By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 9 February 2026 | Updated: 9th February 2026
Lugano is not often on visitors to Switzerland’s radar, but this city and the surrounding area are a little slice of Italian heaven in Switzerland. Located in the only Italian-speaking canton of the country, Ticino, and on the southern side of the Alps, Lugano has delightfully warm weather and a real Mediterranean vibe, perfect for any trip. (Case in point, we last visited in October, and it was like a last burst of summer!)
So, if you are thinking about a trip to this wonderful canton, but are not sure where to go or what to do, then our Lugano itinerary is just for you.
📍Lugano Itinerary Day 1: Lugano
📍Lugano Itinerary Day 2: Monte Bre & The Olive Path
📍Lugano Itinerary Day 3: Monte San Salvatore Hike & Morcote
📍Lugano Itinerary Day 4: Locarno & Ascona Day Trip
📍Lugano Itinerary Day 5: Bellinzona Day Trip
Lugano Itinerary Map
The Perfect Lugano Itinerary: 1 to 5 Days
Below we have put together multiple itinerary options from 1 day up to 5 days, including a couple of day trips to nearby locations that you just can’t miss, to make sure that you can make the most of your time in Lugano and in Ticino.
As with any itinerary, we create it is worth noting that your experience may differ depending on when you visit Lugano, with cooler weather throughout the winter, (there is much less snow in Lugano than other locations in Switzerland though), and often very stormy and wet weather during the summer months, Ticino is know as being the warmest but also wettest canton! During our visit in the autumn, it was truly balmy with brilliant sunshine, all until our last day, when it was suddenly freezing cold and cloudy. Basically, check the weather forecast and pack for all eventualities you might encounter. You can also switch the days around to suit you better; there’s no point trying to do a day with a boat trip if the boat isn’t running!
Also, before setting out on any hikes or mountain trips in this region (or anywhere in Switzerland), be sure to check not only the weather but the hiking trail status of any routes that you plan to do as well. You really don’t want to be caught out in a storm or torrential rain up a mountain or on a route that is blocked. You can find the hiking trail statuses for the Ticino region here.
If you are planning on just visiting Ticino for a few days, then leaving Switzerland, then we recommend paying for transport as you go and utilising the Ticino Ticket, a fantastic discount pass that you get whilst staying at most accommodation throughout the region (including campsites).
If however, you are visiting Ticino as part of a wider Swiss trip, then we highly recommend getting the Half Fare Card, for a 50% discount on all public transport, including ferries and mountain transport (you only get a 30% discount on mountain excursions with the Ticino Ticket). You can, of course, look into getting the Swiss Travel Pass, (we have a guide to the Swiss Travel Pass here), but this isn’t right for everyone, especially if you plan on doing some specific mountain trips.
Lugano Itinerary Day 1: Lugano
For the first day of the Lugano itinerary we are of course exploring Lugano, this beautiful historic city with picturesque waterfront, restaurant filled piazzas and some rather good food. You will have to remind yourself that you are in fact in Switzerland not Italy whilst wandering around, it is so similar to cities we have visited in Italy, and with Italian being spoken everywhere it is a bit of a culture shock coming from elsewhere in Switzerland!
There is no set itinerary for this day, just wander the streets of Lugano and take in the sights. You also won’t need any public transport tickets for this day as Lugano is very easy to explore on foot. The main places we would recommend you visit are:
Sights to see:
📍Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
📍Piazza Manzoni
📍Piazza Riforma
📍Via Nassa
📍Via Pessina
📍Parco San Michele Lugano
📍Parco Ciani
Restaurants / eateries to stop at:
🍴GABBANI Ristorante – seasonal Ticinese and Mediterranean dishes with a separate shop GABBANI Gastronomia to buy all things wine, baked goods and meat, (the Torta di pane here is to die for!).
🍴SPAGHETTI POMODORO – pasta galore hidden off one of the main squares.
🍴Bistrot & Pizza Argentino – if you fancy pizza then this is the place to go.
🍴Bottegone, La Dispensa and Vitti Restaurant & Cocktails – these are all great places to eat traditional Swiss dishes and have some delicious cocktails too.
🍴Restaurant La Cucina di Alice – seasonal Italian dishes right on the lake side.
🍴Gelateria Chocolat – the perfect place to grab an ice cream then wander through the nearby squares.
Local delicacies to try:
📍Torta di pane – a classic bread pudding cake made with chocolate, candied sugar and nuts, perfect for anytime of day!
