Morcote is often considered one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. After visiting Morcote ourselves on a day trip, it’s easy to see why! Learn all about our day in this stunning Lake Lugano town with the best things to do in Morcote, and essential tips for your visit.
How to Get to Morcote Switzerland
There are a few different ways to get to Morcote Switzerland! Many travelers will be come from Lugano city, Lake Como, or one of the nearby small towns as we did.
How you get there all depends on your own travel preference and budget. There are also a small number of hotels and places to stay around Morcote, which we’ll share more info on soon.
Bus: The buses are super reliable in Switzerland, while still being fairly cheap to use. This is a great option, especially if you’re coming from somewhere close like Lugano.
Ferry: Speaking of Lugano, there is actually a direct ferry that goes straight to Morcote Switzerland! We didn’t get the chance to take it, but saw it pulling back into the city center of Lugano when we were there.
If we were staying in Lugano, this is definitely how we would go. You actually get a nice tour of the lake as well when you ride the ferry.
Hike: Up for an adventure? Then you can take the Monte San Salvatore funicular and hike to Morcote from there! A fun idea would be to make the 8km hike and take the ferry or bus back to Lugano.
Drive Yourself: We had a car during our recent visit and were staying in Albogasio-Oria on the Italian side of the lake. It was just a short drive from here through the mountains.
The distance made it easy to combine more of the best towns on Lugano with our Morcote day trip! Beware of narrow roads in this part of Europe, as there were plenty of twists and turns when we got close to town.
Check out this website for the best deals on rental cars in Italy and Switzerland.
Where to Stay in Morcote
It’s worth noting that Morcote is a small Swiss town. However, there are a limited number of boutique hotels, Airbnbs, and other places to stay where you can walk to everything.
You could also consider staying in nearby Lugano and taking the bus or ferry as we just mentioned. Here’s some highly-rated places to stay in Morcote Switzerland when planning your visit.
Relais Castello di Morcote – This high-end hotel is set above the town in the hills on a vineyard. If you don’t mind being a quick drive or steep walk from the water, it’s the best option in town!
Al Battello – Small boutique hotel right next to the lake. This is a good option if you want to be directly in the small town center.
Gritti Palace Morcote – This is right in the “main area,” but a studio apartment as opposed to hotel. It’s a fun place to stay if you’d like to have a kitchen to prepare your own meals.
What’s So Special About Morcote?
Morcote is truly a jewel of Lake Lugano, and somewhere that every traveler should experience. The town was first mentioned in records in the early 10th century, and became an important trading hub throughout the Middle Ages.
With its rich history, it should come as no surprise that many of the best things to do in Morcote are geared around that. From the first moments you walk through the narrow alleyways filled with historic stone houses, you’ll see what we mean!
Another interesting historical fact about Morcote is the famous artists that called it home. Many artists such as Davide Antonio Fossati and Domenico Rossi would leave for other parts of Europe, only to return later and leave their mark on Morcote.
Our Day Trip to Morcote on Lugano
We took off from Albogasio-Oria bright and early for our Morcote day trip. Along the 4o minute drive, we stopped at some beautiful small towns like Grancia for a coffee.
The way we drove in was over the hill to pass the stunning Church of Santa Maria del Sasso. We then wove our way down the hill to the waterfront.
There is a great parking garage as you’re pulling into town at this location. We were surprised that parking is still under 2 Euros per hour being in Switzerland.
From here, we were just a short stroll to the scenic main area. The cafes and restaurants start right away and continue along the promenade. This is also right where the boat pulls in from Lugano!
At basically any point, you can head up the stairs into Morcote old town. As we walked up long set of stairs, it almost seemed like the stone houses would never end.
Sometimes Switzerland can feel more on the modern side than other places in Europe. Yet, this area of Morcote gave us a completely different and old world feeling.
It’s important to note when planning your visit that the main downtown area on the water is quite small. To fully see the town, make sure to pack sneakers and plan to go up into the old section.
Can’t Miss Things to do in Morcote Switzerland
Hike to Santa Maria del Sasso
This is the historic 15th century church we passed on our drive in! If you came in from a different way, you’ll only have a mere 400 stone steps to get here from town.
Not only is it incredible to explore the inside, but you’ll have an amazing view of the town and Lake Lugano. Be sure to wander over to the “Swing of the World” for a photo while you’re up here.
Endless Swim Stops
One of our favorite parts of our one day in Morcote was all the places to swim! It seemed like there was a cut down every few feet to hop in the crystal-clear Lugano waters.
We visited on a very hot August day, so it was amazing to be able to cool down with an afternoon dip. Needless to say, you’ll definitely want to bring your bathing suit with you on your Morcote day trip!
Restaurants Over the Water
There are plenty of great cafes and restaurants in town after you work up an appetite. Some of the best spots sit on stilts and hang right over the lake!
Stop into Ristorante Barcaioli and Albergo Ristorante Al Battello for a drink or meal on your visit. You’ll also find some awesome eateries like La Sorgente above town.
Parco Scherrer Gardens
An unexpected surprise of our trip was stumbling upon the botanical gardens. Parco Scherrer was built between 1930 and 1956 by local art connoisseur Hermann Arthur Scherrer.
Work your way through the exotic gardens, unique sculptures, and take in the various viewpoints. This was definitely a highlight of our one day in Morcote!
Have any questions on this article or want to share more of the best things to do in Morcote Switzerland? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
