lugano tourist office

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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Lake Lugano

Lake Lugano is at the southernmost tip of the Tessin, the holiday region south of the ridge of the Alps, and it reaches its arms out into Italy. Thanks to the mild Mediterranean climate, there are even citrus fruit trees growing here, and visitors can sunbathe under palm trees.

Description

The lake has a number of different branches and is surrounded by mountains: Monte Generoso  is the highest mountain by Lake Lugano, at about 1700 m. A rack railway takes you from the lakeside resort of Capolago to the top of the mountain, with its panoramic views. There are two funicular railways scaling Lugano’s mountains: the Monte San Salvatore  – from where a beautiful alpine footpath leads to the little village of Carona and on to Morcote – and the Monte Brè. And a cable-car takes you up to the sunny plateau of Serpiano, ideally located for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Monte San Giorgio. The densely wooded mountain with its many rare plants is one of the main locations where fossils can be found dating from a prehistoric subtropical lake. Take a boat ride to discover the diversity of the region: Morcote, with its grand mansions and the church of Santa Maria del Sasso, an important Renaissance building with a late-Romanesque bell-tower offering outstanding views, or Gandria, a perfect example of a little fishing village by Lake Lugano. Round the lake, the numerous parks are tempting places to wander. Take, for example, the Parco Scherrer in Morcote, where sculpture and architecture from countless different countries and eras are combined with cedar trees, Mexican pines, camphor trees, eucalyptus, azaleas, palms, bamboo etc, or the Park Belvedere, right beside the lakeside promenade in Lugano . In the spring, visitors love to see the magnolias and camellias in full bloom in the parks. You can discover Swiss history and culture in the holiday paradise of Lake Lugano: the Swiss Customs Museum in Gandria, for example, shows how smugglers used to pursue their “trade” at great risk in this formerly poverty-stricken area, while the famous “ Swissminiature ” Park shows you the country’s main sights on a scale of 1:25. For literature fans, it’s worth a visit to the Hermann Hesse Museum in Montagnola where the writer spent half his life.

Experiences & Activities

Museo mario bernasconi, lake lugano cruises, melide ice on the lake 2023, cappella santa maria degli angeli, museo d’arte della svizzera italiana (masi palazzo reali), explore street art in lugano, banca del gottardo, olive tree trail, collezione giancarlo e danna olgiati, christmas in lugano, melide, ticino seehotel riviera 3 stars.

Lugano, Ticino Villa Principe Leopoldo 5 Stars

Lugano, Ticino International au Lac Historic Lakeside Hotel 3 Stars

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Price per person in double room valid: 25.04.2024 - 31.05.2024

Lugano Hiking holidays Sentiero Lago di Lugano Monte Tama

Price per person in double room valid: 25.04.2024 - 31.12.2024

Monte Tamaro SA, Lugano Meetings an team building at Monte Tamaro

Without overnight stay valid: 25.04.2024 - 01.09.2024

Resort Collina d'Oro, Lugano Working in the green

valid: 25.04.2024 - 31.12.2024

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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 flamel bistrot & mixology, lugano, ticino osteria gallo d'oro, tesserete, ticino capanna ginestra, morcote, ticino ristorante della torre, lugano, ticino ristorante moncucchetto.

• 25 Apr Concert season OSI al LAC Lugano, 25.04.2024
• until 5 May Family Tour by Lugano Region Lugano, 14.04. - 05.05.2024
• 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

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Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano Viale Castagnola 12 6900  Lugano +41 (0)91 971 52 23 +41 (0)91 971 27 93 [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.

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Things to Do in Lugano, Switzerland - Lugano Attractions

Things to do in lugano.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Honeymoon spot
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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. Chiesa San Rocco

14. Lido San Domenico

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. Casino Lugano

23. Chiesa di San Carlo Borromeo

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.

Cities & Monuments

• Scenic Views
• Specialties
• Restaurants
• top.pioggia
• Discovery Card
• Up to 2 hours
• More than 4 hours

Itinerary: Lugano's Historic Centre

Duration 2h, see description.

Lugano's historic centre

The Piazza della Riforma claims Locarno 's Piazza Grande role of Ticino's most beautiful square. It's considered the city's elegant "living room" surrounded by old buildings including the Neoclassic Palazzo Civico (Town Hall) and inviting places to take a break. Meeting point for Lugano residents (the luganesi), it hosts numerous events and is the ideal starting point to visit the city. A network of narrow pedestrian streets, where one strolls among glittering shop windows and luxurious boutiques, connects it to the main points of interest in the centre (S. Lorenzo Cathedral, church of S. Maria degli Angioli, LAC , lakefront).

Itinerary: Lugano's Historic Centre (2h, see map )

