Plizio Visual Lab
Brissago Islands
ℹ️Practical info — Brissago Islands
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Buy a combination ticket for the boat trip and entrance to the Botanical Garden to save time and money.
- Visit the islands on a weekday morning to avoid the biggest crowds.
- Allow at least 3-4 hours to explore the garden without rushing and to soak up the atmosphere.
- Make sure to check the timetable for the last return boat so you don't get stranded.
- Wear comfortable shoes to easily explore the garden's many winding paths.
🍽 Food
Enjoy a meal or a coffee at the island's only restaurant, which features superb views of the garden and the lake.
Try a platter of local cold cuts and cheeses ('Affettati misti') at the restaurant to get a taste of the region.
Bring your own food and enjoy a picnic in the designated areas. Remember to take all your rubbish back with you.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The small shop near the dock sells seeds from rare plants, books, and garden-related souvenirs.
Purchase seeds or small plants from the garden as a living memento of your visit.
Find this secluded area of the garden, surrounded by water, for a moment of peace and contemplation.
Get lost in the dense thicket of bamboo, a unique and quiet part of the garden with a special atmosphere.
Walk to the furthest end of the island, away from the villa, to find a quiet spot with unobstructed views of the lake.
Water temperature…
The Brissago Islands consist of Isola Grande and the smaller Isola di Sant’Apollinare. Thanks to the mild microclimate of Lake Maggiore, over 1,700 plant species from all five continents thrive here in the open air. Isola Grande is the main island and has housed the Botanical Garden of the Canton of Ticino since 1950. Visitors can find eucalyptus trees, bamboo groves, palms, and rare exotic flowers within an idyllic park setting. The islands' history is intertwined with Baroness Antoinette de Saint Léger, who began creating the gardens in 1885 and hosted many artists and intellectuals. Later, department store tycoon Max Emden built the neoclassical Villa Emden, which today functions as a restaurant and hotel. The smaller island remains in its natural state and is used for scientific research. Access is only possible by boat, with regular services from Ascona, Locarno, and Brissago. The best time to visit is between March and October. A full circuit of the island takes about an hour, though the tranquility and exotic scents invite longer stays. The restaurant in Villa Emden provides fine dining with an exceptional view of the surrounding lake and mountains.
- Location: Switzerland
- Top sights: San Martino · Corona dei Pinci · Chiesa di Santa Maria Nascente
- Nearby: Lake Maggiore (4 km)
- Population: ~4.262
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 51 | 59 | 70 | 102 | 139 | 120 | 107 | 129 | 99 | 112 | 147 | 73 |
Geography
Facts
- Switzerland's only island botanical garden
- Over 1,700 plant species from 5 continents
- Former residence of Baroness Saint Léger
- Neoclassical Villa Emden (hotel/restaurant)
- Consists of two distinct islands
- Regular boat services from Ascona
- Nature reserve on Sant'Apollinare island
- Opened as a public park in 1950
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.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Brissago Islands (3)
Frequently asked questions
What is special about the Brissago Islands?
Why do exotic plants grow there?
How many islands belong to the group?
Is there a restaurant on the island?
When are the islands open?
Brissago Islands: where is it located?
Brissago Islands: what is there to see?
Brissago Islands: when is the best time to visit?
Brissago Islands: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
