Baveno: Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour to 3 Borromean Islands

Three islands, one smooth boat day.

This hop-on hop-off ride across Lake Maggiore is a smart way to see the main Borromean islands without locking yourself into a strict pace, and I like the built-in flexibility to linger where you want. You get free time on Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola dei Pescatori, so you can focus on gardens, palaces, or just wandering the alleys. One catch to plan for: landing fees and entry tickets for the palace and gardens on Madre and Bella are not included.

I also appreciate how this trip keeps things organized, with boats running efficiently and returning you to the same Baveno meeting point. The staff are easy to spot in Summer Boats t-shirts, and the departure window gives you room to pick a time that fits your day.

Before you go, keep expectations realistic: the tour does not operate in bad weather, and it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If you are bringing a dog, it is allowed on board, but not inside the palaces and gardens on Isola Madre and Isola Bella.

Key highlights worth your time

• Hop-on hop-off pacing on all three islands, with free time you control
• Isola Madre and Isola Bella including the famous garden settings around Palazzo Borromeo
• Isola Bella’s baroque palace plus Italian gardens and terraces sloping to the lake
• Isola dei Pescatori for charming alley wandering and a real fishing-village feel
• Efficient day flow between islands, designed to keep things moving on time

Finding Summer Boats in Baveno, Piazza IV Novembre

Your day starts in Baveno at the operator’s office area in Piazza IV Novembre. Look for the Summer Boats sign, and for staff wearing t-shirts with the Summer Boats logo. You will need a printed coupon, then it is replaced with your Summer Boats sailing ticket.

The practical win here is that you are not guessing where to go, or spending your whole arrival day figuring out transport. The meeting point is central, and the tour ends back at the same place you started.

Also, note the rules before you arrive: bikes are not allowed, and walking frames are not allowed. If you are traveling with special equipment, plan to travel light.

Isola Madre: English Botanical Gardens and Palazzo Borromeo vibes

Isola Madre is usually your first island stop, and it sets the tone fast. You get free time there, including the famous English botanical gardens and the Palazzo Borromeo setting. Even if you do not buy entry tickets to the palace and gardens, just being on the island gives you that Borromean sense of place, with gardens and historic architecture shaping the viewpoint.

This stop is a great choice if you like gardens that feel curated but still natural, with plantings doing the storytelling. It is also a good moment to slow down and take in Lake Maggiore from the island edges before you move to the more terrace-heavy Isola Bella.

Two planning tips for Madre. First, decide early whether you want palace and garden entry tickets, because those attractions are not included. Second, if you are bringing a dog, dogs are not allowed in the palaces and gardens of Isola Madre, even though they are allowed on board the boat.

Isola Bella: baroque palace, Italian gardens, and 10 terraces

Then comes Isola Bella, and this is where the island architecture really flexes. You have free time, and the headline is the baroque palace plus Italian gardens, arranged on 10 terraces that slope toward the lake. If you like dramatic viewpoints, this is the stop for you.

Because the terraces run in layers, you will probably spend more time moving up and down than you expect. I recommend treating Isola Bella like a sightseeing block where you wear comfortable shoes and plan your route instead of hopping randomly. Entry tickets to the palace and gardens are not included, so your biggest decision here is how much you want to pay to go inside.

If you are traveling with a dog, the rule is the same as Madre. Dogs are not allowed inside the palaces and gardens of Isola Bella, even though they are allowed on board.

Isola dei Pescatori: narrow alleys and a real fishing village feel

Finally, you arrive at Isola dei Pescatori, and the mood changes. This island is known for its quaint fishing village, with meandering alleys and multi-story buildings that make strolling feel like wandering through a postcard street scene.

What I like about Pescatori is that it is less about grand palace formality and more about everyday life on a small island. You can take your time and just walk, pop into local spots for food, and enjoy the casual rhythm that comes from being surrounded by narrow lanes and homes that look lived-in.

This is also a smart stop if you want photos with less climbing than you might face on terrace-style islands. You still get the free time to explore at your own pace, and the tour ends with your return to Baveno from Pescatori.

The value equation: $16, landing fees, and palace tickets

The price listed for the boat is $16 per person, and it is worth understanding what that actually buys. Your included items are the hop-on hop-off boat ride and free time on each island. The boat gets you between islands, on a schedule designed to make the day workable.

