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Stresa and Cannobio on the Italian shore, Locarno and Ascona at the Swiss end

Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Lake Maggiore

Italy and Switzerland

15 dog-friendly luxury hotels.

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Where can my dog actually go?

Lake Maggiore is an easy lake with a dog, and the Swiss end is easier still. The lakefront promenades at Stresa, Baveno, Cannobio, Locarno and Ascona are flat and continuous, the lake boats take dogs on both shores, and the gardens at Villa Taranto and the Parco Pallavicino let dogs in on a lead. Fifteen hotels on our list take dogs, five of them in Stresa, seven in and above Ascona, and one each in Cannobio, Locarno and Brione above Minusio.

The usual pattern here is dogs in the room and out of the dining room, so the hotels that break it are the ones worth booking. Hotel La Palma in Stresa puts dogs in every common area apart from the spa and pools, including the restaurant at breakfast if you tell them when you book, and it's the best dining-access hotel on the lake. Villa e Palazzo Aminta has a dog menu, a DOGGYLY welcome corner with a soft bed, and dogs on the restaurant terrace. Castello del Sole in Ascona lets dogs onto the sunbathing lawn by the pool and into the Cortile Barbarossa, the bar's outdoor courtyard. Eden Roc takes dogs into Restaurant Marina, the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées seats them on the outside terrace, and Hotel Belvedere in Locarno has its own dog garden and lets dogs eat with you on the La Fontana terrace.

The no is just as clear at the others. Dogs aren't at breakfast at Castello del Sole, Giardino, Casa Berno, Hotel Ascona, Ascovilla, Tobler, Regina Palace or Milan Speranza au Lac. Castello del Sole also keeps them off its beach and out of its park, and Tobler keeps them off the terrace and out of the lounges.

Fees run from EUR 20 for the whole stay at Milan Speranza au Lac, through CHF 16 to CHF 20 a night at Albergo Brione, Casa Berno, Ascovilla and Tobler, EUR 25 at La Palma and EUR 35 at Regina Palace, up to CHF 35 at Castello del Sole, CHF 40 at Giardino and CHF 45 at Eden Roc. The Borromées, Aminta, Belvedere, Hotel Ascona and Hotel Cannobio don't publish a fee. La Palma is the only hotel with a written weight cap, 25 kg and one dog per room. For a big dog, the pick is Aminta's Villa Amintina, a separate villa for medium and large dogs with its own garden where they can run free.

One trap for first-timers. Dogs can ride the boat to the Borromean Islands, but they can't go into the palace or the gardens on Isola Bella or Isola Madre, and the Rocca di Angera has the same rule. That's three ticketed sites, not the lake. Isola Madre is almost all palace and garden, so skip it with a dog, and spend the afternoon at the Parco Pallavicino or Villa Taranto instead.

Daisy's picks

Where Daisy would book

  1. 01
    Hotel La Palma

    Dogs on a lead in every common area apart from the spa, the Beach Club and the Sky Pool, and welcome in the restaurant, breakfast included, if you say so when you book. Bowls and a dog bed in the room, and a written rule for leaving a settled dog briefly while you're in the hotel. EUR 25 a night, up to 25 kg, one dog per room.

    EUR 25 · max 25 kg

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  2. 02
    Villa e Palazzo Aminta

    A dog menu, a DOGGYLY welcome corner with a soft bed, water and a biscuit, and dogs on the restaurant terrace looking across to Isola Bella. Villa Amintina has its own garden and takes medium and large dogs, which makes it the big-dog pick on the lake. No fee is published, a supplement may be charged for final sanitisation of the room, and dogs aren't in the spa or by the pool.

    Unknown · max Unknown kg

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  3. 03
    Castello del Sole Beach Resort & SPA

    Dogs join you on the sunbathing lawn by the pool and in the Cortile Barbarossa, the bar's outdoor courtyard, and food can be provided on request. They aren't on the beach, in the park, in the restaurants or in the spa. CHF 35 per dog per night, no weight limit published.

