Titus Labienus is considered responsible for naming Mombello too, after a battle against the Gauls ("mons belli" means "war hill").

Today, it is a port town that connects the province of Varese with Verbania and the famous Borromean Islands across Lake Maggiore.

The municipality was formed in 1927 to encompass the previously separate centres of Laveno, Mombello and Cerro.

Laveno-Mombello borders the following municipalities: Caravate, Castelveccana, Cittiglio, Ghiffa, Leggiuno, Sangiano.

A car ferry links the town with Intra (Verbania) on the western side of Lago Maggiore.