Beaches, towns, excursions and private boat tours for families: what really works on Lake Maggiore with children – honest, practical and without programme pressure.
Lake Maggiore is one of the best destinations in Italy for families with children aged 0 to 14 – and a real alternative to Lake Garda or the Adriatic. Instead of giant water slides and overcrowded hotel complexes, you'll find a region that focuses on nature, peace and real experiences: shallow shore areas for splashing, mountain panoramas to marvel at, short distances to playgrounds, restaurants and lidos.
Yes, Lake Maggiore works with children – and it works really well. Just with different priorities from a classic beach holiday by the sea.
We know the typical worries from hundreds of conversations with families who book our private boat tours on the Striga Constanze:
The lake suits mixed wishes: swimming, small adventures, culture, good food and relaxation – all within short distances. We at Striga Constanze live and work here on Lake Maggiore and know the typical family questions from our private boat tours. This article sums up what we really recommend to families.
The combination of water, mountains and manageable distances makes Lake Maggiore the ideal destination for families. Instead of hours of driving between sights, beaches, playgrounds, markets and mountain railways are often just a few minutes apart. The lake is up to 372 metres deep – and yet in many places there are gently sloping shores that are perfect for small children.
The most important places at a glance:
Elegant promenades, Parco Pallavicino, which combines a botanical garden with a zoo, and direct access to the Borromean Islands. The Alpinia Botanical Garden is a popular spot for families.
Lidos such as Lido di Suna, playgrounds, promenades and the Fondotoce nature reserve. Good basic amenities with supermarkets, pharmacies and restaurants.
The Parco Lido pebble beach with a gently sloping, child-friendly shore, Blue Flag, ice-cream parlours and boat hire right on the promenade. More: boat tour from Cannobio.
Parco Giona Beach with a large shaded area and playground, ideal even for families with very young children.
A quieter atmosphere on the eastern shore, easy access to beaches, and the home port of the Striga Constanze.
Shallow swimming spots near Feriolo, the Aquadventure Park with climbing and adventure facilities, and the Parco Avventura with tree climbing for children.
Trips to the Swiss side are also worthwhile: Ascona and Locarno offer Mediterranean flair, and Lido Locarno has indoor and outdoor pools right on the lake.
Matching tours
Bestseller€490
Private tour
Proposal€490
Private tour
Beginners€490
+ €20 p. p.Private tourWe're deliberately honest here: Lake Maggiore has no mega water parks. What it offers is something different – nature, water, mountains and the freedom to shape the day the way you want.
This section describes what real holiday days with children on the lake can look like – from our perspective as Striga Constanze, accompanying families on the water every day. We see how families fit our private boat tours into their holiday day and know which combinations work particularly well.
A successful family day starts relaxed: in the morning, buying fresh fruit and baked goods for breakfast at the market in Verbania-Intra, perhaps visiting a playground. Then it's off to a shallow swimming spot – such as near Feriolo by Baveno – for splashing in calm water and shade under the trees.
Around midday we recommend a break for families with younger children: a nap at your accommodation or a quiet hour in the shade. During school holidays well-known places are often overcrowded – those who use the morning and avoid the midday heat get more out of the day.
In the afternoon there's either a short boat tour, a stroll along the promenade in Stresa or a trip to one of the nearby parks. Then in the evening, gelato on the piazza, dinner at a restaurant on the shore in Cannobio – and the kids play on the warm stones of the promenade.
For a week, a few targeted excursions are more restful than a packed programme. Families who deliberately alternate between activity days and rest days come back much more relaxed.
For many families, the private boat tour is the special experience of the week – something completely different from a trip on a scheduled boat.
What fascinates kids immediately: the Striga Constanze is a traditional gaff cutter with red sails, wooden details and the feeling of standing on a "real ship" – not a plastic excursion boat, but a replica of a Northern European working boat built by Baumgartner in 1979. A 9.20-metre hull plus a 3-metre bowsprit, 55.7 m² of red gaff sails – that impresses more than just children.
Every tour is private: only your family or friends are on board. No group pressure, no loud party crowd, no rigid timetable. The skipper adapts to your wishes.
As the "sweet spot" for families with children we recommend a tour length of 3 or 4 hours – long enough for sailing, a swim stop and marvelling, short enough for little ones to stay happy.
On board
Instead of crowded scheduled boats, a ship all to yourselves – sail, swim and marvel at your own pace. That's what makes the difference for families with children.
Tours start at the home port of Laveno-Mombello. Other departure points such as Brebbia, Feriolo, Cannero or Cannobio are possible by arrangement.
Traditional gaff cutter, red sails, just your group. 3, 4 or 7 hours.
from €490
for up to 8 guests at a fixed price, up to 12 on request
How it works
Everything should be straightforward – even for parents with a baby, a toddler or a large family with grandparents.
Contact us via the contact form, WhatsApp (+39 333 3802 383) or email (info@striga-constanze.com). Replies usually come within 24 hours. The enquiry is without obligation.
Important: The 2026 season has already ended – reservations for 2027 are possible, and the season starts on 1 March 2027. Book early to secure your preferred day.
Our recommended tour length by children's age:
The meeting point is the harbour in Laveno-Mombello (or another place by arrangement). The skipper welcomes the family and gives a short briefing: where to sit safely, where the life jackets are, how to move around on board. Children can explore the gaff cutter up close and ask questions straight away.
