On the west side of Lake Maggiore, south of its western arm, the little town of Stresa (210m/693ft; pop. 5,000) looks on to the Borromean Islands. Stresa is the largest resort on Lake Maggiore after Locarno. Cooler and windier than other places on the lake, it is busiest during the warmer part of the year. The long lakeside road affords
beautiful views of the lake and the Borromean Islands. The life of Stresa centers on its lakeside promenade (fine views), on which are the parish church and most of the large hotels.