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Lugano, the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino, is not only Switzerland's third most important financial centre and a conference, banking and business centre, but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town.

Description

Lugano lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano , surrounded by numerous mountains offering splendid viewpoints. The traffic-free historic town centre, the numerous buildings in Italianate Lombardy style, the exclusive museums, the mountains, lake and a packed calendar of events all invite visitors to see the sights, soak up the atmosphere – and enjoy "dolce far niente". Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular tourist destination in the spring when the camellias are in bloom. The town centre with its Mediterranean-style squares and arcades, and numerous parks with sub-tropical plants such as the Parco Civico on the shores of the lake invite you to laze around, enjoying the atmosphere. By the lakeside promenade are the Belvedere Gardens, where the parkland boasts not only camellias and magnolias but also countless sub-tropical plants and modern works of art. Art connoisseurs are attracted to this city of art and architecture by the high standard of the exhibitions it hosts. In the MASI (Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana)  are paintings by Klee, Jawlensky, Renoir and Degas, among others. In the last 50 years, the Ticino region , and Lugano in particular, have developed into an important region for architecture. The most well-known representatives of the "Ticino School" are Luigi Snozzi and Mario Botta. EFG Bank AG, the Palazzo Ransila (Via Pretorio) and his own workshop on the Via Ciani are good examples. The two closest mountains to Lugano, Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè , give you an outstanding panorama of the town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery. From Monte Brè there is a walk down to the village of Brè, which has preserved its typical Ticino village centre, and enhanced it with works of art. From the San Salvatore another popular walk leads down through the beautifully situated Carona to Lake Lugano at Morcote . Taking a boat trip back to Lugano is a splendid way to round off the day. Other excursions are to the fishing village of Gandria, up the Monte San Giorgio or the Monte Generoso  or to the Lilliput world of Switzerland in Miniature  at Melide.

Enjoy the Mediterranean temperatures, palm and olive trees. If you really want to relax, just sit at a table in one of the squares. And do what everyone does here: eat, chat and enjoy life.

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Villa negroni park, museo d’arte della svizzera italiana, hit the art trail on monte brè, museo hermann hesse, lugano, ticino villa sassa hotel residence & spa 4 stars.

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Lugano, Ticino Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola Lugano 5 Stars

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Without overnight stay valid: 14.04.2024 - 01.09.2024

Resort Collina d'Oro, Lugano Working in the green

valid: 14.04.2024 - 31.12.2024

Lugano Hiking holidays Sentiero Lago di Lugano Monte Tama

Price per person in double room valid: 14.04.2024 - 31.12.2024

Swiss Historic & Garten Hotel Villa Carona, Carona Discover Carona

Price per person in double room valid: 14.04.2024 - 31.05.2024

Hotel I Grappoli, Sessa Seminar package at Hotel Grappoli

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Massagno, Ticino Grotto della Salute

Lugano, Ticino Seven Lugano - The Restaurant

Carona, ticino ristorante posta, torricella-taverne, ticino ristorante motto del gallo, lugano, ticino grotto morchino, lugano, ticino osteria gallo d'oro, tesserete, ticino capanna ginestra, manno, ticino grotto dell'ortiga, lugano, ticino flamel bistrot & mixology, lugano, ticino ristorante moncucchetto.

• until 25 Apr Concert season OSI al LAC Lugano, 28.09.2023 - 25.04.2024
• until 19 May “Living images" Yaacov Agam Lugano, 18.11.2023 - 19.05.2024
• until 13 Jul Emil Nolde – Herbert Beck. The strength of colour Lugano, 21.09.2023 - 13.07.2024
• until 21 Jul Eye to Eye – Giacometti, Dalí, Miró, Ernst, Chagall. Hommage to Ernst... Lugano, 18.02. - 21.07.2024

Travel information: Lugano

Destination.

Lugano Region Piazza della Riforma - Palazzo Civico 6900  Lugano +41 (0)58 220 65 00 [email protected] Website

Caslano Piazza Lago 5A 6987  Caslano +41 (0)58 220 65 01 +41 (0)91 606 52 00 [email protected] Website

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Discover Ticino

15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Lugano, Locarno & the Ticino Region

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Lugano is not what you'd expect a Swiss town to look like. The architecture is Italian, and the lakeside parks and gardens give it the air of a subtropical vacation spot. Signs are in Italian, and the fragrances drifting from the restaurants you pass are redolent of the Mediterranean.

Welcome to the Ticino, Switzerland's southern canton where Italian is the official language, and the lifestyle is more Italian than Swiss. But you'll also find the Swiss love of hiking and outdoor sports is alive and well in the mountains surrounding Lake Lugano.

The lake is the glamorous centerpiece of the Ticino region, set beneath wooded mountainsides and bounded at one end by Lugano's waterfront promenades. Trails leading along the hillsides and into the mountains provide plenty of things to do for those who love nature and the outdoors. Boat trips and mountain tramways are great for sightseeing around Lake Lugano.

The Ticino is a great place to visit for those who love active travel, with endless opportunities for walking, hiking, cycling, climbing, or just riding to mountaintop vistas to enjoy the views. You can be sure to find all the best places to go with this list of the top attractions and things to do in Lugano, Locarno, and the Ticino Region.

See also: Where to Stay in Lugano

1. Cruise on Lake Lugano

2. stroll along lugano's lakeside parks and promenade, 3. see the alps from monte san salvatore, 4. santa maria degli angioli, 5. walk through the valle verzasca, 6. ride the funicular up monte brè, 7. tour the bellinzona castles, 8. explore lugano's old town, 9. ride the centovalli railway, 10. walk the sentiero dell'olivo to gandria, 11. madonna del sasso, 12. valle di muggio, 13. isole di brissago, 15. see ticino from a swing, where to stay in lugano for sightseeing.

Beautiful Lake Lugano is Ticino's star tourist attraction, and you can enjoy it in several different ways: tour on one of the white steamers (excursion boats have been plying the lake since 1848), rent a boat to sail on your own, or choose any of the dozens of mountain or shore viewpoints and gaze at it.

The steep wooded mountainsides that form much of its vertiginous shore give a wild, untouched appearance to all but a few valleys where rivers flow in from the mountains. The mountains not only give Lake Lugano a stunning backdrop from nearly every angle, but they provide some of Europe's finest viewpoints to admire it from.

Some favorite places to visit around the lake are best accessed by boat, a fine way to reach the traditional grottos or little informal restaurants along its shore. One of the other popular things to do here is combine a boat cruise with walking, taking a boat to Gandria, and walking back to Lugano along the Sentiero dell'Olivo .

Spacious green parks border the lake at the northern end of Lugano, shaded by trees and brightened by flower gardens.

Surrounded by the venerable trees and subtropical plants of the Parco Municipale is the Palazzo dei Congressi convention center and the 1843 Villa Ciani . The gardens of roses, azaleas, magnolias, camellias, palms, and exotic shrubs were once the private park of the villa.

The long lakeside promenade follows the shore for the entire length of Lugano to the southernmost boat landing at Paradiso . In places, it widens to park dimensions with subtropical gardens and modern sculptures lining the walkway. Facing it are distinguished old buildings, including the 18th-century Palazzo Riva .

From every point on the promenade are postcard views of the lake, framed by the surrounding mountains.

Although its altitude is only 912 meters, the summit of Monte San Salvatore offers one of the most beautiful and panoramic vistas in the entire Alps. Below you can see Lake Lugano as it weaves its circuitous way among the steep, wooded slopes that enclose it. The red tile roofs of Lugano scatter across the town's hillsides, and other villages cluster around the shore.

Turn your back on the lake and town to find a sea of alpine peaks stretching to the horizon, crowned by Monta Rosa and the Valais Alps. You can climb Monte San Salvatore, but most tourists prefer the 10-minute ride on the red funicular from Lugano's lakeshore station of Paradiso.

At the upper station, you'll find a restaurant, a viewing terrace, and walking trails leading down to Carona, Melide, Morcote, and Figino. You can return to Lugano from any of these by rail, postal bus, or boat.

