Things to Do in Lugano

Lugano offers unforgettable experiences! These are some of the best things that you can do in in the city:

1. See spectacular views over the city: One of the best places to get a phenomenal view of the city, Lake Lugano, and the Alps is the summit of Monte San Salvatore. Known as the ‘Sugar Loaf’ of Lugano, it is one of the best places to step away from the noise and crowds and enjoy a day amidst the beautiful wilderness. And that’s not all! Hikers love to explore the rugged trails especially via ferrata that lets them cross the craggy northwest rock face.

Else, you can take a 10-minute exciting funicular ride, functional since the 1890s, to the top, which is one of the best things to do in Lugano. There is even a museum on the summit that houses a great collection of rare art, fossils, and religious relics. Round off your day with a Mediterranean meal on the sun terrace of the Ristorante Vetta surrounded by beautiful views.

Location: The Mountain is located in the southern part of the city.
Price: Funicular tickets start at CHF 23, INR 1800.
Timings: The Mountain is accessible at all times.

2. Enjoy & explore Swiss art and culture: The best way to understand the rich textures of Swiss history are through its art and music. LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura is one of the best places to see events, larger-than-life musicals, theatre, and dance that best define the Swiss culture. From time to time it hosts interesting exhibitions around Futurism, Surrealism, and Poor Art by some of the greatest artists in the world like Danna Olgiati, Ivano Gianola, and Giancarlo, etc.

These artworks are displayed in galleries, inspired by minimalistic expressions and styles, bathed in beautiful natural light coming through their huge French windows. When the cold weather doesn’t allow you to be outdoors, visiting the luxuriously warm interiors of the building is one of the best things to do in Lugano in winter.

Location: Piazza Bernardino Luini 6, 6900, Lugano.
Price: The tickets start at CHF 12, INR 940
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday- 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Thursday- 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Monday closed.

3. Enjoy the serenity of Parco Ciani: Often referred to as the ‘green pearl’ of Lugano, Parco Ciani, established in 1845, is an enchanting oasis-like place that will whisk you away into the beautiful tranquillity of nature. Amongst the loveliest things to do in Lugano is strolling amidst acres of Camilla, lime & oak trees, subtropical plants, wild roses, hydrangeas, and Bear’s breeches.

These are beautifully landscaped around well-manicured pathways, ornate statues, and fountains. The park offers great views of the city, the lake, and the peaks of Monte Bre and Monte San Salvatore. Don’t miss visiting the numerous attractions located right inside the park- The Villa Ciani, Natural History Museum, Boat House, and the Canton Library.

Location: Viale Carlo Cattaneo 5, 6900, Lugano.
Price: No entry fee.
Timings: The Park can be accessed anytime.

4. Take the world-famous Olive Trail: One of the most memorable experiences and amongst the top things to do in Lugano is taking this Olive Trail that traverses through the slopes of Monte Bre. You will pass through groves of olive trees, some of which are centuries old. The trail is lush with pine, cypress, and lime trees with views of the shimmering Lake Lugano, the red-tiled roof houses of the charming Gandria, and the 14th-century Church of Saint Vigilio. It's fun picking olives from the trees and getting to know more about their cultivation and production.

Location: The trail extends from Gandria to Castagnola.
Price: The trail costs around CHF 6, INR 470.
Timings: The best time to explore the trail is between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm between June-September.

5. Explore the rustic Swiss village life: The natural beauty of Switzerland needs no introduction and must be experienced once in a lifetime. The Valle di Muggio is a hidden alpine valley that lets you experience the almost unreal scenery, quietude, and peace of the place.

One of the best things to do in Lugano is walking here though dense thickets of pine, birch, elm, and chestnut trees surrounded by large patches of flowers like violets, primroses, and gentians. You can see numerous birds & animals like magpies, nuthatches, moles, Generoso, and Chamois here. There is an open-air museum here with interesting rural life exhibits like ice pits, open-air laundry, cheesemakers, and chestnut-drying shed.

