategic position, the famous Rocca di Angera was built here by the Visconti in the 13th century. Perched on a rocky spur that dominates the lake, it affords commanding views over much of the surrounding territory.
Today, Angera is renowned not only for its magnificent fortress but also for its charming medieval quarter and stunning surrounding landscapes. Nature lovers can explore the San Quirico hill, crisscrossed with hiking trails and vineyards, or spend time at the Bruschera Nature Reserve, a wetland area home to numerous flora and fauna species. With so much to offer, Angera is the ideal destination for a stay combining history, nature and relaxation.
Wandering through the streets of Angera’s town centre and its hamlets, you’ll discover what’s known as the Diffuse Museum – over 50 open-air points of interest spread across the old town, outskirts and surrounding villages. In particular, Via Mario Greppi is the pedestrian street that runs through the heart of the town and follows the route of the ancient Roman road Mediolanum Verbannus, which linked Milan to the lake. Here you’ll find numerous shops, historic stores, restaurants and various sites of interest. Don’t miss a stroll along Angera’s waterfront, where expansive green areas known as “the meadows” invite you to linger.
The earliest records of a church dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta date back to around the 14th century, when a religious building was constructed over the remains of an early Christian necropolis. Over time, the church underwent various renovations that completely transformed its appearance. Built in Angera stone, the façade was redesigned in the early 20th century but retained a lunette frescoed with the Assumption of the Virgin, dating from the late 16th century.
The interior boasts three frescoed naves decorated in the 20th century by Enrico and Edoardo Volonterio and houses an ancient 18th-century baptismal font. Also of considerable value are two stone statues of Angera depicting Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Near the altar stands a wooden pulpit crafted in 1688 by Giovan Battista Besozzi.
The Church of San Quirico is a small chapel dating from the 13th century, situated on the hill of the same name opposite the Rocca Borromea. The church is dedicated to Saint Quiricus, a child who according to tradition was martyred during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian.
The church’s exterior façade is gabled with a portico supported by pillars. Inside, it features a single-nave plan divided into four bays, with walls decorated with frescoes of ornamental patterns. Adjacent to the church are a bell tower and a cemetery.
The Rocca Borromea is a fortress built in stages first by the archbishops of Milan and later by the Visconti and Borromeo families. The fortress comprises five distinct sections, built between the 11th and 17th centuries: the Castellana Tower, the Scaliger Wing, the Visconti Wing, the Giovanni Visconti Tower and the Borromeo Wing. Built on a rocky spur that rises majestically above the southern shore of Lake Maggiore, the Rocca Borromea is considered one of Lombardy’s best-preserved castles. Its interior contains rooms of considerable splendour, including the Hall of the Good Roman, the Mythology Room, the Ceremonies Hall and the Borromeo Glories Hall.
Today, part of the complex houses the Doll and Toy Museum, founded in 1988 by Princess Bona Borromeo Arese. The museum boasts 12 rooms in the Visconti and Borromeo wings, plus two special themed sections dedicated to “Dolls from Around the World” and “Automata”. Another must-see within the fortress is the Majolica Collection, which houses over three hundred rare pieces from countries around the world including Holland, France, Spain and China. To complete your visit to the Rocca, be sure to climb the Castellana Tower for a splendid view over Lake Maggiore.
Walking through the streets of the historic centre, you’ll also find the Archaeological Museum of Angera, which offers insight into the territory’s rich history. The collections range from the Palaeolithic period through early Christian art, including the Copper Age and the Roman era. The museum also features MABA, the Children’s Archaeological Museum, which allows young visitors to discover the town’s history in an engaging and accessible way.
The Bruschera Nature Reserve is a natural wetland covering approximately 400 hectares just outside the town centre, with numerous trails and itineraries for exploring on foot or by bicycle. Traversing forests, ponds and verdant meadows, you can observe diverse flora and fauna species, including the cormorant colony hosted on Isolino Partegora. Other animals present in the reserve include amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and numerous migratory birds.
The Angera waterfront, known as Allea, was built in the 19th century alongside a tree-lined pedestrian avenue bordered by horse chestnuts. What makes this area special are the numerous meadows – expansive green spaces perfect for relaxing or picnicking.
You’ll also find many cafés, bars and restaurants in this zone where you can enjoy a drink with wonderful lake views. If you’d like to see the town and surrounding villages from a different perspective, we recommend taking a delightful boat trip around the lake.
At 410 metres above sea level, the San Quirico Hill is Angera’s highest point. To reach the summit, you can follow paths and trails through verdant landscapes dotted with vineyards. In particular, you can take the Herb Trail, which introduces you to various wild herbs and medicinal plants. Atop the San Quirico hill stands the small chapel of San Quirico Martire, a pilgrimage destination on Easter Monday and 25 April.
Angera is a small but welcoming town. While its accommodation offering isn’t as extensive as larger cities, it does provide a range of options from hotels to bed and breakfasts. For a truly romantic stay, a room with a lake view is undoubtedly the best choice.
Angera is easily accessible by car or boat. Those travelling by car should take the A8 motorway to the Sesto Calende/Vergiate exit, then continue along the SS33 Sempione road. From Como, you can travel along the A9 also to the Sesto Calende/Vergiate exit. From Varese, you can take the SP36.
Angera is also reachable by boat thanks to regular ferry connections across Lake Maggiore between towns on both the Lombard and Piedmont shores.
Those wishing to reach Angera by train should travel to Sesto Calende railway station, approximately 8 km from Angera; from there you can reach the town by bus or taxi. The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa, about 30 km away.
What's the weather at Angera? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Angera for the next few days.
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