Summary
Get a dose of the Italian lifestyle in the Ticino region of Switzerland. While it may not be as famous as Zermatt-Matterhorn, as cosmopolitan as Zurich, or as rugged as the rolling hills and jagged peaks of Jungfrajoch in the Bernese Oberland region, Ticino is an enchanting lake district located on the Italian border. It is a place to slow down, sip wine, and watch the sunset.
With pastel buildings lining the likes of Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore, its captivating beauty has lured visitors to southern Switzerland to enjoy its beaches and palm trees swaying in the pleasant breeze of the sunniest region in the country. If Ticino hasn’t been on your radar, read on to discover all the mesmerizing activities available in Switzerland’s Mediterranean.
Where to Stay in Ticino – Resort Collina d’Oro
Located on a vineyard standing above Lake Lugano, Resort Collina D’Oro is a gorgeous wellness retreat. After spending time hiking through the mountains of the Swiss Alps, this little slice of heaven is a place to unwind and soothe your aching muscles in the spa and sauna.
Set on 25 hectares of vineyards and parkland with a scenic pool overlooking Lake Lugano, you may never want to leave. The dining here is second to none, and dinners on the terrace of Resort Collina D’Oro Restaurant offered some of our favorite meals in Switzerland featuring delightful Mediterranean cuisine. Visit their website for rates and availability.
Things to Do in Ticino
Ticino is a vast region, and you will undoubtedly want a car to explore. There are several villages and towns lining the lakes, with hiking trails, scenic lookouts, and attractions scattered throughout its expansive 2800 square km. The locations we suggest visiting in this guide are all within an hour or two from each other and can be experienced in four days.
1. Stroll Along Lake Lugano
Nestled between Lake Como in Italy and Lake Maggiore in Switzerland, Lake Lugano ranks high as one of the best things to do in Ticino. Strolling along the Lugano waterfront allows you to take in its incredible beauty. While walking along the lake, it will remind you of Rio de Janeiro as Monte San Salvatore and Mount Bre frame the city.
Lugano boasts a beautiful lakeside park where international university students swim along its shores and people hop on paddle boats to see the city from a different perspective. Don’t miss the 2km Lugano walk from Paradiso to Parco Ciani.
Things to Do in Lugano
- Explore Centro Storico – The Old City features beautiful Baroque and Renaissance buildings.
- Go window shopping on Via Nassa – Like many places in Switzerland, shopping was beyond our budget, but it was enjoyable to window shop.
- Take a stroll through Parco Ciani to admire art sculptures (my particular favorite is the huge whale showcasing the devastation marine noise traffic causes).
- Visit the Santa Maria degli Angeli.
- Relax at the Lido di Lugano.
2. Valle Verzasca
Whenever you search for activities in Ticino or Lugano, Valle Verzasca consistently appears in captivating photographs. This popular location is just a 30-minute drive from Locarno. The stunning turquoise waters are the top attraction as the water races through the rocky river, tumbling over waterfalls, boulders, and under historic bridges.
Be sure to hike along the river and watch the daring locals leap into the water from the Ponte dei Salti stone-arched bridge.
3. Visit the Verzasca Dam
On your route to the valley, take a moment to see the impressive 220-meter-high Verzasca dam. You may recognize it from James Bond’s GoldenEye, where the character leaps from its dizzying heights in a manner only 007 could replicate. Visiting is free, costing just the price of parking (2CHF), and you can book your own bungee jump in advance to fulfill your own 007 fantasies.
4. See the Largest Piazza in Switzerland in the Lovely Locarno
Situated on Lake Maggiore, Locarno is another charming waterfront town with painted buildings lining the harbor. Get lost in its cobblestone streets or sip an espresso in Switzerland’s largest Piazza – Piazza Grande. Locarno is renowned for hosting festivals in its square, and while we were there, they were preparing for the Locarno Film Festival, one of the most awaited film events in Europe. While in Locarno, consider taking the funicular up to the 14th-century church, Santa Maria della Misericordia.