📍Pastefrolle – a Swiss Italian shortbread made in the valleys of Ticino.
📍Polenta – this Italian dish of boiled cornmeal has a long tradition in Ticino and is a staple food for many.
📍Chestnuts – roasted, added into cakes, made into vermicelles or added into beer, chestnuts are one of the most famous things, and delicious things, you can eat in Ticino.
📍San Provino sweet ravioli / San Giuseppe tortelli – if visiting during carnival season in the spring, then be sure to try these sweet doughy fritters!
📍Nicino – A green walnut liquor, perfect for having after dinner.
📍Ticino beer – with 30 breweries across the canton, you can guarantee to find a beer to your tastes.
Lugano Itinerary Day 2: Monte Bre & The Olive Path
For day two of our Lugano itinerary we are going to head out on a boat trip before walking along one of the more serene areas of the lake, taking a trip up a local mountain, (there is a funicular you can take so no need to hike up there), and then working our way back to Lugano.
As we are utilising the ferries on Lake Lugano today be sure to make a note of the ferry times by either getting the SBB App, (this is the best thing to check public transport connections on across Switzerland), or via the Lake Lugano website here. Depending on the time of year you are visiting they may not be running as regularly as expected, or if there is particularly bad weather.
If you don’t have breakfast at your hotel, we recommend grabbing delicious breakfast from GABBANI Ristorante, (the french toast is incredible!), before heading down to the lake side and finding the pier with the boat to Gandria. This isn’t always as simple as it seems as boats tend to line up next to each other so you may have to cross through one boat to get to the boat you need. (I know that sounds confusing but ask one of the boat crew or the ticket attendants and you will find the boat you need I promise!).
The boat from Lugano to Gandria then takes anywhere from 25 minutes up to 45mins depending on how many stops the boat makes.
📍Tickets cost from CHF 19.80 per adult, CHF 9.90 per adult with a half fare card or CHF 9.90 per child and can be bought directly at the pier. Unfortunately, this route is not covered by the Ticino Ticket, as you need to purchase a day ticket to get the 20% discount, and you don’t need to do that for this day.
After arriving in Gandria simply follow the lake edge to the west, (keeping the lake on you left hand side the whole route), this is the Sentiero di Gandria and Sentiero dell Olivo, or Olive Path back to Lugano via Castagnola. It takes around 1.5 hours and around 4.5km to do the route at a leisurely pace with plenty of opportunities for stopping to take in the views and smell the olive trees. We have mapped the route in the above map, or you can find the full route details here.
To get to the funicular for Monte Bre, once you reached a ferry stop called Cassarate, head up the road opposite called Via Pico, (it is on a junction between Via Riviera which is the way you will have come, and Viale Castagnola), and the funicular is a short walk up on the right-hand side. From here it takes around 30 minutes via the funicular to get to the top on Monte Bre.
📍It costs from CHF 26 per adult return, CHF 8.50 per adult with Half Fare Card and CHF 8.50 per child aged 6 to 15, but with the Ticino Ticket you can also get a 30% discount on the full price adult ticket, just be sure to select Price Category then Ticino Ticket adults.
At the top of Monte Bre there are numerous hiking routes you can do, including a short walk into the village of Bre. You can find all the hiking routes on the mountain peak here.
Depending on what time you set off on the Olive Path, you can either stop for lunch along the route at Locanda Gandriese or grab a take away dish from La Bouganville to have further along the route. We then highly recommend having dinner with a view from Mount Bre at either Ristorante Vetta or Osteria Funiculore.
Lugano Itinerary Day 3: Monte San Salvatore Hike & Morcote
Today we our out exploring another of the local mountains, this time Monte San Salvatore, famous for its expansive views over both Switzerland and Italy, and its beautiful chestnut forests. The hike to do up here is great to do throughout the spring and summer but it is perfect in the autumn when the chestnuts are ripe and ready for picking / finding, ready for roasting. (We may have come down off the mountain with more chestnuts in our day bag than we have ever had before…).
Again, we will be utilising the ferries on Lake Lugano later in the day so be sure to know when the connections are running, you do not want to be planning on getting a ferry and missing the last one from Morcote, (the last stop off the hike). You can take a bus back to Lugano from Morcote instead, (which is covered in the Ticino Ticket), but the views are much better and the trip much nicer on the boat, (especially with a glass of local wine in hand!).
