Lugano city: Where Swiss Precision Meets Italian Charm

Lugano is where Swiss elegance blends seamlessly with Italian flair. Nestled on the border between Switzerland and Italy, this city offers the best of both worlds — from orderly beauty to warm Mediterranean vibes.

At its heart lies Lake Lugano, the city’s crown jewel. During summer, its shores become a haven for sunbathers, swimmers, and boating enthusiasts. The lake is also known for its crystal-clear waters and the luxury villas that dot its perimeter — some owned by notable celebrities.

Lake Lugano: The City´s Jewel

Lake Lugano is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the city. In the warmer months, its crystal-clear waters offer perfect conditions for swimming, paddleboarding, and relaxing boat rides. Along the shore, you’ll find small beaches and luxurious villas — some belonging to celebrities — all set against a breathtaking Alpine backdrop.

Parco Ciani: A lakeside Oasis

This is one of my favorite places to walk. The best place in town, starting at Lugano’s casino and extending to the Lido zone. It has small beaches where you can enjoy with your son in the playgrounds and many gardens. To do and to enjoy.

From the Casino area to Paradiso, you can also take a walk and enjoy the views. It is not as calm and refreshing as in the park. Following the garden towards the Lido area and before crossing a small bridge, you will find a sandy area that is used as a beach. Across the bridge is a complex with swimming pools and access to the lake. This is a paid complex.

Lugano City Center & Via Nassa

Lugano’s historic center is cozy, elegant, and perfect for wandering. Go through the streets of the city center where you will find many shops. Via Nassa is the street of the shop district. Near it is locate the Lugano Casino.

Monte Brè: A view from the Top

For one of the best views in Lugano, head up to Monte Brè. You can hike up scenic trails or take the funicular to the summit. Mount Bré is a park area from which you can observe the lake and the city of Lugano. In the highest part the view is magnificent. You can access the hill by walking in the park or by funicular. It is another excellent area for walks and to enjoy and relax. When I visited Monte Brè, I also decided to take a walking route that starts in Via Riviera, at the Lugano exit to Villa Favorita.

This route through Villa Favorita takes us through very narrow paths by the lake and through the beautiful houses that exist there. Here we can feel the charisma of the place, visit small chapels and walk enjoying the great views that the lake and the buildings provide us. It is a must-see for anyone visiting Lugano and for those who like to go hiking.

Mount San Salvatore

Mount San Salvatore offers a 360-degree view of this area as it is the highest. Your climb can be made by funicular, which can be picked up in the Paradiso area or by foot via a 2-hour trail. Prices and times are here. The weather, even in summer,r can change very fast. I tried to visit Monte San Salvatore during my stay and on foot, but I gave up because the rain began to fall heavily.

Things to do near Lugano

When we visited Lugano and taking advantage of Switzerland’s excellent train service we also visited Bern for a day and the city of Como in Italy in a day out.

 
Compare prices to travel. The closest airport its the Milano – Malpensa in Italy!

The city is interconnected with Switzerland and Italy by roads and railway lines. The fastest way is the train, as they are excellent and with many trips. By the way, Switzerland is very famous for its railway lines. By plane, you can use Lugano airport, but it only receives small flights, or the nearest airport that receives low-cost flights is Milan – Malpensa or Bergamo. Please note that Switzerland does not belong to the Schengen Area and has border controls. You must check the required documents in your country to enter Switzerland.

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