Location: Casa Cantoni, Cabbio.
Price: CHF 5, INR 390.
Timings: The museum is open from Tuesday-Sunday: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm between March-October.

6. Visit the elegant Old Town: Often referred to as the city’s ‘elegant living room’, the Old Town area is famous for its old-world romantic charm and uber-chic vibes. The sloping cobbled streets take you through luxury boutiques, chocolate & cheese shops, and open-air cafes. Some of the must-see buildings here are the Palazzo Civico, the 18th-century sculpture of Spartacus, the Church of San Lorenzo, etc. The entire area is a labyrinth of winding alleys dotted with frescos and terraces built in traditionally stunning Romanesque-style.

Location: 6900 Lugano.
Price: No entry fee.
Timings: Can be visited anytime.

Some of the most romantic things to do in Lugano are:

1. Take a romantic walk around Lake Lugano: What’s a better place to take a romantic hand-in-hand walk with your loved one than the lake that is considered amongst the most beautiful lakes in the world. Visiting the lake in the evenings and seeing the sun go down behind the valleys and mountains is quite an experience and amongst the most enchanting things to do in Lugano. You can take a boat cruise across the lake and round off the day at one of the charming cafes on the lake’s promenade.

2. Dine: For couples that love to try out new cuisines, Lugano has plenty to offer. The place offers an amazing variety of cuisines ranging from Italian to Swiss, Ticinese including options like scallops, caviar, ravioli, homemade pasta, antipasti, etc. Some of the best restaurants to enjoy a romantic dinner date are the Michelin star Arte al Lago, the lakeside Antica Osteria del Porto, and the quirky waterfront restaurant La Cucina di Alice.

3. Enjoy hiking: For couples that want to steal some moments of quietude away from the hustle-bustle of the city, taking a hike into the wilderness is amongst the most romantic things to do in Lugano. Some of the lushest trails to take include the Sentiero Lago Di Origlio in the Capriasca region, Sentiero Monte Bre that leads into the charming villages of Gandria and Bre, and the famous Chestnut Trail that lets you wander through the thick woodlands dotted with streams and meadows.

Dusk brings forth an array of amazing things that can be enjoyed in Lugano. Some of the best things to do in Lugano at night are:

1. Enjoy a night cruise: Come sundown and Lugano comes alive with a billion shimmering lights of its stunning skyline. One of the best things to do in Lugano is to take a cruise on Lake Lugano that allows one to see the city in all its splendour as you enjoy delicious Swiss cuisine and the finest wines.

2. Down a drink: There are plenty of amazing bars in Lugano that are great to enjoy mixed spirits, cocktails, and snacks amidst great crowds and a happy verve. Some of the coolest bars in the city are Mojito, The Trinity Irish Pub, Sugar Bar & Cocktails, Seven Lugano, and Just Café’ La Cantina. Don’t miss to pair your drinks with local delicacies like peppers in olive oil, Gnocchi, and Linguine di Mare.

3. Live music: Lugano’s club scene is unmatched and has something to suit everybody’s taste. Right from Metal to Hip Hop Funk, Progressive, and Country music, Lugano’s discos, bistros & clubs have it all. Some of the best places to let your hair down are Be Lugano, Blu Martini, Casino Lugano, Quyn Club, and Temus Club.

4. Enjoy the fireworks: If you happen to be in Lugano on the 1st of August, you cannot miss the annual fireworks show to commemorate the Swiss National Day, one of the best things to do in Lugano. The city gets bathed in a stunning display of laser lights, fireworks, and floating lanterns and there is a lot of dancing, music, pop-up markets, and food on this day that attracts people from all over the world.

