Cannobio sits at the northern end of the Italian shore, where the lake narrows and the mountains crowd closer to the water. It is the most atmospheric of the western shore towns: a medieval core of tall, painted houses presses down to the waterfront, and the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III — an arcaded square partly overhanging the water — is one of the most beautiful town squares on the lake. On Sundays the piazza fills with a local market.
The town has a long history as a trading post between the Italian lowlands and Switzerland; Swiss visitors make up a significant share of summer visitors, crossing the border at nearby Piaggio Valmara. The church of the Pietà, built after a miraculous event in 1522, stands on the main piazza and is worth a quick look inside.
The best excursion from Cannobio is the Orrido di Sant'Anna, a narrow limestone gorge carved by the Cannobino river, reached in about 20 minutes on foot or by car. A small church perched on a ledge above a waterfall and pool marks the narrowest point, and the colour of the water in the gorge on a sunny day is extraordinary. The gorge road continues up the Cannobino valley into a quiet mountain landscape that sees very few visitors.