From the Piazza della Riforma it's worthwhile to peek in the courtyard of the Palazzo Civico to admire a sculpture emitting strength and power: the "Spartacus" of Ticino artist Vincenzo Vela (1820-1891), considered as one of the major sculptors of the Italian 1800s. Entering Via Nassa, a shopper's paradise, you will see the church of San Carlo Borromeo built between 1640 and 1642. Thereafter continue to the church Santa Maria degli Angioli (Saint Mary of Angels) that has in custody a masterpiece from the first Renaissance considered the most remarkable fresco from that period in Switzerland. It's a representation of the Passion and the Crucifixion, works of Italian artist Bernardino Luini (circa 1480-1532) pupil of Leonardo da Vinci. Next to the church, the modern LAC cultural centre (Lugano Arte e Cultura). The itinerary continues along the lakeside under the fringes of a double lane of trees, defining the limit between lake and urban dwellings. One of the most striking spots is the Belvedere garden, a terrace in bloom located left of the church Santa Maria degli Angioli that offers the cue of a short stop between nature and culture. The garden is enriched by the colorful flowerbeds, bushes, century-old trees and an interesting collection of artwork. Continue along the lakefront returning to the Piazza della Riforma and take the Via Nassa once again. Cross the Piazzetta Maraini to find yourself in one of the most enchanted and distinctive corners of the city, Via Pessina, where old buildings house businesses selling local products. Arriving in Piazza Cioccaro discover the beauty of the Palazzo Riva-Ghioldi, one of Lugano's oldest buildings and still in a great state thanks to wise restorations. Go up along the Via Cattedrale to the terrace in front of the Saint Laurence Cathedral with a view of the city. The monument can also pride itself of a rich cultural heritage: aside from the Renaissance facade (of 1517), it safeguards precious frescoes from the 14th and 16th centuries. From the Cathedral return to Piazza Cioccaro; then along Via Soave to Piazza Dante where the church of S. Antonio (Saint Anthony) stands. The church holds works of Petrini and frescoes of the Torricelli brothers. The itinerary continues in Contrada dei Verla and Via Giosuè Carducci leading to the church of San Rocco with rare frescoes of G. Discepoli. Behind the gracious church is the Quartiere Maghetti, an animated shopping centre. From here the itinerary continues towards the Villa Ciani, visible in the distance. To reach it you must cross Piazza Indipendenza (Independence Square), decorated with a 17th century obelisk erected in memory of the face-off between the Lugano Volunteers and the Cisalpine Army in 1789. From the villa, across the beautiful Ciani Park , you will reach the lake. The park and the villa are from the 19th century when the Ciani brothers, Milanese noblemen, purchased the property (1845). The following years a succession of embellishments and redevelopments were made to the infrastructure and surrounding vegetation composed of oaks, lindens, plane trees, palm trees, olive trees in addition to camellias and azaleas that offer wonderful blooming in the spring. Even during the cold season the myriad of flowerbeds are filled with colorful and scented flower corollas. In the park, beyond the Villa Ciani is also the Biblioteca cantonale (Cantonal Library), a 1940s building designed by architects Rino and Carlo Tami (restored in the years 2004-2005) and the Museo Cantonale di storia naturale (Cantonal Museum of Natural History). The end of the park is marked by the river Cassarate.

Guided Tours

From April to October, several guided tours in the city are proposed. For information and reservation please contact Lugano Tourist Office (phone 058 220 65 00 - [email protected])

• Duration of the activity: 2h
• Duration from Locarno: 4h
• Duration from Lugano: 2h

Opening hours

Dalle 8.30 alle 17.00 nel periodo estivo

More information

Tourist Office Lugano Piazza Riforma 1 6900 Lugano +41 58 220 65 00 [email protected] www.luganoregion.com

Restaurants nearby

Grand Café Al Porto

Moncucchetto

La Veranda (Alb. Splendide Royal)

To complete your day

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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Best Things To Do in One Day in Lugano, Switzerland

Published: 3/3/2024

One Perfect Day in Lugano, Switzerland

When life’s got you down, one day in Lugano, Switzerland might be all the cure you need.

Tucked in the Pre-Alps in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, Lugano has long been a popular European resort town . This beautiful Swiss lake town had been on the tippy-top of my “to visit” list for decades.

As I prepared for my November 2023 visit to Milan and the Italian Lake District , I found it difficult to track down the best things to do in Lugano or a one day Lugano itinerary . Since Lugano is a leisure destination , many people just  want to relax while they’re in town.

But fear not – there are plenty of things to do in Lugano . I crafted this one day Lugano itinerary with the active traveler in mind. Prepare for mountain hikes, historic cafes, boat rides, and yes, a little down time on the shores of lovely Lake Lugano.

Throw in some beers in Old Town, a little shopping , and of course a funicular ride, and you’ll soon see why subtropical, sunny Lugano has charmed visitors for centuries.

I think you’re going to love every minute you have in Lugano. Let’s dive right and make this day in Lugano one to remember!

This post may contain affiliate links. When you purchase something through these links, I receive a small commission that helps me create this blog’s content. There’s no extra cost to you.

One Day in Lugano, Switzerland Table of Contents

What to know about lugano, switzerland.

• Full One Day Lugano Switzerland Itinerary
• Getting Around Lugano

Where To Stay in Lugano

• A Brief Introduction to Lugano

Is Lugano Worth Visiting?

• How Long in Lugano, Switzerland

Conclusion: What To Do in Lugano, Switzerland in One Day

Language: Italian Currency: Swiss Franc (businesses will often accept Euros) Climate: Subtropical Swiss Canton (State): Ticino Closest airport: Milan Malpensa

One Day in Lugano, Switzerland Itinerary

What this one day in lugano itinerary includes:.

• Self-guided lake walk
• Shopping in Lugano Old Town

Grand Café al Porto

• Funicular to Monte Bre

Monte Bre to Gandria hike

• Boat ride on Lake Lugano

Relax at the pool

• Beers and dinner at Il Fermento

We’ll spend the entire day beside beautiful Lake Lugano, exploring both Old Town and the surrounding Pre-Alps .

As the ninth largest city in Switzerland, Lugano sprawls quite far inland. However, Lugano’s lakefront and Old Town is a small, walkable area. Happily, considering Lugano’s mountainous surroundings, we’ll be sticking to pretty level ground most of the day. Don’t worry – we’ll give the legs a bit of a stretch on sunny Monte Bre ! 

Self-Guided Lake Walk

The very first thing I recommend doing when you reach Lugano is strolling along the town’s scenic waterfront. The town is flanked by two approximately 3000’ mountains: Monte Bre and Monte San Salvatore . In between the two peaks lies the heart of Lugano including docks and boats, churches, art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

Unlike nearby Lake Como where villas, towns, and gardens covered every square inch of available lake frontage, Lake Lugano is decidedly less developed. Not too many places in Europe have a subtropical climate , but Lugano is one of them. With the plentiful palm trees, you might feel like you’re a world away from Milan , but it’s just over an hour train ride from Milan to Lugano.

In addition to marveling over the novelty of Lugano, there are plenty of highlights to take in during your stroll. I recommend checking out Parco Ciani , Villa Ciani , and Piazza della Riforma . You’ll also find the casino and an impressive McDonalds downtown. Don’t forget to pose in front of the I Love Lugano sign , located on the San Salvatore (western) side of the waterfront.

One of my favorite sights during our lakefront walk was the chess players playing with massive chess pieces across from the casino. It looked like something straight out of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone .

The Lugano City Hall overlooks Piazza della Riforma, the town’s main square and a popular gathering place for visitors. The City Hall houses the Lugano tourism office which offers free guided city tours on Monday mornings from April – October. We visited right as the city was getting set up for their annual Christmas market which opens in late November.

