Nature & scenery

A day on the Brissago Islands: a botanical garden on the lake

The Brissago Islands sit in Lake Maggiore off the Ticino shore. The botanical garden is on the larger island, San Pancrazio; this is not a place to reach on foot from the mainland.

Hotels nearby

Islands on the lake, garden on one island

The Brissago Islands are two islands in Lake Maggiore, in the Gulf of Ascona. The botanical park open to visitors is on the larger island, San Pancrazio. Its paths pass plant areas representing different climates and continents.

Plan the outward and return boat first

From Locarno, the crossing takes around 40 to 60 minutes depending on the service; from Ascona it is about 15 minutes. San Nazzaro, Porto Ronco and Brissago are also departure points.

A garden visit, not a mainland walk

On the island, combine the botanical route with pauses at a few points that interest you. Paths include steps, slopes and unpaved surfaces; the regional tourism office describes the garden as only partly accessible.

Before your trip

• Check the season, boat journey and return sailing with the operator on the day.
• Compare departures from Locarno and Ascona; the crossing from Locarno takes longer.
• Allow for steps, slopes and unpaved paths when choosing how much of the garden to explore.

Experiences are not necessarily child-free. The minimum age applies to each hotel.