Europe
Italy
Lombardy
Lake Maggiore
Angera
Angera Attractions
Rocca di Angera
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Rocca di Angera

See all things to do
See all things to do
Rocca di Angera
4.5
1,044 reviews
#1 of 24 things to do in Angera
Castles
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10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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About
The Angera Fortress stands majestically on a spur of rock that dominates the southern shore of Lake Maggiore, on the Lombardy side. Placed in a strategic position for the oversight of movement and trade, this property initially belonged to the Visconti family and was bought by the Borromeos in 1449. It is now the perfectly harmonious result of five different buildings: the tower, or Torre Castellana, the Scaligera wing, the Viscontea wing, the Giovanni Visconti tower, the Borromeo wing. The hall of Justice is a surprising room, entirely frescoed shortly after the battle of Desio in 1277 by "Maestro di Angera", where human affairs are related to astrological influences. Founded in 1988 by Princess Bona Borromeo Arese, the Museum of Dolls and Toys shows more than one thousand pieces among dolls and toys crafted since XVIII. Outdoors, next to the ancient church, is the Medieval Garden: medicinal plants grow next to ornamental plants.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Rocca di Angera and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
180 within 5 kms
Osteria Melograno
614
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Steakhouse • Mediterranean
Pizzeria Damino
747
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
MiraLago Pizza & Cucina
712
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Seafood
Nettare di Giuggiole
231
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean
Bohemian Rhapsody
191
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean
Indaco Ristorante E Bar
25
0.4 kmItalian • Seafood
La Bottega Numero 5
34
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian
Sant'arialdo
66
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Italian • Cafe
Ristorante Hotel Lido di Angera
731
0.7 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean
Ristorante Albergo Bacco
120
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Seafood
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Attractions
179 within 10 kms
antro Mitriaco
1
0.1 kmCaverns & Caves
Chiesa di San Vittore
1
0.3 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Lungolago di Angera
147
0.4 kmScenic Walking Areas
Santuario della Madonna della Riva
31
0.4 kmReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Il Fanciullo di Angera
3
0.4 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Museo Civico Archeologico
7
0.4 kmChildren's Museums • History Museums
Infopoint Angera
7
0.4 kmVisitor Centres
Porto Asburgico
8
0.4 kmScenic Walking Areas
Chiesa di Sant'Alessandro
1
0.5 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Chiesa Parrocchiale Santa Maria Assunta
2
0.5 kmChurches & Cathedrals
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,044 reviews
Excellent
552
Very good
360
Average
77
Poor
30
Terrible
25
Steve
Rovellasca, Italy2 contributions
When was it build?
Mar 2023 • Family
I have never been to a Castle with less information about the Castle. It houses lots of dolls in its exhibition and most rooms have a little information but the basics about when it was built, who lived there, its history and other interesting stories were completely missing. It's privately owned and it seems to me a little investment could make for a longer, more interesting and informed visit.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve B
Petersfield, UK401 contributions
Fantastic Castle
Aug 2022 • Friends
Fantastic castle. Really don’t understand why this isn’t on the hit list for Lake Maggiore. Tricky-ish to get to. From Arona the slightly erratic ferry takes 5 minutes to get across the lake. Go to the information booth behind the ferry terminal, pick up a map and get directions for a walk up. About 20-25 minutes, mostly in shade. €13 to get in. Plenty of museum items to view. Dolls, toys and other memory-jerkers. Beautiful views from the tower, in all directions. This should top the islands as a ‘go to’ place. No question.
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bruce Milani Gallieni
London, UK24 contributions
Rocca di Angera
Aug 2022 • Family
An amazing castle with a unique view of Lago Maggiore. Beautifully maintained
and still owned by the ancient Borromeo dynasty. Well worth a visit.
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MartinPilek
Bratislava, Slovakia286 contributions
Simply amazing!
Aug 2021
It was a very good experience right from the beginning. The lady at front-desk explained us everything what we needed. She took the body temperature and checked Green Pass. We took our own pace and tour order. Nice views from top of the castle to the lake, village, vineyards and even Alps.
Magnificent garden that is well taken care of. We enjoyed this trip very much and recommending to everyone who likes history.
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Terre Borromeo
Thank you so much Martin!
Written 23 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard R
Witham, UK45 contributions
Oh wow a mistake guided us here
Apr 2021 • Couples
We bought tickets to visit the garden islands from touts in sestri. We then found wed paid only for the boat not the villas and gardens.
The lady who sold us the villa tickets explained there was a third visit included. A castle owned by the family on the south east shore of the lake.
A decent drive took us to a pretty lakeside village with a beach. We parked and walked up to the castle.
Beautifully renovated this castle displayed a fabulous collection of toys.
Videos of working automatons showed these mechanical toys perfectly.
Great views lovely gardens.
A must visit. Well off the tourist track
DO GO
Written 24 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Terre Borromeo
Thank you so much for the review!
Written 9 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark T
DuBois, PA846 contributions
Nice and intetesting
Oct 2019 • Business
We had an organized event here. The setting is quite nice. The place is interesting...it certainly fits for a big crowd!! The food was good and the staff worked hard. Thank you!
Written 17 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ram C
Birmingham, UK143 contributions
A long walk up.
Sep 2019
We walked up to this castle in the very hot sun. It was worth seeing the beautiful gardens but I personally didn't enjoy the endless rooms full of dolls and more dolls. Don't get me wrong I like dolls, toys and pictures etc but the rooms were hot and endless. The views from the top of this castle were spectacular and mesmerizing. You could see some of the other islands across the beautiful lake. The restaurant gardens were also wonderful to look at, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the kiwis growing there! Actually on the long, hot, sweaty walk up I did spy a pomegranate tree too!
Written 6 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
clmspas
Charlottesville, VA35 contributions
Worth the walk
Sep 2019
As we were staying in Angera, I visited this place twice by walking up from town. Google Maps was helpful and you can see the castle from town. The first time, I wandered in the courtyard and the garden and around the outside looking EVERYWHERE for the entrance to the historical part. I finally asked inside the Special Exhibition and they explained where to enter under the arches and up the stairs. Just one sign would have helped, as I was interested in seeing it first. Then I did visit the doll museum, which was not my primary interest. I managed to climb to the highest point and have the place to myself before a tourist group arrived. Since I was on my own, again, signs would have been helpful, though it was fun to "discover" the small doorways that led up to the tower. Fabulous views on a beautiful day.
The cafe is superb with service that is on point. I ordered a marocchino, which surpassed any mocha I have had in the US.