The church of a former convent, Santa Maria degli Angioli faces the lake at the end of Lugano's most fashionable shopping street. Inside is one of Ticino's most impressive art treasures, a full wall covered by a single fresco, the early 16th-century masterpiece of Bernardino Luini depicting the Passion and Crucifixion.

The fresco measures 30 meters by 12 meters, and is filled with larger-than-life figures modeled after patrons and family members. On a side wall is Luino's Last Supper, moved here from the monastery that stood next door.

Address: Piazza Bernardino Luini 6, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland

The 220-meter Verzasca Dam holds the distinction of being one of the highest in Europe, but to the world, it's known for James Bond's death-defying jump in the opening scene of GoldenEye . But the dam is a modern intrusion that has not spoiled one of the most beautiful of the Ticino's many river valleys.

As the river tumbles down its rocky course, its notoriously emerald green waters form waterfalls and swimming holes surrounded by ledges for sunbathing. It passes beneath stone bridges and through ancient alpine villages. The best known of both — and with a picturesque waterfall, too — is Lavertezzo .

Here, the Ponte dei Salti stone-arched bridge crosses the river, and from the village church, you can follow the Revöira walking trail along a well-marked route used over the centuries by villagers bringing their flocks and their families to the high mountain pastures for the summer. Along the way, you'll see remains of ancient water systems and reservoirs carved into the stones.

Learn about these semi-annual migrations, called transhumance, at the Museum of the Verzasca Valley in Sonogno , a quiet stone village at the end of the valley. A bus route from Lugano follows close to the river, with frequent stops, so you can get off and walk along the trails from village to village without doubling back.

Read More: Best Hikes in Switzerland

Monte Brè, whose distinctive cone rises at the north end of Lugano, can be reached by a narrow road, walking trails, or by a funicular to its 933-meter-high summit. Along with a scenic terrace, you'll find two restaurants. On the eastern slope is the village of Brè, a tiny settlement of traditional Ticino-style houses that's a favorite of artists.

You can follow an artists' trail, and the Wilhelm Schmid Museum displays works by the Swiss painter. Monte Brè is said to be Switzerland's sunniest spot, and it's also one of the most scenic, with views as far as the Valais Alps.

Bellinzona's three castles are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are well worth exploring. Bellinzona was an important stronghold as the meeting point of three important north-south routes over the alpine passes of St. Gotthard, San Bernardino, and Lucomagno. All three could, in the past, be closed by a barrier across the road at Bellinzona, giving it a strategic position for centuries.

The three castles that still dominate the town are among the most important examples of medieval defensive architecture in the Alps. These, along with a double circuit of walls, were built or strengthened by Milanese rulers in the second half of the 15th century.

The oldest, Castelgrande , was constructed above the town center over a Roman castle. Castello di Montebello stretches along a hillside on the east side of Bellinzona and is the most interesting example of the art of fortification, built from the 13th to 15th centuries. The square-shaped Castello di Sasso Corbaro was built in less than six months in 1479 to reinforce the defenses of the valley after a battle.

Today, the castles house various museums covering history, art, archaeology, and local costumes. The old town is worth exploring as well, for its beautiful Italian-style townhouses and the magnificent wall paintings by 16th-century Lombard artists in the former Franciscan church Sta Maria delle Grazie .

Lugano's old town rises abruptly from the three squares that surround its Palazzo Civico (town hall), in a street that is a series of stairways and terraces. Beside it, a funicular climbs to the rail station high above.

A wide terrace opens out in front of the church of San Lorenzo , Lugano's cathedral. Originally Romanesque, it was enlarged in the 13th and 14th centuries and altered extensively in the 17th and 18th centuries. But it retains the beautiful medieval frescoes in its otherwise mainly Baroque interior.

You can descend through the winding streets of the old town or follow stairways that connect parallel streets to make your way more directly to the lakefront. Lugano's main shopping streets are at the bottom of the hill, parallel to the lakefront.

One of Europe's most scenic train rides leaves from Locarno, following lofty tracks perched high above the Melezza River and its tributaries. Over millennia, the snow melting from the Alps has caused each of these rivers to carve a deep valley - reputedly 100 of them, hence the name centovalli.

Charming vintage rail cars go slowly enough to allow views down into these steep, wooded ravines as the train crosses 83 bridges on its way to Domodossola , the Italian town at the foot of the Simplon Pass .

A promenade traces the shore through the terraced Parco degli Olivi at the far northern end of Lugano's promenade, turning into a wide walking path that hugs the slope of Monte Brè as it parallels the shore. View after view unfolds as the path passes through the narrow streets of lakeside villages and among the gardens between them, shaded by cypresses, pines, and olive trees.

Panels along the way explain the history and cultivation of olive trees. This Sentiero dell'Olivo, Olive Path, leads to the picturesque terraced village of Gandria. Among its steep, narrow lanes and arcaded alleys, you'll find the Church of Saint Vigilio , built in 1463, but with a Baroque facade completed only in the late 1800s.

The lake is quite narrow here, and directly opposite (you can take a boat across) is a grotto restaurant and the Swiss Customs Museum with exhibits about smuggling and illegal trade.

A funicular from Via Ramogna, just below Locarno's train station and toward Piazza Grande, leads up to the wooded crag from which the pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso overlooks the lake. You can also climb to the church and its Capuchin friary on foot, by a path with Stations of the Cross, in 30 to 45 minutes.

Founded in 1480, the church was rebuilt in 1616 and redecorated ornately in the 19th century. The church's most outstanding artworks are Flight into Egypt , a major work by Bramantino in 1536, and Entombment by A. Ciseri from about 1865. The first is to the right of the entrance and the Ciseri is in the second side chapel. In the monastery museum is a collection of ecclesiastical art and manuscripts. Views over Lake Maggiore from the terrace are superb.

Address: Via Santuario 2, Orselina

A unique open-air museum exploring traditional rural life spreads throughout the remote Muggio Valley hidden between Lakes Lugano and Como. Along with a large museum building packed with fascinating exhibits and artifacts, the Museo Etnografico Valle di Muggio encompasses a water-powered polenta mill, cheesemakers, an open-air village laundry, a chestnut drying shed, and other sights.

Begin in the village of Cabbio , where a large relief map shows the valley and locates things to see in the open-air museum, which stretches for miles and scatters throughout several towns.

Mulino di Bruzella , a stone mill powered by a water wheel, sits deep in a valley and is reached by a wide path through the forest - about a 30-minute walk from the road. The mill grinds rare, local red corn, a heritage crop revived through back-breeding and grown only in this region. You can watch the mill as it grinds, and buy the polenta here.

At farms throughout the valley, you can also buy local honey, chestnuts, and cheeses made from the milk of goats that graze in mountain pastures. This way of life, with one foot in the 21st century and one a century back, is a sharp contrast to the smart, chic lake resort towns just a few minutes away.

Address: Casa Cantoni, Cabbio

In Lake Maggiore , just off the picturesque village of Ronco, are the two small islands of Brissago. On the larger one is a botanic garden of Mediterranean flora, displaying about 1,500 species of exotic plants arranged by their geographical origins. Plants native to subtropical regions thrive outdoors in this latitude because of the warming effect of the lake.

The gardens were begun in 1885 by Baroness Antonietta Saint Leger, who not only collected the plants but cataloged them in detail. Her work was continued in the 1920s by a German businessman, who built the villa you see here today.

Along with exotic plants native to Asia, South Africa, and the Americas, the extensive gardens include a section devoted to local heritage vegetables, including the rare Ticino red polenta corn. You can get to the island by boat from Porto Ronco, just north of the Italian border.

South of Locarno on Lake Maggiore , Ascona has developed from a little fishing village into one of Switzerland's most popular holiday resorts, with long hours of sunshine and a mild winter. Unfortunately, its popularity brought with it extensive modern development that has largely swallowed up the old village, but its harbor area is still an attractive blend of Italian and Swiss architecture with a few old buildings.

