- Varese was the birthplace of the Italian aerospace industry, with the Macchi brothers establishing their famous aeronautical manufacturing company in the city in 1913.
- The city is a significant hub for the Italian furniture and design industry, historically linked to the development of the Liberty architectural style.
- Varese is situated in the 'Lake District' of Lombardy, sharing proximity to seven different lakes, including Lake Varese and Lake Maggiore.
- The city served as a primary base for the Risorgimento movement, specifically during the 1859 Battle of Varese led by Giuseppe Garibaldi against Austrian forces.
About Varese
Varese is famously known as the Garden City due to its concentration of historic villas and expansive public parks situated at the foot of the Prealps. The city serves as a gateway to the UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte di Varese, a devotional complex comprising fourteen chapels that wind up the mountain path. Visitors explore diverse botanical landscapes ranging from the formal gardens of Giardini e Palazzo Estensi to the unique water features at Parco di Villa Toeplitz. Beyond its greenery, the city hosts contemporary art collections at Villa Panza and scientific research at the Osservatorio Astronomico Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli.
Highlights of Varese
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
Walk through formal Italian gardens that serve as the elegant headquarters for the municipal government.
Temples
Ascend the historic pilgrimage route to explore the fourteen chapels forming this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Parks
Access extensive trail networks and alpine biodiversity within this protected regional mountain park.
Places of interest
Experience a world-class collection of American minimalist art housed in an 18th-century hilltop villa.
Parks
View the distinctive stepped fountain system that defines the unique aesthetic of this historic villa garden.
Museums
Visit one of the oldest astronomical research centers in Italy located within the Campo dei Fiori park.
Temples
Observe the Romanesque architecture and detailed 15th-century frescoes preserved at this former monastic site.
Temples
See the sanctuary crowning the Sacro Monte path, which offers panoramic vistas over the surrounding lakes.
Top things to do in Varese
The 258 highest-rated places in Varese, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Giardini e Palazzo Estensi serve as the seat of the Varese municipal government, housing the town hall within an 18th-ce...
2
Temples
Sacro Monte di Varese is a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of fourteen chapels, a sanctuary, and a village, all lo...
3
Natural attractions
Lido di Gavirate is a recreational waterfront facility located on the northern shore of Lake Varese in the Lombardy regi...
4
Parks
Parco Naturale Regionale Campo dei Fiori is a protected regional park spanning over 6,300 hectares in the Prealps, cente...
5
Places of interest
Villa Panza is an 18th-century Varese villa housing the extensive contemporary art collection assembled by Giuseppe Panz...
6
Museums
Villa Della Porta Bozzolo is an 18th-century noble residence in Casalzuigno, Lombardy, managed by the FAI (Fondo Ambient...
7
Parks
Parco Luigi Zanzi, also known as Parco Schiranna, is a major recreational park situated along the western shore of Lake...
8
Places of interest
Belvedere di Azzate is a natural panoramic terrace located in the Varese province of Italy, offering an elevated vantage...
9
Parks
Parco di Villa Toeplitz is a historic garden complex in Varese, Italy, notable for its elaborate water features and terr...
10
Historical places
Forte di Orino is a decommissioned military fortification situated on the summit of Monte Campo dei Fiori at an elevatio...
11
Parks
Parco di Villa Torelli Mylius is a historic public park situated on the hillside of Varese, offering panoramic views of...
12
Parks
Parco delle Gole della Breggia is Switzerland's first geo-park, spanning 65 hectares along the Breggia River in the Mend...
13
Natural attractions
Piana di Vegonno is a protected natural area situated in the province of Varese, characterized by its characteristic wet...
14
Museums
The Osservatorio Astronomico Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli is a mountain-top research and public outreach facility situ...
15
Places of interest
Cascata Ferrera is a waterfall located within the town of Ferrera di Varese, formed by the Margorabbia river as it desce...
16
Museums
The Museum of fossils from Monte San Giorgio houses a collection of Middle Triassic marine vertebrate and invertebrate f...
17
Temples
The Chiostro di Voltorre is a well-preserved Romanesque cloister located in Gavirate, near Varese. Dating primarily to t...
18
Parks
Riserva Naturale Palude Brabbia is a protected wetland located in the Varese province of Lombardy, Italy, managed by the...
19
Temples
The Church of Saint Mary of the Mountain serves as the focal point of the Sacro Monte di Varese, a UNESCO World Heritage...
20
Natural attractions
Lake of Varese is a glacial lake situated in the Prealps, characterized by a 28-kilometer perimeter cycling path that en...
21
Places of interest
22
Natural attractions
23
Temples
24
Museums
25
Museums
26
Temples
27
Venues
28
Historical places
29
Museums
30
Places of interest
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Varese on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Varese
Late spring (May to June) or early autumn (September), when the gardens are in bloom or changing color and temperatures are ideal for mountain hiking.
2-3 days, allowing one day for the city center and villas, one day for the Sacro Monte and regional park exploration, and a third for lake-side excursions.
The city center is walkable, though the steep terrain toward the mountains requires the bus network or the funicular to reach the higher Sacro Monte levels.
Stay in the city center for proximity to shopping and the main gardens, or near the Sacro Monte funicular station for easier access to panoramic hiking trails.
Mid-range; Varese is generally more affordable than nearby Milan, though upscale villa hotels can command premium rates.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 258 curated attractions in and around Varese, ranked by traveller ratings.
Giardini e Palazzo Estensi is the highest-rated place to visit in Varese right now.
The largest category is temples, with 104 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Rome, Milan, Galatina.
Explore more of Italy
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