    CHF 35 · max Unknown kg

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Before you go

What happens when you get there

Lake boats
The Navigazione Lago Maggiore boats take dogs on both shores. Dogs under 50 cm at the shoulder travel free and bigger dogs pay a reduced fare, and the express supplement doesn't apply to dogs. Use a lead no longer than 1.5 m, carry a muzzle, and keep your dog off the seats. The crew can ask for the muzzle to go on and can limit dogs when a boat is very crowded.
Borromean Islands
No dogs inside the palace or the gardens on Isola Bella or Isola Madre, or at the Rocca di Angera, apart from guide and assistance dogs. The village lanes on Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori sit outside the ticketed sites, but there's no published rule for them, so go expecting to stay outside the paid areas.
Gardens
The Parco Pallavicino in Stresa lets dogs in on a lead, apart from the farm area. Villa Taranto in Verbania allows dogs on the pedestrian paths on a short lead. On the Swiss side, the botanical garden on the Isole di Brissago takes dogs on a lead from April to November.
Dogs at breakfast
Rare here. Hotel La Palma is the one hotel with a written yes, and you need to tell them when you book. Castello del Sole, Giardino, Casa Berno, Hotel Ascona, Ascovilla, Tobler, Regina Palace and Milan Speranza au Lac all keep dogs out of the breakfast room.
Fees
EUR 20 a stay at Milan Speranza au Lac. CHF 16 per dog at Albergo Brione, CHF 18 at Casa Berno, CHF 20 at Ascovilla and Tobler. EUR 25 at La Palma and EUR 35 at Regina Palace. CHF 35 at Castello del Sole, CHF 40 at Giardino and CHF 45 at Eden Roc. Food isn't included at most of the Swiss hotels.
Leaving the dog in the room
La Palma and Regina Palace allow a short time alone in the room with the Do Not Disturb sign out and your mobile number at reception, and Regina Palace says never on a balcony or terrace. The Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées doesn't allow it, and its concierge can book a dog-sitter instead.
Trains
Dog rules for the Italian and Swiss trains around the lake aren't published here. Check at the station or with the rail operator before you travel, and keep a lead and a muzzle with you.
Vets
We don't have a 24-hour vet listed for the lake yet. At Villa e Palazzo Aminta the concierge can arrange a vet, and at any other hotel ask reception for the nearest practice when you arrive.
Best walks
The Stresa lungolago from the boat landings north to the Parco Pallavicino, the lakefronts at Baveno and Cannobio, and the paths through Villa Taranto's gardens in Verbania on a short lead. At the Swiss end, walk the Ascona lakefront from Piazza Motta towards the Lido and the Maggia delta, the Minusio to Locarno promenade with its small beaches for dogs on a lead, and the Parco della Pace by the Lido di Locarno. Locarno's Dog Park runs along the right bank of the Maggia between the old and new road bridges, and Losone has off-lead zones on the Maggia between Parco del Meriggio and Ponte Maggia and in the Canaa valley. From 25 October to 25 March, the Sentiero delle Rive from Tenero to Gordola opens up while the campsites are closed.
When to go
Spring to autumn, when the boats, the gardens and the Brissago Islands are all running. The Borromeo sites and the Brissago botanical garden are seasonal, roughly spring to autumn, and several hotels on the Italian shore close in winter, so check before you book. Summer boats can be busy enough that the crew limits dogs, so go early in the day. Winter is quieter and opens the Sentiero delle Rive at Tenero, but plan around the closures on the Italian side.

Dog-friendly hotels in Lake Maggiore

Questions we get asked

Dogs in Lake Maggiore

Is Lake Maggiore dog friendly?+

Yes. Fifteen hotels on our list take dogs, the lake boats carry them on both shores, and the promenades at Stresa, Cannobio, Locarno and Ascona are long and flat. The things to know are that most hotels keep dogs out of the dining room, and dogs can't go into the palaces or gardens on Isola Bella and Isola Madre.

Which Lake Maggiore hotels let dogs into the restaurant?+

Hotel La Palma in Stresa allows dogs in the restaurant, breakfast included, if you ask when you book. Villa e Palazzo Aminta and the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées seat dogs on the restaurant terrace, Eden Roc in Ascona takes them into Restaurant Marina, and Hotel Belvedere in Locarno allows them on the La Fontana terrace.

Can I take my dog on the Lake Maggiore ferry?+

Yes. Dogs under 50 cm at the shoulder travel free and bigger dogs pay a reduced fare. You need a lead no longer than 1.5 m and a muzzle with you, dogs stay off the seats, and the crew can limit dogs on a very crowded boat.

Can dogs go to Isola Bella?+

The boat will take your dog, but dogs aren't allowed inside the palace or the gardens on Isola Bella or Isola Madre, apart from guide and assistance dogs. Isola Madre is almost all palace and garden, so it isn't worth the trip with a dog. The Parco Pallavicino in Stresa and Villa Taranto in Verbania both let dogs in on a lead.

How much do Lake Maggiore hotels charge for dogs?+

EUR 20 for the whole stay at Milan Speranza au Lac. CHF 16 to CHF 20 a night at Albergo Brione, Casa Berno, Ascovilla and Tobler, EUR 25 at La Palma and EUR 35 at Regina Palace. The Ascona five-stars charge the most, CHF 35 at Castello del Sole, CHF 40 at Giardino and CHF 45 at Eden Roc.

Where should I stay on Lake Maggiore with a big dog?+

Villa e Palazzo Aminta, in Villa Amintina, which takes medium and large dogs and has its own garden where they can run free. Avoid La Palma if your dog is over 25 kg. Most other hotels don't publish a weight limit, so ask before you book.

Should I stay in Stresa or Ascona with a dog?+

Stresa if you want dining access, because La Palma and Aminta are the two most dog-inclusive hotels on the lake and the boats to the islands leave from the town. Ascona and Locarno if you want the walking, with signposted off-lead zones on the Maggia, a dog park in Locarno and more hotels to choose from.

Can I leave my dog in the hotel room on Lake Maggiore?+

Only briefly, and only at some hotels. La Palma and Regina Palace allow a short time alone with the Do Not Disturb sign out and your mobile number at reception. The Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées doesn't allow it, but its concierge can arrange a dog-sitter.

Research updated 2026-09-27. Policies change, always confirm with the hotel.