The 17th-century Casa Serodine, now known as Casa Borrani , has a sumptuous facade of Baroque stucco with a frieze of mythical creatures and biblical scenes, and the Collegio Pontificio Papio from 1584 has one of the finest Renaissance courtyards in Switzerland, with two-story loggias.

In the Dominican church of Santa Maria della Misericordia , built from 1399 to 1442, is a cycle of late Gothic frescoes. An art colony here attracted artists including Paul Klee, whose work you can see in the Museo Comunale d'Arte Moderna.

A new and exciting thing to do for tourists in the Ticino was added in 2021. The Swing the World initiative encourages visitors to view some of the region's most beautiful places from a rope swing. So far, these sturdy wooden seated swings have been placed in 16 especially scenic locations. Most are reached by public transport or a short walk, and some require a hike or bike ride, so there's a swing for every travel style.

Locations of these hand-crafted swings, which seat two people comfortably, include the mountain village of Rasa in Centovalli Valley (a five-minute cable car ride from the train stop), a beach at Vira Gambarogno with sunset views over Lake Maggiore, the Parco San Grato overlooking Lugano, and on the Piazza in lakeside Ascona. In the Bavona Valley, a swing hangs between two trees with a direct view onto the 110-meter Foroglio waterfall .

The best hotel locations in Lugano are close to the lake and the promenade along its shore. At one end is Paradiso, where the funicular starts for Monte San Salvatore, and at the other end is the Cassarate area, with the funicular up Monte Bre. About halfway between is the main shopping street, Via Nessa, and a warren of smaller streets climbing steeply to the cathedral and rail station. These highly rated hotels in Lugano are handy to sightseeing:

Luxury Hotels :

• Facing the lake and promenade and a five-minute walk from the fashionable shopping street, Hotel Splendide Royal has lake views from its elegantly decorated rooms and the attention to detail expected from a Leading Hotels of the World member.
• Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola is in a beautiful lakeside neighborhood, a short walk from Parco Civico, with a pool, tennis courts, and lake views.
• Not as close to the lake and center as others, the Villa Principe Leopoldo is the epitome of luxury, with immense rooms and fine dining in a park setting high above the town. Parking is free, and so is the shuttle that takes you to the lakeside attractions.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• At the rail station, with good views over the town and lake, Continental Parkhotel has free parking, a pool, palm gardens, and rooms with balconies.
• On the promenade at the corner of pedestrianized Via Nassa, the family-run Hotel International au Lac is filled with old-world charm.
• At Paradiso boat landing and adjacent to the Monte San Salvatore funicular, Novotel Lugano Paradiso is a modern hotel with a fitness center and pool.

Budget Hotels:

• In the city center overlooking the lakeside Parco Ciani, the newly renovated rooms at Hotel Pestalozzi Lugano have balconies. Breakfast and parking are free.
• With balconied rooms and close to several restaurants, Hotel Atlantico is near the Monte Bre funicular and Cassarate lake steamer stop.
• Ibis Budget Lugano Paradiso is at the Paradiso boat landing, adjacent to Monte San Salvatore funicular.

More on Switzerland

Andrew Montgomery

Ticino’s lush, mountain-rimmed lake isn’t its only liquid asset. The largest city in the canton is also the country’s third-most-important banking centre. Suits aside, Lugano is a vivacious city, with posh designer boutiques, bars and pavement cafes huddling in the spaghetti maze of steep cobblestone streets that untangle at the edge of the lake and along the flowery promenade. The opening of its LAC arts centre has bumped it up in the cultural stakes, too.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Parco Ciani

This lakefront promenade necklaces the shore of glassy Lago di Lugano, set against a backdrop of rugged mountains. Notice the distinctive profiles of cone…

Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli

This simple Romanesque church contains two frescos by Bernardino Luini dating from 1529. Covering the entire wall that divides the church in two is a…

Museo d'Arte della Svizzera Italiana

The showpiece of Lugano's striking new LAC cultural centre, the MASI zooms in predominantly on 20th-century and contemporary art – from the abstract to…

Rising dramatically above Lago di Lugano, the conical peak of Monte Brè (925m) is the trailhead for hiking and mountain-biking trails that afford wide…

Chomp into some cocoa culture at the Alprose chocolate museum, Schokoland – a sure-fire hit with kids. Whiz through chocolate history, watch the sugary…

Monte San Salvatore

Lugano's very own Sugarloaf Mountain, the 912m peak of Monte San Salvatore has riveting 360-degree views over Lago di Lugano and southern Ticino to the…

Museo Hermann Hesse

This museum showcases German-born Swiss poet, novelist and painter Herman Hesse's personal objects, including some of the thousands of watercolours he…

Parco Botanico San Grato

Footpaths thread through these hilltop botanical gardens, which afford sensational lake and mountain views. In May the park is ablaze with the colour of…

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Latest stories from Lugano

Jul 18, 2018 • 5 min read

Ticino – Switzerland’s southernmost, Italian-speaking canton – is a slow food mecca where travellers can enjoy la dolce vita with a side order of Swiss…

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• 1.1 By plane
• 1.2 By train
• 2.1 By boat
• 5.2 Bike rentals
• 5.3 Gambling
• 8.2 Mid-range
• 8.3 Splurge
• 10.1 Budget
• 10.2 Mid-range
• 10.3 Splurge
• 12.1 Important telephone numbers

Lugano is a lakeside city in Ticino , the Italian-speaking part of southern Switzerland , and is the largest Italian-speaking city in Switzerland, or for that matter, outside Italy. Part of a temperate micro-climate, Lugano offers palm trees, picturesque boulevards, stunning views of the lake and the Alps, and plenty of opportunity for outdoor and indoor activities. Lugano also makes a good base for visiting other cities and sites in the area. The city is a pleasant place to relax in the summertime and is only half an hour away from Lake Como .

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Milan Malpensa airport is 1 hour away by shuttle (see the "By bus" section below) or 1 hr 40 min by train (see the "By train" section below) and is an EasyJet hub.

By train [ edit ]

Lugano station is on the Gotthard railway, which crosses the alps connecting the cantons of Schwyz and Uri to Cantone Ticino. It primarily serves:

• FFS (SBB in German, CFF in French, the national railway operator) and EC. Long distance trains to International destinations and other parts of Switzerland.
• TILO (Joint operation between FFS and Italy's Trenord) which provides regional services, primarily to Lombardy. Direct service to Milano-Malpensa airport ~1 hr 40 min.
• FLP (metre-gauge) local services

FFS/EC Trains leave for Zürich (3 hr), Basel (3 hr 34 min) and Milan (40 min-1 hr) as well as Geneva (via Zürich or Locarno-Domodossola: 5 hr 30 min with one or two transfers, 6 hr 30 min via Milan with one transfer). Getting to Geneva or points west it is faster to go via Zürich or Locarno as the trains are more frequent and faster.

• 46.005499 8.946835 1 Stazione di Lugano ( Lugano railway station ), ☏ +41 900 300 300 . ( updated Aug 2015 )

Since 2019, there has been a direct airport service from Lugano to Milano-Malpensa provided by TILO. It is slower (1 hr 40 min) than the bus shuttles (just over an hour) but provides more regular service. Approx Fr. 23 ( Swiss francs ) as of 2019. Tickets are referred to as "Transfrontaliero" on Trenord machines and "Internazionale" on SBB machines.

By bus [ edit ]

There are three shuttle services between Lugano and Milan Malpensa Airport . Each takes about 1 hr 10 min to get in from Malpensa:

• Lugano Services (approx every 2 hr, 04:00–23:30; 1 hr 10 min; €25 one way; advance reservations on line or tickets directly on the bus)
• JetBus (approx every 1-2 hr; 06:00–23:10; €27 or Fr. 35 one way; can be booked at airport)
• Malpensa Express (every 2 hr; 08:35–23:35; €30 or Fr. 35 one way; can be booked at airport.)

There is also a daily bus service during summer to Tirano , Italy with train connection ( Bernina Express [dead link] ) to St. Moritz (Switzerland).

