Things to do in Varese

Top Things to Do in Varese

Things to Do in Varese


Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.

Top Attractions in Varese

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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What travellers are saying

  • blaintm
    Proserpine, Australia723 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A visit to Sacro Monte and walking the Holy Road will be a highlight of our numerous visits to Italy for many years to come. We visited in mid-November whilst staying in Milan.
    It was easy to get to Varese by taking a train from Porta Garibaldi Station which took just under an hour. If you want to walk up the Holy Road then upon arrival you have three options, either, 1. take a taxi to the start of the Holy Road, 2. walk into the centre of town and take the C line bus to the start of the Holy Road or 3. walk the 5km uphill to the start. As we wanted to get our walk underway early we decided on the taxi option. There were plenty of taxis waiting at the station and it cost less than €15 for the trip.
    The walk up the Holy Road was great, the views are amazing and the 14 Chapels were extraordinary. A tip is at the start of the Holy Road there is a sign with a QR code that you scan to download an app that explains what each chapel represents and who the artists were, this was a great as it added to the experience.
    The walk is not difficult, it is steep in sections but because it is broken up into sections there are plenty of stops along the way.
    At the top you are rewarded with fantastic views and the village of Santa Maria del Monte is beautiful.
    We planned on taking the funicular down but it only operates on weekends in November so we decided to walk down, which we are glad we did as the afternoon sun on the autumn trees made it even more special. We were enjoying the walk so much we decided to keep on walking back into Varese following the pilgrim path symbols to keep us on the right track.
    Written 18 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jaynice1
    Nice, France583 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a beautiful place to visit. If you like modern art combined with a beautiful house and garden to visit. If there is only one thing to visit in Varese, except the Sacre Monte, you need to take 2 hours at least to discover this unique place
    Written 27 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Za036
    Lugano, Switzerland738 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The garden is big and a nice walk. There’s paying parking attached to it, which was convenient for us. It’s also set just a 10 minutes walk far away from the old town.
    Written 27 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Oliver D
    Varese, Italy586 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A hidden gem in Varese. A lovely property with gardens in a peaceful area of Varese. Easy to spend a couple of hours taking in the fauna.
    After that this little masterpiece of a museum highlighting the African travels and discoveries of two Italian brothers. It’s a small museum that is well designed and maintained and for the princely sum of 5 euros you get a guided tour of the exhibits. With a little interactive display and few short movies its a wonderful insight to the marvels of Africa, and its here in the heart (almost) of Varese.
    Well done, and I hope that you get the opportunity to expand and show more of your father and uncles homage to Africa!
    Written 21 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Emmanuel V
    Naintre, France125 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An excellent visit in this incredible house/ museum, a very special atmosphere in this house where we can feel the passion of the owner for beautiful things, a mix a beauty in a peaceful environment, don’t miss it!
    Written 25 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • FanG
    Milan, Lombardia, Italy63 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great 29km route, super for making it a day out with friends and family with food stops on the route, or great for the locals to nip in a leg warming 30km.

    Superb route when fully connected to lake Comabbio and Lake Maggiore, then you are looking at over 70km of riding.

    Sunny weekends very busy with cycles and pedestrian... avoid. On days following copious rainy periods, parts of the route are in former swamp areas... get ready to get muddy.
    Written 12 October 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Linxia J
    Bottrop, Germany1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The view on the top is amazing! You can see the lakes and going into the chapels , My friend drove all the way to the top (there is a car park) but it looks you can start walking up from various points.
    Written 31 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dador1
    London, UK10 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    AmazingRelaxing visit very quiet park and beautiful gardens worth a visit with family don't forget camera
    Written 3 February 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Stefano R
    Varese, Italy74 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Few meters from sanctuary main entrance, this little museum welcomes you with a magnificent view of the lakes. Inside a collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, minated books and vestments. Works of flemish artists, Bodini, Guttuso, Sassu, Matisse and many others. Inside also the remains of a crocodile, protagonist in the XIX century of a curious local fact.
    Ask for a guided tour or, if you've children, for a playing lab session. Reccomended.
    Written 31 December 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • roberto f
    Penzance Kernow36 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Went to Mass in this Church and found the atmosphere both devout and interesting. Like most Churches in the area this main church uses the Ambrosian Rite (Church of Milan) which is a bit different from the Roman Rite we are used to in England. Sung Mass is very participatory with many responses and chants. The interior of the church is decorated and colourful with a clean neoclassical architecture and a splendid 16C campanile- you should hear those bells!
    Written 8 October 2013
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DMLDML
    Zurich, Switzerland423 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It looks a little tire but it does the job very well
    get onboard and let it take you to the top to enjoy the view
    Written 10 February 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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