It’s no secret that Switzerland is filled with so many beautiful places to visit. However, we didn’t truly understand how magical it could be until we spent the summer on Lake Lugano! Here’s some of our favorite things to do in Lugano, Switzerland, from the historic old town to the best swimming spots, and epic viewpoints. We’ll even share the best Lugano day trip ideas on both the Swiss and Italian side of the lake!
How to Get to Lugano Switzerland
There are many ways to get to Lugano from all around Europe. While there is a small regional airport in Agno, the most popular route is to fly into the city of Milan.
It’s important to know there are two Milan airports. The one closest to the city is Malpensa, which offers a multitude of international flight options. The other is actually located in the nearby city of Bergamo, Italy (Caravaggio International Airport), but also simple to get to Lugano from.
From Milan, you can easily hop on a bus or train and be on Lake Lugano within 2 hours. You can also find great deals on rental cars by using this website.
We were coming from Lake Annecy, France on our most recent visit and drove with our own car. Having a vehicle allowed us to see so many gorgeous small towns outside of the main city.
Where to Stay in Lugano Old Town
The best option is to stay in Old Town near the water. If you plan to take the train to Lugano, it will arrive into the main station right above the city.
You can easily walk to most hotels from here, or utilize the buses and taxis. Here are a few nice hotel options to give you an idea of the area. Just remember that Lugano (like most of Switzerland) can be very expensive.
Hotel Walter Au Lac – Iconic hotel directly across from the lake. Be sure to book a room with a lake view!
Luganodante Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel – High-end hotel on the backstreets of Lugano Old Town.
Al Ciani Balcony Suite – Good option if you want more of an apartment-style accommodation.
Lugano Savosa Youth Hostel – Popular hotel just outside the main part of town.
8 Best Things to do in Lugano Switzerland
1. Explore Lugano Old Town
We should start off by telling you that many of the best things to do in Lugano Switzerland are in and around old town. Simply strolling around this area is an activity in itself, with so much to see and explore.
It’s quite different than other European old towns, with a mix of historic sites and modern architecture. Lugano Old Town will also remind you a lot of Italy, as its right on the border.
The main square is called Piazza della Riforma and is filled with fun cafes and restaurants for a drink. Also, don’t miss out on the shopping street of Via Nassi and its luxury jewelry and clothing stores.
2. Stroll Through Parco Ciani
Even though it’s a city, Lugano Switzerland is surrounded by nature. Parco Ciani is the largest and closest green park space to Lugano Old Town.
We loved strolling along the lake path through the trees and finding a spot on the water for a picnic. There are also a few places to swim and cool off on a hot summer day. Don’t miss out on the 19th century Villa Ciani and it’s stunning pink colors!
Check out some of the more elevated parks such as Parco San Michele and Parco Tassino that offer amazing views of Lake Lugano.
3. Hop on a Lugano Switzerland Boat Cruise
There are several types of boat tours that take off right near the city center. This is the best way to get out on the water and explore the lake.
The main docks to board from are Lugano Centrale, Lugano Giardino, and Paradiso (just south of the city). There are also a number of different types of boat trips depending on what you’re looking for.
Lake Cruise: There are ferries that run often to different points around the lake. These you can walk up and book directly. Another option is to take a cruise that combines a trip to the top of Monte Bre like this.
Ferry to Other Towns: There are specific cruises that go to towns such as Morcote and Gandria where you can get off and walk around. The ferries run on a daily schedule, so you can get around to all the small towns on Lake Lugano.
Private Boats: Another options is to rent a boat you can actually drive it yourself! This way you can bring drinks and snacks, and make multiple swimming stops.
4. Visit the History & Art Museums
Although there are many modern attributes of Lugano in true Swiss fashion, it has no shortage of history to discover. The first settlements date back to the Roman age as part of important trade routes of the time.
It grew to a small fort town during the Middle Ages under the royal families from Milan, and eventually became an essential city of the Ticino region.
