The origins of the town's name are uncertain: for some historians it has Celtic origins, and means "peak of the water", for others it derives from the Latin word "canerum" (reeds). Municipality in the province of Verbania, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, on the border with Lombardy, protected behind a mountain covered with forests, the territory is divided into a number of localities. The center features numerous villas and old buildings, and the port area is very charming. The main center, due to its particular location and favorable climate attracts a lot of tourists. The territory still preserves part of the defense system sought by General Cadorna, to protect the Italian territories against a feared invasion by Germany through Switzerland: today it represents a page of history and the paths and trails, used, at the time, for defense purposes are now used by hikers.
The first documented evidence of the center dates from 985, a period in which the territories belonged to the Bishops of Novara. The town, faithful to the Visconti, acquired its independence and its own statute in the early XIV century. This alliance with the Visconti, historical rival of the Sforza brought to a battle in which the town was destroyed.

Not to miss:
- the Parish Church of San Giorgio, originally entitled to San Giulio, suffered heavy damage in 1829 due to flooding of a nearby stream. Inside it preserves the relics of St. Fausto Martire;
- the Chapel of our Lady in Grace;
- the Church of St. Bernard;
- the Oratory of San Rocco;
- the Castles of Cannero, built on three small islands that emerge from the waters of the lake. On the largest two islands are located the two larger fortifications built by Ludwig Borromeo, feudal lord of Cannobio, to protect the territories from raids of the Swiss populations. Of the largest fortress, still visible are the towers, the battlements and the stairs, which were abandoned in the second half of the XVII century, but still retain elements of mystic charm;
- the Ethnographic Museum;
- Villa Massimo d'Azeglio.