By car [ edit ]

Due to physical geography, Lugano has good North-South oriented links and non-existent East-West ones.

Lugano is on the A2 motorway (just "2" on a red background on Swiss road signs) which spans the width of the country from Basel on the French/German borders to Chiasso on the Italian. This is part of the European Route E35 from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Rome, Italy. Like most Swiss roads, the condition is usually very good and speeds are good, nevertheless distance makes journey times relatively long, particularly when travelling from the north of the country. Lugano is about 3 hr from Berne or Zürich, in optimal conditions. This route passes through the San Gottardo tunnel, which is a bit of a bottleneck on Sundays (northbound) and Friday (southbound), so budget some time for traffic jams. Jams can be up to 3 hours long during peak travel times such as Easter.

Coming from the south, you have more choices on the flat Po plain but the main route is the A9 motorway from near Milano to Chiasso (where it becomes the Swiss A2). This motorway is fast and relatively uncongested, and the Italians have a somewhat more carefree driving style than the Swiss. Speed limits change when crossing into Switzerland. Lugano is about 1 hr 30 min from Milano and 1h10 from Malpensa airport, in optimal conditions. Travelling on the A9 does incur one toll near Como, around €2.20 as of 2016.

Crossing customs is usually a pain-free exercise. Switzerland is part of Schengen, so they're not interested in your passport (if you're obviously European) but they are not part of the EU and may be interested if you're carrying anything you need to declare; make sure you know the duty-free limits .

Get around [ edit ]

Lugano is small enough to get around on foot , and many of the streets are pedestrian-only, but the hills above the lakefront are very steep so the bus or the funicular from the centre of town might be a better option on the way up to the train station if you have a lot of bags. Taxis can be found on the main roads. Ferries and funiculars (Brè and San Salvatore) are great options for seeing the views.

For more information:

• 46.005849 8.952388 2 TPL ( Trasporti Pubblici Luganesi ). For bus services in the city. A short-journey ticket (30 min) costs Fr. 1.90, 1-day travelcard for 1 zone — Fr. 7.20, short-journey multi-journey travelcard (6 trips) — Fr. 9.50, the later can be used by multiple people. ( updated Aug 2015 )
• 46.004489 8.949679 3 Funicolare Lugano Citta - Stazione , ☏ +41 91 800 72 28 . This funicular links the old centre of the town on the lake shore to the railway station higher up the hill. From 05:20 till 23:50, always, there is one every 5-10 minutes. This is not a sightseeing funicular (as the journey is only around 90 seconds and the main purpose is to provide step-free access to the town centre), however, it is quite interesting, as it passes through a hotel. Fr. 1.10 . ( updated Aug 2015 )
• 45.990556 8.945417 4 Funicolare Lugano Paradiso - Monte San Salvatore , Via delle Scuole 7, Lugano Paradiso , ☏ +41 91 985 28 28 . 17 Jul–15 Aug daily 09:00–23:00; 8 May–11 Jul & 21 Aug–26 Sep F Sa 09;00–23:00; the rest 09:00-17:00 . It links Lugano with the top of the Monte San Salvatore, with spectacular views of the Lake of Lugano, the isthmus of Melide, the Monte Generoso and the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia on the other side of the lake. Single: Fr. 23; Return: Fr. 30 . ( updated Aug 2015 )
• 46.006531 8.970412 5 Funicolare Monte Brè , Via Ceresio di Suvigliana 36, CH-6977 Ruvigliana ( bus lines 2, 11, 12 to Cassarate-Monte Brè ), ☏ +41 91 9713171 , [email protected] . A funicular between Lugano and the top of the Monte Brè. Single: Fr. 16; Return: Fr. 25 see the end of the page linked for promotions. . ( updated Aug 2015 )

By boat [ edit ]

• 45.993324 8.946819 6 Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano ( from Lugano Paradiso ), ☏ +41 91 971 52 23 , [email protected] . Runs ferry services across the Lake Lugano. They also offer a number of cruises. While much of Lake Lugano is in Switzerland, a large portion of it is in Italy, so take your passport when on a boat. ( updated Aug 2015 )

Talk [ edit ]

Italian is spoken in Lugano as a primary language. English and German are widely spoken by many of the individuals that interact with tourists.

See [ edit ]

• 46.004072 8.950172 1 Centro Storico ( Old town ).  
• 46.003416 8.951347 2 Palazzo Civico ( Palazzo Riva ), Piazza Riforma, 1 . Lugano's City Hall ( updated Aug 2015 )
• 46.004616 8.948654 4 Cattedrale di San Lorenzo ( Cathedral of Saint Lawrence ). ( updated Aug 2015 )

Do [ edit ]

• 45.999276 9.0211 2 Museo Doganale Svizzero ( Swiss Customs Museum ) ( from Gandria by boat across the lake ). There is also a grotto restaurant nearby. ( updated Aug 2015 )
• 46.0013 8.9857 3 Sentiero di Gandria ( Gandria Trail ). A path from the end of the Lugano promenade to Gandria. It is marked with panels which describe the history of olive trees in the region. That is why it is also known as Sentiero dell'olivo .  

Hiking [ edit ]

• Trekking Lugano and Malcantone region .  

Bike rentals [ edit ]

• SFR Railway Station Lugano , ☏ +41 512 215642 .  
• Balmelli Sport , Via Pioda 12 , ☏ +41 91 923-5867 .  

Gambling [ edit ]

• Casinò Lugano , Via Stauffacher 1 , ☏ +41 91 973-7111 , fax : +41 91 973-7149 , [email protected] . Daily 12:00-04:00, extended to 05:00 Fridays and Saturdays. Tables open at 02:00 .  

Events [ edit ]

• Blues to Bop Festival . 21:00-01:00/02:30 depending on the evening . Free open air music festival with multiple stages throughout the heart of Lugano in late August.  

More [ edit ]

• Watch football: FC Lugano play soccer in the Swiss Super League, the country's top tier. They play at the tiny Stadio Cornaredo, capacity 6300, 2 km north of the lakefront.
• Swimming . The Lido di Lugano right in the city centre is a great place to swim with a beach, 3 swimming pools and a bar.  
• Boating . Boat rental options include paddle boats and speed boats.  

Learn [ edit ]

• 46.01074 8.95812 7 University of Italian Switzerland ( USI ), 13 Giuseppe Buffi St , ☏ +41 58 666-4000 , fax : +41 58 666 46 47 , [email protected] . Switzerland’s most international university. It is distinctive in the Swiss university system because of the originality of its degree curricula and areas of research. ( updated Dec 2019 )
• 46.0312 8.9231 8 University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland ( SUPSI ), Le Gerre, Via Pobiette 11 , ☏ +41 58 666-6014 , fax : +41 58 666 6001 , [email protected] . One of the nine universities of applied sciences recognized by the Swiss Confederation. ( updated Dec 2019 )
• 46.026235 8.918102 9 Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence ( IDSIA ), Via Cantonale 6 (Galleria 1 Building), 6928 Manno , ☏ +41 58 666 66 66 .  
• 45.99748 8.93868 10 Franklin University Switzerland , 29 Ponte Tresa St ( Sorengo ), ☏ +41 91 985-2260 , [email protected] . An American liberal arts institution in an international environment, Franklin is accredited in the United States by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and in Switzerland by the Swiss University Conference.  

Buy [ edit ]

Many major labels and designer boutiques (Versace, Hermes, Paul & Shark, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier) can be found here, as well as the usual Swiss and Italian knick-knacks. Via Nassa in the city centre is the main place for shopping high street brands.

• Foxtown , Mendrisio, Via A. Maspoli 18 ( can be reached by train from the Central Station (direction Mendrisio-Chiasso) ). 11:00-19:00 . Huge designer outlet 20 km from Lugano.  
• 46.00503 8.95047 1 Manor , Salita M. e A. Chiattone 10, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland , ☏ +41 91 912 76 99 . Department store with everything from clothing to home goods as well as some Swiss souvenirs. Grocery store in basement. ( updated Jun 2016 )

Eat [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ].