Do some shopping in Old Town

After you’ve had your fill of the waterfront, head inland at Piazza della Riforma to do a little shopping. This corner of Lugano offers a variety of shops ranging from high-end options like Hermes and Cartier to budget European chains like Flying Tiger Copenhagen . There are also unique boutiques and secondhand stores to check out.

If you’re visiting on a Tuesday or Friday, you can visit the Farmers Market in Piazza San Rocco e Via Canova. We happened upon Alchimista Ticinese ’s booth at the market and were immediately charmed by his beautifully labeled bottles of gin, absinthe, and liqueurs. During our conversation, he mentioned Grand Rapids, MI , so we had to go home with a bottle of his Full Moon gin!

If you prefer sightseeing over shopping, you could hit up some of Lugano’s historic churches such as San Lorenzo Cathedral , Church of San Rocco , or Church of St. Mary of the Angels . You could also use this time to visit Lugano’s museums like the LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura .

This elegant and historic café in the middle of the Old Town is known for its beautiful pastries and celebrity guests. The likes of Clark Gable, Prince Vittorio Emanuele, and Sophia Loren have all dined here. After World War II, Major Dulles used one of the private upstairs dining rooms to lay out to Nazi officials how Germany was going to withdraw from Italy .

You never know who you’ll be dining with at Lugano’s Grand Café al Porto and that makes it the perfect place to grab an espresso or pastry. We enjoyed a simple, but delicious, lunch of potato soup (zuppa di patate sounds so much more exciting, doesn’t it?!) and were charmed by the hospitality of both the staff and our friendly dining neighbors.

Be sure to peruse their beautiful pastry case. If you’re looking for some Lugano souvenirs, they have a good supply of take and go items including chocolates and (at least at Christmas time) panettones. We learned the hard way that they are closed on Sundays!

Funicular to Mount Bre

When we checked into our hotel, the doorman strongly recommended we take the funicular to the top of Monte Bre.

Lugano has two main funicular options: Monte Bre and Monte San Salvatore. However, the Monte San Salvatore funicular doesn’t operate in November. Since the Monte Bre funicular station was literally across the street from our hotel, we would have chosen Monte Bre even if we’d had an option.

Monte Bre’s claim to fame is that it’s the sunniest mountain in Switzerland. It also has the best view of Lugano . There’s a restaurant and church at the top of the mountain, but otherwise there’s not much to do up there except soak up the truly exceptional view.

To ascend Monte Bre by funicular, you first take a short ride on the free public funicular between the Cassarate station on Via Pico to the Suvigliana station on Via Ceresio di Suvigliana. The ticket office located at the Suvigliana station is where you actually purchase a ticket. You can opt for a one-way, round trip, or – in our case – a funicular/boat ride combo ticket.

To add a little adventure to your Monte Bre experience , hike down the 3000’ mountain to the small town of Gandria and catch a boat back to Lugano.

The funicular ticket attendant told us it would take about 1.5 hours to hike down Monte Bre to the small town of Gandria. This well-signed route uses paved paths, roadways, and dirt trails to switchback down the mountain for about 2.5 miles.

Like almost everything we experienced in Lugano, the path was very quiet. Once we left the mountain top, we didn’t see another soul until we reached the boat dock in Gandria.

The hike actually ended up taking us close to 2 hours. We ran into a hazard tree clearing project about 10 minutes outside of Gandria and wasted quite a bit of time trying to get around a bunch of downed trees.

Eventually (highly motivated by the sound of approaching chain saws) we abandoned this plan and found an alternative way off the mountain using a power line. While it probably wasn’t the most scenic approach to Gandria, after narrowly escaping having trees felled on top of us, we were pretty happy to hit the main road and lakeshore with time to spare before our scheduled boat pick-up.

The medieval town of Gandria was completely deserted when we arrived. South of the main road, Gandria is pedestrian only and uses wide stairways as streets. As we picked our way down to the boat dock, it felt like we’d enter the old computer game Myst .

Boat ride back to Lugano

You have to take a boat out on Lake Lugano! This glacial lake has stunning mountain scenery and is comparatively undeveloped when held up against Lake Como.

In the off-season when we visited, taking one of the Lake Lugano passenger ferries is the easiest way to get on the water.  Fair warning: the timetables can be a little tricky to decipher. 

I was really pleased with our decision to catch the boat in Gandria back to Lugano. (Another popular option to get back to Lugano from Gandria is to hike the Olive Tree Trail .) The boat ride took about 35 minutes, with stops at San Rocco and Paradiso before arriving at the main dock in Lugano.

There’s a Rick Steves quip about things to do in Lugano: “You’re here to relax.” Despite somewhat limited sightseeing options, we’ve packed quite a bit of activity into this day in Lugano. Now it’s time to lean into Lugano’s resort town vibes and put your feet up.

While we didn’t book any services at our hotel’s salon, we took full advantage of its beautiful pool area. Unlike in the Azores where every pool we visited was quite busy, we had the entire pool area – including a large pool, a sauna, and a steam room – to ourselves. A happy consequence of visiting Lugano right before Christmas market season was that there were very few guests at the hotel.

After our harrowing experience coming down Monte Bre, a long sit in the sauna was just what we needed to soothe our aching muscles.

Beers at Il Fermento

We ended up stopping at this lakefront brew pub twice during our time in Lugano: once for aperitivo and the other time to grab a light dinner. We loved the friendly service, excellent beers, and a great selection of flat breads and burgers. I think it’s the perfect place to cap out a very full day in Lugano. 

Helpful Lugano Visitor Information

Getting around lugano.

Lugano – as long as you stay close to the lake – is very walkable . Even though we were staying out on the eastern edges of Lugano in Castognola, we walked everywhere. From our hotel, it was about a 20-minute stroll along the lake to the heart of Old Town.

However, with any hotel stay in Lugano, you receive a Ticino ticket which gives you unlimited free trips on the public buses and trains as well as discounts on funicular and boat rides. We used our Ticino ticket to take the bus up to the train station which is located in the hillside overlooking Lugano and the lake.

Rather than figure out the funicular/public transportation upon arrival in Lugano, we decided to splurge on a taxi from the train station to our hotel. The front door drop-off – along with some great Whitney Houston beats during the drive – made the little luxury well worth it.

