Lugano cityscape during the autumn period, Switzerland

Things to do in  Lugano

Swiss city, Italian soul

Tucked into a pocket of southern Switzerland is the sunny Ticino region, where Lugano is the standout city. With Italian-speaking locals, north Italian food, and Mediterranean weather, it's easy to forget you’re in Switzerland. But this chic lakeside city is actually one of Switzerland’s banking hubs, attracting an international suited-and-booted crowd. It's also popular with summertime tourists, who are drawn here by a wealth of nature-related things to do around Lake Lugano and the mountains.

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Top 3 attractions in Lugano

#1

FoxTown Factory Stores

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This luxury shopping mall, not far from the Swiss-Italian border, sells all sorts of designer names at cut prices. Drawing Swiss locals, Italian day trippers, and fashion-loving tourists, the center is home to more than 100 outlets, including Armani, Michael Kors, and Swarovski, and offers discounts of up to 70%.More
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#2

Falconeria Locarno

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Bird enthusiasts and nature lovers will enjoy the chance to get up close to birds of prey at Falconeria Locarno. Dressed in medieval-inspired costumes, trained handlers put on shows with majestic eagles, hawks, owls, vultures, marabous, and ibis. Visitors can view the aviaries after the show, and kids can take pony rides.More
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#3

Swiss Miniature Park (Swissminiatur)

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On the shores of Lake Lugano, against a backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the Swiss Miniature Park (Swissminiatur) is the only one of its kind in Switzerland. Take a tour of Switzerland—recreated in 1:125 scale models—to see everything from historic landmarks to alpine vistas, and even a working miniature railway.More
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Explore Lugano by interest

Top activities in Lugano

Skip the Line: Falconeria Locarno Ticket

Skip the Line: Falconeria Locarno Ticket

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119
From
$31.29
Verzasca valley, river and waterfall + Ascona private guided tour

Verzasca valley, river and waterfall + Ascona private guided tour

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11
From
$326.97
per group
Discover Lugano in 60 Minutes with a Local

Discover Lugano in 60 Minutes with a Local

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9
From
$88.30
Explore Lugano’s Art and Culture with a Local

Explore Lugano’s Art and Culture with a Local

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5
From
$121.83
Monte Brè Tour from Lugano by funicular

Monte Brè Tour from Lugano by funicular

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45
From
$22.35
Lugano, Lake Lugano, private walking guided tour

Lugano, Lake Lugano, private walking guided tour

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2
From
$196.18
per group
Lake Lugano - a taste of culture

Lake Lugano - a taste of culture

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4
From
$793.55
Lugano and Bellinzona private full-day tour

Lugano and Bellinzona private full-day tour

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4
From
$365.12
Lugano & Morcote, Lake Lugano, private guided tour, from Lugano
Special Offer

Lugano & Morcote, Lake Lugano, private guided tour, from Lugano

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13
From
$207.08
per group
$217.98  $10.90 savings
Lugano and its history exclusive walking tour

Lugano and its history exclusive walking tour

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15
From
$92.64
Explore the Instaworthy Spots of Lugano with a Local

Explore the Instaworthy Spots of Lugano with a Local

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3
From
$121.83
Ascona & Locarno private guided tour

Ascona & Locarno private guided tour

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2
From
$435.97
per group
Instagram and Photo tour of Lugano with a professional photographer.

Instagram and Photo tour of Lugano with a professional photographer.

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6
From
$130.79
Bellinzona Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide

Bellinzona Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide

From
$489.37
per group
Discover Lugano’s most Photogenic Spots with a Local

Discover Lugano’s most Photogenic Spots with a Local

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1
From
$121.83
Lugano Region Guided Excursion from Lugano to Monte San Salvatore by funicular

Lugano Region Guided Excursion from Lugano to Monte San Salvatore by funicular

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21
From
$22.35
Guided Walk from Lugano to Gandria promoted by Lugano Region - return by boat

Guided Walk from Lugano to Gandria promoted by Lugano Region - return by boat

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10
From
$22.35
Bike & Cheese Alpe Bolla

Bike & Cheese Alpe Bolla

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2
From
$184.42
Historic Lugano: Exclusive Private Tour with a Local Expert

Historic Lugano: Exclusive Private Tour with a Local Expert

From
$837.13
per group
Architectural Lugano: Private Tour with a Local Expert

Architectural Lugano: Private Tour with a Local Expert

From
$837.13
per group
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All about Lugano

When to visit

Temps in Lugano are mild year-round, but the Swiss city is most vibrant in the summer. This is when the lake beaches and the lido are open for swimming, and the restaurants spill onto the streets for meals that stretch into the night. In July, Lugano takes on an extra buzz with the arrival of the Long Lake Festival, hosting jazz concerts and outdoor film screenings around Parco Ciano and Piazza della Riforma.

Getting around

Lugano is a small city and the Old Town streets are mostly pedestrianized. To avoid paying for expensive parking, it's easy to manage without a car; you can use the La Sassellina funicular to cut out the steep hill between the town and the train station. Hotel, hostel, or campsite guests in Lugano are often given a Ticino Ticket, which gives free train and bus travel around the Swiss Ticino region, plus discounts on funiculars, cog-wheel railways, and lake cruises.

Traveler tips

If you’re looking for a leafy lakeside walk with views, a place for lunch, and maybe a return by boat, the 2-mile (3-kilometer) Olive Grove Trail offers just that. It’s an easy walk between the Lugano neighborhood of Castagnola and the pretty village of Gandria, where a handful of restaurants await. While the route’s name is misleading—you won't see many olive trees on this stretch—the walk is known for its sweeping Lake Lugano views.

Attractions
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Tours
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Reviews
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People Also Ask

Is Lugano in Switzerland worth visiting?

Yes, Lugano is worth visiting to balance Swiss efficiency with sunny Mediterranean weather and Italian food. While culture seekers might say it lacks tourist attractions compared to bigger Swiss cities, nature lovers have the lake and nearby mountains at their fingertips.

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How do you spend a day in Lugano, Switzerland?

Get your coffee and brioche hit in Lugano Old Town, then stroll to Cassarate to ride the Monte Bré funicular. A one-way ticket lets you reach the top for lunch with a view, then leaves you free to hike down to Gandria. Finish with a ferry ride across the lake to Lugano.

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Which is better, Como or Lugano?

As they're both lakeside cities framed by mountains, Como and Lugano are pretty similar. And while Como is one of the more expensive Italian cities, it’s more affordable than Lugano in Switzerland where food, parking, and hotels are pricier. Many travelers say that Como has more to offer in terms of lake sightseeing.

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How much time do you need in Lugano?

Lugano is small, so a weekend is perfect. In the warmer months, dedicate a day to Lugano Lido where a lake beach and swimming pools offer sunshine and fun. Then, spend the second day at altitude on the peaks of Monte Brè or San Salvatore; lake and mountain views abound from both.

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What food is Lugano known for?

Lugano is close to Italy in location and culture, so there’s no surprise that the cuisine feels north Italian. Typical Lugano dishes are served in tune with the seasons, with hearty plates of polenta and stewed meat in winter, and light lake fish dishes like pesce in carpione in summer.

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What is the most beautiful village near Lugano?

The Swiss Ticino canton around Lugano is a picturesque spot with no shortage of beautiful villages. But Morcote, a village just south of the city, is often touted as the country’s most beautiful. History-steeped lanes, a waterfront promenade, and expansive lake views from a hilltop church are among its charms.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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