LUGANO, CITY IN THE CANTON OF TICINO
Mediterranean Lifestyle Surrounded By Mountains
Lugano offers to the visitor the best of two worlds: Swiss precision and breathtaking scenery combined with Italian charm and plenty of sunshine. The city in the Swiss canton of Ticino is a vibrant destination popular for its lovely lakeside location, cultural life, culinary delights, and mild climate.
A Mediterranean vegetation enchants throughout the year. Swimming, water sports, attractive public parks, and
extraordinary hiking with spectacular mountain vistas can be enjoyed in town and close by. The Italian border is always just a short drive away.
Do:
Visit the
Museo d'Arte della Svizzera Italiana (MASI) and the LAC art
museum, both
excellent and next to each other near the lake.
Take a boat at one of the public boat moorings to the very picturesque villages along the lake.
Take the funicular in Lugano-Paradiso up to Monte San Salvatore for breathtaking views.
Ride the historic city funicular between the main train station and Piazza Cioccaro. It takes 1.5 minutes, is inexpensive, fun and convenient, and it transports you to the very heart of Lugano.
Sit outside in one of the bars in Piazza Riforma and do a bit of people watching.
Stroll through Parco Ciani, a well-kept public park by the lake, enjoy the flowers, lake and mountain views.
Walk the Sentiero dell'Olivo, a hiking path from Castagnola to Gandria, 45 minutes, mostly flat and along the lake (there is a bus for the return trip). This hike is overcrowded during summer. It's best in winter or early spring when the area is still quiet.
View of Lake Lugano from Monte San Salvatore reachable by funicular in Lugano-Paradiso
Best Time To Visit:
Lugano gets crowded in summer and fall. I prefer February, March and April when daytime temperatures often reach very pleasant 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, sometimes more. In early spring camellias and magnolias are in bloom, the first alfresco coffees or lunches are possible, hotels rates are lower and reservations easier to come by.
A magnolia tree in bloom in early March
Culinary Delights:
Lugano restaurants serve Italian, Swiss and international food. Typical Ticinese plates can be had at a grotto which is a traditional casual restaurant. Polenta (simmered cornmeal), rabbit, risotto with porcini mushrooms and lake fish are a few of the local specialties to be tasted. I like raw artichoke salad and “puntarelle” (a local winter green) available only during the colder months.
A dish of delicious puntarelle greens with almond dressing at Flamel Restaurant
Eat:
Flamel Restaurant, part of the LuganoDante Hotel, Piazza Cioccaro, next to the city's funicular station. Creative, wholesome, modern cuisine. Friendly service, very
central:
www. flamellugano.com.
Grotto della Salute, Lugano-Massagno. Ticinese and Italian food. Enjoy the traditional grotto ambience inside, or
sit outside under the sycamore trees on a warm day. Popular with locals, a few minutes walk from the main train station: www.grottodellasalute.ch.
La Cucina di Alice, across the street from the lake front promenade. Italian and local specialties, fresh fish, meat, salads and pasta dishes. A small, friendly restaurant, reservations are a must: https://lacucinadialice.ch
Ristorante Arté al Lago, right on the lake, well rated fine dining in a modern, elegant and romantic setting. Wonderful view over the water, the city and Monte San Salvatore: www.villacastagnola.com.
Sleep:
LuganoDante Hotel****. Ideal location next to the funicular in the city center. Great staff, delicious food,
parking garage. See my report here.
Bigatt Hotel*** in Lugano-Paradiso, 3.6 km from the train station, reachable by car and by public transport (bus). Well run, attention to detail, good food, terrace, pool, fantastic view, parking garage.
Shop:
Window-shop, or if you have enough pocket money, visit the luxury boutiques and famous Swiss jewelry stores on Via Nassa.
Admire (or purchase from) the impressive selection of beautiful fruits and vegetables (many local) at the Mion food store near Piazza Cioccaro: https://mionfruttaeverdura.ch.
Visit the Foxtown Fashion Outlet in Mendrisio, Switzerlands biggest outlet, over 160 stores, open 7 days a week, 18 km by car, also reachable by train: www.foxtown.com.
Parking:
Street parking is very difficult to find throughout the year. I strongly suggest an accommodation which includes a parking space. For restaurant or city visits, public transport (bus or funicular) or public parking garages are a good choice. The Parcheggio LAC on the lake shore has 200 parking spaces and is open 7/24.
Note: For more information on the city and the region please contact: www.luganoregion.com
Travel Date: February 2025
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