The three primary islands in the Lake Maggiore archipelago are the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori. Isola Bella is the most famous, dominated by the massive 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo and its world-renowned ten-tiered Italian gardens where white peacocks roam freely. Isola Madre is the largest of the three, offering a more tranquil atmosphere with a splendid botanical garden filled with rare exotic plants and a palace containing 16th-century furnishings and a unique puppet theater. Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island) is the only one inhabited year-round and lacks a grand palace; instead, it features charming, narrow cobblestone streets, rustic red-roofed houses, and traditional restaurants specializing in lake fish. In 2026, these islands remain owned largely by the Borromeo family (except Pescatori) and are accessible via a short ferry ride from the town of Stresa, offering a "timeless" Italian experience that blends Baroque opulence with natural beauty.