Brissago Islands: Botanical Garden in Lake Maggiore
The Brissago Islands on the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore are a beautiful destination for botany enthusiasts
The Brissago Islands on Lake Maggiore
The Brissago Islands (Isole di Brissago, there are two islands) are located in the Swiss part of Lake Maggiore, directly off the coast of Brissago in the Canton of Ticino, and thus very close to us. The larger island, Isola Grande or Isola di San Pancrazio, is a botanical garden with a fascinating history and a popular destination for a peaceful day among palms, blossoms, and lake views.
Brissago Islands at a glance
- Location: off Brissago, Ticino (Switzerland), a few kilometers from Cannobio
- What: Botanical Park of the Canton of Ticino on Isola Grande
- Season 2026: daily March 18 to November 8
- Arrival: by boat only, e.g., from Ascona in about 20 minutes
- Villa Emden: restaurant and hotel on the island
- Plants: around 1700 species from all over the world
History of the Brissago Islands
Their heyday began in the 19th century. In 1885, the Russian-born Baroness Antoinette de Saint Léger, an eccentric with a passion for art and botany, bought the islands with her husband and transformed the main island into an oasis with exotic plants from all over the world.
After financial difficulties, the Baroness lost the estate. In 1927, the German merchant Max Emden, who had become wealthy through department stores, took over the island. He had the current villa built and led a glamorous life with many prominent guests.
After Emden's death in 1940, the Canton of Ticino, the surrounding municipalities, and nature conservation associations bought the islands in 1949, and since 1950, they have been publicly accessible as a Botanical Park. The smaller island, Isola Piccola (Sant’Apollinare), is a protected nature reserve and not accessible.
The Botanical Garden
The main attraction of Isola Grande is undoubtedly the Botanical Garden. On only about 2.5 hectares, approximately 1700 plant species from all continents grow here, made possible by the mild climate on Lake Maggiore. You can stroll through areas modeled after the Mediterranean, South Africa, California, China, Australia, or Chile. Particularly impressive are:
- huge palms and bamboo groves
- exotic flower beds with rare plants
- succulent gardens with cacti and agaves
- Ponds with lotus flowers and water lilies
The garden is not only beautiful to look at but also a place of learning for nature lovers and children.
Villa Emden
The elegant villa, formerly Max Emden's private residence, is located in the middle of the island and impresses with its Mediterranean architecture, columns, and large windows overlooking the lake. Today, it houses a restaurant and a hotel, and also hosts events and weddings.
Walking paths and viewpoints
Walking paths around the island offer beautiful views of Lake Maggiore and the mountains. Shady spots with benches invite you to linger, and sculptures and small fountains line the paths.
Dining on the island
The restaurant in Villa Emden, with its lake terrace, offers regional and Italian-inspired cuisine, along with snacks, coffee, and desserts. The view from the terrace of the lake is magnificent, ideal for lunch.
How do you get to the Brissago Islands?
The Brissago Islands are accessible exclusively by boat. Regular boat connections are available mainly from Brissago, Ascona, and Locarno; from Ascona, the crossing takes about 20 minutes. The Cannobio – Ascona route only stops at the Brissago Islands on a few trips; you can find a timetable here. Our tip: drive to Ascona in about 20 minutes and board the boat there.
Season and Admission
The park is open daily in 2026 from March 18 to November 8. During this time, the restaurant in Villa Emden is also open.
Since 2025, the Castelli di Cannero, a Borromeo heritage site and a beautiful boat trip to an island, very close to us, have also been publicly accessible. And if you want to see more gardens, visit the Borromean Islands or Villa Taranto in Verbania.
From Cannobio, the Brissago Islands are only a few kilometers away. With us, you stay very close by: in a mobile home in Cannobio, in a holiday apartment on the lake, or on a pitch for campers and tents.
Questions and answers
Two islands in Lake Maggiore off Brissago. On the larger one, Isola Grande, lies the Botanical Park of the Canton of Ticino with around 1700 plant species from all continents on approximately 2.5 hectares.