Varese
Varese is a city and comune in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, about 55 kilometres north-west of Milan. It is the capital of the Province of Varese, and its surrounding hinterland is known as the Varesotto. The city lies in a lake-studded landscape at the foot of the Alpine foothills.
At a glance
- Type
- City and comune, provincial capital
- Period
- Historic city
- Style
- Lombard city at the Alpine foothills
- Location
- Province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy
Overview
Varese is a city and comune in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, situated about 55 kilometres north-west of Milan. It is the capital of the Province of Varese. The exurban area surrounding the city is referred to as the Varesotto.
History
Varese developed as the principal centre of its district in north-western Lombardy, gaining importance as the administrative seat of its province. The city sits within a region long shaped by its proximity to both Milan and the Alpine lakes. Today it serves as the capital of the Province of Varese.
What you see
Varese is set in a landscape of lakes and wooded hills at the southern edge of the Alps. The surrounding Varesotto territory blends urban districts with green slopes. Its location north-west of Milan places it within easy reach of the Lombard lake region.
Cultural significance
As the capital of its province, Varese is an administrative and cultural focal point of north-western Lombardy. Its setting among lakes and foothills has long made it part of the wider cultural landscape of the Lombard pre-Alps.
Practical information
Check official website for current visiting information. Varese is located about 55 kilometres north-west of Milan in Lombardy.
Getting there
Varese is connected to Milan by rail and road, about 55 kilometres to the south-east. Regional train services and motorway links serve the city, and Milan Malpensa Airport lies nearby to the south.