Top Things to Do in Varese
Things to Do in Varese
Explore popular experiences
See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.
- Fun & Gamesfromper adultR 209
- Skip the line Ticketsfromper adultR 146
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)R 8 261
- Architecture Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)R 5 333
- Day Cruisesfromper group (up to 6)R 7 111
- Historical Toursfromper adultR 4 705
- Full-day Toursfromper adultR 2 259
- Jet Boat Hirefromper group (up to 6)R 7 320
- Full-day Toursfromper adultR 2 353
- Full-day Toursfromper adultR 1 892
Other Top Attractions around Varese
What travellers are saying
- blaintmProserpine, Australia723 contributionsA 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 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - jaynice1Nice, France583 contributionsWhat 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 placeWritten 27 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Za036Lugano, Switzerland738 contributionsThe 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 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Oliver DVarese, Italy586 contributionsA 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 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Emmanuel VNaintre, France125 contributionsAn 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 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- FanGMilan, Lombardia, Italy63 contributionsGreat 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 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Linxia JBottrop, Germany1 contributionThe 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 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dador1London, UK10 contributionsAmazingRelaxing visit very quiet park and beautiful gardens worth a visit with family don't forget cameraWritten 3 February 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stefano RVarese, Italy74 contributionsFew 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 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - roberto fPenzance Kernow36 contributionsWent 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 2013This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DMLDMLZurich, Switzerland423 contributionsIt looks a little tire but it does the job very well
get onboard and let it take you to the top to enjoy the viewWritten 10 February 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Varese
- The top attractions to visit in Varese are:
- Sacro Monte Unesco di Varese
- Villa e Collezione Panza
- Palazzo e Giardini Estensi
- Lake Varese Bicycle Trail
- Santuario di Santa Maria del Monte
- The best outdoor activities in Varese according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Palazzo e Giardini Estensi
- Lake Varese Bicycle Trail
- Villa Toeplitz
- Parco di Villa Torelli Mylius
- poncione di Ganna
- The most popular things to do in Varese with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Sacro Monte Unesco di Varese
- Villa e Collezione Panza
- Palazzo e Giardini Estensi
- Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi
- Museo Castiglioni