landmark
MV Agusta Museum
A museum dedicated to MV Agusta's legendary racing heritage near Varese, showcasing decades of championship-winning motorcycles.
3 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeItalyLombardy
Varese
Lombardy, Italy · Europe
About Varese
Varese works well as a base: 10 minutes from Buguggiate, 22km from Lake Lugano (Swiss side).
Varese is in Lombardy, Italy, with about 81,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Buguggiate, about 4 km away.
Varese (UK: və-RAY-zay, -zee, US: var-AY-say; Italian: [vaˈreːze] or [vaˈreːse]; Varesino: Varés [ʋaˈreːs]; Latin: Baretium; archaic German: Väris) is a city and comune in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 55 km (34 mi) north-west of Milan. It is the capital of the Province of Varese. The hinterland orRead more
exurban part of the city is called Varesotto.
On 1 January 2025, the province of Varese counted 881,907 inhabitants, while the city itself counted 79,226 inhabitants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Varese?
Within an hour or so of Varese: MV Agusta Museum (3 km), Morcote (14 km), Brunate Funicular Viewpoint (21 km), Lake Lugano (Swiss side) (22 km).
Are there any good drives near Varese?
The nearest famous roads are Lake Como Shore Road, Simplon Pass and San Bernardino Pass.
Where is Varese?
Varese is in Lombardy, Italy, about 4 km from Buguggiate.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 80,588
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Lombardy
- Timezone
- Europe/Rome
- Coordinates
- 45.8206, 8.8251
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Italy
ACI roadside assistance: 803 116. ZTL (limited traffic zones) in city centres are camera-enforced.
Full driving guide for ItalyTags
Worth the detour from Varese
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Morcote
Former fishing village stacked against the hillside at Lake Lugano's southern tip: arcaded lanes, palm-lined quays and the 400-step climb to Santa Maria del Sasso; voted Switzerland's most beautiful village in 2016.
14 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Brunate Funicular Viewpoint
A historic funicular climbs from Como city to Brunate for a sweeping balcony view over the lake and Alps.
21 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Lake Lugano (Swiss side)
A Mediterranean-flavoured lake straddling Switzerland and Italy, framed by steep mountains and the charming Italian-speaking town of Lugano.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Stresa
An elegant resort town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore offering panoramic views of the Borromean Islands.
24 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Stresa & Borromean Islands
An elegant belle-époque resort on Lake Maggiore, gateway to the palatial Borromean Islands and their baroque gardens.
24 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Isola Bella
A tiny island in Lake Maggiore transformed into an extravagant Baroque palace and garden by the Borromeo family.
25 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Sacro Monte di Orta & Lake Orta
A serene small lake with island San Giulio and a wooded UNESCO sacred mountain of frescoed chapels above the village.
32 km · about 35 min drive
Driving roads near Varese
16 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 21 kmBrunate Funicular ViewpointA historic funicular climbs from Como city to Brunate for a sweeping balcony view over the lake and Alps.
- 24 kmStresa & Borromean IslandsAn elegant belle-époque resort on Lake Maggiore, gateway to the palatial Borromean Islands and their baroque gardens.
- 32 kmSacro Monte di Orta & Lake OrtaA serene small lake with island San Giulio and a wooded UNESCO sacred mountain of frescoed chapels above the village.
- 41 kmLake Como Shore RoadA winding lakeside road hugging Lake Como's western shore with tunnels, villa gates, and views of snow-capped Alps reflected in deep blue water.
- 78 kmSimplon PassA historic Alpine crossing at 2,005 meters built by Napoleon, connecting Switzerland's Valais to Italy's Piedmont.
- 79 kmSan Bernardino PassA scenic Swiss Alpine pass at 2,065 meters linking the German-speaking and Italian-speaking regions of Graubünden.
Driving in Italy
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.82/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€8.50/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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