Lake Maggiore or Verbano is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps. It is the second largest lake in Italy and the largest in southern Switzerland. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy and the Swiss canton of Ticino.

Lake Maggiore, located on the border of Italy and Switzerland, is one of the deepest lakes in Europe, reaching a maximum depth of approximately 372 meters (1,220 feet). This impressive depth occurs in the central part of the lake, particularly between the towns of Ghiffa and Porto Valtravaglia. Because the surface of the lake sits at about 193 meters above sea level, the deepest point of its basin actually extends nearly 180 meters below sea level, a geological feature known as a cryptodepression. This deep, glacial basin was formed during the last Ice Age when massive glaciers carved out the pre-alpine valleys. The sheer volume of water contained within this deep trench—estimated at 37 cubic kilometers—acts as a thermal regulator for the region, creating a mild, sub-tropical microclimate that allows exotic plants and palms to thrive along its shores. Visitors in 2026 can explore these depths via specialized research submersibles or enjoy the clear, deep-blue surface waters while touring the famous Borromean Islands.