Brissago Islands are a group of two small islands in Lago Maggiore, Switzerland. Only the larger island is open to the public, and it’s home to a wonderful botanical garden that attracts more than 90,000 visitors every year.
The history of the islands, transportation options, and things to do in the area are all covered in this visitor’s guide to Brissago, Switzerland. Read on to see how you can visit this magical garden on an island in the middle of the lake, and what other attractions you can discover while traveling in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland!
Table of Contents
Brissago Islands History
Brissago Islands consist of two islands – San Pancrazio or Grande Isola and Isola di Sant’Apollinare or Isola Piccola. It’s currently not possible to visit the smaller island as it is accessible only to researchers and for education purposes. But that’s fine because San Pancrazio is where all the attractions are.
The islands in Lake Maggiore have been inhabited for centuries. Romain remains were discovered on the larger islands, and there is evidence that early Christians used the islands as a refuge. A monastery was built on the larger island back in the 13th century, and it was used by nuns who belonged to the Humiliati order. They vacated the islands after Pope Pius V suppressed this order in the 16th century, and the islands stayed uninhabited for a couple of centuries.
In the late 19th century Richard Fleming and his wife Antoinette Bayer bought the Brissago Islands. Antoinette is believed to have been an illegitimate descendant of Tsar Alexander II, and she was forced to leave Russia on very short notice. These are all rumors though since there was never any concrete evidence of her descendence.
Anyway, Fleming decided to turn the former convent into a proper home, while Antoinette tended the garden. She wanted to create a botanical garden and decided to import plants and soil from all over the world. In 1926, Antoinette was forced to sell Brissago Islands to Max Emden because of enormous debt, and the Hamburg-born magnate demolished the existing house and built a Palazzo-style neo-classical villa in its place.
Emden stayed on the island for the rest of his life, and in 1949 his son sold the islands to a consortium that is nowadays known as the Swiss Heritage Society. Just a few months later in 1950, Brissago Islands opened to the public for the first time.
How to Get to Brissago Islands
You must travel by boat to get to the Brissago Islands, which is possible only from April to early November. Boats don’t run in the winter season, so plan a spring or summer trip for the best chance of visiting the islands.
It’s possible to travel by boat from most towns on the lake shore, but the travel times vary depending on where you depart from. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Brissago Islands from Locarno, but just 15 minutes from Ascona and 5 minutes from Ronco sopra Ascona.
If you’re an adventurous traveler, you don’t even have to get on a proper boat. Just rent a kayak and paddle there on your own – it’s possible and very easy, as long as you steer clear of the other boats.
A timetable is currently not available, but I can tell you that the boats run frequently during the season.
Best Things to See & Do
Brissago Island Botanical Park
The botanical garden designed by Antoinette Bayer has been cultivated since the 19th century. It is without a doubt the highlight of Grande Isola and the main attraction that draws visitors to this remote island in the lake.
The botanical garden covers 2.5 hectares and is home to more than 1,500 different plant species, including California poppies, Japanese bananas, magnolia, and numerous other exotic species.
Admission to the botanical park is:
- Adults: 8 CHF
- Children: 2.5 CHF
There are special discounts for families and groups of more than 10 people.
Guided tours of the botanical garden are available, but they’re very expensive. The signs are all translated into multiple languages including English, so you can easily tour the place on your own and learn about the different plant species.
Island Picnic
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Villa Emden, the former residence of Max Emden has been turned into a hotel with the only restaurant on the larger Brissago Island. However, I must point out that most visitors aren’t happy with the restaurant’s offer – apparently, the food is way too expensive for the quality, so you’re better off packing a picnic.
You can enjoy a picnic in one of the many bright green spots on the island, admiring the gorgeous nature and stunning lake views. Prepare food at home or get something to go before you get on the boat; in any case, you’ll have a better time than you would at the restaurant in Villa Emden.
