Isola Madre is the largest of the Borromean Islands and the quietest — visitors tend to concentrate on Isola Bella, so this one is more tranquil. The island is almost entirely covered by its botanical garden, a rambling park of camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, and subtropical plants that thrive in the lake's mild microclimate. White peacocks wander freely through the grounds.
A 16th-century palazzo at the island's centre houses a collection of historical marionette theatres and puppet collections. The gardens are best in spring, when the camellias and azaleas are in full bloom. The walk around the island's perimeter, with views across to the Alps and the Swiss shore, is one of the pleasures of the visit. The island is reached by regular ferry from Stresa.