If you have been considering a villa in Piedmont or a vacation rental in Lombardy, it is not unlikely that you might decide to spend a day during your holiday in Italy exploring Lake Maggiore. This incredibly scenic part of the country and part of Italy’s famous and beloved lake district is bordered by impossibly picturesque little towns, circled by excellent hiking routes, full of little islands and islets with gorgeous historic villas, architectural gems, and gardens, and is a perfect place to come and either enjoy various outdoor pursuits or to simply relax and unwind. While there are plenty of things to see and do in the area, one of the most remarkably lovely and magical activities that we can recommend is a visit to the Giardino Botanico Alpinia.
The Giardino Botanico Alpinia is an extraordinary and unique botanic garden housing mostly Alpine plant species that is located at 800m altitude above the picturesque lakeside town of Stresa that is right on Lake Maggiore. Reached by the Lido di Carciano - Alpino - Mottarone cable car, this very special garden not only houses a fascinating collection in an especially scenic location but is also accessed in such a whimsical and charming way. Overall, a visit to this wonderful garden while on vacation at Lake Maggiore is a definite must and would also be certainly a wonderful addition to any day trip in the area if you have found a holiday rental in Piedmont and are spending time seeing what the area has to offer.
Spread over 4 hectares, the Giardino Botanico Alpinia boasts a collection of more than a thousand different plant species. As noted, a majority of these are Alpine plants that are native to the area but there is also a selection of plant species from the Caucasus, China, and Japan, as well. Founded in 1934 by Igino Ambrosini (according to whose designs it was built) and Giuseppe Rossi, the garden was one of the first Alpine botanical gardens in Italy and immediately drew the attention of international naturalists and botanists from the time of its conception. Many of those same earlier admirers who wrote of the garden noted not only the value of its collection but the incredible boon of its location. Offering views over Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands and some peaks of the Val Grande National Park such as the Lepontine Alps, Monte Disgrazia, Grigne, and Monte Legnone, it boasts an awe-inspiring panorama of the location of origin of so many of the plants in the garden that is thought by many to be second to no other in the Alps.
Planned on a circular path that takes you through the garden, one can enter from the left-hand side of the park and pass through the forest in which many of the garden's rarest and most important specimens (largely trees and shrubs) can be found, right to the Belvedere hut and panoramic point, or the more direct option by entering from the right-hand side and taking the path that passes directly through the flower garden to the view. A natural spring runs down through the park from Mottarone’s peak and this affords the most refreshing and delicious water to enjoy on hot summer days, as well as a lovely auditory backdrop.
A relaxing and beautiful space, the Giardino Botanico Alpinia is an ideal spot to take in the most remarkable views of the area if you have found a villa in Lake Maggiore or if you have found a vacation rental in Piedmont and are spending a day exploring this especially scenic part of the region!
Giardino Botanico Alpinia
Viale Mottino, 26
Alpino di Stresa
28836 VB
(0039) 0323 927173
(0039)3883806804
giardinoalpiniastresa@gmail.com
Opening hours:
Open daily from April 1st to October 9th, 9.30am-6pm (Weather depending – may open and close earlier or later in the year – please check their social media before planning a visit to make sure.)
Tickets:
Full price - €5
Kids (4-12) - €4.50
