Day 1 in Lugano
Welcome to Lugano,
the largest city of the stunning canton of Ticino! Upon arrival, make your transfer to
your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag!
There is so much for you to see and do.
Lugano makes the best first
impression. You get off at the train station, and the first thing you see is
palm trees, sparkling water in the distance, and the tower of Cathedral San
Lorenzo set against hills and a blue sky.
To start off your day, head into old town to explore. Lugano
hides some interesting history, a short self-guided tour will help get yourself
oriented, or just grab a gelato and wind your way through the city center`s
arcades and lakeside promenade.
Take some time to admire the main façade
of Lugano, Cathedral San
Lorenzo, carved from white limestone and Carrara marble. The cathedral dates to the turn of the 16th
century, and was constructed over a much earlier Romanesque building. In the
center, look up to admire the rose window, adorned with cherubs and sculpted in
the 1570`s. On one high ground there`s a terrace with a balustrade to enjoy the
view of the lake and mountains.
Enjoy a relaxing lunch at the Grand Café al Porto. This
elegant establishment is the most historic café in town. The 1803 above the fireplace is
the date it opened - and also when Ticino joined the Swiss Federation. The café
evokes the 19th-century days when Giuseppe Mazzini and fellow
Italian patriots would huddle here (safely over the border) playing their next
move to unify Italy.
After lunch, make your way to Piazza della Riforma, the
main square of Lugano. This is where the open-air cinema takes place, along
with markets (Tuesday and Friday mornings), and local festivals. Make sure to spend some time strolling Via
Nassa, one of
Lugano`s main shopping streets. This is a perfect street to stroll, window-shop
and people watch.
Another square to
discover is the park-like Piazza Indipendenza. The giant head on its side is the
work of Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj, who has decorated squares all over Europe
with similar sculptures. This square is home of the sterile casino building. Though it`s blocky,
modern style doesn`t quite fit the otherwise elegant architecture of this area,
it does have an elevator leading up to a lovely lake view.
Next, head to the City Park (Parco Civico Villa Ciani). The
park`s centerpiece, the Villa Ciani,
houses a fine-arts museum. Sprawling from the lake, this lush park is filled
with modern art and exotic trees from around the world. The flower beds are organized
to show off maximum color all year long. If the weather is nice, spend some
time relaxing and exploring in this amazing landscaped space. The park is lit at night and particularly good for a late,
romantic stroll.
As the evening
approaches, head to the lovely waterfront
promenade at sunset to enjoy the striking views of the
surrounding mountains complimented with botanical gardens and palm trees that
line this beautiful stretch from Paradiso to Parco Civico.
After an exciting day
of exploring the beautiful city, grab some dinner at one of the many
restaurants in town before heading back to your hotel for a restful night
sleep.
Day 2 in Lugano
Wake up early today to enjoy some of the sights near Lugano. There
are two beautiful mountains, San
Salvatore and Monte
Brè, that border
Lugano`s city center, and you can conquer either one, without breaking a sweat,
by lifts. If you choose to travel a bit further out of Lugano, you can explore
the tallest mountain of the area, Monte
Generoso.
At about 2,900 ft., San
Salvatore, Lugano`s own mountain, is the easiest and most
rewarding peak on the lake, thanks to its beautiful panoramic views. A
funicular carries you up the precipitous slope from the suburb of Paradiso
in just 12 minutes. At the top you`ll find perfect 360 ° views of Lugano, the lake
and views of the Alps to the west, as well as a playground, a self-serve
cafeteria, and a restaurant. From the lift, be sure to climb five more minutes
to the actual summit. On the way, stop in the Salvatore Museum to admire the small collection of
religious arts and exhibits on local geology. And at the very top of the mountain,
there`s a small church that you can enter for far-reaching views. You can
also choose to walk down instead of catching the funicular, for a hike of just
over an hour.
If you decide to tackle Monte Brè
you`ll catch the funicular in the suburb of Cassarate. The way up offers some
of the best views down on the lagoon of Lugano. Once you reach the top, you can
enjoy lunch at either of the two restaurants while you survey Lugano and the
landscape as far as Italy. On the way down, check out the Brè Villaggio
stop to look around the exceptionally
beautiful village of Brè
that sits on a steep slope of the mountain.
Another option is Monte
Generoso, the tallest mountain in the area, but also the farthest
from Lugano. Monte Generoso stands at almost 6,000 ft, high enough that you can
see some of the more distant peaks. A cogwheel train climbs up from the station
at Capolago in about 35 minutes which drops you off at
Generoso Vetta, a 10-minute walk below the summit.
After an adventurous day on the mountain, head back into town to
take in the ambiance of Lugano at night over a relaxing meal.
Day 3 in Lugano
Spend your last day in Lugano cruising
Lake Lugano with a stop in Gandria. There are lake
boats that serve as regular transportation to a couple of the car-free spots on
the lake. You can either ride the boat around the lake or hop on and off the boat
to explore. You can also take advantage of one of the boat excursions that
offer lunch and a grand tour of the lake, amongst many other choices.
Whatever
boat ride you decide on, we recommend a stop in the charming and unspoiled lakeside village
towns of Gandria located at the foot of Monte Brè. This town
has a very nostalgic ambiance, being that it has remained unchanged for almost
100 years. A dense cluster of houses hang over the lake with a several inviting
restaurants. The only `streets` here are stairways and cool, narrow passageways
between the lake below and the road above. Wander along the streets and
stairways that are creased with sharp hair-pin turns, and pop into the 15th
century Church of St. Viglio, the façade of which has historic memorials to
members of important local families. You`ll also find several inviting
restaurants to choose from. There are a few restaurants right at the boat dock
which are fine, but we think it is worth seeking out something deeper into the
village for a bit more authentic meal.
You can take the boat back to Lugano, but another option is to
walk back to Lugano along a great 45-minute lakeside path through restored Olive Grove Trail.
The trail has multilingual signposts telling you all about olive
cultivation. This path brings you to Castagnola, a suburb of
Lugano. The walk is an easy, relaxed walk, allowing you to enjoy the
countryside and the beautiful olive trees.
If time and energy allow, pay a visit to the Alprose Chocolate Factory in
Casiano, a small town near Lugano. This makes for a fun outing for children and
adults alike. The museum offers a comprehensive view of the history of chocolate
and has generous free tastings. In the Alprose factory you can observe
chocolate being made and processed and packaged.
Finish you day by watching the sunset over the
lake with some gelato or coffee in hand - perfect!
Additional Days in Lugano
Should you be able to spend additional
days in Lugano we recommend a visit to the lovely little town of Vico Morcote. The houses in
the area date from the 17th and 18th century and there is
a stunning baroque church which offers panoramic views over the Alps and the
valley. There are several hiking trails which are easily accessible from the
town, and many of them offer a variety of Mediterranean and Alpine flora.
You may also want to check out
the Museo Hermann Hesse, situated not far from Lugano. This is a
lovely museum where the famous writer lived for the last 43 years of his life.
Casa Camuzzi, as it is known, is a beautiful brick building and now houses many
items and memorabilia that once belonged to Hesse, such as a typewriter and
various books and photos from his life. It was here that he wrote his most
famous works, including classics such as Siddhartha and the fantastic
Steppenwolf. For fans of his work, there is also a great audio-guide tour which
takes you around the quaint village where he lived – it was
here that he became a Nobel Prize winner in 1946.
Your Last Day in Lugano
Depart your hotel for the train station or airport where you will head home or make your way to more Switzerland adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in Lugano, the stunning canton of Ticino.