• 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

Where to keep cool in Lombardy

If you are looking to cool down a little in the summer heat, here are a few suggestions.
  • Active & Green

Cool summer escapes

Between all its lakes and rivers, summer in Lombardy flows slowly, with enchanting landscapes to relax and cool off.
Val di Mello @inLombardia
  • Active & Green

Kitesurf in Lombardy

Where to do kitesurfing in Lombardy
Windsurf, Como lake
  • Active & Green

Le bine

You want to see the Lataste frog, one of the rarest amphibians in Europe, then come to the Le Bine nature reserve.
Le Bine
  • Active & Green

Cremona: an amazing town!

Cruises on the river, an extraordinary way to discover Cremona
La Motonave Mattei
  • Active & Green

Noci park

The Parco delle Noci, located in Melegnano, is one of the first Urban Oasis built in Italy.
Noci Park
  • Active & Green

Up and down on a funicular: the panorama seen from the sky

Lombardy funiculars: the most romantic means of transport man has created
Up and down on a funicular: the panorama seen from the sky
  • Active & Green

Cycling from Tresenda to Prato Valentino

  • Active & Green

Skiing in Teglio

Sport and fun for all the family, in a ski heaven with a gorgeous view on the Alps.
  • Active & Green

Under the ground, to discover the caves of Lombardy

On a trip to the caves of Lombardy
Under the ground, to discover the caves of Lombardy
  • Active & Green

The trail of memories and labours

This trail was dedicated to the memory of the inhabitants of Castione who, in the past generations, walked along this path carrying heavy pack baskets. The path linked the highest part of the town to the valley floor and allowed people to carry out farm works.
  • Active & Green

In search of the king of mushrooms

Mushroom hunting in Lombardy. Three foolproof destinations for gathering the most delicious porcini mushrooms: Valtellina, Val Brembana, and Val d'Intelvi
Andar per funghi in Lombardia
  • Active & Green

Lago d'Iseo - Best trails

Discover Lake Iseo's best trails with the new trekking guide!
  • Active & Green

Tibetan bridges, the attraction of height without the risk

Four suspension bridges in Lombardy
Ponti tibetani, il fascino dell’altezza senza rischi
  • Active & Green

The joy of running

Enjoy your training in Cremona
  • Active & Green

4 locations to visit in winter

Winter is not just about sports you can do in the snow, it is also the time when nature reveals its fairytale heart.
  • Active & Green

Places suspended between land and water

Between the trails and panoramic views of the Lombardy countryside, nature meets expanses of water, for a truly unique experience.
Luoghi sospesi tra terra e acqua
  • Active & Green

Lake Iseo

Visit Lake Iseo between art and nature.
Trekking sul Lago d'Iseo
  • Active & Green

The High Route of Valmalenco – 2nd stage

Rif Bosio (2086 m) - A Mastabbia (2077 m) - A Giumellino (1756 m) - Laghetti Sassersa (2369 m) - Passo Ventina (2675 m) Alpe Ventina (1960 m)
Laghi Sassersa
  • Active & Green

Parks, waterways and castles near Lodi | A journey through history and nature

Waterways, castles and rare wildlife: Lodi is an ideal destination for outdoor trips in the beautiful Lombard countryside. Discover the best places to visit!
  • Active & Green