Summary
The city of Lugano is situated on its namesake lake in Switzerland’s Italian Canton of Ticino, located south of the first ridge of the Alps. As a tourist destination, Lugano requires no introduction. The stunning landscapes of the lakeshore, accompanied by the majestic San Salvatore and Brè Mountains, are essential highlights to consider for your travel itinerary.
Within the city, visitors will appreciate the Italianate architecture, picturesque lakeside promenades, waterfront parks, fashionable shopping avenues, and vibrant squares adorned with arcades and dining establishments. Additionally, the surrounding villages merit exploration, positioned on the mountainsides overlooking the lake. Notably, Montagnola was home to the esteemed writer Hermann Hesse, who moved there in 1919 and stayed until his passing almost 50 years later.
Let’s delve into the top attractions in Lugano:
1. Lake Lugano
Upon arriving at the waterfront promenade in Lugano, you will be captivated by the lake’s untamed beauty.
Each shoreline is adorned with mountains, their wooded slopes cascading down to the water.
The lake is elongated and serpentine, following the contours of deep valleys nestled between the peaks.
Due to the surrounding elevations, only a fraction of the lake is visible from Lugano, making a boat excursion an excellent opportunity to experience its full grandeur.
A variety of daily excursions by paddle steamer are available from the jetties operated by the Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano.
The most popular options include the morning cruise and the panoramic cruise, each lasting three hours, and there are also evening trips available to admire Lugano’s city lights reflecting on the lake.
2. Monte San Salvatore
Dominating Lugano’s southern skyline, Monte San Salvatore rises to an elevation exceeding 900 meters.
At the summit, visitors are treated to breathtaking 360° vistas encompassing Lugano, the lake, and the distant Alps to the west.
An efficient funicular ascends the steep slope from the suburb of Paradiso in just 12 minutes.
For avid hikers, the upper station at the summit serves merely as a starting point, as numerous trails lead towards Carona or further along the ridge to the lakeside town of Morcote.
Alternatively, one can opt to hike back down instead of taking the funicular, which provides a trek lasting just over one hour.
3. Monte Brè
The Cassarate suburb, located in the eastern part of Lugano, serves as a convenient starting point for a trip to another mountain peak.
Operating since 1912, the funicular railway via this route has a maximum slope of 60.5% and retains a charming vintage appeal, despite being newer compared to San Salvatore.
At the summit, standing 925 meters above sea level, visitors can find two restaurants and enjoy expansive views of Lugano and the landscape extending towards Italy.
Recognized as Switzerland’s sunniest mountain, Monte Brè’s abundant sunlight fosters the growth of the Christmas rose, which typically thrives only in Mediterranean regions.
During your ascent or descent, you may choose to disembark at the Brè Villaggio stop to explore the incredibly scenic village nestled along the steep slope.
4. Centro Storico
The historic center of Lugano offers a delightful experience filled with Renaissance and Baroque churches, convents, palazzi, and arcaded squares.
Your exploration should begin at Piazza Riforma, lined with tall pastel-painted buildings and bustling with activity during the evenings and weekends.
On the southern boundary, one can find the impressive façade of the Neoclassical city hall, along with the tourist information office, should there be any inquiries.
If you find yourself in the area on Tuesday or Friday mornings, consider rising early to visit the fresh produce market located at Piazzale Ex Scuole, where you can purchase cold cuts, flowers, cheese, and fruits.
Additionally, on Piazza Cioccaro stands the trapezoidal and arcaded Palazzo Riva, commissioned by a count in 1740.
5. Via Nassa
Starting from the southern edge of the city, Via Nassa is just one block inland from the waterfront and curves along Lugano’s bay as it enters the historic city center.
Here, you will find an excellent opportunity for shopping along a street that features a long row of arcades, some dating back to the 17th century.
In the past, these arcades provided shelter for vendors’ stalls; today, they offer cool respite during the summer months and house upscale boutiques, jewelry stores, department stores, gourmet food shops, and cafes beneath their arches.
6. Parco Civico
Located to the east of the city center, Parco Civico is a picturesque lakeside park that features several significant facilities, including the Cantonal Library and Convention Centre.
As you stroll around the curve of the bay, you will be treated to stunning views of Lugano, which remain equally enchanting at sunset.
During daylight hours, the vistas of Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore are particularly captivating.
Closer to the city center lies the Villa Ciani, surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens containing flowerbeds, palms, and shrubs.
To the east, along the banks of the Cassarate River, the scenery becomes more untamed within the mature woodlands populated with maple, plane, oak, and lime trees.
7. Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli
This former monastic church, Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli, presents a rather austere exterior but is renowned for its remarkable interior.
The entrance to the chancel displays the finest Renaissance fresco in Switzerland, painted in 1529 by Bernardo Luini, which portrays Christ’s passion and crucifixion.
This church houses three paintings by Luini, including depictions of the Virgin with Child and the Last Supper.