There’s no reason to skirt around the issue: Lugano is a luxury destination. I certainly didn’t realize this back when I read Sharon Creech’s Bloomability in middle school ( books really are the best travel inspiration ) and Lugano landed on my “to visit” list. But Lugano has always attracted upper-class travelers. To this day, the town is filled with high-end hotels, shops, and restaurants.

Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola

I embraced Lugano’s luxury and leisure vibes and booked a two-night stay at the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola . (Thank you credit card points !) This is definitely the bougiest place I’ve ever stayed.

In fact, the hotel is the literal definition of bougie. It was originally built as a winter home for a Russian aristocrat!

I booked a backyard view double room, but we ended up with a fantastic view of both Lake Lugano and the hotel’s beautiful gardens. As you might expect from a five-star property, our room was very well appointed. We especially enjoyed the comfy couch and balcony.

It wasn’t until our stay here that I truly understood how a person could spend years living in a hotel like in Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow . But truly, the Grand Hotel has everything you could need including a gym, salon, pool and sauna area, three restaurants (one in a separate building near the waterfront), meeting rooms, libraries, and garden terraces.

I can’t say enough good things about the hotel staff either. They responded so promptly to my emails ahead of time for both a dinner reservation and to make sure our room was set up with two beds. They even loaded us up with some bottled water for our travels to Lake Como when we checked out.

Other Places To Stay in Lugano

While I think a historic luxury hotel like the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola really rounds out the Lugano experience, if it doesn’t fit your budget or travel style, there are plenty of other places to stay in Lugano .

There is a youth hostel located about 2 kilometers outside of Lugano. Other favorite Lugano hotels include Suitenhotel Parco Paradiso and Hotel Pestalozzi .

 A Brief Introduction to Lugano, Switzerland

One of the sunniest spots in Europe, Lugano can be reached in a little more than an hour train ride from central Milan . If you’re longing for water after your time in landlocked Milan, a day in Lugano’s unique subtropical climate on Lake Lugano, is exactly what you need. The city is best known for its leisure offerings like art galleries, spas, and the largest casino in Europe .

Lugano culture is very similar to that of Milan and northern Italy, with a little extra Swiss flair. Of the 26 cantons (kind of like states) of Switzerland, Ticino, which Lugano is located in, is the only Italian speaking one.

Surrounded by Italy on three sides, you’ll find similar architecture, aperitivo culture, and the same language as northern Italy in Lugano. However, Lugano does use a different currency – the Swiss franc. Since the Swiss economy is more robust than the Italian one, many northern Italy residents commute to the Lugano area for work.

And yes, things are definitely more expensive here than across the border in Italy. Most notably, our 10-minute taxi ride from the Lugano train station to our hotel cost us more than 30 francs. A 20-minute taxi ride through the Como City suburbs came in at less than 20 euros.

If you find yourself in this Italian-speaking corner of Switzerland, it’s probably because the lake and nearby mountains were calling your name. Just like its neighboring lakes in the Italian Lake District, Lake Lugano is a narrow, irregularly shaped lake with long, skinny arms.

It’s basically impossible to answer this question in an objective manner; definitely don’t make your decision to visit Lugano based solely on my experience and guidance! For example, I absolutely think Milan is worth visiting , but many people – including some close friends – disagree with me.

But I do think whether Lugano is worth visiting completely depends on the type of traveler you are. If you’re a budget backpacker, Lugano is not the place for you. Prices are high and if you don’t want to spend money, you’re pretty much limited to wandering the waterfront and peering into shop windows.

However, as an elderly millennial in her late 30s, I really liked Lugano. It’s true that there isn’t an abundance of things to do, but it’s scenic and relaxing. Since we had the means to spring for fun activities like our funicular/hike/boat ride experience (the tickets came to more than 30 francs per person!) and do the tasting menu at a Michelin-star restaurant, we really enjoyed ourselves.

In part because of how expensive hotels are here, visitors in Lugano seemed older. Everyone else staying at our hotel had a good 30 years on us.

Honestly, I’ll always think the best way to gage if a place is worth visiting is to go see it. So why not just do this one day Lugano itinerary and see what you think!

How Long in Lugano

If you’re a busy traveler who’s coming off a whirlwind time in Milan when you arrive in Lugano, you might be taken aback by the Swiss town’s relaxed pace. While many people visit Lugano as a Milan day trip, I urge you to spend at least 24 hours in Lugano. This town just isn’t designed for rushing.

While we felt content with our 48-hour visit to Lugano, it’s true that we bypassed many Lugano attractions, including all museums and churches. There are also many other things to do near Lugano – like adventure parks, chocolate factories, the Swissminiatur , and the Herman Hesse museum – that we didn’t see.

If you’re opting for a true vacation and you’ve chosen Lugano (with its sunshine, palm trees, and beautiful lake views, why wouldn’t you?) I’d recommend staying about a week. You won’t struggle to fill your days with lounging, spa appointments, and excursions. Since it’s only 1 hour 20 minute train ride into central Milan, it’s easy to take a big city day trip.

Just keep in mind that Lugano isn’t a budget destination. After our two days in Lugano, we were happy to return to lower Italian prices in Lake Como.

Lugano is a beautiful, unique Swiss lake town that deserves a spot on any northern Italy or Switzerland itinerary. I designed this one-day Lugano itinerary with the idea that you’ll be staying overnight. Trust me, you need to watch the sun set over Lugano Bay at least once in your life. However, if you can’t stay, this itinerary also works for a Lugano day trip.

My one-day Lugano itinerary includes all my very favorite activities. With lakeside strolls, mountain hikes, and boat rides on Lake Lugano, this is the perfect Lugano itinerary for active travelers. You’ll also enjoy some relaxing time in Lugano’s Old Town and hit up must-see spots like the Grand Café al Porto.

I hope this itinerary helps you craft a magical day in Lugano. But with Lugano’s sunny, subtropical climate, friendly folks, and gorgeous setting, you may be tempted to extend your stay.

Hi! I’m Ada, a travel writer based in northern Minnesota, on a mission to see the world. I use this travel blog to provide practical, no-nonsense travel tips and itineraries for both domestic and international travels.