The San Salvatore funicular station is located a short walk from the centre of Lugano, so you can either catch a train then take a short walk there or hop on a bus instead. The funicular runs every 30 minutes and takes around 12 minutes to get to the top, where you will (assuming there is no cloud), be met with some incredible views back over Lugano. It isn’t called the Top of Lugano for no reason!
In the summer months these run from 9am, in the winter months from 10am.
📍Tickets cost CHF 25 per adult, or CHF 12.50 per adult with a Half Fare Card / Swiss Pass. You can however get a 30% discount on the San Salvatore funicular with the Ticino Ticket.
From here start the day off getting some breakfast at Ristorante Vetta San Salvatore at the mountain top station, where you can grab a small bite to eat, before setting out on the hiking route through the forests and nearby little villages to Morcote the other end of the mountain peak. This entire route should take 3 hours and be around 10km in length, (you can see the official San Salvatore panorama hike to Morcote route here, which follows the Via Gottardo 7, and we have also mapped it above), but we spent most of the day on the route taking in the sights and enjoying the scenery / chestnut hunting.
The start of the route is pretty much all downhill through forests and past rock formations, before you arrive at the tiny village of Ciona. There isn’t much here so keep heading on towards the next village, Carona, which has some really beautiful traditionally painted buildings, (it really does feel like you are in Italy not Switzerland). Just outside of Carona you will come across Parco San Grato, a beautiful park and arboretum with incredible views over Lake Lugano, the perfect spot for a hiking snack if you ask us!
After walking up through the park you start to walk out along the ridge line through the chestnut forests, there aren’t many panoramic views through this section of the hike, so when you do pop out of the forests around 45 minutes later you are met with the most insane views over both Switzerland and Italy. We suggest either bringing a picnic with you to have here or stopping at Ristorante Vicania for lunch which is just a short walk downhill from where the forest opens up. This is along the route you have to follow anyway, and it has a lovely terrace you can sit on.
From here comes potentially the hardest part of the whole route, steps down into Morcote, and a heck of a lot of them! We lost count on the way down but you have to go down 400m in elevation in the space of 2km so it is rather a lot. If you have dodgy knees then be sure to bring some hiking poles with you to help.
After arriving at the top of Morcote you are met with some of the most beautiful Italianesque architecture in the area, with views over the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Sasso and Oratorio Saint Antonio da Padova. Both of these places are wonderful to visit before heading off down the winding streets to the lakeside, (they are all stunning!), and the Riva Lago Olivella and the Piazza Granda. Be sure to stop at Ristorante Barcaioli for dinner before heading back to Lugano on the boat.
📍From Morcote the boat to Lugano takes around 1 hour and costs from CHF 27.60 per adult, CHF 13.80 per adult with a half fare card or CHF 13.80 per child. Again, this isn’t covered in the Ticino Ticket as you need to have a day ticket to get the discount. You can buy tickets on board or at the pier in Morcote.
Lugano Itinerary Day 4: Locarno & Ascona Day Trip
After two days exploring the local mountains around Lugano it is time for a day trip to a couple of local towns on the neighbouring Lake Maggiore, Locarno and Ascona.
Start the day off taking the train from Lugano to Locarno, it is just a short 35 minute journey and is fully included in the Ticino Ticket, before walking a short distance and hopping on the Locarno funicular up to Madonna del Sasso. From here head towards the Ristorante Funicolare, before taking the steps down the side, where you will be met with one of the loveliest views in Locarno.
Perched above the town is the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso, one of Locarno’s, if not Ticino’s most important pilgrimage sites, founded after an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared. Not only are the views of the Sanctuary and Lake Maggiore beautiful, but the insides are stunning too with frescos painted on the ceilings, colourful marble and numerous statues. There is also a small museum here that you can visit as well as a monastery. After spending as little or as long as you would like exploring the Madonna del Sasso and the museum, continue on down the steps for around 20 minutes, past numerous small shrines, back into Locarno before making your way to Piazza Grande.
They are often events and markets taking place in Piazza Grande, so we recommend stopping at Tesoro 25 75 14 41 for a coffee and to take in the views of the cobbled town square surrounded by some of the most beautiful buildings in the town. From here it is then a short walk to the Locarno Centro bus stop where you will hop on bus 1 to Ascona Centro, (a short 15 minute journey that is included in the Ticino Ticket), to visit what is often called ‘the Pearl of Lake Maggiore’.
