• Active & Green
    • Art & Culture

Discover the province of Varese

5 must-see places to visit in Varese

from Redazione Varese
where
Where
Varese
PH. @zanve82

The province of Varese is a gem in northern Italy, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.

If you're looking for ideas for a weekend getaway or a day trip, here you'll find five places to visit that will make you fall in love with this fascinating area.

1. SACRO MONTE OF VARESE

The Sacro Monte of Varese is one of the most captivating pilgrimage sites in Lombardy, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located at about 880 meters above sea level, it is part of a complex of Sacred Mountains built between the 16th and 17th centuries in northern Italy, designed as devotional paths. The Sacro Monte of Varese consists of a series of fourteen chapels that stretch along a two-kilometer route, depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary with statues and frescoes of great artistic value. At the end of the path, you reach the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte, a place of prayer and contemplation immersed in nature, offering a spectacular view of the plains below and Lake Varese. This place unites faith, art, and landscape in a harmony that attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the world.

2. CASTIGLIONE OLONA

Another place of great interest is Castiglione Olona, an enchanting medieval village known for its artistic heritage. Here, you can visit the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which houses splendid frescoes by the famous artist Paolo Schiavo, and the Baptistery, decorated with painting cycles that depict the life of St. John the Baptist. Castiglione Olona is a picturesque medieval village in the province of Varese, renowned for its extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage. The town owes much of its fame to Cardinal Branda Castiglioni, who, in the 15th century, transformed it into a center of Renaissance patronage, inviting artists like Masolino da Panicale to work here. As you stroll through the village's cobbled streets, you'll discover charming corners and picturesque views, making Castiglione Olona an excellent stop for history and culture lovers. The narrow paved streets, historic buildings, and the Olona River flowing through the village give Castiglione a unique charm, earning it the title of "a Tuscan island in Lombardy" by art historian Giovanni Testori.

3. MUSEUM OF ART IN GALLARATE

The MAGA, Museum of Art in Gallarate, is one of Lombardy's main cultural institutions dedicated to contemporary art. Founded in 1966 as the Civic Gallery of Modern Art of Gallarate, it has expanded its collections and activities over time, becoming an important center for the promotion and study of modern and contemporary Italian art. It houses a vast permanent collection of over 5,000 works, ranging from painting to sculpture to experimental visual arts. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions, cultural events, educational workshops, and artist talks, positioning itself as a reference point for art and creativity on both a local and national level.

4. SANTA CATERINA DEL SASSO

Santa Caterina del Sasso is a striking hermitage located on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, in the province of Varese, Lombardy. Perched on a cliff overlooking the lake, the monastic complex offers breathtaking panoramic views and a profound atmosphere of spirituality. Founded in the 13th century by the merchant Alberto Besozzi, who survived a shipwreck and decided to retire to this place to live in penance, the hermitage consists of a convent, a church, and a chapel. Its frescoed walls and terraces suspended over the lake make Santa Caterina del Sasso a pilgrimage destination and a site of great tourist interest for those seeking silence and contemplation amidst nature.

5. VILLA DELLA PORTA BOZZOLO

We conclude our tour at Villa Della Porta Bozzolo, a splendid historic villa located in Casalzuigno, not far from Varese. This villa, owned by the FAI (Italian Environmental Fund), is a magnificent example of 18th-century architecture, surrounded by a park rich in gardens and fountains. Inside, you can admire period furnishings and discover the history of the family who lived there. The gardens offer a charming atmosphere, perfect for a romantic walk.

Staircase leading to the bell tower of Sacro Monte di Varese, with blue sky and surrounding greenery.
Bell tower of a church in the village of Castiglione Olona, surrounded by trees and old buildings.
Modern facade of the MAGA in Gallarate, with a circular square in the foreground and a clear sky in the background.
Stone structures built into the rock form a passage with arches. The path is bordered by a low wall and overlooks Lake Maggiore.
A country residence in the 16th century, a lavish summer estate in the 18th century, telling the story of a wealthy Lombard family, with rococo-style frescoed halls and a scenic, monumental Italian garden.

On the same topic

Show all

Gardens Sondrio

In the green heart of Lombardy, in parks and gardens a path among thousands of species of plants
Gardens Sondrio, the alluring face of Lombardy
  • Active & Green

Lombardy: spring has come to town

Spring flowers bloom on the balconies, terraces, window sills and in the gardens of Lombardy's towns and villages 
Lombardia: la primavera arriva in città
  • Active & Green

Gardens Pavia

Not just the city: a walk through botanic gardens and oasis for a green break
Gardens Pavia, discovering Lombardy
  • Active & Green

Sports in Monza

Outdoor activities in the heart of Brianza
Sport a Monza
  • Active & Green

Where to Go Paragliding in Lombardy

A race and a jump in the void. Adrenaline and wonder. Discover where to paraglide in Lombardy
Where to Go Paragliding in Lombardy
  • Active & Green

Gardens Monza

Relax and nature among the rose gardens in Villa Reale of Monza and in the parks of the province.
Gardens Monza
  • Active & Green

Lombardy, land of spring waters

Fountains and springs, the natural oases of Lower Lombardy
Lombardy, land of spring waters
  • Active & Green

Four curious places that enchant in Lombardy

Surprise yourself with authentic and singular places surrounded by fabulous views
Adobe stock Gaudi Grosio
  • Active & Green

Lecco from Monte Resegone

Lecco – a city caught between the water and the mountains – is always looking upwards.
Lecco from Monte Resegone
  • Active & Green

Spring in Valcamonica

4 ideas to enjoy the most sparkling season of the year in Val Camonica.
Signs of Spring at a Unesco Site
  • Active & Green

Between the Ticino and Po rivers

  • Active & Green

The Soapstone trail

A short loop trail that allows hikers to visit the ancient places where the renown soapstone of Pirlo used to be quarried and worked.
  • Active & Green

Between lake and mountains the 10 most beautiful trees in the Province of Como

From the neoclassical villas to the wildest forests, the landscapes of the Lake Como region and the trees they contain enchant with their variety.
  • Active & Green

Aereoclub in Sondrio

Hover in the sky like butterflies, letting yourself be carried away by the high currents like seagulls in search of freedom
  • Active & Green

Mountain flowers in May

Six itineraries to discover this month's flowers in the mountains of Lombardy
Fiori di maggio ad alta quota - in Lombardia
  • Active & Green

Foppe di trezzo

Trip outside the town of Trezzo d'Adda to discover a small but very suggestive WWF oasis.
Foppe di Trezzo
  • Active & Green

Spring in Pavia

5 suggestions to spend a spring day in the name of outdoor in the territory of Pavia.
Boat trip along the Po river
  • Active & Green

Virtual trip to Lecco: nature and art

An online tour, through green landscapes and culture
Sentiero del Viandante
  • Active & Green

Artist’s giant benches

The hunt is on. Discover six of the brightly coloured, supersized Big Benches by Chris Bangle that are adding to the scenery in Lombardy.
Ph: I Mille
  • Active & Green

Ice skating in Lombardy

Here's where you can twirl amusement and some fall.
Ice Skating
  • Active & Green