Verbania is the largest town on Lake Maggiore, and perhaps the most obvious choice for accommodation on a visit to the area. Divided into three main neighbourhoods, try to stay along the waterfront in central Verbania Pallanza.

The largest and most populous town on Lake Maggiore is Verbania, located on the western (Piedmontese) shore of the lake in Italy. Verbania was formed in 1939 by the merger of two smaller, distinct towns: Intra and Pallanza. In 2026, the town has a population of approximately 30,000 residents and serves as the capital of the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. It is often referred to as a "garden on the lake" due to its numerous historic villas and the world-famous botanical gardens of Villa Taranto. Verbania is significantly larger in terms of both area and permanent population than its neighbor Stresa, which is more famous for tourism but much smaller. Because of its size, Verbania functions as the primary commercial and logistical hub for the lake, offering the most extensive ferry connections to the Borromean Islands and Switzerland. While towns like Locarno (in Switzerland) or Arona (in the south) are major destinations, Verbania remains the administrative and residential center of the Lake Maggiore region, offering a blend of authentic Italian city life and high-end lakeside resort atmosphere.