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If you liked this Best Things To Do in Lugano Switzerland, check out these posts!

  Ada is a travel writer based in northern Minnesota. She’s spent two decades as a freelance writer. She’s lived in three countries and has visited all 50 states. In addition to traveling the world, she runs a Boundary Waters outfitters and helps people plan canoe trips and other outdoor adventures in northeastern Minnesota.

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8 things to do in Lugano in one day

I already wrote about the Day Pass, an unlimited ticket for traveling around Switzerland, in the previous post about a day trip to Zermatt . But I haven’t yet described how we used the Day Pass for a day trip when my parents came to visit us in the fall. There were many options for where to go, but in the end, Lugano in the canton of Ticino won out because of the weather. In order to avoid the autumn drizzle a cold, we took the train south, as Lugano is primarily a spring and autumn destination for many Swiss due to its pleasant weather. Plus, in one day you have plenty of time to visit the most interesting places in Lugano and its immediate surroundings.

Lugano Day Trip – what to see and do

If you’re heading to the Italian part of Switzerland and looking for the best things to do in Lugano, read on! But if you decide to spend more days in Lugano, here’s an information-packed four-day itinerary with more great tips on where to go:

1. Funicular & San Lorenzo Cathedral

St. Lawrence Cathedral is easily visible from all over Lugano thanks to its giant tower. You will come across it almost as soon as you get off the train. Before you board the funicular that will take you to the center of Lugano, visit this magnificent Renaissance building, located just a few steps from the station. If you’re looking for Italian influences in Lugano, this is the place to start. In fact, the facade of the cathedral is one of the masterpieces of the Lombard Renaissance. Inside you’ll find frescoes, ornate columns, and a marble altar.

2. Explore the Old Town

As soon as you get off the funicular, you’ll be surrounded by Italian influences in the form of cobbled streets and pastel-colored houses. There are of course the specialized formaggeria (cheese) and salumeria (charcuterie) shops, but you’ll also find clothing stores and others.

3. Enjoy your coffee at Piazza Della Riforma

The main square, Piazza Della Riforma, is right in the center of the city and is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike. It’s a large open space full of bistros and restaurants that are always bustling with people.

There is also a neoclassical town hall and a tourist office on the square.

4. Walk along Lake Lugano

Lugano is situated along Lake Lugano and offers not only beautiful walks with views of the shoreline but also other activities such as pedal boating.

5. Parco Ciani

Parco Ciani, which sits along Lake Lugano, is a beautiful park full of colorful flower beds, manicured English-style lawns, statues, and fountains. Locals and visitors alike head here for rest and relaxation. The most photographed spot in Parco Ciani is the wrought-iron gate right on the lakeshore in front of Villa Ciani.

6. A boat trip

The Day Pass includes a free cruise on Lake Lugano. Even a short cruise to the local Paradiso district is definitely worth it.

7. Monte San Salvatore Funicular

The funicular, which recently celebrated its 130th anniversary, takes you from the local Paradiso district to the scenic Monte San Salvatore.

8. Enjoy the views from Monte San Salvatore

Monte San Salvatore (912 m above sea level) rises majestically above Lugano and offers a unique view of Lake Lugano and Lake Ceresio, the Lombard plain, and the magnificent mountains of the Swiss and Savoy Alps. The roof of the little church terrace offers an amazing panoramic view.

If you decide to stay in Lugano for more than a day, here’s a great accommodation tip:

Reka Holiday village Lugano-Albonago: why is it a perfect family getaway?

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Together In Switzerland

All Things Swiss

Is Lugano Worth Visiting? 13 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lugano, Switzerland

Zoe | Ticino

Do you ever wonder what Lugano Switzerland is like? Is Lugano Worth Visiting for you? The answer we can already share is YES! Lugano is one of the sunniest locations in Switzerland, with a bit of everything possible, such as hiking, swimming, eating out at great restaurants, relaxing in a local park and catching a funicular to amazing views!

We believe there is something in Lugano for everyone and for all ages. It’s also an easy location to reach via Milan or Zurich by car or public transport.

Now we don’t want to be biased since we live here * close to the city, but even before we lived here in 2022, we fell in love with many things Lugano Switzerland has on offer.

* All photos are our own, taken from 2022 to present.

Our 13 Reasons Why Lugano Should Be Your Next Travel Destination

If you are still here and wondering if Lugano is worth visiting? Well get a cuppa tea as we share our best 13 reasons why you should visit Lugano, Switzerland:

1. The Beautiful Outdoor Parks

Lugano city parks and gardens imparts a sense of tranquility and peace, making it a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. And the great thing about these are, that there are numerous Lugano parks and gardens to choose from!

Whether you wish to relax for just 10 minutes to a whole day, the parks are a lovely place to visit. You can choose to also take a book and have a picnic!

Here is a list of some of the parks you can visit:

• Parco Ciani
• Parco San Michele
• Parco del Tassino
• Parco Florida
• Parco Panoramico Paradiso
• Villa Heleneum Gardens

We think spending Spring time in Lugano is in our opinion one of the best times to visit, as it is not too busy and there are flowers everywhere which smell lovely!

2. Have Fun On Three Funiculars!

Lugano is home to three historic but fun funiculars that you can all have a ride on:

Lugano City Funicular

The first one is the easiest, which is located in the city at Piazza Cioccaro and takes you up and down from the Lugano main train station. There are stairs alongside it to walk down or up as well if you want to see it from outside instead.

It can hold and is running daily from 05:00 to 00:15. Departing every 5 minutes, it takes only 92 seconds on the journey.

It only costs CHF 1.30 per ride, which you can buy at the machine (with EUR and CHF cash or card) or at the ticket office nearby.

Monte San Salvatore Funicular

Secondly, for those wanting to reach some higher distances, the funicular of Monte San Salvatore is the place to visit. It is not far from Lugano centre, with a short walk to the entrance else to take the touristic red train to get there.

The funicular is in two sections, where you have to change half way up. The first section of the funicular has a gradient of 37% and the second section up to 61%. The funicular also operates daily, with half-hourly departures. The journey itself takes only 12 minutes one way.