What’s a Swiss vacation without a spot of shopping! These are some of the greatest places to enjoy shopping while in this beautiful city:

1. Via Nassa: One of the most popular shopping streets in Lugano, Via Nassa is an absolute must-visit. This historic place with an overhanging medieval atmosphere is where the best boutiques, patisseries, old bookshops, and department stores are located. The street is popular for its high street brand outlets like Gucci, Issey Miyake, Hugo Boss, etc. Don’t miss to visit some of the most legendary Swiss watchmaking brands here like Rado, B Swiss, Girard-Perregaux, and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

2. Lugano Farmers Market: The best place to see and buy original country fare is this charming farmers market that’s held in the city centre area. You can pick up aged Swiss cheese, honey, homemade chocolates, preserves, and cold cuts from here. You can shop for traditional Swiss antiques, handicrafts, and souvenirs to take back home from here. This market is held every Tuesday and Friday.

3. Foxtown: For those who want to buy branded stuff without shelling out too much must head over to Foxtown. This is where you will find factory outlets of all the best brands like Prada, Versace, Diesel, Valentino, etc. This is also a great place to pick up genuine Italian leather, sports goods, and accessories.

4. Manor Department Store: Going back a hundred years, this department store is Lugano’s most premium and largest shopping destination. The store has a huge range of outlets selling apparel, jewellery, homeware, sports goods, and perfumes all under one roof. You will find brands like Gucci, Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs, etc. here. Don’t miss visiting the store’s in house restaurant for delicious Swiss food and wines.

Flurries of powdered snow, chilly air, beckoning cosy golden lights of cafes, and ice-capped mountains all offer interesting experiences that can be enjoyed only during this time. Some of the best things to do in Lugano in winter are:

1. Enjoy frosty views of the lake: Winters transform the lush green environs of the lake into expanses of pristine white. It is quite an experience soaking in the beauty of the snow-capped mountains in the background and curtains of frosty foag rising from the lake. One of the best things to do in Lugano in winter is to indulge in a cup of hot Italian coffee and delicate pastries to warm you up amidst the chilly winds at the lakeside promenade.

2. Get a spa: There are numerous great places in Lugano that offer a wonderful thermal spa and massage experience, considered to be the best things to do in Lugano in winter. Unwind and enjoy swimming in the solar-heated pools, saltwater thermal spa, warm oil massages, and steam baths at places like Swiss Diamond Hotel, Wellness Club Sassa & Spa, Resort, and Parco San Marco Lifestyle Beach Resort.

3. See stunning mountain views: One of the most amazing things to do in Lugano in winter is to see this subtropical-like place metamorphosis into a winter wonderland. Mont Bre offers some of the most astonishing views of the snow-coated Bernese Alps, Monte Rosa, and the picturesque village of Bre. You can reach the summit of Bre by an ancient, almost 100-year-old funicular and enjoy delicious food and wines at the restaurant Vetta located at the top.

The nearest international airports to Lugano are at Geneva and Zurich. Its domestic airport near the A2 Milan-Basel Highway receives only domestic flights. Once you reach either of these airports, you can board a train (2-3 hour journey), take the airport shuttle, or take a cab and take the St. Gotthard-Chiasso-Italy road.

If you are reaching Milan in Italy, then you are approximately 80 kilometres away from Lugano. You can board one of the hourly buses from here or the airport shuttle service. Else, you can opt for a taxi that will take you through the Como-San Gottardo route.

Lugano is considered to be the mildest city in Switzerland. The best time to enjoy its bright sunny days, comforting balmy breeze and rains is between March and October. The temperatures don’t vary too much in this travel window and are great to let you be outdoors and soak in the abundant beauty of the place. If you enjoy nippy weather and love adventures, a trip during the year and the fun things to do in Lugano in winter will leave you with memorable experiences.

Lugano is famous around the world for its Italian-looking and Mediterranean-feeling verve. The city is famous for its palm trees, tropical plants & flowers coexisting with stunning white & yellow ancient Italian architecture. Its rich art, history, and culture are evident in every inch of this astonishing place, be it its churches, ancient verandas, old town area, and even the narrowest of the alleys.

Lugano’s nature is impressively wild and thus unforgettable, unlike any of the other Swiss cities. Whether it’s the summery shimmer or the fun things to do in Lugano in winter, all are absolutely worthwhile.