Baveno has been a well-known tourist resort since the early 19th century, reflected by the beautiful villas in the surrounding area. It enjoys lovely views of the Borromean Islands.
To the north-west are the famous red granite quarries, which have supplied the columns for the Cathedral of Milan, the church of San Paolo fuori le Mura at Rome, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele at Milan and other important buildings.
One of the main attractions is an historic reach of villas and castles, built in the 19th century.
Baveno was occupied in the pre-Roman Iron Age by the Lepontii, a tribe of the Ligures.