Holiday apartment in Varese: Sacro Monte, art and museums
Accommodation in Varese
Varese between pilgrimage, art and urban history
Varese combines important cultural sites with paths, gardens and museums that bring together a variety of interests. Sacro Monte di Varese was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003, together with the eight other Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy. The inscription recognises its spiritual significance, scenic beauty and the artistic value of its frescoes and painted terracotta statues. Around Varese, you can therefore discover a place where art, history and landscape are closely intertwined.
Sacro Monte and Via Sacra
The Via Sacra at Sacro Monte di Varese is a two-kilometre-long paved path. A historic funicular connects the city with the village of Santa Maria del Monte.
Villas with art and special collections
Villa Panza focuses on modern art. It houses more than 200 works by American and European artists inspired by the themes of light and colour. Works by Dan Flavin are permanently displayed in the Rustici wing of Villa Panza. This is complemented by an immersive art experience in a 33,000-square-metre park with land art works. Varese is therefore also suitable for days centred on engaging with art.
Castello di Masnago and the art history of Lombardy
Castello di Masnago preserves several layers of regional history. A square tower from the 11th century attests to its medieval history as a castle. The two fresco cycles are among the few examples of secular frescoes in Lombardy and are an expression of the International Gothic style. The castle also houses the Civico Museo di Arte Moderna e Contemporanea with a municipal collection of paintings, sculptures and graphic art. The works range from the 16th to the 20th century, thus covering a broad span of time.
Archaeology, the Risorgimento and green spaces
The Museo Civico Archeologico Villa Mirabello preserves prehistoric materials from the Varesotto region dating from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. The same museum displays flags and commemorative cloths from the Risorgimento, uniforms of the Cacciatori delle Alpi, proclamations, documents and portraits of Garibaldi. Villa Mirabello is a palace in the immediate vicinity of Varese. Also in the immediate vicinity are Villa Augusta, a palace, the Civico Museo D'arte Moderna E Contemporanea and the Museo Tattile Varese, each serving as a museum.
For a change between indoor spaces and outdoor sites, several grounds are available in the immediate vicinity of Varese: the Giardini di Palazzo Estense are a garden, the Parco di Villa Mylius is a park, the Giardino Storico di Villa Recalcati is a park and the Parco di Via Appiani is also a park.
Choosing the right holiday apartment in Varese
When choosing a holiday apartment in Varese, you can base your decision on your preferred mix of holiday activities. Sacro Monte and the Via Sacra shape a stay with spiritual significance, paths and landscape. Villa Panza and Castello di Masnago offer contrasting experiences ranging from modern art and medieval history to collections.
More destinations to choose from
Tornavento, Valganna, Biandronno, Barza, Ternate, Brezzo Di Bedero, Luino, Gerenzano
To the higher-level travel overview: Varese.
_2025.jpg){kind=link}