Varese

Access

The connections to Varese are well developed thanks to the railway network that connects it to Milan and Switzerland, as well as the motorway ('Autostrada dei Laghi') that provides a quick link to Milan. The main airports are Milan-Malpensa, about 30 km away, and Milan-Linate. The proximity to the Swiss border positions Varese as an important junction for cross-border transits.

Introduction

Varese is the capital of the Lombardy province of the same name, located in the north-west of the region, not far from the Swiss border. Characterised by a privileged landscape position between the Po Valley and the Varese Pre-Alps, it is known as the 'Garden City' for its wealth of parks, historic villas and gardens. The municipal territory also extends around Lake Varese, a natural body of water that shapes the surrounding environment and is enhanced by cycle paths and nature trails.

Description

Varese's roots go back to pre-Roman times, but it was with the Romans that its settlement was consolidated. In the Middle Ages it was linked to the Duchy of Milan and local families before being incorporated into the Visconti and Sforza dominions. The modern age saw Varese grow as a residential and religious centre, in particular with the development of the Sacro Monte di Varese, recognised by UNESCO as one of the Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy.
The urban fabric is divided between a historical centre with streets and squares of medieval and Renaissance origin and more modern districts that arose between the 19th and 20th centuries, when the city became a holiday destination for the Lombard aristocracy. Villas and gardens such as Villa Panza, Villa Toeplitz and Villa Ponti remain important testimonies of this residential and cultural vocation.
In economic terms, Varese has a manufacturing and textile tradition, but has evolved in recent decades to include services, finance and technology. Its strategic proximity to Milan and Switzerland has also favoured commercial and tourist dynamism.
The cultural heritage includes the Sacro Monte and its fourteen chapels in a devotional itinerary suspended between art, faith and nature. Varese hosts museums such as the Civic Museum of Villa Mirabello and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Villa Panza. The local gastronomic tradition offers typical dishes such as brasadela, polenta and fish from the lake, accompanied by wines from the surrounding hills.
The natural environment is rich in protected areas and offers numerous possibilities for excursions, for example in the Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, characterised by limestone peaks and woods with views of Lake Maggiore and the Alps. The cycle path around Lake Varese is very popular, while the proximity to Monte Rosa and the surrounding valleys makes the city an ideal starting point for outdoor activities.

Information

Area: 54.16 km²
Central altitude: approx. 382 m above sea level
Main elevation: Campo dei Fiori 1,227 m
Number of inhabitants: approx. 81.000 (datum 2025)
Name in dialect: Varés
Inhabitants' name: Varesini
Patron Saint: San Vittore Martire
Neighbouring municipalities: Malnate, Gavirate, Casciago, Bizzozero, Induno Olona, Arcisate, Azzate, Gazzada Schianno, Lozza, Luvinate, Morosolo, Castello Cabiaglio, Brinzio
Official website:  www.comune.varese.it