Ascona with its pretty lakeside promenade, (Piazza Giuseppe Motta), lined with palm trees, colourful buildings and of course a gelateria or two, as well as the pretty alleyways and streets that run from the centre to the lake filled with art galleries, is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours unwinding and enjoying the views. The Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo is also beautiful if it is open when you visit. We recommend stopping for lunch at Ristorante Osteria Nostrana to get fantastic fresh Italian dishes with fantastic Swiss views.
If you are visiting between late March and early November, you can also take the short boat trip across to the Brissago Islands, well known in the region for the botanical garden and 1920’s villa on the larger of the two islands, Isola Grande.
After taking in the sights and eating a gelato or two, (we dare you not to eat at least one whilst wandering along the lakeside!), head back to Locarno via bus 1, before making your way to Termali Salini & Spa Locarno. From the Locarno Centro bus stop it is a 10 minute walk along the lake edge at Lungolago Giuseppe Motta and the Viale Al Lido, where saunas, steams rooms and saltwater baths await!
📍It costs from CHF 38 per adult for entrance to the saltwater baths, and an extra CHF 7 for access to the saunas / steam rooms, (just be aware that these are nude areas unlike the main baths which require clothing), but you get a 20% discount on entrance with the Ticino Ticket so don’t forget to show them upon arrival. If you want any treatments then be sure to book them online.
After feeling all spa’d out make your way back towards the train station along the lake. If you are visiting in the spring / summer months then be sure to visit the Parco delle Camelie, just a short walk from the Spa, as well. It is a park dedicated to the humble Camellia which the region is famous for and will be in full bloom.
Before heading back to Lugano via the train however, stop at Ristorante Sensi, just behind the train station and right on the lakeside for dinner, where you can get delicious fresh fish dishes and a glass of local wine with a view. If you want to make sure you are seated on the outdoor terrace, be sure to book in advance, it is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike!
Lugano Itinerary Day 5: Bellinzona Day Trip
For the final day of the Lugano itinerary we are again heading out on a day trip this time inland away from the lakes to the castle filled historic city and capital of the canton on Ticino, Bellinzona. Famous across Switzerland for its hilltop fortresses / castles, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bellinzona is very different from the other locations in this Lugano itinerary but is still very much worth a visit. From its Italian style old town with cobbled alleyways, to the historic churches filled with Renaissance frescos and fortresses that surround the city, Bellinzona is a hidden gem stuck in time in between Italy and Switzerland.
Take the train from Lugano to Bellinzona, which takes around 20 minutes and is fully included in the Ticino Ticket, before getting your bearings and wandering around the old town to start off your day stopping for a Bissoli and cappuccino at Peverelli in Piazza Collegiata, (do as the locals do and try these tasty sweet chestnut and chocolate treats!). If you are visiting in a Saturday there is also a lovely farmers market held across the various piazzas in the city with the traditional bright red and blue market stands showcasing the cantons flag.
After stocking up on sweet treats take a visit into the Chiesa Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Stefano to see the beautiful frescos that line the walls and ceiling, before setting out to visit the fortresses that have made this city so famous.
Castel Grande, Castello di Montebello and Castello di Sasso Corbaro are late medieval structures built to control traffic through the Alps, which are now collectively known as the Castles of Bellinzona and can easily be visited as part of a day trip to Bellinzona. You can visit all of the castles in one day, but if you only want to visit one or are short on time then we recommend starting at Castel Grande for some of the most incredible views over Bellinzona and across to the other two castles. This castle also has a mini exhibition inside, as well as numerous walls and towers to climb, so all in all is a great place to visit.
For lunch you can either stop in one of the two Grottos within the Castel Grande grounds, which serve local seasonal Ticinese dishes, or if the weather is nice, bring a picnic to have along one of the many castle walls!
To visit Castello di Montebello head along the side of the church in the Piazza Collegiata following signs up to the castle before heading up some fairly steep steps and walkways behind the back of the city and up into the castle grounds. The views along here over Bellinzona with the church and Castel Grande are incredible. To get to Castello di Sasso Corbaro it is easier to catch one of the local buses up the Via Sasso Corbaro then walk the short distance from there.
From Bellinzona you can either continue your journey on into the rest of Switzerland as this is one of the hubs for trains heading north into the country or head the short journey back to Lugano and on into Italy.
