Lugano Travel Guide – Tourist attractions and useful tips

Getting to know Lugano

Located in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, Lugano is a lakeside city that is a perfect combination of a serene, relaxing natural environment and a lively and exciting overall vibe. Your eyes are most definitely going to be pleased with the great views that the lake and the Alps offer.

What you can do for free in Lugano

Visit Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountain peaks are probably what you usually imagine when you think about Switzerland. From the city itself, you can only see one side of the lake, due to the mountains surrounding it blocking the view. Go walk on the waterfront promenade or go for a boat trip and explore more!
Explore Centro Storico
The Lugano Centro Storico is exactly what you’d expect from a historical centre. Walk around and admire the old buildings, their beautiful architecture and enjoy the lively atmosphere in the evenings and weekends.
Relax in Parco Civico
Enjoy this lakeside park on a calm, relaxing day during your vacation. If you’re not feeling very adventurous, a walk in the park, admiring the lake, the trees, the flowers and the wildlife around is a great idea!

Top spots to visit

Monte Brè
If you’re in the mood for some exploring and some excitement, Monte Brè is the place to go. You can take the funicular that goes up the railway to reach the sunniest peak of the mountain and be mesmerized by the beauty of everything surrounding you on your way up. You can also go for a hiking session and explore on foot!
Swissminiatur
At the foot of Mount Salvatore, an open-air museum awaits its visitors with miniature representations of all of Switzerland’s biggest landmarks. There’s a lot to see there!
Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli
This beautiful church, located on the Lugano lakeside promenade, was built between the years 1499-1500. It is a beautiful place to visit, full of fascinating art.

Hidden spots to visit

Lugano itself is kind of a hidden gem of Europe, as it is not as popular as other spots that attract millions of tourists yearly. If you want to get even more off the beaten track, you can try exploring the Olive Grove Trail. This picturesque hiking trail is also a pretty easy one, and it is a great way to enjoy Swiss nature, the views of the lake and the overall serene feeling it gives. You can also try visiting the less popular churches around, or just head towards the less frequented streets and simply admire the buildings and enjoy the experience.

Restaurants

Mediterranean, Italian, Swiss – these are the types of foods you should try while you’re in Lugano. Spoil your taste buds with fantastic dishes at Badalucci Taste of Art, Motto del Gallo, Grotto Morchino, Osteria Calprino, Ristorante le Bucce di Gandria or Ristorante Pizzeria Da Franco. You can try any other restaurant that you can find around you. Look online for some reviews before you make your choice, just to be sure your experience is going to be a great one.

Recommended time for visiting

The Lugano climate is a humid subtropical one. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are mild. Spring is the best time to be in Lugano, as temperatures are very comfortable and rainfall is not at an all time high. Summers get warmer, but there is also a lot of rain, which may not be ideal for a vacation. Autumn still has cozy temperatures, although a little lower than spring; the amount of precipitation also lowers, which makes it a good time for a visit.