It is 1660 m in length to the top, where you can enjoy the best 360 views above Lugano and Lake Lugano. There is also a restaurant at the top for those wanting to get a bite to eat or drink.

For our personal post, check here for more information and inspiration! Else for prices, check their site for the latest offers and discounts.

Tip: Take this 3-Hour Monte San Salvatore Tour with Funicular Ride for an easy fun option!

Monte Brè Funicular

Thirdly, is the Monte Brè funicular that can take you 1,599 meters up to the top, where a few restaurants and viewpoints are.

The first funicular starts in Cassarate, where you can take the journey to Suvigliana. This can take up to 30 people each time, with a 60% gradient. This unmanned route is easy to start at, with it being 22 minute walk from Lugano centre. Else the red touristic train comes to Cassarate too!

From Suvigliana you then change to the official Monte Brè funicular next. This funicular section has a gradient of 47.5% and can take up to 68 people each time. It only takes 10 minutes too, with views of the city and lake all the way up.

For our personal post, check here for more information and inspiration! Else for information and ticket prices, check on their site directly.

3. Sunshine, Sunshine & More Sunshine!

Lugano is in the sunniest location in Switzerland, which is part of the Ticino canton .

For more specifics, the temperature in Lugano for a whole year can vary from 2°C to 35°C (29°F to 80°F). For winter time, it can drop a few degrees minus °c, but it’s quite rare.

So if you plan to visit in the Winter, don’t expect snow every day. Yes Ticino does get snow, especially on the higher elevation areas and mountains around. The city also gets a layer of snow around once a year during Winter, but apart from that, you can still expect a warm sunny day!

From our experience, even Christmas day in 2022 was a merry 13°c degrees with sunglasses needed!

Lugano is also a great place for watching the sunset due to this lovely weather we have. We have rounded up a few places to Watch The Sunset From The Best Locations in Lugano!

Tip: Take a Lugano Guided Walking Tour to Gandria with Boat Cruise for a great day out!

4. Swiss Italian culture

The Swiss lifestyle may be a little different to the Italian lifestyle, but those living in Ticino and Lugano still take time, without rushing around, enjoying la dolce vita (the sweet life).

Everyone local likes their food, especially the traditional Italian sweets, biscuits and themed meals during festivals. This of course in combination with the Swiss food options ! Then once all the food is enjoyed, locals love to get outdoors for an activity, such as hiking , mountain biking or walking.

This Swiss lifestyle includes keeping the streets clean, throwing away all trash in the dedicated bins (and recycling bins for plastic, glass and cardboard etc).

Swiss residents are also very honest with others, proud of their neutrality and have high standards for themselves. This is visible throughout Lugano, taking pride in what they also wear, how they look and how presentable they are to others. Shaking hands is the most common and formal greeting among Swiss people and you’ll sure see someone shaking hands in Lugano too!

5. Italian Food

And to follow on from the previous point, Lugano will get your tastebuds thinking you are in Italy!

Many restaurants and local supermarkets cater with all the Italian goodies and traditional choices that you can buy in Italy. You may think you’ve had the best pizza or pasta dish in Italy, but then you haven’t tried a local place in Lugano.

For a personal recommendation with a restaurant in Lugano, check our best Lugano restaurant recommendations from many restaurants we have tried and loved. We also have a specific pizza in Lugano post!

Check also our Brunch recommendations to see our personal best brunch spots in Lugano. Many offer some delicious choices, including the usual eggs, pancakes, avocado or salmon toasts, Turkish yoghurts and more!

6. Lake Lugano and Promenade

For those who love the water, Lake Lugano is the perfect place to enjoy a boat ride , some water activities (think swimming, paddle boards or peddle boats) and to walk along with the local promenade.

The lake itself is rather big, with it officially 63% in Switzerland and 37% in Italy!

For a boat tour (as well as to explore other locations around the Lake), you can get tickets with the passenger boats company  Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano  (SNL). They have 2 docking terminals along the lake to board, one at the lakeside near Paradiso and the other called Lugano-Centrale (which is near Piazza della Riforma).

You can buy your boat tickets at the ticket booths at each terminal area, else you can easily buy a ticket via the SBB website/app. This can be done on the same day or in advance, as the price is the same.

For a walk along the lake , it’s a beautiful route all the way from Paradiso to Parco Ciani . This takes only 30 minutes one way, which is flat and suitable for all. The length is only 2.5km long and beautiful to do in all seasons of the year.

If visiting Lugano for a whole day, we have a self guided 1 day Lugano walking route which includes a boat trip as well as up one of the mountains!!

7. There Is A Car-free city centre

Not only is the city centre pretty with some historical architecture, it is also car-free! That makes exploring the streets and side streets much more enjoyable. You don’t have to worry about any cars (or bikes!) coming out of no where. This we feel is great, making the center of Lugano quite relaxing to wander.

The main shopping streets and areas without cars include:

• Via Francesco Petrarca
• Piazza Cioccaro
• Piazza della Riforma
• Piazza Alighieri Dante
• Via Pessina

TIP: Shop till you drop at one of the many Thrift and Swiss Second Hand Shops in Ticino

8. Join a Local Free Event!

Throughout the year, Lugano has many ongoing events for all ages in the city and . These can range from music events, food festivals, vintage shopping events, children’s activities, car shows and themed seasonal events. The best thing is that most of the local big events are also free!

So if you are wondering if Lugano is worth visiting, with an event, even more so!

With these events, it all depends on when you would want to visit to what is on at the time. Some of the bigger events in Lugano include:

Lugano Elegance (Concorso di Eleganza)

A beautiful event of classic cars, with around fifty selected classic cars who aim for the “best of show” trophy during the event. The main promenade street is closed for normal cars, so that all cars are on show for the public.

When: March

LongLake Lugano

A open air music event throughout the city, with many stages and all types of music genres. There are buskers, workshops, stand-up comedy and readings. There is something for everyone!

When: June-July

Lugano Air Show

A great day event for those who are interested in a show from many flying aircrafts . The event for 2023 had PC-7 team showing off their acrobatic formations with smoke trails.

When: A day in September (usually on a weekend)

Switzerland National Day

The Switzerland National Day off with lots of music, celebrations all day, people dressed up in red and white, food stands and then fireworks at the end of the evening.