5. Explore the Shores of Lake Maggiore in Ascona
Ascona was our favorite town to visit in Ticino. It is a truly beautiful town with cafes lining the waterfront. The car-free pedestrian village invites you to walk the streets perusing galleries and boutiques, making you feel as if you have stepped back in time. Be sure to enjoy a leisurely walk along the tree-lined waterfront at Piazza Giuseppe Motta and pull up a seat at one of the many cafes. Also, consider taking a boat ride on Lake Maggiore to cross into Italy.
6. Take the Ritom Funicular to Piora
If you haven’t experienced a funicular in Switzerland, you haven’t fully embraced the country. Funiculars are a vital part of life here, with steep historic trains taking visitors high into the mountains for hiking and cycling. The Ritom Funicular is one of the steepest railways in the world. Built in 1921, the 15-minute journey takes you up 1787 meters, where you can hike to the Ritom Dam and Lake Cadagno, all while enjoying beautiful views over the Piora Valley. Don’t forget to pack water, and if you lack snacks, there’s a lunch option available at Capanna Cadagno.
7. Bellinzona and its Three UNESCO Castles
The capital of the Ticino Region should not be missed due to its three castles recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bellinzona has historically been viewed as the entryway to the Alps and the gateway to Italy, making it a strategic location throughout the Middle Ages. The three castles – Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro – along with the castle walls of Bellinzona, have been restored and are open to tourists. You can hike to each of them, with Castelgrande conveniently located right downtown Bellinzona.
8. See the Terraced Village of Gandria
Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to Gandria, but not for lack of trying. On a rainy day, while on our way to St. Moritz, we encountered heavy traffic that thwarted our plans. Departing from Lugano, we hesitated about parking our car to walk in the rain and decided to continue on to St. Moritz. Nevertheless, this picturesque village is said to be a must-visit.
9. Swing the World
A cool initiative worth watching for while traveling in Ticino is the Swing the World Project. A young couple from Ticino conceived the idea during the lockdown to install swings in particularly scenic spots around the region. There are 14 swings scattered through Ticino, and you can find out their locations at the Swing the World website.
10. Drive the Winding Nufenen Pass
The drive from Zermatt to Ticino was surprisingly delightful. The winding roads took us through the Alps, offering several incredible scenic stops. We didn’t even realize we were on an epic drive until we began to tackle steep switchbacks up a mountain pass. It was then that we discovered we had arrived at Nufenen Pass, Switzerland’s second-highest paved alpine road pass (2478m, 8130ft). The views were magnificent, and drivers and cyclists can stop at the top to hike or have a picnic while taking in the panoramic vista. Better yet, the drive itself is both fun and thrilling.
11. Stop for a Photo at Church Sant’ Abbondio / Gentilino
This charming church was off our radar, but while driving back to our hotel at Resort Collina D’Oro from Lugano, we made an abrupt stop when we spotted Church Sant’ Abbondio / Gentilino. It exemplifies why Ticino is often compared to the Tuscany of Switzerland, featuring cypress trees lining the avenue leading to the church – a stunning photo opportunity.
To fully experience all the amazing things to do in Ticino, weeks could be spent exploring; however, as part of a grand Switzerland tour, three to four days is the perfect timeframe to catch the relaxing vibe of Lugano and Ascona before heading on to see more extraordinary mountains in the Alps.
Best Way to Get Around Ticino
We traveled around Ticino by car and found it to be the most suitable way to navigate the Canton. Ticino is large, and the attractions are widely spread out. Having a car allowed us to explore all of the top attractions at our own pace. Moreover, Switzerland features an extensive rail system, making it easy to travel to Ticino by train with a Swiss Travel Pass.
- A Swiss Travel Pass includes:
- Unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat.
- Public transportation in over 90 cities and towns.
- Including mountain excursions: Rigi, Schilthorn, Stanserhorn, and Stoos.
- Free admission to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland.
- Get your Swiss Travel Pass here.
- Two informative apps to help you plan your Switzerland journey are: Grand Train Tour of Switzerland app and Swiss Travel Guide app.
- For more information about traveling to Ticino, visit the Ticino Switzerland website.
