Lugano

Travel Guide
Lugano featuring flowers and a garden
Relax on the shores of a sparkling lake surrounded by scenic mountains. Visit the historic center to learn about this Swiss-Italian city.

Lugano is a lakeside city nestled between mountains in the Swiss region of Ticino, which shares a border with Italy. It is known as the “Monte Carlo of Switzerland” because it attracts many celebrities and wealthy entrepreneurs. The city lures travelers with the sparkling Lake Lugano, which is surrounded by the rustic landscape of the Lugano Prealps Mountains. Lugano is also home to a rich history, with many museums and intriguing landmarks.

Admire the panoramic view of the lake and mountains from the summit of Monte San Salvatore. Capture photos of the unforgettable horizon. Take the cable car or funicular railway to the peak of the 2,992-foot (912-meter) mountain. At the top of the highland, dine at a restaurant, enjoy a picnic or take the kids to the playground. If you are feeling adventurous, hike down one of the mountain trails.

Visit the Santa Maria degli Angeli, a 16th century church on the shore of the lake, near the town center. See paintings by artist Enzo Cucchi inside the building. The highly regarded fresco by Bernardino Luini is at the church’s south entrance. From the church, enjoy the remarkable views of Lake Lugano below.

Walk around the Swiss Miniature Village with the family. The intricate details of the model village include tiny snow-capped mountains, railway trains, castles and churches.

Stroll through the old town district of Lugano. Peruse boutiques, arcades and antique buildings. Relax at a café in the Piazza della Riforma.

For dual vacation enjoyment, make a relaxing visit to the shores of Lake Lugano after a weekend of shopping across the Italian border in nearby Milan.

Where to stay in Lugano

Lugano showing markets and street scenes as well as a small group of people

Lugano City-Centre

5/5(66 area reviews)

Take time in Lugano City-Centre to visit attractions like Via Nassa and Piazza della Riforma. You might also appreciate the lake views, and you can hop on the metro at Lugano Funicular Station to see more of the city.

Lugano City-Centre
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Loreto

While visiting Loreto, you might make a stop by sights like MASILugano Museum of Art of Italian Switzerland and LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura.

Loreto
Monte San Salvatore featuring landscape views and a river or creek

Carona

You'll enjoy the mountain views and parks in Carona. You might want to make time for a stop at Monte San Salvatore or Botanical Garden Parco San Grato.

Carona
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Cassarate

If you're spending some time in Cassarate, Lake Lugano and Funicolare Monte Brè - Cassarate Station are top sights worth seeing.

Cassarate
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Molino Nuovo

While there might not be top attractions in Molino Nuovo, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Palazzo dei Congressi and Parco Ciani.

Molino Nuovo
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Pazzallo

Travelers like the mountain views in Pazzallo, and Lake Lugano is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Pazzallo
LUGANODANTE - We like you
LUGANODANTE - We like you
4 out of 5
Piazza Cioccaro 5, Lugano, TI
The price is $277 per night from Nov 10 to Nov 11
$277
includes taxes & fees
$253 per night
Nov 10 - Nov 11
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Lugano. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (857 reviews)
"Location was perfect"

Reviewed on Oct 26, 2024

LUGANODANTE - We like you
Villa Sassa Hotel, Residence & Spa
Villa Sassa Hotel, Residence & Spa
4 out of 5
Via Tesserete 10, Lugano, TI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $321 per night from Nov 13 to Nov 14
$321
includes taxes & fees
$299 per night
Nov 13 - Nov 14
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Lugano. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (750 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay at this hotel. The food was great. The staff are very helpful and friendly. We loved our room since it had a beautiful view of the city and lake. It had a kitchen with a full size fridge, but unfortunately pots, pans and utensils were not included. We highly recommend this hotel, ..."

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2024

Villa Sassa Hotel, Residence & Spa
Hotel Splendide Royal
Hotel Splendide Royal
5 out of 5
Riva Antonio Caccia, 7, Lugano, TI
The price is $371 per night from Nov 3 to Nov 4
$371
includes taxes & fees
$347 per night
Nov 3 - Nov 4
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lugano. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (365 reviews)
"Perfection"

Reviewed on Oct 22, 2024

Hotel Splendide Royal
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
VISIONAPARTMENTS Lugano
VISIONAPARTMENTS Lugano
2 out of 5
17A Viale Carlo Cattaneo, Lugano, TI
Stay at this aparthotel in Lugano. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Lake Lugano and Parco Ciani are located ...
4/10 (4 reviews)
"Good in all. Very close to the center"

Reviewed on Oct 27, 2024

VISIONAPARTMENTS Lugano
Swiss Hotel Apartments - Lugano
Swiss Hotel Apartments - Lugano
5 out of 5
35 Corso Elvezia, Lugano, TI
Stay at this 5-star luxury apartment in Lugano. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Lake Lugano and BSí are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (15 reviews)
"This place was great. The manager helped us out on all aspects she is a 5 star host. She really went out of her way to help out. Apartment is super clean, had a chance to workout in the gym and run down and get an expresso in the morning. I highly recommend this place to anyone, it was great."

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

Swiss Hotel Apartments - Lugano
Nice Mediterranean holiday home. Ideal for families, athletes etc. Nature lovers
Nice Mediterranean holiday home. Ideal for families, athletes etc. Nature lovers
Carona
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Lugano. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Lugano and Swissminiatur are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (51 reviews)
Our Stay in Corona
"Corona is a charming village high in the mountains outside Lugano. We loved our stay in this spacious and comfortable house. It has a spectacular view of the mountains and Lake Lugano. The village has a charming church, shops, many ancient houses, a few hotels, and a large swimming pool open to the ..."

Reviewed on Aug 6, 2023

Nice Mediterranean holiday home. Ideal for families, athletes etc. Nature lovers
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Lugano

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
54
" "5 - Excellent 77.14285714285714%
4 - Good
14
" "4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 1.4285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 1.4285714285714286%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Gorgeous

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Several nice places to visit and a great city to walk around.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Lugano is a modern Swiss city surrounded by beautiful lakes and mountains, all very well tended, in the Swiss tradition. It is a rich town, less of an attraction in its own right than for the area in which it is. Italy is but a stone's throw.

5/5 - Excellent

Joe

Beautiful little town

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful lake, the views are incredible from up the hill behind the church. The shops and restaurants are divine. Very chic city and very artsy.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Be sure to take the the boat cruise to Gandria.

Cities near Lugano