When: 1st August every year

Autumn Festival (Festa d’autunno)

A seasonal festive weekend event where you can buy local cuisine, cute Swiss gifts, vintage items for your home and join a old fashioned game or two! If you like chestnuts, make sure you visit this festival.

When: A weekend usually late October

Christmas Markets

A Christmas magical event of 60 traditional wooden chalets, live musical shows, enchanted forest of lights and of course warm gluhwein. Get inspired here !

When: Usually for 3 weeks in December, before New Years Eve

We have a fully-loaded, high content  Ticino Guide  sharing local things to see, do and explore with each season: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.  CLICK HERE

9. WatcH The Lugano Webcams!

For those wanting to see what Lugano is like before you visit, there are many webcams based in Lugano !

We personally would check these, such as to see the weather, whats happening and just out of curiosity what Lugano was like during the day. Before we moved here, we were checking daily in excitement!

The webcam at the top of Monte Brè is one of our favourites, especially after a day of rain. As then you will spot the low clouds passing by the camera, which is very pretty when the sun shines too!

10. Even When It Rains There Is Lots To Do!

Despite Lugano being located in the sunniest canton of Switzerland, it does rain here too! So if you find yourself in Lugano stuck in a rain shower, don’t let that put you off exploring the city.

We have a specific post about what to do in Lugano when it rains , but to highlight a few activities you can:

Visit A Local Museum

• Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana (MASI Lugano) – Art Galley Museum
• Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale – The Natural History Museum
• San Salvatore Museum – great to combine with visiting  Monte San Salvatore
• Museum of Cultures

Watch A Film

Visit the local CineStar cinema for a showing. Most showings are in Italian only, however the larger, international Hollywood films usually have one English showing per day.

Join A Local Tour (with umbrella!)

Check the local tours that Lugano tourism office organises, as long as the weather isn’t too bad to be outside. For example they have a tasting experience tour where you can discover meats, fish, cheeses and wines from the region. 

Tip: Consider the following tour if you are a photographer with a Photogenic Spots Tour of Lugano with a Local !

11. Lugano Has it’s Own Beach area

For those who want to visit Lugano and enjoy a day at the beach, you wont have to travel far. Within 15 minutes walking from the city centre to the end of Parco Ciani, you can find yourselves sitting on the stoney beach with your feet in the water!

For the summer time, the lake can get pretty warm for a swim. There is no lifeguard here, so it is your own responsibility to swim and be smart about your surroundings. However it’s quite shallow to start with, so even suitable for those with kids.

For example, in July the lake is usually already 25°c (77°f) with people swimming at all times of the day!

I would like to highlight that this is a public beach area is without any changing rooms nearby. So bring a towel, some snacks, drinks and arrive with your swimming costume on as the easiest visit. Alternatively there are public toilets in the park about 5 minutes away walking that you could pop in to change.

Tip: There is also a playground right nearby, perfect for those with kids wanting to combine a beach day with lots of playtime.

12. There’s A Miniature Switzerland

Even though this post is about Is Lugano Worth Visiting , Lugano is perfect for those wanting to see more of Switzerland while only in one place, the Swiss Miniatur Museum features miniaturised versions of the whole country’s landmarks. The park has lots of items moving, such as the trains and boats, making it great to watch how it all is. It’s suitable for families, but also great for adults too.

Enjoy all the Switzerland models and park area first before stopping at their cafe for a drink or ice cream.

To visit, there is a short 10 minutes train ride or 20 minute public bus ride from Lugano to Melide, then its just a short few minutes walk to the entrance of the Swissminiatur museum. Prices can be found on their site .

13. The Lugano District includes the prettiest villages!

There are quite a few villages within the Lugano district , all reachable with a local bus or car journey. These are all based sightly outside of the city center, but all worth your time visiting. They each have something unique to explore and see, as well as all having some local restaurants to try local dishes:

Voted as the prettiest village of Switzerland back in 2016, we think it deserves the title again. Morcote has a population of around 3,500 people and is 20-30minutes away from Lugano with car or a public bus. The same boat mentioned in paragraph 6 also docks here!

The village itself is stunning, especially in Spring time with all the flowers and greenery at its best. There is much to see in this tiny village, such as the Giardino Botanico Suizo (botanical gardens), the church of Santa Maria del Sasso and little boutiques with plenty of souvenirs.

You can also choose to walk the 300+ stairs to the top viewpoint, where you will be above the church tower looking towards Italy. There is also a large wooden swing for some fun!

The quaint restaurants on the lakeside have a range of dishes for if you get hungry while visiting.

Tip: Take a 5 hour Lake Lugano Cruise to Morcote & Sightseeing !

The village of Brè is located at the very last stop of public bus 12 (from the Lugano bus station), or a short 15-20 minute walk from the Monte Brè funicular mentioned above. You can also visit by car with parking nearby.

The village of Brè is a quiet one, with stunning views through the valley towards Italy. The village is historical for many artists, such as Wilhelm Schmid, Pasquale Gilardi and Luigi Taddei, who all lived in the village. Walking around the village will show off their work, with artistic decor on some of the houses and along the cobblestone streets.

The village has a few restaurants (try Osteria Salotto Brè!) for those wanting to stay longer than a walk around.

During our walk around the village one afternoon, we spotted more than 5 cats! So if you like cats as much as us, keep your eyes open when exploring!

For visiting Gandria, there is a scenic olive path route along the lake from Lugano to Gandria directly. It’s mostly a flat route and on a stone/dirt track with some tarmac to start with. Alternatively the same local boat mentioned above or with public transport (bus) is possible. There is also a little car park at the top for those with their own transport.

Gandria is situated on the base of Monte Brè, so you can consider visiting Brè at the top first and then walk down to Gandria in one day . The village itself is quaint with around 300 residents only, but very pretty, with hidden restaurants and walkways in many directions.

Once infamous for smuggling, due to its close proximity to the Italian border, there is now a Customs Museum you can visit. Else on hotter days, you can also consider a swim in the lake by visiting Lido San Domenico.

TIP: For more Ticino villages, check: Picturesque Ticino Villages In Switzerland

So Is Lugano Worth Visiting?

As like we started, we believe the answer is yes , with the 13 reasons above some of the reasons why!

