There is so much to discover between Lake Lugano, Monte Brè, and Monte San Salvatore, the historic city center, without forgetting Morcote and other charming villages. And that’s just the beginning. Lugano is a treasure nestled in a magnificent setting. With its tropical plants, palm trees, and delicious gelati, an air of Dolce Vita wafts through its streets. Change of scenery guaranteed. When you arrive, you’ll be blown away, and the charm will last throughout your stay. Lugano is a secret gem in Switzerland, less wild than Graubünden and more exotic than the Bernese Oberland. Between Lombardy at your fingertips and Italian singing in the streets, Italian Switzerland truly deserves its name.
Places to Visit in Lugano
The city has much more things to offer its visitors. Here are the most important ones to visit in Lugano. It might be a small town, but you must visit for a few days. With breathtaking nature and its historical richness, you’ll have an unforgettable holiday.
Old City of Lugano
One of the first things to do in Lugano is to explore its city center. It is small, so you will quickly glimpse its Mediterranean charm and glorious past. There are pretty colorful alleys, finely decorated old buildings, refined shops, and many bars and restaurants everywhere. Walking around the historic center of Lugano almost teleported us to Italy. It must be said that Ticino has only been Swiss since 1803. The ideal way to discover this city center is to stroll. Stroll quietly through the alleys and scents. And above all, remember to raise your head regularly because some facades are worth a look.
Lake Lugano
The essential thing to do in Lugano is a stroll along the lake, ideally with ice cream. There is a real sweetness of life, in addition to the delightful panorama over the whole bay, which goes from Monte Brè to Monte San Salvatore. You can take the section from wherever you want. The Lungolago di Lugano runs from Parco Ciani to Paradisio, where a fountain exists. It counts about 30 minutes on foot and just over 2 km. The promenade is ideal, with a flat and wide path punctuated by benches and gazebos. Shortly before Paradisio, you pass an avenue of trees which must be charming in the spring, with a sculpture of the bust of Washington.
Monte Brè
Monte Brè dominates the city with its 925 meters. It is the mountain that is on your left when you are facing the lake. This is also the point of view that is the most recommended place by visitors. If you make the round trip by funicular, a good half day is enough for this tour. The view from Monte Brè is already a sufficient argument to go up there. From the belvedere, 5 minutes from the funicular station, you can see Lugano and its bay, Monte San Salvatore, the lake, and the Melide causeway. A panoramic panel indicates the peaks you see around, including a small piece of Monte Generoso, another impressive scenic rise.
Gandria
A charming and very photogenic village. Less known than Morcote but no less pretty, Gandria clings to the mountainside, at the foot of Monte Brè, on the shores of Lake Lugano. A picturesque village with charming, colorful, and narrow streets without cars. You cannot miss the Church of San Vigilio, which stands out from the other houses. From there, you let yourself go down to the edge of the lake to take the boat that takes you back to Lugano. A path starts from Monte Brè to reach Gandria on foot; it is the “Nature and Archaeology” path. You definitely walk this path to Gandria.
Parco Ciani
A few steps from the lively center of Lugano, you should go for a walk in Parco Ciani. The latter, considered one of the most beautiful parks in Switzerland, attracts tourists and locals. With its 63,000m2 overlooking the lake, Parco Ciani is the green lung of the city of Lugano. Its exceptional location near the center and on the edge of the lake makes it a unique place to relax. For your information, Ciani Park also includes the Villa Ciani, the Palais des Congrès and the Cantonal Museum of Natural History.
Swissminiatur
Swissminiatur allows, as its name suggests, to discover the most beautiful places in Switzerland on a reduced scale. This outdoor miniature park is located on the shores of Lake Lugano in Melide. You will see how meticulous the work is and that every detail is thought out to reproduce the most beautiful places in Switzerland. In particular, you can admire more than 120 1/25 scale models representing Switzerland’s most important buildings, monuments, and means of transport. The most popular are Chillon Castle, the Federal Parliament in Bern, Mount Titlis, and the Piazza Grande in Locarno. If you already know Switzerland, you will enjoy rediscovering the critical places of the country in miniature. If you don’t know Switzerland, it’s an excellent way to get around the country quickly, especially to note where you want to go for your next stay.
Places to Stay in Lugano 🏨
Where should I stay when visiting Lugano? Lugano is a small city but has plenty to see. Being an old settlement, it attracts many visitors with its natural beauty and Mediterranean air. This way, there are many hotels to choose from in the city. Many options await you, from luxurious hotels to the most modest hotels where you can spend the evening. Here are the best hotels in Lugano.
Luxurious Hotels to Stay in Lugano 💰💰💰
Suppose you want to enjoy your vacation to the fullest and have a different experience while discovering a new place. In that case, you can find everything you are looking for in Lugano luxury hotels.