All these are in the city centre :

• 46.00503 8.95047 1 Manora , Piazza Dante 2 . The cafeteria in the Manor Department store offers a wide variety of tempting International dishes, ranging from sushi to pasta. Fresh fruits and vegetables arrayed in stylish displays are almost a painting themselves. Wine and beer are available as are a wide range of other beverages. Meals starting from CHF12 (Oct 2017) . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.004407 8.949428 2 Caffè Milano (Lugano) , Piazza Cioccaro 7 ( next to hotel Acquarello ). ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.005325 8.952941 3 Natural Food , Via al Forte 2 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.005866 8.951099 4 Rice Go Asian Take Away , Via Sempione . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.005556 8.954465 5 Taqueria El Chilicuil , Corso Enrico Pestalozzi 12 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.005487 8.954817 6 Kebab & Grill , Piazza Indipendenza 1 . ( updated Feb 2023 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 46.004112 8.951563 7 Bistrot & Pizza Argentino , Crocicchio Cortogna 1 , ☏ +41-91-9229049 . Piazza Riforma. Excellent pizza, great service. They offer 2 sizes of pizza. ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.005624 9.003576 8 Ristorante Antico , Piazza Lucchini 5 , ☏ +41 91 971 48 71 . Italian cuisine in the village of Gandria with dining on a terrace with views of Lago di Lugano ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.00782 8.959014 9 Dilo's Lugano & Bar Cucina Internazionale , Via Serafino Balestra 31 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.00565 8.952991 10 Bistrot Lugano , Via Giovanni Nizzola 2 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.00269 8.950043 11 Bernasconi Gastronomia , Via Nassa 7 . ( updated Feb 2023 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 46.00387 8.950302 12 Grand Café Al Porto , Via Pessina 3 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.005844 8.953089 13 Ristorante Orologio Lugano , Via Giovanni Nizzola 2 . ( updated Feb 2023 )
• 46.004113 8.955149 14 Ristorante Seven Lugano the restaurant , Via Stauffacher 1 . ( updated Feb 2023 )

Drink [ edit ]

In the summer your best bet is just to wander along the lakeside promenade and open air bar/cafes. Check local listings for clubs and shows as venues come and go with the seasons. Spring-Autumn, Bar Mojito (p.za Manzoni, directly at the lakeside)

There are clubs in the city (discos). Nix (under the Casinò), Privilege (near Manor, a department store), Tito's Place (quartiere Maghetti), Club One and The Cube are all located in the downtown.

Oops (via Maderno 24) and Bibliocafè Tra (Salita dei Frati, Piazza Molino Nuovo) are a great place to have beer in the evening. Near University [1] [dead link] . Another hint:

• Arte , Lungolago . Amazing decor, (also an art gallery), great food and views of the Lake!  

Sleep [ edit ]

There are a wide range of hotel options right in town, from atmospheric B&Bs to posh four stars to comfy and communal hostels. Be sure to book ahead in the summer, but the rest of the year it's possible to just show up and find something as long as your budget is flexible.

• Montarina Hotel & Hostel , Via Montarina 1 , ☏ +41 91 966 72 72 , fax : +41 91 966 00 17 , [email protected] . The house is surrounded by a palm garden and has a nice swimming pool that all guests can use. Hostel guests can use a small communal kitchen. The hostel costs Fr. 25 per night whereas a single room in the hotel starts at Fr. 70. Breakfast at Fr. 12 per person .  
• Hotel Pestalozzi , Piazza Indipendenza 9 , ☏ +41 91 921 46 46 , fax : +41 91 922 20 45 , [email protected] . A very clean, family-run hotel with some en-suite rooms. English and German are spoken. Prices start at Fr. 64 for a single room without shower and toilet .  
• San Carlo Garni , Via Nassa 28 , ☏ +41 91 922 71 07 , fax : +41 91 922 80 22 , [email protected] . Fr. 65-190 . ( updated Jan 2017 )
• Youth Hostel Lugano-Savosa , Via Cantonale 13, Savosa , ☏ +41 91 966 27 28 , fax : +41 91 968 23 63 , [email protected] . Prices start at Fr. 23 in a dormitory, provided you have a membership .  
• Hotel International au Lac , Via Nassa 68 , ☏ +41 91 922 75 41 , fax : +41 91 922 75 44 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 onwards , check-out: 06:30–12:00 . Family tradition since 1906, it is the right hotel for holidays or for business stays and the only one on the lake promenade in the centre of Lugano, with own indoor parking, restaurant, meeting room, garden with swimming-pool and terrace. W-Lan Internet Hot-Spot, an Internet workstation and an "Ethernet" connection for notebook computers are available free of charge at the Internet corner. “Historic hotel with honour”: the ICOMOS jury has granted the hotel this eminent UNESCO award. Fr. 115-310 .  
• Hotel Villa Marita , Via Lucino 49, Breganzona , ☏ +41 91 966 05 61 , fax : +41 91 968 11 18 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00-23:00 , check-out: 10:00-11:00 . Fr. 80-190 .  
• Lugano Dante Center , Piazza Cioccaro 5 , ☏ +41 91 910 57 00 , fax : +41 91 910 57 77 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 . 1 minute from station, 200 m from the lake. WiFi access and meeting facilities. Multistore car park. Fr. 139 to 425 per night per room .  
• Villa Sassa Hotel, Residence & Spa , Via Tesserete 10 , ☏ +41 91 911 41 11 , fax : +41 91 922 05 45 , [email protected] . On the hills overlooking Lugano, a few minutes walk from the centre of town. Single room in the hotel starts at Fr. 240. Double room starts at Fr. 240. .  
• Hotel De La Paix , Via Cattori 18 , ☏ +41 91 960 60 60 , fax : +41 91 960 60 66 , [email protected] .  
• Acquarello , Piazza Cioccaro , ☏ +41 91 911 68 68 , fax : +41 91 911 68 69 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00-23:00 , check-out: 07:00-11:00 . Has a direct connection to the station with the cable car and is in the city centre. Single room from Fr. 116, double room from Fr. 157 (season from October 2011, all included).  
• Grand Hotel Eden , Riva Paradiso 1 , ☏ +41 91 985 92 00 , fax : +41 91 985 92 50 , [email protected] .  
• Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola , Viale Castagnola 31 , ☏ +41 91 973 25 55 , fax : +41 91 973 25 50 , [email protected] .  
• Hotel Splendide Royal , Riva A. Caccia 7 , ☏ +41 91 985 77 11 , fax : +41 91 985 77 22 , [email protected] .  
• Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel & Spa , Via Montalbano 5 , ☏ +41 91 985 88 55 , [email protected] . 2 km from the city. The historical main building – the Villa – is one of the most refined luxury hotel establishments in Lugano. Prices range from Fr. 450-1,950 per room per night .  

Connect [ edit ]

There are a few internet cafes in town. As usual, try near the train station. Free Wi-Fi connection can be found along the lakeside and in the University campus (Via Buffi, 13).

Stay safe [ edit ]

Lugano is as safe as most cities in Switzerland, but the density of expensive purses, watches, and sunglasses may make pickpockets more of a problem. The usual cautions apply to walking alone late at night, especially after bars and clubs close before dawn.