Can you think of any more reasons if “Is Lugano Worth Visiting”? Im sure there are plenty more that we could add to this list.

We hope this post inspires you to visit Lugano one day, and if you need more tips and local suggestions, check our up to date Lugano posts !

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Visitor Information

CSCS has three different locations.

The headquarter is located in downtown Lugano, in the area of Cornaredo:

CSCS Via Trevano 131 CH - 6900 Lugano

Additional offices are in:

CSCS Via Chiosso 7A CH - 6948 Porza

CSCS OAT - Andreasturm - V floor Andreasstrasse 5 CH - 8092 Zurich

This is a selection of hotels for your stay in Lugano when visiting CSCS:

• Continental Park Hotel *** next to the Main station. Single room about CHF 180.00 - 200.00 (indicative rates)
• Novotel Lugano Paradiso **** is close to Lake Lugano and at a walking distance from the city center. Single room about CHF 175.00 - 195.00 (indicative rates)
• Hotel City Lugano **** is a design & lifestyle hotel very near to CSCS. Single room about CHF 180.00 - 200 (indicative rates)
• Hotel Dante **** is situated downtown Lugano nearby the funicolare which takes to the Main Station. Single room about CHF 250.00 (indicative rates)
• Hotel De La Paix **** is close to Lake Lugano and at a walking distance from the city center. Single room about CHF 165.00 - 235.00 (indicative rates)
• Hotel Federale *** is next to the Main Station. Single room about CHF 150.00 – 180.00 (indicative rates)
• Hotel Gabbani *** is situated downtown Lugano nearby the funicolare which takes to the Main Station. Single room about CHF 190.00 - 220.00 (indicative rates)

For additional offers and information you may contact the Lugano Tourist office .

Appréciez la région de Lugano. Vivez des moments inoubliables.

Laissez-vous surprendre par une région qui offre des panoramas incroyables et une nature facilement accessible. Explorez ses possibilités sportives infinies, l'étendue de son offre culturelle et laissez-vous surprendre par les expériences gastronomiques et vinicoles. Que vous soyez aventurier ou sportif, intellectuel ou gourmet, ou, mieux encore, que vous souhaitiez vivre une expérience hors du commun, la région de Lugano est prête à vous accueillir !

Forfaits et offres

Kids for free

Réservez vos vacances en famille dans la région de Lugano, nous payons pour les enfants !

Dine Around

Faites l'expérience de votre choix en sélectionnant les plats et les vins proposés par les restaurants de Ticino Gourmet Tour.

Offres spéciales pour les amateurs de deux roues

Lugano à la carte

Lugano à la Carte est né de la synergie des hôtels cinq étoiles de Lugano.

Offre spéciale : Vacances de printemps 2024

Réservez maintenant ! Valable pour les séjours à partir du 02 avril réservés par l'intermédiaire de Switzerland Travel Centre.

• En savoir plus

10 raisons pour aimer Lugano Region

Les arts sont chez eux dans la région de Lugano. Découvrez la danse contemporaine et le maestro du théâtre Finzi Pasca au LAC Lugano ou suivez les traces du lauréat du prix Nobel Hermann Hesse à Montagnola. Appréciez les arts modernes et contemporains au MASI ou découvrez les cultures majestueuses au MUSEC.

Gastronomie et vins

Du restaurant gastronomique, avec des étoiles Michelin à la cuisine authentique, rustique et aux accents d'Italie du Nord dans les grottis, découvrez les plaisirs de la gastronomie.

La région de Lugano ne manque pas d'expériences en montagne ! Une randonnée entre des sommets comme le Monte Tamaro et le Monte Lema offre une vue majestueuse sur la région.

Magasins indépendants et grandes enseignes

Flânez dans la vieille ville entre les épiceries fines locales, les entreprises artisanales indépendantes et les boutiques de luxe.

Là où la nature rencontre l'artisanat le plus raffiné : les caves à vin. Découvrez les vins primés dans les différents vignobles de la région : de Moncucchetto à Tenuta Castello di Morcote, de Vallombrosa à Tenuta San Giorgio.

Autour du lac et des Lidos

Savourez le rafraîchissement et la détente sur la plateforme flottante du Lido Riva Caccia, à proximité du centre-ville, ou découvrez la vie jeune et amusante du Lido San Domenico. Le Lido de Lugano est un lieu idéal pour les familles pendant la journée et pour les événements en soirée.

Expériences familiales

Le plus grand musée miniature en plein air de Suisse est entouré de montagnes majestueuses et du lac. C'est l'endroit parfait pour découvrir toute la Suisse en un seul morceau. L'exploration des bâtiments, des monuments et des moyens de transport les plus célèbres est l'activité parfaite pour les familles.

Course à pied et à vélo

Si vous êtes un passionné de sport, vous pouvez courir ou monter à cheval, toujours avec une vue imprenable sur les montagnes autour du Monte Bar, au plus profond de la nature de la région de Lugano.

Laissez-vous flotter paisiblement sur le lac grâce aux moteurs électriques du bateau "Ceresio", récemment transformé, et n'entendez que le bruit des vagues. La stratégie de la compagnie de navigation de Lugano prévoit d'électrifier l'ensemble de sa flotte d'ici 2030.

L'architecture

À Lugano, Santa Maria degli Angeli offre des fresques monumentales de l'artiste Bernardo Luini, un élève de Leonardo, tandis que l'église du même nom sur le Monte Tamaro est l'une des œuvres sacrées les plus célèbres de Mario Botta.

One day adventures

Paquet Tamaro

Une expérience inoubliable !

L'art à Lugano

Une journée dédiée à l'art à Lugano

Trésors naturels

Découvrez les trésors naturels de la Capriasca

Les merveilles du Ceresio

Lugano – Gandria

De l'énergie du Monte Tamaro à la magie du Monte Lema

Monte Tamaro – Monte Lema

Calendrier des événements

Sometimes we are eternal

Luca Pignatelli. Abstraction

Morcote Scal

Raiffeisen Lema Trail e Walking

Pentecôte avec OSI: Presenza et Sol Gabetta

Scenic Trail 2024

Lugano Dance Project 2024

Caslano Blues 2024

Swiss Harley Days

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