Golf Des Iles Borromees
One of the best-kept golfing secrets in the Lake Maggiore region
Golf Des Iles Borromees is one of the best-kept golfing secrets in the Lake Maggiore region. Set high in the hills with broad views over the pre-Alpine landscape and nearby lakes, it offers a sense of space and breathing room that many more celebrated clubs have long since lost. The course moves naturally across the terrain, mixing uphill and downhill holes, generous-looking lines that still require interpretation and greens that become distinctly selective as the round progresses. This is scenic golf, but not postcard golf: the beauty does not soften the test, it simply makes it more memorable. The club is ideal within a slower itinerary through Piedmont and the lakes, away from the pressure of the best-known tourist hubs. That is exactly why experienced golfers value it so highly: it still carries the feeling of discovery. It is the kind of address you recommend quietly, almost as a privilege.
Se ami i club panoramici, qui il timing conta molto: scegli una giornata limpida e una partenza non troppo presto, così il paesaggio si apre davvero davanti a te.
Exceptional views and strong sense of discovery
Interesting and varied hillside layout
Less famous, making it less prominent in international itineraries
Slopes can be tiring for those without a steady pace
Golf Des Iles Borromees is one of the best-kept golfing secrets in the Lake Maggiore region. Set high in the hills with broad views over the pre-Alpine landscape and nearby lakes, it offers a sense of space and breathing room that many more celebrated clubs have long since lost. The course moves naturally across the terrain, mixing uphill and downhill holes, generous-looking lines that still require interpretation and greens that become distinctly selective as the round progresses. This is scenic golf, but not postcard golf: the beauty does not soften the test, it simply makes it more memorable. The club is ideal within a slower itinerary through Piedmont and the lakes, away from the pressure of the best-known tourist hubs. That is exactly why experienced golfers value it so highly: it still carries the feeling of discovery. It is the kind of address you recommend quietly, almost as a privilege.
On the technical side, the course is a mountain layout of 18 holes playing to a par of 72 with a slope rating of 135. Visitor ratings underline the point: striking natural setting, excellent value for money.
The best time to visit Golf Des Iles Borromees is May, June, July, August, September. Among its most appreciated strengths: Exceptional views and strong sense of discovery; Interesting and varied hillside layout.
The facilities include putting green, driving range, restaurant, pro shop.
The nearest airport is Torino Caselle (TRN), approximately 45 minutes by car.
What is the best time to play?+
The best time to play is May, June, July, August, September. Outside this window the club may be closed or operating with reduced services.
Is a handicap certificate required?+
Golf Des Iles Borromees does not specify a mandatory minimum handicap for visiting players. We recommend contacting the club to confirm their current policy.
How do I get to the club?+
The nearest airport is Torino Caselle (TRN), approximately 45 minutes by car. Car rental is recommended for maximum flexibility.
Is there on-site accommodation?+
Golf Des Iles Borromees does not have on-site accommodation. There are various lodging options in the surrounding area; contact the club for partner recommendations.
How many holes does the course have, and how challenging is it?+
The course has 18 holes playing to a par of 72 with a slope rating of 135. It is a demanding course best suited to experienced players.
Exclusive Experiences
Secrets found in no guidebook, curated by our concierge.
Isola Bella: gli Appartamenti dei Borromeo
Isola Bella has belonged to the Borromeo family since 1632 and the public section reveals only a fraction of it. Via the family's request through a few select lake hotels' concierges, access is possible to the private first-floor apartments: rooms inhabited by Napoleon, Elisabeth of Austria, and Churchill with furniture and personal objects still in use.
“Napoleon's bedroom still has his original bed with the imperial monogram. The family caretaker shows the handwritten letter Napoleon wrote to Josephine from this room the night before Marengo.”
Villa Aminta: la Spa del Lago
Villa Aminta is hidden among terraced gardens overlooking Lake Maggiore, two kilometres from Stresa. The private spa draws on the oligomineral spring water that has supplied the hotel since 1918. The Acque del Verbano circuit includes a heated infinity pool overlooking the lake with underwater granite stone hydromassage.
“The Pietra e Luce treatment uses granite stones gathered from the lake bottom by local fishermen: stone temperature is calibrated to the lunar cycle following a protocol passed down from the hotel's founder.”
Luigi Ferrando: Erbaluce di Caluso Verticale
Luigi Ferrando's Erbaluce di Caluso passito is Piedmont's great forgotten white wine. The grapes are dried for four months on racks before vinification: the result is an amber wine with cutting acidity and mineral sweetness that can age fifty years. The private vertical from 1988 is a journey through forgotten Italian winemaking.
“Ask about the 1997 Vigna Cariola: Ferrando's son considers it his personal masterpiece and only opens it for guests who understand Erbaluce's history before Gavi eclipsed it.”
Ristorante Milano — Il Lago nel Piatto
Perched directly on Pallanza's lakefront, Ristorante Milano has been quietly serving impeccable lake fish and Piedmontese classics for decades. The lakeside terrace, unhurried on weekdays, frames the Borromean Islands without fanfare or crowds. Honest, rooted cuisine from a kitchen that has nothing to prove.
“Ask for the lavarello al burro e salvia — not always on the menu, but the dish the kitchen makes for those who know to ask.”
Cappella di San Remigio — Il Belvedere Segreto
Hidden in the woods above Pallanza, the Cappella di San Remigio is a twenty-minute walk from the lakefront along a path that climbs through chestnuts and silence. Its forecourt commands an unbroken panorama of Lake Maggiore, the Borromean Islands, and the Alps — in near-perfect stillness. Locals guard it jealously, which is precisely why it remains what it is.
“Come in the late afternoon — the raking light on the Alps and the golden reflection on the lake are worth the climb alone.”
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