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Varese

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City
—°19
Varese (Italy)
ℹ️

Practical info — Varese

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Take the funicular to Sacro Monte early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy the view.
  • The city center, especially around Corso Matteotti, is very walkable and pedestrian-friendly.
  • Taking the Trenord train from Milan is far more convenient than navigating the local traffic by car.
  • Bring mosquito repellent if you plan to spend time near Lake Varese during the summer months.
  • Look for combined tickets if you intend to visit multiple historic villas and their gardens.

🍽 Food

🍽
Dolce Varese

A traditional cornmeal cake. Try a slice at the historic pastry shops along Corso Matteotti.

🍽
Polenta e Bruscitt

A hearty minced beef and polenta dish found in traditional family-run trattorias in the historic center.

🍽
Lake Fish (Pesce di lago)

Fresh local fish, best enjoyed at the restaurants right on the shores of Lake Varese, particularly in Schiranna.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Corso Matteotti

The main shopping artery featuring elegant boutiques, bookstores, and welcoming cafes under arcades.

🛍
Mercato di Varese

Head to the local market at Piazzale Kennedy for fresh regional produce, meats, and cheeses.

🛍
Piazza del Podestà

A great square to find specialty shops selling local culinary products and Italian fashion.

🧘
Giardini Estensi

A beautifully manicured palace park, often referred to as the 'little Versailles of Milan'.

🧘
Via Sacra

The pilgrim path leading up to Sacro Monte provides tranquility, historic chapels, and sweeping views.

🧘
Lake Varese Bike Path

A flat, peaceful path looping around the lake, first-rate for a relaxed walk or cycling away from traffic.

Varese, in the heart of Lombardy, known as the "Garden City of Italy," is a fascinating destination offering an excellent harmony of nature, art, and culture. The city is surrounded by seven lakes and framed by the majestic backdrop of the Alps, creating a scenic setting. The main attraction in Varese is the Sacro Monte di Varese, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which consists of a sacred path with 14 chapels leading to a hilltop sanctuary, offering wide-open views. The city itself is filled with elegant villas and lush gardens, such as the Palazzo Estense, also dubbed "the little Versailles of Milan." The historic center invites strolling through its narrow streets and welcoming squares. The local cuisine follows Lombard traditions, with risotto and local cheeses like gorgonzola playing a prominent role. Varese is easily accessible by train from Milan, making it handy for a day trip or a longer, relaxing holiday. The best time to visit is during spring and summer, when the gardens are in full bloom.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-115914182020151150
Rain mm5159701021391201071299911214773

Live webcam – Varese

See what it looks like near Varese right now.

Varese · 0.5 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
80,588
Coordinates
45.81667, 8.83333

Facts

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sacro Monte
  • Nicknamed the 'Garden City'
  • Surrounded by seven lakes
  • Palazzo Estense and its gardens
  • Located at the foot of the Alps
  • Easily accessible from Milan
  • Lombard cuisine
  • Elegant villas and architecture

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Varese (19)

Azienda agricola agriturismo La Gaggina🎡 recreation

An agritourism farm in the countryside near Varese, offering farm stays.

Vasca di depurazione🎡 recreation

A former purification basin in Varese, now used as a recreational area.

Piscina Comunale di Varese Fausto Fabiano🎡 recreation

The municipal swimming pool of Varese is a key sporting facility in the city.

Civici Musei di Villa Mirabello, Archeologico e Risorgimentale🏛 museum

Museum in a 19th-century villa opened in 1871, displaying archaeological and Risorgimento artifacts.

🕒 Tu-Su 09:30-12:30,14:00-18:00; Mo off; Jan 01,06,easter,May 💶

Copia urna funeraria a Tadeusz Kościuszko🏺 historical

This monument in Varese features a copy of the funerary urn of Tadeusz Kościuszko.

Villa Selene🏺 historical

Villa Selene, also associated with Villa Dandolo, is a grand manor estate in Varese.

Chiesa di Sant'Antonio⛪ religious

Baroque church built in 1593.

Basilica di San Vittore⛪ religious

Renaissance basilica built in 1542, with a tall campanile.

Chiesa di San Martino⛪ religious

11th-century Romanesque church with medieval frescoes.

Associazione Amici di Piero Chiara-Premio Chiara-Festival del Racconto🎭 culture

This arts centre in Varese is dedicated to the Associazione Amici di Piero Chiara and the Premio Chiara.

🕒 Mo-Fr 09:00-14:30

Torre civica🗼 tower

20th-century civic tower designed by Mario Loreti, a landmark in Varese.

Villa Andrea Ponti📍 landmark

Eclectic 19th-century villa designed by Giuseppe Balzaretto.

Villa Panza📍 landmark

18th-century villa housing a renowned contemporary art collection.

Sala Veratti🏛 museum

Museum and exhibition hall in Varese at the foot of the Alps.

Castello di Belforte🏰 castle

Medieval castle on a hill overlooking Varese.

Parco di Villa Mylius🌳 park

The English landscape garden of Villa Mylius in Varese.

Parco delle Ville Ponti🌳 park

The large public park of the Ponti Villas in Varese.

Fondazione Marcello Morandini🏛 museum

A museum of contemporary art founded in 2021 in Varese, dedicated to Marcello Morandini.

🕒 Mo-We off; Th 15:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00💶

Villa Kevenhüller🏺 historical

A historical villa in Varese, once owned by the Kevenhüller family, set in a large park.

Frequently asked questions

How many days in Varese?
Two to three days are worth it for villas and gardens.
Best travel time?
From spring to autumn it is beautiful.
Travel to Varese?
Comfortably by train from Milan.
Culinary highlights?
Try polenta and local cheeses.
Family-friendly?
Yes, very much, especially due to the many gardens.
Varese: where is it located?
Varese is located in Italy.
Varese: what is there to see?
Highlights include Azienda agricola agriturismo La Gaggina, Vasca di depurazione, Piscina Comunale di Varese Fausto Fabiano.
Varese: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Varese: why is it worth visiting?
Varese, in the heart of Lombardy, known as the "Garden City of Italy," is a fascinating destination offering an excellent harmony of nature, art, and culture.
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