As soon as the lines are cast off, the wind takes over. A typical 3- or 4-hour tour includes: sailing along the coast with views of villas and gardens, stories about the places on the shore, a swim stop in a quiet bay (water shoes are recommended on pebbly or rocky stretches), perhaps an aperitivo for the grown-ups and juice for the kids.
The programme is spontaneously adapted to weather, waves and the children's mood. Shared moments, photos, a break from the bustle on shore – that's what stays. The view of the lake from the water is something that fascinates children and adults alike.
Many travellers first see the big scheduled boats or mass motorboat trips. The Striga Constanze is deliberately different.
| Striga Constanze | Typical scheduled boats | |
|---|---|---|
| Boat | Traditional gaff cutter with red sails | Standard excursion boats or ferries |
| Group size | Private tour with up to 8 guests (up to 12 on request) | 50–200 people per boat |
| Route | Your own route according to your wishes | Fixed timetable |
| Atmosphere | Calm, personal, at your own pace | Crowds, fixed seats, loudspeaker announcements |
That noticeably reduces stress for families: no jostling, no "we have to stay sitting here now", no time pressure.
Alongside the classic excursions, we offer special formats for families:
The family pirate tour – with stories and imaginative elements that delight children from about 4–5 years. All family outings at a glance.
The exit game – the first exit game on the water on Lake Maggiore. A child-friendly puzzle adventure in which Beppe, the cheeky parrot of the Mazzarditi pirate brothers, guides you through the game. Castle ruins, islands and hermitages drift by, and at the end the group opens the treasure chest together. (€20 p.p. surcharge for materials & souvenir.)
Meditation for families & children – peace and mindfulness on the water, even with younger guests. (€20 p.p. surcharge.)
All offers are private tours with a skipper – no mass event, no strangers on board.
Results speak louder than promises. Here are typical experiences as we regularly hear them from families:
Families with primary school children report that the pirate tour was the absolute highlight of the week – the kids were still talking about the treasure and the red sails days later.
Grandparents with grandchildren like to book a 3-hour morning tour including Santa Caterina del Sasso. The calm atmosphere on board and the manageable length are a perfect fit.
Parents who need to cater to a child's special needs particularly value the private tour: no time pressure, no stares from strangers, a skipper who adapts.
Multi-generation groups use the 7-hour tour as a shared family day – with a swim stop, a restaurant on the shore and the exit game as a joint activity.
Families also report that Lake Maggiore is altogether "more relaxed" than expected: early starts, a siesta at midday and walks in the evening make the difference. And nobody misses huge water parks when nature, water and peace are right.
Other providers
Striga Constanze
Mass experience
just your group
Engine noise
sound of wind and water
To-do-list holiday
holiday at your own pace
Most viewed
Bestseller€490
Private tourBestseller€490
Private tour
For kids 4–10€490
Private tourOur tours aren't just for the typical "kids' hotel family" – the constellations are as varied as the families themselves.
All prices are fixed prices for the entire private group – no "per person" rate (except exit game and meditation). The skipper is always included.
Price: €490 per tour (up to 8 guests, up to 12 on request)
Ideal for younger children, as a morning or late-afternoon tour. Possible content: a short trip, one destination (e.g. Santa Caterina del Sasso or Castelli di Cannero), a short swim stop depending on season and weather.
Price: €690 per tour
Especially popular with families because there's enough time for a swim stop and an aperitivo break. Concrete route suggestions: Laveno → Santa Caterina → swim stop off Cerro. Or: Laveno → Borromean island views → quiet bay near Feriolo.
Price: €990 per tour
For families who deliberately plan a big day, or larger groups with grandparents and friends. Possible elements: two swim stops, a restaurant visit ashore, an island round trip, the exit game included. The Centovalli railway, offering a nostalgic train ride through 100 valleys, can be planned as an extra on another day.
No-obligation enquiry, reply within 24 hours. Weekends in the 2027 season go fast.
In principle even very young children can come along, provided parents supervise them. The pirate tour and the exit game become particularly exciting from about 4–5 years. For babies and toddlers we recommend the 3-hour tour.
Lake Maggiore offers far more than boat tours. Here are some activities families particularly appreciate:
Good to know for planning: most B&Bs on Lake Maggiore have a balcony or terrace – ideal for breakfast with a lake view. Booking a centrally located hotel means short distances to the beach and restaurants.
For families who prefer camping:
Whether hotel, holiday flat or campsite – your choice of accommodation affects how relaxed your holiday will be. Staying near the harbour, beach or station saves time and nerves every day with children.
Season 2027
Lake Maggiore is a relaxed, versatile region for families – with a mix of nature, culture, water and mountains that adapts flexibly to every age and family constellation. A private boat tour on the Striga Constanze is the highlight of the week for many: an experience that delights children and lets parents breathe.
Our tip: reserve your preferred day for the 2027 season early – then build the rest of your trip with beaches, excursions and holiday ideas around it.
Enquire without obligation:
Reply usually within 24 hours. Free rebooking in bad weather. No hidden fees – just shared hours on the lake.
We look forward to welcoming your family on board.
Skipper of the Striga Constanze
Ciao! Questions about the route, departure harbour or date? Just message me – I reply personally.