These days it’s known as more of a resort town, with luxury villas, art, and festivals to enjoy. If you have the chance, we highly recommend visiting the Cantonal Museum of Natural History and Swiss-Italian Art Museum (Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana) during your stay.
You’ll also want to stop into the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence and Church of St. Mary of the Angels to see the incredible architecture.
5. Relax at Lido di Lugano
There are so many fun little beaches where you can take a dip in Lake Lugano. Yet, the most popular place to go in the summertime is Lido di Lugano!
This is a beautiful complex on the lake with a beach, multiple swimming outdoor pools, and restaurant/cafes. The lounge chairs and docks out on the water make it a fun place to visit for families and vacationers alike.
There was a cost to enter Lido di Lugano of 11 CHF at the time of our visit. Still, it’s well worth it if you plan on spending on relaxing here the entire day. Plus, it’s only about a 15 minute walk from Lugano Old Town.
6. Funicular Ride Above Lugano
Ready for a better view? One of the best things to do in Lugano Switzerland is take a funicular ride above the city!
There are two funiculars that go over 900 meters into the mountains. To the south of Lugano, you can go up Monte San Salvatore from Paridiso. Here there are epic views, a restaurant, and some challenging hiking trails.
On our recent visit, we decided to head up to Monte Bre. This funicular ride takes off from Cassarate and offers some easier walking trails to viewpoints. We also enjoyed strolling around the beautiful Monte Bre Village and colorful alleyways.
Both offer breathtaking views of Lake Lugano, especially if you get a clear day. It’s also possible to drive to the viewpoints, but know you will have to walk 20 to 30 minutes from the car parks for the best views.
7. Walk the Olive Tree Trail to Gandria
One of our favorite days in Lugano Switzerland was walking the scenic Olive Tree Trail. The 1.5 hour walking path takes you from the city along the water to the town of Gandria.
We loved reading the placards about the history and nature of the area. There are even swimming stops on the trail and plenty of lakefront cafes to enjoy for a snack or drink.
It’s easy enough to walk one way and take the local bus back to town. Here’s more about how to get from Lugano to Gandria Switzerland, and all about our experience on the Olive Tree Trail.
8. Take a Lugano Day Trip
If you’re using Lugano Switzerland as your base, know that there are some awesome day trips from here. We couldn’t get enough of all the small lakeside towns that were just a short drive or boat ride away.
Morcote: Known as one of the most beautiful village on Lake Lugano, and maybe all of Switzerland! We took a day trip to Morcote and spent hours strolling through the small streets and dipping in and out of the water. Be sure to go to the Parco Scherrer Gardens to see the unreal sculpture work as well.
Gandria: A stunning town sitting on the Swiss and Italian border. As we mentioned above, we highly recommend walking the Olive Tree Trail and spending at least a couple of hours here. It also makes for a nice base if you plan to explore both sides of Lake Lugano.
Italian Side of Lake Lugano: With the popularity of Lugano Switzerland, it’s sometimes easy to forget there’s an entire Italian side! We actually stayed in a small village called Albogasio-Oria, which was a 15 minute driver over the border to Lugano city.
The Saturday Market in Porlezza (biggest town on Italian side) and village of Osteno are not to be missed!
Lake Como & Maggiore: Lake Lugano truly won our hearts in Switzerland. Nevertheless, know that there are several other majestic lakes a short drive away. The Luino Market is a big draw every Wednesday, and is the the closest town on Lake Maggiore from Lugano.
We also made many trips to Lake Como during our stay, as it was just a 40 minute drive to Menaggio. From there, we could take the ferry to famous towns such as Varenna and Bellagio easily.
Milan: That’s right! Milan is just over an hour away by train, which makes it easy to visit on a Lugano day trip. It’s become one of our favorite cities over the years for aperitivo on the Milan Canals, the Duomo rooftop, and shopping streets.
Here’s more of our favorite things to do in Milan if you’re planning a visit. We even took the train for two nights to Florence Italy to visit some friends during our summer on Lugano.
Have any questions on this article or want to share more of the best things to do in Lugano Switzerland? Leave us a comment!
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!
