Brissago suits couples and small groups wanting a Lake Maggiore village on the Italian border, with a garden island close by. The nearest big airport, Milan Malpensa, is across the border in Italy.
Brissago sits on Lake Maggiore on the Italian border, at what is described as the lowest point in Switzerland. The climate is mild and Mediterranean, with cypresses, palms and lemon trees along the shore. The Renaissance church of San Pietro e Paolo stands at the heart of the village, and the historic cigar factory, where up to 700 people once worked, still makes cigars by hand. Above the village, the Baroque pilgrimage church of Santa Maria Addolorata crowns the Sacro Monte. Our homes are close together, within about a kilometre, mostly for around four, and a few have a pool or a sauna. Boats run from Brissago to Ascona and Locarno, so the lake is a way of getting about as well as a view.
Isola Grande has a botanical garden with over 2,000 plant species, open daily from March to November, a few minutes by boat.
Reached by boat from Brissago, and the departure point for the 20-minute island crossing.
Also reached by boat from Brissago, and the start of the Centovalli Railway to Domodossola in Italy.
The Baroque pilgrimage church of Santa Maria Addolorata above the village, with hill walks and views of Lake Maggiore.
Milan Malpensa is the closest big airport, about an hour and a half by road, or about three hours by train via Lugano and Locarno. Zurich Airport is roughly three and a half hours by train. Lugano Airport is about 20 km away. Boats link Brissago with Ascona and Locarno.
The Brissago Islands open every day from March to November, so spring to autumn is when the garden and the boats are at their best. The lakeside has a mild climate with palms and lemon trees, and walks in the hills above the village give views over Lake Maggiore. The Ticino Ticket covers local bus, train and boat travel, which suits a stay without driving.
Yes, if you like gardens. Isola Grande has a botanical garden with over 2,000 species from around the world, and the islands are open daily from March to November.
Yes. Boats reach Ascona and Locarno from Brissago, and the Brissago Islands are a few minutes away by boat. The Ascona crossing to the islands takes about 20 minutes.
Milan Malpensa, about an hour and a half by road, though it is in Italy. Zurich is about three and a half hours by train. Lugano Airport is about 20 km away.
Cigars. The historic cigar factory is a village landmark, cigars are still made by hand, and at its peak up to 700 people worked there.
Yes. It is on Lake Maggiore at what is described as the lowest point in Switzerland, with a mild Mediterranean climate, and cypresses, palms and lemon trees shape the lakeside.
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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