Important telephone numbers [ edit ]

• Police ( Polizia ) – Emergency only: 117
• Fire Department ( Pompieri ): 118
• City of Lugano Police: +41 58 866 82 50 (piazza Riforma), +41 58-8668111 (Via Beltramina 20B)
• Civic Hospital ( Ospedale Civico ): +41 91-8116111 (via Tesserete 46 )
• Emergency Ward ( Pronto Soccorso ), Civic Hospital: +41 91-8116006
• Ambulances ( Ambulanze ): 144
• Poisonings ( Intossicazioni ): 145
• Doctor and dentist on call: 1811
• Emergency Service - Street aid: 140
• Lost Property Office ( Ufficio oggetti smarriti ), City of Lugano Police, Via Beltramina 20b; M-F 07:30-12:00, 13:30-17:00; Phone: +41 58-8668250

Nearby [ edit ]

In nearby Melide is an attraction which is very popular among the Swiss:

Go next [ edit ]

• Bellinzona for castles nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage list
• Meride for Monte San Giorgio — another UNESCO World Heritage site, and the museum of fossiles
• Varese for its Sacro Monte — UNESCO World Heritage site
• Milan considered a leading global city, with strengths in the field of the art, commerce, education, entertainment, finance, healthcare, media, services, research and tourism, recognized as the world's fashion and the design capital
• Campione d'Italia , an Italian exclave just over the other side of the lake from Lugano

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Lugano, Switzerland

Southern Switzerland Locarno Mediterranean Style Ticino Mt. San Salvatore Bernina Express Lake Lugano

Lugano Switzerland - Vacation Guide

Lugano is part of the Italian speaking canton of Ticino and a natural gateway to Switzerland’s southern region. This attractive city is situated next to Lake Lugano and surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and mountains. The city’s colorful vegetation and Swiss Italian culture have inspired artists, writers, and poets for centuries. The Italian creativity in combination with Swiss efficiency makes Lugano a truly vibrant destination for any vacation.

Lugano is a conference, banking, and business center as one of Switzerland’s most important financial districts. Lugano’s flourishing reputation has made it a popular holiday destination not only for internationals but also for many Swiss citizens. Its historic town center consists of Italianate Lombardy style buildings and villas. Mediterranean style squares, such as the Piazza Della Riforma, illustrates renaissance to baroque architecture. Lugano’s Parco Civico invites visitors to fully enjoy the city’s natural beauty alongside its historic city center.

Many Venetian-style villages surround Lake Lugano and are easily accessible from Lugano by car, train or bus. The excursion to Monte San Salvatore offers beautiful panoramic views of Lugano and the lake. Taking a boat trip back to Lugano from any of these villages is a splendid way to experience the lake’s beauty. The Ticino region‘s picturesque landscapes and villages can also be explored by taking a circular train tour with the Bernina Express, the perfect addition to a Lugano, Switzerland vacation. This exciting route brings passengers through regions with different languages and cultures.

Lugano’s central location along the lake offers a variety of attractions and activities. The city’s relaxing atmosphere makes it a perfect place for any vacationer to unwind and simply enjoy life.

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Things to do in lugano, visit lugano switzerland.

Board one of Lake Lugano’s steamer ships to visit other lakeside villages such as Brè or Gandria. Explore the lakeside promenades within Lugano’s Belvedere Gardens and other surrounding villages. Or visit Switzerland’s most picturesque places without even leaving the Ticino region at the outdoor museum Swiss Minature in Melide.

Lugano Switzerland Tours

Lake Lugano Cruises Admire the lake landscape with a delicious meal aboard one of Lake Lugano’s cruises. The morning cruise and panoramic cruise during summer month both last about 3 hours and include a lunch or dinner. Aside from the cruise experience, these boats serve as a useful means of transport in terms of navigating Lake Lugano. These boat excursions can be combined with visiting places like Gandria, Carona and Morcote. These dinner cruises are great for adding some romance to your Lugano, Switzerland vacation.

Monte San Salvatore San Salvatore is Lugano’s home mountain and pinnacle of enjoyment with its summit at an altitude of 912 m/2992 ft. The funicular rail departs from Lugano-Paradiso and brings visitors to an amazing 360° panoramic view of Monte Brè, Generoso, San Giorgio, Lema, Tamaro, Lake Lugano, and the Valais Alps. The summit features a restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine, nature trails and even a museum.

Monte Brè A visit to Monte Brè offers great views of Lake Lugano, the Melide reservoir, San Salvatore, Monte San Giorgio and Valais Alps at an altitude of 925 m/3035 ft. The summit can be reached by taking a city bus from Lugano to Cassarate and funicular rail towards Monte Brè. The summit’s two restaurants both feature Ticino specialties and amazing sun terrace views. For hikers there is a steep path downhill to Gandria where you have access to bus and boat back to Lugano.

Lugano City Tours

Bellinzona Bellinzona is the southernmost capital of Ticino and is located 30 minutes from Lugano via car or train. As the Ticino region’s capital, Bellinzona has powerful fortifications and three medieval castles, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This culturally Lombardy town gives visitors a true sense of medieval architecture and neo-classicism.

Locarno As the town with Switzerland’s warmest climate, Locarno is located on the northern shores of Lago Maggiore and 1 hour and 10 minutes north of Lugano. Locarno’s most notable sight is the pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso which is said to have been established after the appearance of the Virgin Mary. Locarno’s 12 th century castle, the Piazza Grande provides extraordinary views of Lago Maggiore.

Milan The Italian city of Milan is located 80 km/50 mi south of Lugano and can be reached in less than 90 minutes via car or train. Milan is the true epitome of Italy as the country’s financial and fashion capital. This energy packed city is filled with history, art and vibrancy making it a great day trip excursion during a Lugano, Switzerland vacation. When visiting Milan, travelers are advised to carry their passports.

Summer Sports in Lugano Switzerland

Swimming Lake Lugano’s water temperatures range from 20 to 26° C during Lugano’s summer months. The lake has fine sandy beaches can be enjoyed at the Lugano Lido swimming resort. The Lugano Lido features a heated Olympic, diving and children’s pool in addition to its lakeside beaches. Enjoy water sports and some beach volleyball at the Lugano Lido.

Hiking Lugano’s Monte San Salvatore and its funicular railway offer visitors with the most amazing hiking excursions. The summit’s most popular hiking route winds through the chestnut forests and along the lake to Morcote. Other paths lead hikers to the village of Carona and Alpe Vicania. The San Salvatore hiking paths include panoramic views of Lake Lugano, Po Valley, Swiss and Savoy Alps.

Shopping in Lugano

Via Nassa is Lugano’s main shopping street located in the historic city center with plenty of boutiques, antiquarian bookshops and jewelers. Enjoy a pleasant stroll along the street’s 270 m/.2 mi covered arcades. The shops are generally open until 6:30 pm on weekdays, with the exception of Sunday. Have the opportunity to try Lugano’s local agricultural products at the farmers market, held on Tuesday and Friday from 8:00 am until 12:00 am.

Museums in Lugano

Lugano Art and Culture Museum Also known as MASI, the Lugano Art and Culture Museum houses the contemporary creativity from southern Switzerland. As an architectural masterpiece, this museum features 2500 sq. meters of art, a modern theater and concert hall. The museum’s art ranges from 1850 to present day and adds a great bit of culture to your Lugano, Switzerland vacation.

Swiss Customs Museum The very unique Museum of Swiss Customs is only accessible by boat and is located on the shores of Lake Lugano in Gandria. At this museum, visitors gain a close insight into the everyday work of Swiss guards and customs officers. Learn more about Switzerland’s long tradition of controlling frontiers in regards to everything from smuggling to cultural asset protection.

Location and Map

Lugano is 204 km/127 mi from Zürich with a travel time of 3 hours via car or train. Lugano also has its own airport (LUG) that offers daily connections to Zürich ZRH) and Geneva (GVA). The closest international airport is Milano Malpensa (MXP). Genava is in western Switzerland and is located 368 km/229 mi west of Lugano. Lugano is 278 km/173 mi away from Switzerland’s capital city of Bern. Lugano is also accessible through a number of international train connections.

Lugano Switzerland

Southern Switzerland Population: 63,583 Elevation: 284 m/931 ft

Things to Do in Lugano, Switzerland - Lugano Attractions

Things to do in lugano.

