Discover Arona

Arona is one of the major cities and tourist resorts on Lake Maggiore. With about 15,000 habitants, it is the most populous city of the lake. Arona is also the largest port of the Lake and is also home of the navigation of Lake Maggiore, as well as an important junction for road and rail communications.
A short distance from the town center, there is a natural area, the Natural Park of Lagoni Mercurago. The park is an important prehistoric settlement, dating back to the Bronze Age, and archaeological heritage, having been found in it some Domus romanae. In the park there are numerous theme tracks to allow visitors to see  many aspects of nature or the works performed by man. Finally, relevant is the protected fauna living in the park. www.parchilagomaggiore.it
Archeology lovers should also visit the Archaeological Museum of Arona, in Piazza San Graziano 36, opened in 1997 which collects archaeological finds from the city and from the Basso Verbano. www.archeomuseo.it
We also recommend a visit to the Rocca Borromeo of Arona and its park that boasts a stunning view of the city of Arona and Lake Maggiore.  
The Rocca Borromeo of Arona was built for defensive purposes established in year 1000 under the control of the Lombards. Together with her sister, still intact and imposing Rocca Borromeo di Angera, it was one of the main points of strategic control of Lake Maggiore in ancient times. The history of the Rocca Borromeo of Arona came to an end in 1800 when the Napoleonic army was ordered to destroy it; from that moment there are only a few remains of the three fortified enclosures, the keep, the Romanesque oratory of St. Ambrose, the Hall of Arms and the room where St. Charles Borromeo was born on Oct. 2nd, 1538. www.parcoroccaarona.com
From Hotel Concorde you can easily walk to the park of the Rocca Borromeo but also the Sacred Mount dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo, where the main attraction is the statue of St. Charles Borromeo overlooking the town of Arona. The 23.40 meter high statue is located on top of a pedestal of granite 11.70 meters tall for a total height of 35.10 meters, making it the second tallest statue in the world after the Statue of Liberty in New York. It can be visited inside and from the pedestal you can enjoy a wonderful view. Near the statue there is a church dedicated to the saint. www.lagomaggiore.net
To make your stay on Lake Maggiore memorable we recommend a boat trip to enjoy the beauty of the Borromeo Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori www.navigazionelaghi.it. By boat you can also reach the Lombardy shore of the lake. We suggest a visit to the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and the Rocca Borromeo of Angera. Built on an overhanging cliff overlooking the lake, the Santa Caterina del Sasso is without doubt one of the most evocative backgrounds of Lake Maggiore www.santacaterinadelsasso.com. The Rock of Angera stands on a spur of rock overlooking the lake's southern shore. Inside, you can visit the impressive historical rooms, enhanced by the recent construction of the Hall of Majolica, a collection of three hundred rare pieces, and the famous Museum of Dolls and Toys, the largest in Europe, which proposes the history of doll and play through the evolution of materials www.isoleborromee.it.
From April to October, the Tour Lake Maggiore Express www.lagomaggioreexpress.it offers the possibility of an unforgettable boat and train ride. The tour can be made starting from different places and are available tickets valid one or two days. This tour allows you to admire the beauty of the Valle Vigezzo and Lake Maggiore with its islands and will lead you to the southern part of Switzerland, giving you the opportunity to visit the Swiss towns of Ascona and Locarno.
We also recommend to our guests a visit to Villa Pallavicino Park, famous for its zoo that is home to about 40 species of animals and a botanical garden www.parcozoopallavicino.it. Another botanical garden which is worth a stop is Villa Taranto in Verbania www.villataranto.it, which you can get to by boat from Arona. Villa Taranto is one of the most important botanical gardens in the world, with thousands of trees and flowers from all over the world, planted in an area of ​​about 16 hectares, crossed by paths and trails.
During summer you can sunbathe and spend your free time in Arona beaches: the beach Rocchette or the beach Nautica, located just below the hotel Concorde on the lakeshore. If you prefer to walk a bit in a few minutes you can reach the Lido of Arona located at the beginning of Corso Europa, a pleasant pedestrian bicycle path.
Shopping lovers will surely appreciate a walk in the course Cavour, full of shops of various kinds. Also, every Tuesday morning there is a typical city market that gives you the opportunity to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, flowers and other typical products.
Every first Sunday of the month from April to September there is the Antiques market.
As for the gastronomic tradition, Arona has a long story. In fact you will find several restaurants whose specialties have become famous throughout the world. A classic example is the pearch fish Borromea style, you can also taste it in our restaurant "La Gioconda". Another feature of this area is to have a typical dessert, the famous biscuits of San Carlo.