It is not as crowded as Lake Garda, but as Italy's second largest lake, it can easily keep up in terms of spectacular mountain scenery, scenic beauty, historic towns and Mediterranean flair. We show seven fantastically beautiful campsites around Lake Maggiore.
Its location makes it so exciting: Lake Maggiore is on the border between Italy and Switzerland – 80 percent belong to Italy, the rest to Switzerland. The mountain lake, 66 kilometers long and up to ten kilometers wide, meanders from the high Swiss mountains in the north to the south, with the east bank belonging to the Italian region of Piedmont and the west bank to Lombardy. Due to its beautiful location, its islands, waterfalls, castles, Belle Epoque cities and many sports facilities, unlike Lake Garda, it is still an insider tip for holidays – especially for campers.
1. Natural dream in Switzerland: Campofelice Camping Village
In the far north of Lake Maggiore, two kilometers from Tenero, the luxury campsite Campofelice extends between the river mouth of the Verzasca and the lake shore. Its location directly on the lake is accompanied by a sandy beach that is around 500 meters long and up to ten meters wide. There is a lot of green around 581 parking spaces, 136 rental accommodations and 130 spaces for long-term campers – trees, hedges and meadows.
The name Camping Village already indicates what is on offer here: Children will find paradisiacal conditions, which starts with animation with a circus school and its own sanitary area and with the paddling pool, heated outdoor pool with water spray park and many games and sports facilities such as beach up paddling, BMX track, mini golf and soccer field ends.
Adults can enjoy the whirlpool and sauna, use the site's jogging route, charge their electric car, take part in fitness courses, rent a boat in their own port, feast in the restaurant or go shopping in the supermarket. For those interested in art, we recommend a trip to the neighboring town of Locarno, where there are many art galleries, and for nature lovers, the Falconeria park.
Special feature: dogs are not allowed on the campsite – ideal for those with dog allergies.
More info: Space fee for two people in the main season: 44 euros, www.pincamp.de/campofelice
2. Wonderful things on the west bank: Camping Residence Campagna
The panoramic view over the lake and the northern Italian Alps, its own pebble beach and boat slip as well as the dog-friendliness make this smaller campsite on the west bank near the town of Cannobio. Its location between the lake and the coastal road makes it easy and quick to reach, but it also brings traffic noises.
The facilities include 90 pitches and 27 rental accommodations, a children's playground, a dog shower, a kiosk, a restaurant, washing machines and tumble dryers. The 150 meter long and up to ten meter wide pebble beach, two bathing jetties and the in-house boat slip make water rats happy, because here you can rent a sailing or rowing boat.
If you want to be active, you can hike on Monte Gridone, the highest peak around Lake Maggiore at 2188 meters, or take a look at the Castelli di Cannero, which are located on two offshore islands.
More info: Space fee for two people in the high season: 47 euros, www.pincamp.de/residence-campagna
3. Winding pitches by the river: Camping Valle Romantica
It is not located directly on the lake, but all the more romantic: The Camping Valle Romantica site in the Italian part on the west coast meanders along a mountain stream through a narrow valley that is embedded in green hills. This extraordinary location results in winding pitches that convey the very own feeling of camping: alone, in the great outdoors.
But there are also luxury apartments, mobile homes, mini-suites and holiday apartments for rent here. At the end of the area is a forest, on the other side of the river there is even a sandy beach. The beaches of Lake Maggiore are not far, in around one and a half kilometers you are on the lake shore at the medieval town of Cannobio, where 6000 people live.
More info: Pitch fee from 13 euros for tents, caravans and cars or mobile homes, adults from 8 euros, children from 1 to 11 years 4.50 euros; www.riviera-valleromantica.com
4. Beach happiness on the west bank: Camping Conca d’Oro
A little further south, but also in Piedmont and thus on the west bank, the campsite extends over a forest and meadow area through which the Stronetta river runs into the lake. The beach is just a few steps from the 272 plots and 50 rental accommodations.
The sandy beach on Lake Maggiore is 600 meters long and 15 meters wide and surrounded by sunbathing lawns – a picturesque spot. There is a playground and various activities for children. Adults can take boat trips on the lake, take part in guided hikes and bike tours, play a round on the golf course two kilometers away or go to Feriolo, just 800 meters away, where you can visit a castle from the 13th century. Dogs are only allowed on request.
More info: Fee for two people in the main season: 48.30 euros; www.pincamp.de/camping-conca-doro
5. Neighboring lake Lago Margozzo: Continental Camping Village
Lake Maggiore is one kilometer away and yet the camping village is right on the lake. It is actually a different lake, Lake Mergozzo. This small mountain lake is located near the west bank in the municipality of Fondotoce di Verbania. On its south-eastern shore is the 100 meter long and up to 60 meter wide sandy beach, behind which the 320 pitches and 306 rental accommodations are distributed between deciduous trees, meadows and the adjacent golf course.
Children, families, anglers and dogs will find everything a vacationer's heart desires here: fishing licenses are issued directly at the campsite reception. Bicycles, canoes, stand-up paddle equipment and pedal boats can be rented. A bathing area with swimming pool and paddling pool as well as a playground, mini disco, beach parties and shows are part of the offer of the well-kept holiday complex.
More info: Space fee for two people in the main season: 55 euros; www.pincamp.de/continental-camping-village
6. Cozy east coast: Camping Lido & Village
While most of the tourists cavort on the west bank of Lake Maggiore – because there are more leisure activities there, large places like Verbania or Stresa with its grand hotels and botanical gardens – there is much less going on on the east bank. Here in the upper third of Lake Maggiore, in the Lombardy region, you will find the Lido & Village campsite, only five kilometers from the Swiss border.
The facility with 45 parking spaces, four rental accommodations and lots of shady trees, which is only separated from the shore of the lake by a lawn, is calm and relaxed. There is also the 100-meter-long public beach that guests of the campsite use for swimming and sunbathing.
If you want to be active, you can use the light to sometimes stronger winds for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Or play beach volleyball and soccer in the neighboring Park Giona and test your skills in the skate park. 500 meters away is the village of Maccagno between the lake and the green mountainside, where there is a climbing wall and a historical center with a small marina, nice bars and shops. Children and dogs are expressly welcome at Camping Lido & Village.
More info: Pitch fee for two people in the high season: 79 euros; www.pincamp.de/camping-lido-village
7. Beautiful southeast coast: Camping Lido Okay
A piece of unadulterated Italy: Camping Okay is located on the southeastern tip of Lake Maggiore in the Ticino Valley. The Brun family runs the tranquil place with 150 plots, rental accommodation as well as lodge and bungalow tents, which has direct access to the lake. The gently sloping pebble beach is suitable for children, is framed by belts of reeds and offers a wonderful view of the west bank.
There is also a playground with soccer goals and a cozy beach and snack bar in the middle of the countryside. If you want action, you can take part in the varied animation program. The next town Sesto Calende is three kilometers away and was a popular settlement area as early as the Neolithic. In the Archaeological Museum there are artifacts to marvel at, which also date from Roman times, when "Sextum Calendum" was an important trading place.
The highlight of the place is the Romanesque church from the 9th century with its well-preserved frescoes. Now it's time for a glass of wine, of which the Lombardy wine region offers an excellent selection. And that is exactly the motto on the Lido Okay: Relax and enjoy with a pizzeria, pool and magnificent landscape.
More info: Space fee for two people in the main season: 42 euros; www.camping-okay.com
With material from Pincamp, the ADAC's digital camping platform, which lists more than 9,000 campsites across Europe and 30,000 user reviews.