Hotel Splendide Royal 🔗
Hotel Splendide Royal has been one of the most luxurious hotels in Lugano since 1887. The hotel’s I Due Sud restaurant has one Michelin star and 16 Gault et Millau points. If you stay at the Hotel Splendide Royal, you should eat at this restaurant. If you like Mediterranean cuisine more, you can prefer La Veranda, another restaurant. This place has 14 Gault et Millau points. From the first step you take until the end, you feel that you have come to a magnificent place. In addition to the hotel’s globally famous restaurants, you will feel reborn in the luxurious spa center. By far, the best place to stay in Lugano is the Hotel Splendide Royal.
Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola 🔗
The Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola is on the shores of Lake Lugano. Beautiful architecture, design, and views will take your breath away. The hotel, within walking distance of the old city, has an indoor pool, a tennis court, restaurants offering different services, and a sub-tropical park, which we are not used to seeing in hotels. Both Le Relais and Gallery Arté al Lago, the hotel’s two restaurants, serve tasty Mediterranean food. You can spend a romantic holiday in Lugano in the hotel most preferred by couples. The Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola is the best place to stay in Lugano, Switzerland.
Best Western Hotel Bellevue au Lac 🔗
As the name suggests, the Best Western Hotel Bellevue au Lac Lugano has an exquisite view of the shores of Lake Lugano. When you wake up in the morning after a tiring night, an unobstructed view of the city will welcome you. One of the essential advantages of the hotel is that it is within walking distance of many parts of the city. There are two different restaurants at the Hotel Bellevue Lugano. One serves Italian food, and the other serves food from around the world. There is also a Bellevue bar serving 24 hours a day. For a complete holiday experience, stay at the Best Western Hotel Bellevue Lac. It is one of the Lugano five-star hotels.
Budget Friendly Places to Stay in Lugano 💰💰
Lugano might be a luxurious and prosperous city, but that doesn’t mean there are only glamorous hotels. If you want a more decent place, you can also find the best places to stay in Lugano.
Hotel Admiral Lugano 🔗
If you are looking for a budget-friendly hotel where to stay in Lugano Switzerland, one of the first places to choose is Hotel Admiral Lugano. The hotel is located in Paradiso and within walking distance of Lugano’s city center. It is very close to Swissminiatur Park or the Modern Art Museum, which are important places to visit in the city. The hotel also has an indoor and outdoor pool. Being a budget-friendly place does not mean that the hotel does not have rich services.
Hotel De La Paix 🔗
With its eye-catching color and architecture, Hotel De La Paix is a place where you will want to take pictures in front. The hotel is located in an 18th-century building and is about 1 km from the city center. Hotel De La Paix could be an excellent place for you if you want to stay in Lugano but in a quieter place than the city center. Although the hotel is budget-friendly, it is one of the budget-friendly hotels you are not used to seeing with its outdoor pool, two different restaurants, and bistro bar. Its brilliant location makes it among the best places to stay in Lugano.
Hotel Lido Seegarten 🔗
The Hotel Lido Seegarten is one of the best hotels in the city. It is a family hotel on the shore of Lake Lugano. The hotel’s visitors, who have direct access to the lake from the pool in the front, can enjoy the lake. You can sip your exotic cocktail while relaxing on a beautiful Lugano evening at the bar on the lake shore. Hotel Lido Seegarten, within walking distance of the city center, offers an unexpected service for budget-friendly hotels.
Cheap Hotels to Stay in Lugano 💰
In the eyes of the world, Switzerland is the land of plenty and the favored destination of the wealthy. This image can be intimidating, especially for first-timers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t cheap hotels in Switzerland and Lugano.
ibis Budget Lugano Paradiso 🔗
Located in the city center, the ibis Budget Lugano Paradiso is the best hotel in Lugano Switzerland, if you are looking for a cheap hotel to stay in Lugano. A branch of ibis Budget, the affordable hotel of the famous ibis hotel chain, is also located in Lugano. The hotel stands out as a quality and reliable place to stay. Since it provides the bare minimum guests expect from a hotel, they are able to save a lot of money by staying there.
Lugano Center GuestHouse 🔗
Located in the city center, Lugano Center GuestHouse is one of the ideal places for those who only expect a clean and safe place to stay. The hotel also has a bike rental service if you want to explore the city by bike. The hotel is very close to important places such as Monte San Salvatore or the Art Museum Lugano, and you can easily reach many places by bicycle. Another essential advantage of the hotel is that it is close to the famous restaurants and bars in the city. If you want to experience the nightlife in Lugano, Lugano Center GuestHouse is one of the best places to stay in Lugano.
Hotel Besso Lugano 🔗
Whether you’re a backpacker or prefer to spend your vacation money on activities rather than hotels, the Hotel Besso Lugano is the place for you. If you want to relax in a comfortable bed after a tiring day and get ready for the next day, Hotel Besso Lugano is one of the best places to stay. However, if you are looking for more, it would be better for you to turn to different alternatives. Suppose you’re looking for a budget-friendly place where to stay in Lugano, and the cheapness of the hotel is more important than the service. In that case, the Hotel Besso Lugano is one of the best places to visit.