The second visit was just as good, with less confusion, but I told several visitor where to enter the tower. I visited the Special Exhibition, and see the logic of the entrance, but noticed very few people came in, even on Saturday. We enjoyed the entire place.
Written 30 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kaspaul
Bushey, UK45 contributions
Shhh - Don’t tell anyone about it ...
Sep 2019 • Couples
A magical find with amazing Frescoes & Paintings & an incredible doll collection including animatronics. We parked in the free car park at the entrance.

The only let down is the poor documentation. On this occasion we even wished there was an audible tour available.

When we were there, we almost had the castle to ourselves.

Also stunning views as you wind your way higher and higher inside the castle.
Written 26 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Terre Borromeo
Dear kaspaul, thank you for your very positive review. We are always looking for way to improve every details of your visit : what kind of documentation you expected to receive/find? We will appreciate your suggestion, Best wishes
Written 27 September 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GTofSurrey
Dorking, UK76 contributions
Be careful it's a long walk from the boat to the castle
Sep 2019
This attraction is definitely worth a visit but access to the Castle on foot from the boat service is dreadful. It's a 30-minute plus - uphill walk with little or no signage at the start. A simple golf style cart or mini bus would be useful for elderly visitors. So those not used to hiking up hill will need to catch a taxi from the Angera boat station. Once you have caught your breath and inside it is one of the attractions to see if in the area.
The coffee in the café is expensive compared to local prices.
The walk back is naturally slightly quicker!!
Written 10 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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ROCCA DI ANGERA - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Rocca di Angera
Rocca di Angera is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Rocca di Angera tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Rocca di Angera tours on Tripadvisor