An aerial view of the Isole di Brissago in Ticino, Switzerland.

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Isole di Brissago

Ticino


Marooned in the glimmering waters of Lake Maggiore, this tiny pair of islands is famous for its botanic gardens designed in the 19th century. Magnolias, orchids, yuccas and agaves are among the 1700 species that flourish here.

Navigazione Lago Maggiore boats (Sfr16.80, 25 minutes) run regularly between Ascona and Brissago.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ticino attractions

1. Museo Casa Anatta

2.24 MILES

The late 19th century saw the arrival of ‘back to nature’ utopians, anarchists and sexual libertarians from northern Europe in Ascona. Their aspirations…

2. Museo Comunale d’Arte Moderna

2.26 MILES

Housed in the late-16th-century Palazzo Pancaldi, this museum showcases paintings by artists connected with the town, among them Paul Klee, Ben Nicholson,…

3. Collegio Papio

2.31 MILES

The Collegio Papio, now a high school, boasts a fine Lombard courtyard and includes the 15th-century Chiesa Santa Maria della Misericordia, with medieval…

4. Falconeria Locarno

3.46 MILES

Time your visit to catch one of the impressive displays of falconry here – they take place at 11am in the morning and 3pm in the afternoon. Birds showing…

5. Intragna

3.53 MILES

Perching on a rocky ledge at the confluence of the Melezzo and Isorno rivers and looking into a valley bounded by mountain beyond mountain, Intragna has a…

6. Chiesa di San Francesco

3.68 MILES

Standing on the site of a 13th-century Franciscan monastery, the 16th-century Chiesa di San Francesco is adorned with frescoes by Baldassare Orelli. Note…

7. Parco delle Camelie

3.73 MILES

Wander among fragrant camellia blooms in spring at these pretty lakefront gardens. The park is home to 850 varieties.

8. Castello Visconteo

3.74 MILES

Named after the Visconti clan that long ruled Milan, this fortified 15th-century castle’s nucleus was raised around the 10th century. It now houses a…

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