Best Day Trips From Lugano
If you have more time to spend in Lugano, or Ticino, then these are some locations that we would highly recommend you add as a day trip to your Lugano itinerary:
📍Verzasca Valley – Lavertezzo – 1 hour by train and bus
📍Lake Como – 40 minutes by direct train (with Como – 40 minutes by train, Bellagio – 1 hour 30 minutes by train and bus or boat and with Varenna – 2 hours 20 minutes by train and bus or boat)
📍Milan – 1 hour 15 minutes by direct train
📍Lucerne – 1 hour 40 minutes train away
📍Bergamo – 2 hours 20 minutes by train (change over in Milan)
Where to stay in Lugano
During our visit we actually stayed a little out of Lugano at Camping Lugano Lake in Agno as we wanted to get one last camping trip in for the year, (a camping spot right on the lake, what more could you want!), but there are plenty of accommodation options in the centre of Lugano itself. We have heard great things / been recommended the following places, but you can check out the map below for all the accommodation options in the area:
Budget – Acquarello Swiss Quality Hotel
Mid-range – Hotel Walter Au Lac
Luxury – LUGANODANTE Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel
Lugano Itinerary FAQs
Where is Lugano?
Lugano is located in southern Switzerland in the canton of Ticino.
How to get to Lugano
There are three ways you can get to Lugano, via plane, train or car. The quickest way by far is via plane, however there is only a very small domestic airport that you can fly into so flights are very limited.
The next and our favourite way to get to Lugano is via train. Coming from anywhere in Switzerland and neighbouring Italy, travelling via train is often the most cost effective and easiest, no finding parking, just hopping on a train and being whisked through the countryside!
🚃 Como to Lugano via train – roughly 40 minutes direct
🚃 Milan to Lugano via train – roughly 1 hour 15 minutes direct
🚃 Lucerne to Lugano via train – roughly 1 hour 40 minutes direct
🚃 Zurich to Lugano via train- roughly 2 hours direct
🚃 Basel to Lugano via train – roughly 3 hours direct
🚃 Zermatt to Lugano via train – roughly 5 hours 20 minutes with numerous changes (we wouldn’t recommend this!)
Getting to Lugano by car take a little longer than by public transport, as is always the way in Switzerland, but if you have hired a car or are visiting as part of a bigger Europe trip then these are the rough times from the same locations:
🚐 Como to Lugano via car – around 45 minutes, 35km
🚐 Milan to Lugano via car – around 1 hour 15 minutes, (traffic depending), 80km
🚐 Lucerne to Lugano via car – around 2 hours 20 minutes, 170km
🚐 Zurich to Lugano via car- around 2 hours 45 minutes, 205km
🚐 Basel to Lugano via car – around 3 hours 20 minutes, 270km
🚐 Zermatt to Lugano via car – around 3 hours, 200km (this is the only one better via car)
How to get around Lugano
Lugano is very easy to get around on foot or via public transport, with trains, buses and ferries connecting Lugano to the whole local area. One fantastic benefit to staying in Lugano is with most accommodation including campsites, you are given the Ticino Ticket, a public transport pass for the duration of your stay, making it a no brainer to explore Lugano and Ticino via public transport rather than paying for car rental and parking.
Best time to visit Lugano
There isn’t really a bad time to visit Lugano, but we would suggest avoiding the peak summer months, end of June through to end of August, purely as it is one of the busier seasons to visit and you can get quite wet and stormy weather. Spring is when the parks and gardens come to life with stunning flower displays, autumn is for a last hit of warmth, the colours changing on the trees and chestnut festivals, and winter is time for markets and cosy lakeside walks.
What language to people in Lugano speak?
Officially locals in Lugano speak Swiss-Italian, but you can get by with English, Italian or German too.
How many days are enough in Lugano?
If you just want to see Lugano and maybe take a trip up one of the local mountains and a boat ride, then 3 days would be plenty of time, but we recommend staying a little longer and taking advantage of having a base to take day trips to other locations in Ticino and even Italy.
Conclusion: The Perfect Lugano Itinerary: 1 To 5 Days
So there you have our Lugano itinerary with a few days well spent in Lugano and the local area and a couple of day trips too. We love Lugano for it’s little Italy in Switzerland vibes, the beautiful lakeside and or course the wonderful mountain trips you can take just a short trip from the centre. If you want to visit somewhere in Switzerland that is off the radar for tourists make it Lugano!
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.