What to do and see in Lugano, Switzerland: The Best Places and Tips

December 17, 2017 Enedina Augsburger

Perfectly positioned on a lake with the Alps at its back, lucky Lugano has a little bit of everything. Ride a cable car up Monte San Salvatore or Monte Bre for sunny panoramas of lake, rivers, mountains and red-roofed buildings. Explore the town's churches, cathedrals and the expressive and colorful Piazza della Riforma. Sample some slow-cooked Ticinese cuisine, explore the lake on a boat or spend the day at the lido with its Olympic-sized pool.
Restaurants in Lugano

1. Lake Lugano

Lugano, Switzerland +41 91 222 11 11
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Lake Lugano

Reviewed By whytegroup - Office

Lake Lugano is one of the most Picturesque places in the world. Located with in the Swiss Alps, this year round resort should be a stop on every travelers agenda.

2. Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli

Lugano Centro, Lugano, Switzerland +41 91 922 01 12
Excellent
65%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 413 reviews

Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli

Reviewed By Paul S - Warrington, United Kingdom

Called in on recommendation from our Tour Manager and very glad we did. Fantastic frescos but simple church still captivates the mind on how old these paintings were.

3. Parco Civico

Viale Carlo Cattaneo, Lugano 6900, Switzerland +41 58 866 66 00
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Parco Civico

Reviewed By Chotee83 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We walked to cassarate a couple of times, its nice to walk through the park to get there. The park is well maintained and had beautiful flower beds and trees. There is enough to do, kids can play, there is a Park&Read where you can buy ice cream and drinks, and there is a library! Just walking there gives you a great view over the lake. Loads of opportunities to take pictures :)

4. Monte San Salvatore

Lugano, Switzerland +41 91 985 28 28
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 905 reviews

Monte San Salvatore

Reviewed By manxseasider - Isle Of Man, United Kingdom

Initially wondered if the return price of 26 euros pp was going to be worth it, but felt it was money well spent in the light of the stunning views at the summit.
Our little group of 4 started with a coffee in the sun on the Terrace at the summit restaurant.
The most exceptional views are from the roof of the small church, so definitely worth covering the short additional climb to that setting.

5. Monte Bre

Lugano 6979, Switzerland +41 91 971 31 71
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 607 reviews

Monte Bre

Reviewed By Jamie W - Hong Kong, China

We really enjoyed walking on Monte Bre. The views are terrific even in January when it was a bit colder. I would definitely do this again.

6. Piazza della Riforma

Piazza della Riforma, Lugano, Switzerland +41 58 866 66 00
Excellent
41%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 448 reviews

Piazza della Riforma

Reviewed By Liz H - Lewes, United Kingdom

Loved the style of these buildings and the centre square of the town. Lots of restaurants and cafes surround this area along with many shops and stores of all styles and types to suit all pockets. Central area was full of Harley Davidson associated stalls for their weekend. Fountains everywhere for everyone.

7. Lido di Lugano

Via Lido, Lugano 6906, Switzerland +41 58 866 68 80
Excellent
41%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 184 reviews

Lido di Lugano

Reviewed By Alexey B - Lugano, Switzerland

Great place, very clean, very well maintained, can be crowded in summer weekends, but if you swim good enough the middle lanes always have space

8. Olive Trail

Via Cortivo, Lugano, Switzerland
Excellent
58%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 114 reviews

Olive Trail

Reviewed By MilfordNewtown - Sydney, Australia

Highly recommended. It's relatively flat most of the way, with a few short steep climbs. I was able to do it easily in sandals. We walked from Paradiso, along the lakefront to Lugano itself, through the Botanical Gardens, skirted the large municipal pool then carried on along Viale Castagnola, up Via Riviera and into Via Cortivo. You follow this to the very end. You will pass the very picturesque Museo dell Culture (unfortunately closed for renovations while we were there but the formal Gardens right on the lakefront are very pretty and were open to explore for free). At the end of Via Cortivo, at a car park, there's an archway and the road thins to a footpath. On Google maps it's Sentiero di Gandria. Fabulous views all along, with a couple of cafes dotted anolong the route and in Gandhi itself to provide a cooling beer. Though you can return on the higher path, this is right next to the busy road so it's best to return the same way and enjoy different views as you walk towards Lugano. Allow a couple of hours for the return walk from Lugano itself (this can be shortened by taking the #2 bus)

9. Cattedrale di San Lorenzo

Via Cattedrale, Lugano 6900, Switzerland +41 91 921 49 45
Excellent
30%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 142 reviews

Cattedrale di San Lorenzo

Reviewed By Don W - Buffalo, New York

A small Cathedral compared to some nearby city counterparts, but well worth a short visit. Nicely restored showing architectural details and wonderful fresco painting.

10. Chiesa San Rocco Lugano

Piazza San Rocco, Lugano, Switzerland +41 76 479 97 89
Excellent
35%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 56 reviews

Chiesa San Rocco Lugano

Reviewed By Bronwyn T - Adelaide, Australia

This church was deserted when we visited so we had plenty of space to wander. Wrote in my notes that it was stunning so worth a peep inside if visiting.

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