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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Lake Lugano

2. Monte San Salvatore

3. Church of S. Maria degli Angioli

4. Parco Ciani

5. Monte Bre

6. The Olive Grove Trail

7. Piazza della Riforma

8. Tourism Office of Lugano Region

9. LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura

10. Lido di Lugano

11. Cattedrale di San Lorenzo

12. Centro storico Gandria

13. Lido San Domenico

14. Chiesa San Rocco

15. Fondazione Gabriele e Anna Braglia

16. Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana - MASI Lugano

17. Skatepark Lugano

18. Parco Villa Florida

19. Customs Museum

20. Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale

21. Lido Piscina Conca d’Oro

22. Chiesa di San Carlo Borromeo

23. Casino Lugano

24. Parco Sul Fiume Cassarate Al Piano Stampa

25. Chiesa Santa Maria Di Loreto

26. Parco del Tassino

27. Chiesa di San Nicolao della Flüe

28. Chiesa di Santa Maria Immacolata

29. Tennis Club Lugano 1903

30. MUSEC Museo Culture Lugano

What travelers are saying.

Lugano, Switzerland’s “Little Italy”

Last Updated on April 4, 2024

What to do in Lugano, a great little bit of Italy in Switzerland…

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

By Jim Ferri

For a country its size, it’s incredible just how multi-cultural  Switzerland  is.

There’s a heavy German influence in the north, and in the southwest, around Geneva, it’s predominantly French. In the east, in the Canton of Graubünden, people speak Romansch, a language closer to Latin than anything else.  And in the south, in the Canton of Ticino , a form of Italian called “svizzero Italiano” is spoken.

But language isn’t the only thing that differentiates the regions of the country. There’s also Switzerland’s topography and climate. The latter is especially obvious in Ticino .

Ticino has its mountains, as one would expect, but the area also has a Mediterranean climate. Yes, a Mediterranean climate. And believe me, it’s quite a shock the first time you see palm trees in Switzerland .

Lugano, on the lake of the same name, is Ticino’s most prominent city. It’s very different from the rest of Switzerland. Tucked away near the border with Italy , its people’s attitudes,  customs, and food are more Italian  than anywhere else in the country. 

Lugano is Switzerland’s “Little Italy” and a delightful coalescence of the Swiss and Italian cultures. You can get a feel for this wonderful duality in a private immersive tour of Lugano as well as Morcote , a village further up Lake Lugano. If you’re in Italy, there is also a popular lake cruise from Como to Bellagio and Lugano. All of these tours allow free cancelation.

Lugano is also an easy day trip by train from, or to, Milano, Zurich and other cities.

Finding Things To Do in Lugano

I enjoyed it because it’s laid back and relaxing. There’s not a ton of tourist things to do in Lugano, just enough to make your visit enjoyable and relaxing. I never felt a need to see many things and had to rush from a museum to a church to a monument to a gallery, etc. I did think, however, that it’s a beautiful old city to wander about and relax. And eat some fabulous food, of course.

I arrived in Lugano by train and took a taxi to my hotel. I quickly dropped my luggage in my room in search of the best things to do in Lugano. Within minutes I was out walking along the nearby tree-shaded  promenade of Lake Lugano.  

The view of the lake, surrounded by mountains, is beautiful. Everything is quiet and laid-back. Aside from boulevard traffic, the most activity came from people boarding the  Italia  for a luncheon cruise on the lake. I watched and thought what an excellent way that was to spend an afternoon in Lugano. 

Looking out on the tranquil lake, I was mesmerized. Everything was so quiet, with only swans and occasional fishermen sliding effortlessly across the water.

Seeing a  little city tourist office  across the street broke my trance. I crossed over since I had decided to visit Lugano at the last minute, lacked a map, and knew little about the city. I left after just a few minutes, surprised about the little information they had on hand. The only thing they could provide in English about things to do in Lugano was one large brochure.

Getting Wonderfully Lost, A Good Thing to Do in Lugano

When I exited the tourist office, I found myself on the Piazza Riforma. I couldn’t help but notice that the outdoor cafes and ristorantes were already filling for lunch. I also noticed that I was also right in the  center of the car-free area o f Lugano. So I walked across the piazza and dove into the warren of streets in the picturesque Old City.

I got lost quickly, which was fortuitous since I love wandering through old cities. I quickly realized, however, that no street ran straight, and each ultimately tumbled me into another piazza.

It was apparent the old city was a series of little neighborhoods and piazzas snuggled up next to one another. Multi-colored buildings lined the streets. Café tables flowed out onto walkways, and little food shops were everywhere. There was no doubt I was in Switzerland’s Little Italy.

One of the piazzas I immediately fell in love with was the picturesque Piazza Cioccaro , which oozed with charm. 

On this search for things to do, I saw the Gabbani, a typical Lugano outdoor bar-ristorante in the hotel of the same name. Featuring traditional Ticino and Mediterranean cuisine, it was doing a brisk lunch business with the locals. The Gabbani also had a more formal restaurant upstairs in the hotel.

I was drawn over to the far side of the restaurant by two large woven baskets on stands. They were filled with Panettoncini and Grissini imported from Italy. I then realized that they were from the Gabbani gourmet food shop adjacent to the restaurant on the piazza. I stepped inside the shop and found a cornucopia of gourmet products that would make a chef swoon. 

Another Thing to Do In Lugano – Head for Higher Ground

Leaving the piazza, I turned the corner and was shocked to see more Gabbani shops down the street. I headed in their direction, but first paused outside a small grocery store.

I was amazed, as I’m sure other Americans are, by the colorful array of vegetables. Among the produce was a half-dozen baskets of different types of mushrooms, all looking as if just plucked from the forest floor. It’s almost spell-binding for those of us acclimated to supermarkets back home.

Not far beyond, on Via Pessina, the next corner, I found the Gabbani macellaria, salumeria, and charcuterie. More heaven for foodies, I thought.

Wanting to view the city from a higher vantage point, I took the  funicolare  back up to the train station , where I had arrived the previous day. Yesterday, however, I was more interested in finding a taxi than enjoying the view. Now, however, I paused and took it all in.

Still, on a search for more things to do in Lugano, I crossed the street in front of the station and walked down steps heading back into the old city. I soon found myself in another delightful little neighborhood. Its cobbled street flowed down the hillside, past small apartments, gelaterias, and all sorts of little shops. 

To me, the multi-colored buildings lining the street looked like giant child’s building blocks. Every once in a while, I’d come upon a staircase. One was particularly lengthy, making me glad I’d decided to take a walk down from, and not up, to the station.

Wandering down Via Paolo Regazonni, I came to the  Cathedral of San Lorenzo-Lugano , its Renaissance bell tower rising over the city. After entering the beautiful church, I found it had a Baroque interior with many frescoes. 

Piazza Alighieri Dante

Continuing my search for things to see the next day, I found myself in Piazza Alighieri Dante. It is the commercial center of Lugano’s old city. Home to a department store and several other chain stores. It’s much larger than the other little piazzas I had visited. However, despite its modernity, it was still much older than the historical areas of many American cities.

At a small stand in the middle of the piazza, I watched two men roasting fresh chestnuts. One was cooking them over a fire in a bin, the other carefully measuring bags of  marroni  on a scale. I surmised they must be pretty popular based on the long line of people waiting to buy a bag.

Around the corner, I found a little crêpe shop. Next to it was an equally small butcher shop with an entire piglet in its window. Alongside it was a chicken with its head and neck still attached.

I thought it quite odd until I remembered hearing about a Swiss law that required butchers to leave some form of animal identification. Supposedly, at one time, a scandal rocked Switzerland when some butchers sold cats as rabbits. Ugh.

A Great Food Festival, A Historical Church

Lugano is a good city for food lovers. In fact, in this little city, you’ll find nine Michelin restaurants.

Every year the city hosts its  Festa d’Autunno , the annual salute to the start of autumn. Held on the Piazza Della Riforma in late September / early October, it’s one of the  best food festivals in Europe . (By the way, in several European cities there are upscale food markets where you can dine on regional foods.)

I was now walking across the Piazza Della Riforma, heading back to my hotel. I crossed the boulevard and once again began my saunter along the promenade. 

After a few minutes, however, I noticed a couple entering a church on the far side of the boulevard. It was a small Romanesque church, one I had passed several times. But I always assumed it was closed since there was never anyone around it. Now, seeing it open, I crossed the boulevard and found  Santa Maria Degli Angioli . 