Scavenger Hunt
It’s possible to do a scavenger hunt at the Grande Isola’s botanical park, and this is the perfect activity for families. The treasure hunt was designed to engage children, and it’s a sneaky way of teaching them about the different plant species while they’re having fun.
Just ask for the treasure hunt map at the botanical park entrance, it’s free. Then follow the clues, explore the narrow lanes leading through the garden, and discover the unique plant species that make this place so special. It’s definitely a fun way for the youngest visitors to explore the garden, but if you’re traveling to San Pancrazio without any children, just don’t bother with the scavenger hunt.
Boat Trip
When you feel like you’ve seen everything there is to see on Grande Isola, it’s time to get back on a boat and head to the shore. The boat trip is also an experience in itself, especially if you opt for one of the longer cruises on Lake Maggiore.
I would recommend that you look into boat transfers to Brissago town if that’s not where you’re staying during this visit. It’s a beautiful town known for a tobacco and cigar factory, but also quite a few historical buildings, steep mountains, and just stunning lake views.
Sacro Monte & Church of S. Maria Addolorata (Brissago)
The beautiful town of Brissago is a great place to visit if you’re staying near Lake Maggiore for a few days. It’s home to quite a few interesting tourist attractions that make it a great destination for a day trip.
Santa Maria Addolorata church is a famous attraction in town. It’s situated at Sacro Monte, a pilgrimage site just above the town. The church is much prettier on the inside than the outside, so if you make it to the promontory above the town, don’t just snap a few photos and leave.
Other popular attractions in Brissago include the beautiful Renaissance church of St. Peter and Paul, the Leoncavallo Museum in the Branca-Baccalà baroque palace, and of course the Lido di Brissago beach.
Ronco s/A & Corona dei Pinci
Ronco sopra Ancona is another lovely town on the shore of Lake Maggiore, and one of the best places to visit in the area. It’s actually the closest town to the Brissago Islands by boat, so definitely head here if you plan on traveling to the islands in a kayak.
The town is pretty small so there are really not too many things to do there, but it is home to some really good local restaurants. It’s also the starting point of hikes to Corona dei Pinci, a mountain at 1294 meters above sea level that offers an incredible panoramic view of Lake Maggiore, Brissago Islands, and the surrounding towns. If you’re an avid hiker and you find yourself in this region, this is by far one of the best ascents to attempt.
The hike is challenging because it includes an elevation gain of more than 1,000 meters, so it’s suitable only for experienced hikers. It takes about five hours to hike from the heart of Ronco sopra Ascona to Corona dei Pinci and back, and it’s absolutely worth the effort because of the mesmerizing views.
You can also hike to Corona dei Pinci via the Pizzo Leone Trail, and this is the best option for travelers who are staying in Ascona. The trail starts in Losone, a village just above Ascona, and it takes around eight hours to complete the loop trail.
Best Time to Visit Brissago, Switzerland
The best time to visit Brissago is between April and November because it is not possible to travel to the islands in the winter season. So, if the Brisago Islands are the main reason why you’re planning a trip to Ticino and you really want to explore the botanical garden, you will need to visit during the warmer season.
Go there in the spring if you want to avoid the crowds and have a good time exploring the region. On the other hand, if you also want to swim in the lake and engage in other fun activities in the water, it’s best to visit in July or August, when the water temperature is high enough for comfortable swimming.
Is Brissago worth visiting?
The Brissago islands are definitely worth visiting if you’re in the area, but I don’t think they’re interesting enough to plan an entire trip around them. Sure, the botanical garden is wonderful, but there are hundreds of other, more impressive gardens throughout Switzerland that you can visit instead.
Also, the towns on the shore of Lake Maggiore are pretty small, and there’s really not much to do in the area. Stay in Locarno or Ascona while you’re visiting since they’re the biggest towns with the most attractions for visitors. But even they don’t have enough to keep you busy for more than a few days, so keep that in mind.