Beyond the arches lies an altar crafted from wood that was sourced from Como’s Convent of Santa Croce in the 1700s.
8. Cattedrale San Lorenzo
The main façade of Lugano’s Renaissance cathedral is a true gem, constructed from white limestone and Carrara marble.
This cathedral dates back to the late 16th century, built upon a much older Romanesque structure.
The three portals are adorned with sculpted medallions and Renaissance motifs, including birds and putti.
Between the portals, marble relief busts of King Solomon, David, and the Four Evangelists can be seen.
Look up to admire the rose window at the center, embellished with cherubs and sculpted in the 1570s.
From this elevated position, a terrace with balustrades offers a stunning view of the lake and surrounding mountains.
9. Hesse Museum
Nobel Prize-winning German author Hermann Hesse relocated to the lakeside village of Montagnola in 1919 and resided there until his death in 1962. A museum has been established in Casa Camuzzi, his first residence in the village.
During his time there, Hesse authored renowned works such as Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, and Narcissus and Goldmund.
Within the Torre Camuzzi, visitors can explore a wealth of memorabilia, including correspondence with notable figures such as T.S. Eliot and Freud, Hesse’s typewriter, books, photographs, and watercolors created by the author.
Audio-guided tours of Montagnola offer the opportunity to trace Hesse’s footsteps around the village.
10. Gandria
Since 2004, this enchanting lakeside village, nestled on the eastern slopes of Monte Brè, has been officially recognized as part of Lugano.
Gandria remains largely unspoiled, preserving its appearance from a century ago when it served as a hub for illicit trade.
High customs duties on products like tobacco and meat rendered this remote stretch of the Swiss-Italian border a hotspot for smugglers.
Visitors can meander through narrow streets and stairways with tight curves, and explore the 15th-century Church of St Viglio, whose façade features historical memorials dedicated to prominent local families.
Across the lake is the Swiss Customs Museum, offering insights into the clever tactics utilized by smugglers and the efforts of customs officers to thwart their operations.
11. Olive Tree Trail
In addition to its association with smuggling and the silk trade, the cultivation of olives constitutes a significant aspect of Gandria’s heritage.
The sunny slopes of Monte Brè are terraced with olive trees, and walking through these orchards is a delightful experience along a 3.5-kilometer trail.
The pathway extends from Gandria to Castagnola and evokes an ambiance reminiscent of the Mediterranean rather than Central Europe.
Some of the groves are centuries old, while new initiatives are underway to revive olive cultivation in the area.
The trail is well-marked, with 18 informational panels detailing the history of olive cultivation and its significance to the two villages.
12. Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana
Established in 2015, the various art collections from the Canton of Ticino and the city of Lugano have been consolidated under the Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana (MASI). This museum has two locations: one within the recently constructed LAC building in the southern part of the city, near the beginning of Via Nassa.
The other location is the Palazzo Reali situated in the city’s center.
The LAC exhibits modern and contemporary art alongside major temporary exhibitions.
Meanwhile, the collections dating from the 15th to the 20th century in the Palazzo Reali are equally deserving of attention.
Highlights include works by Swiss-Italian masters of the Baroque period, such as Giovanni Serodine and Giuseppe Antonio Petrini.
13. Swissminiatur
Situated on the Melide Causeway at the base of Monte San Salvatore, Swissminiatur is an outdoor museum that, as suggested by its name, features miniature representations of Switzerland’s renowned landmarks.
The park contains 130 models of churches, manor houses, castles, and geographical formations such as the Matterhorn.
These models are primarily constructed to a scale of 1:25 and are beautifully integrated within landscaped flowerbeds and wooded areas.
Children will also relish the miniature railway that traverses the grounds, stretching 3.5 kilometers and showcasing 18 model trains in motion.
Visitors should also keep an eye out for the park’s funiculars, miniature vehicles on the motorways, and boats navigating the lakes.
14. Lido di Lugano
Located east of Parco Civico, the Lido di Lugano functions as a holiday resort conveniently situated within walking distance of the city.
The facility features a variety of outdoor swimming pools, including one designed for children with toys and obstacles, an Olympic-sized pool, a medium-sized pool, and a diving pool.
The Lido also boasts a sandy beach where visitors can relax, taking in views of San Salvatore and the formidable Sighignola on the opposite shore.
Opportunities for swimming in the lake abound, alongside the option to enjoy lunch at the beach bar or attend film screenings on the lawns during summer nights.
15. Piadine
Lugano’s culinary offerings, much like the city’s culture and topography, represent a fusion of Swiss and Italian influences.
This blend is epitomized by the Lugano-style piadine.
Ideal for those on the move, a piadina is a flatbread wrap that can be filled with a versatile range of ingredients.
Typically, it contains a combination of cold cuts, prawns or ham, various cheeses, and salads or vegetables, such as eggplant.
Piadine may be served fresh or grilled, with the heated variant resembling a taco or quesadilla.