What is not included are landing fees and entry tickets. There is a landing fee of €0.50 per person per island, paid locally. Since you stop at three islands, that landing fee can add up to €1.50 per person for the full route. Children under 4 do not pay the landing fee.

Entry tickets to the palace and gardens on Isola Madre and Isola Bella are also not included. So the total cost depends on how much you want to go inside versus how much you are happy exploring the island areas during your free time.

Here is how I would judge value for you. If you are the type who loves wandering and taking your time without paying for every interior ticket, you still get a lot from the island strolls and the views. If you want the full palace and garden experience on Madre and Bella, you should budget extra for entry tickets so the day feels complete.

Timing that actually works: 9:40 AM to late afternoon returns

The tour has a departure window from 9:40 AM until 11:40 AM. Returns are until 5 or 6 PM, depending on the day. That wide departure window is useful because it lets you match the boat to your other plans around Lake Maggiore.

For planning, I suggest choosing an earlier departure if you want the most relaxed pace across all three islands. The hop-on hop-off format gives you freedom, but you still have to fit walking, photos, and any palace and garden entry timing into a single day.

One more reality check: the tour does not run in bad weather. If you are visiting during an unsettled forecast period, try to keep your schedule flexible and have Plan B ideas for Baveno or nearby lake towns.

Who should book, and who should skip this style of day

This tour suits you if you want an easy, efficient way to see the Borromean Islands in one go. I also like it for people who want to decide on the spot how long to stay, rather than being pushed through a one-size-fits-all guided rhythm.

It might not be the best fit if any of these apply:

• You need mobility-friendly options. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
• You are bringing a bike or walking frame. Those are not allowed.
• You are traveling with a dog that you still want to bring into the palaces and gardens. Dogs are allowed on board, but not inside the palaces and gardens on Isola Madre and Isola Bella.

On the plus side, the dog policy is clearly stated, so you can plan around it. Small-sized dogs sail for free, while medium-sized dogs may have a supplement of €3.

Should you book this hop-on hop-off Borromean Islands boat?

Yes, I think you should book it if you want a well-organized day that hits the three core islands, without the stress of arranging separate boat transfers. The hop-on hop-off setup plus free time on each island is exactly how you make islands like Isola Madre and Isola Bella feel personal instead of rushed.

I would hesitate only if you are hoping for a single all-in price with palace and garden entry included. The boat is affordable, but landing fees and entry tickets for the palace and gardens on Madre and Bella mean you should plan a little extra so the day matches your expectations.

If you want a practical Borromean Islands day with enough flexibility to linger on gardens, terraces, and village alleys, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

How much does the Baveno hop-on hop-off boat tour cost?

The price is $16 per person. The tour is valid for 1 day, and you should check availability to see the starting times.

What is included in the $16 ticket?

Your ticket includes the hop-on hop-off boat tour and free time on each island. Landing fees and palace and garden entry tickets are not included.

Are landing fees included, and how much are they?

No. There is a landing fee of €0.50 per person per island, paid locally. Children under 4 do not pay the fee.

Do I need entry tickets for Isola Madre and Isola Bella?

Yes. Entry tickets to the palace and gardens on Isola Madre and Isola Bella are not included in the price.

Where do I meet the boat in Baveno?

The meeting point is at Piazza IV Novembre in Baveno, at the activity provider’s office, which is clearly visible. Staff wear Summer Boats t-shirts, and the ticket office has a Summer Boats sign.

Which islands are visited, and in what order?

The order of stops is Isola Madre, then Isola Bella, and finally Isola dei Pescatori. After the final stop, you return to Baveno.

What time does the tour depart and return?

Departure happens from 9:40 AM until 11:40 AM. You return until 5/6 PM.

Is the tour offered every day?

It runs daily in May, June, July, August, and September. In March, April, and October, it is offered only on weekends and holidays.

Are dogs allowed on board and in the gardens and palaces?

Dogs are allowed on board, but they are not allowed in the palaces and gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre. Small-sized dogs sail for free, while medium-sized dogs may incur a supplement of €3.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If there is bad weather, the tour will not operate.