It turned out to be a remarkable church with 16th– century frescoes. One of the frescos is a massive depiction of the crucifixion containing many scenes.  It is Switzerland’s most famous Renaissance fresco . Across from four small altars on one sidewall, I found a fresco of the Last Supper. Walking through the archway to the altar area, I found other smaller ones.

If you visit Ticino, see it. It’s one of the best things to see in Lugano.

You may also enjoy: Best Places to Visit in Switzerland / The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces in Switzerland / A Day Trip From Geneva on Switzerland’s Belle Epoque Steamers

The Trains From Italy

Exiting the church and continuing my walk along the lakefront, I remembered training through Switzerland decades earlier. Back then, if a train were late, the Swiss would say, “it must have come up from Italy.”

After taking the funicular yesterday, I stopped at the station and made an onward reservation through Zurich to  Innsbruck, Austria . The clerk mapped out a routine for me and handed me the ticket.

She then quickly took it back, remarking, “Oh no, it’s better if you take this train, which comes a few minutes earlier. That one is coming from Italy.”

I couldn’t help but think how some things never really change.

Somehow, though, it didn’t bother me. In just a few days, I had already adapted well to Ticino’s unique  la dolce vita .

Switzerland Tourism 608 Fifth Avenue, Suite 603 New York, NY 10020 https://www.myswitzerland.com [email protected] Tel: (800) 794-7795

December 14, 2021 at 7:13 pm

We will be traveling from the US and visiting Lugano next September and this article was certainly a good planning tool.

December 17, 2021 at 9:02 am

Thanks Bubba. Have a great trip! Jim

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Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: May - September

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"Lakeside Sophistication and Swiss Elegance"

Lugano tourism.

Lugano is a city in Switzerland located in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. It is a vibrant city nestled between the lakes of Lugano and Ceresio, surrounded by the breathtaking snow-capped Alps. It is a popular tourist destination, offering a mix of vibrant city life and stunning natural beauty.

The main reason why anyone should visit Lugano is its excellent combination of city life and natural beauty. The city is home to a variety of attractions, including the historic old town, the lively Piazza della Riforma, the stunning views from the nearby Monte San Giorgio, and the beautiful lakefront promenade. Tourists can also enjoy the city's incredible selection of shops, restaurants, and bars. For those who want a more relaxing experience, there are plenty of parks and gardens to explore. For outdoor lovers, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in and around Lugano. Visitors can explore the nearby mountains, take a boat ride on the lake, go for a swim in the lake or river, or visit some of the nearby historical sites. For those who prefer a more active experience, Lugano also has a vibrant nightlife and a great selection of music, art, and cultural events. When visiting Lugano, it is important to remember that Switzerland is renowned for its high cost of living. As a result, it is important to plan accordingly when budgeting for your trip. Additionally, visitors should be aware of the local laws and customs, and should dress appropriately. Overall, Lugano is a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. Whether you are looking for a relaxed vacation or an active one, Lugano has something for everyone. With its stunning natural beauty, vibrant city life, and excellent selection of activities, Lugano is a must-visit destination for any traveler.

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Map of Lugano — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Lugano, Switzerland for travelers! Check out Lugano’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Lugano? See our Lugano Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Lugano. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Lugano map:

• Explore the best restaurants, shopping, and things to do in Lugano by categories
• Get directions in Google Maps to each place
• Export all places to save to your Google Maps
• Plan your travels by turning on metro and bus lines
• Create a Wanderlog trip plan (link to create a trip plan for the city) that keep all the places on the map in your phone
• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 17 attractions in Lugano

Lake lugano, monte san salvatore.

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Piazza Riforma

Lido di lugano.

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

Cathedral of Saint Lawrence

Parco del tassino, chiesa santa maria degli angioli, cantonal museum of natural history, lido conca d'oro, casinò lugano sa, sentiero dell'olivo, fondazione gabriele e anna braglia, fontana guglielmo tell, ristorante le bucce di gandria.

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Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Museo d'arte della Svizzera italiana (MASI Lugano)

Lido san domenico, top 10 restaurants in lugano, ristorante trattoria galleria, osteria cyrano.

Grotto della Salute

Canvetto federale, grotto teresa, restaurant la cucina di alice.

FLAMEL Restaurant & Bistrot

Ristorante meta, i due sud, ristorante a lugano, transportation in lugano, nearby airports, milan malpensa airport, milan bergamo airport, milan linate airport, highways and major roads.

• A2/E35 - The main highway that runs through Lugano and connects it to the rest of Switzerland and Italy
• Via San Gottardo - A major road that runs east-west through the city
• Via Maraini - A major road that runs north-south through the city
• Via Cattedrale - A historic street that leads up to the Church of San Lorenzo
• Via Nassa - A popular shopping street in the city center
• Via Cantonale - A road that connects the city to neighboring communities in Ticino
• Via alla Rovere - A scenic road that runs along the edge of the lake
• Via Tesserete - A road that leads to the neighboring town of Tesserete
• Via Montebello - A road that leads up to the scenic viewpoint of Monte Brè
• Via Carona - A road that leads to the picturesque village of Carona, located in the hills above Lugano.

Top searches in Lugano

Popular road trips from lugano, what's the weather like in lugano.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Lugano for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Lugano in January
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• Weather in Lugano in December

All road trips from Lugano

• Lugano to Rome drive
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• Lugano to Nice drive
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• Lugano to Lucerne drive
• Lugano to Edinburgh drive
• Lugano to Dublin drive
• Lugano to Lisbon drive
• Lugano to Istanbul drive
• Lugano to Pisa drive
• Lugano to Lyon drive
• Lugano to Bergamo drive

Explore nearby places

• Campione d'Italia
• Ponte Capriasca

All related maps of Lugano

• Map of Sorengo
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• Map of Bioggio
• Map of Montagnola
• Map of Campione d'Italia
• Map of Manno
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• Map of Grancia
• Map of Lamone
• Map of Gravesano
• Map of Cademario
• Map of Vernate
• Map of Origlio
• Map of Carona
• Map of Melide
• Map of Magliaso
• Map of Bedano
• Map of Arogno
• Map of Ponte Capriasca
• Map of Neggio
• Map of Bissone
• Map of Arosio

Lugano throughout the year

• Lugano in January
• Lugano in February
• Lugano in March
• Lugano in April
• Lugano in May
• Lugano in June
• Lugano in July
• Lugano in August
• Lugano in September
• Lugano in October
• Lugano in November
• Lugano in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Lugano?

Get inspired for your trip to Lugano with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Lugano Itinerary
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• 3-Day Lugano Itinerary
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• 5-Day Lugano Itinerary

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Info points

At our information services, you will be greeted with a smile and a warm welcome by our staff. With availability and friendliness, the team will guide you to discover the secrets of the region and illustrate its countless possibilities.

Lugano Centre

Piazza della Riforma 1 - Palazzo Civico 6901 Lugano Tel +41 58 220 65 06 [email protected]

Mon – Fri 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. holidays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Extra services

• Sale of fishing licenses for tourists
• Renting boat moorings for short periods
• Sale of Foxtrail
• Sale of highway sticker (Vignette)
• Resale of tickets for shows, concerts and other events
• MyLugano Pass (digital version only)

Accessibility information

Railstation Lugano

Piazzale della Stazione 6900 Lugano Tel  +41 58 220 65 04 [email protected]

Mon – Fri 9:00 am – 1:00 pm / 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am — 1:00 pm Sunday and holidays closed

• Sale of Foxtrail (starting point)
• Redeem tourist tax

Ente Turistico del Luganese Riva dal Garavèll 6922 Morcote Tel  +41 58 220 65 02 [email protected]

Mon – Fri 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m./ 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday closed holidays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Special openings

Sunday 19.05.2024 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Sale of parking pass – Autosilo Morcote

Ente Turistico del Luganese Piazza Lago 5A 6987 Caslano Tel  +41 58 220 65 01 [email protected]

Mon – Fri 9:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Sunday closed holidays 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Sunday 19.05.2024 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Sale of sailing permit