Verbania colloquially known as a "Lake Garden" was formed in 1939 combining the municipality of Intra and Pallanza and later Fondotoce, Suna, together with other small villages in the hills behind the lake. Verbania is a derivative of Verbanus, the Roman's Latin name for the lake. This Lake Maggiore town is a major commercial and industrial centre and the capital district town of Verbano Cusio Ossola. Tourism is a high priority business and much of the local am entities are focused on this. Known as the town on the "Borremean Coast" the town represents the historical influence of the region mixed with the beauty of the Borromean islands.

Many of the "Palaces and Villas" along the lakefront, many of which have been converted to public use or into hotels or accommodation for today's visitors.

The city is a gateway to Val Grande National Park, Monte Rosa and the Ossala Valley, which attracts many walkers and serious hikers, closer to the city however, other sports enthusiasts enjoy walking, bicycling, boating, fishing, wind-surfing and other other activities. Please see our sports section.

The local Municipal headquarters are centrally located in a "palace" featuring pillars of pink granite mined in Baveno. The most important monuments are: Palazzo Viani - Dugnani, seat of the Landscape Museum; the 16th century church of Madonna di Campagna; the monuments made from the sculptor Troubetzkoy.For avid gardeners and people who love cultured and natural beauty then a visit to Villa San Remigio, near the little romanesque church is a must with thousands of plants covering 8 hectares. Villa TarantoVilla Giulia , with a beautiful facade with columns and loggias also has a garden rich in plants. The most visited destination is Villa Taranto on the north eastern side of Castagnola. Here among terraces and waterfalls there is a beautiful selection of plants in a botanical garden. More than 20.000 varieties of plants, in over 16 hectares blossom from spring to autumn combining beauty and culture in one magnificently kept garden environment. Most gardens are open to visitors from March to October.

Two museums are worth a visit: The Museo del Paesaggio (“Landscape Museum”) in Pallanza, which was established in 1909 and supports the various landscape portfolios of the area. The Viani-Dugnani Mansion, founded in the early 1900's shows works of art by Troubetzkoy, Martini, Ranzoni, Gignous, Ferraguti and Tozzi.

Verbania is a quiet and pleasant place that has a natural beauty. Appealing to the more aesthetic and those seeking an inner calm Verbania relishes its festivals its Garden and Book festivals, held every September, toward the end of the tourist season.