June 12, 2025, 12:21 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Lake Lugano is known for its Mediterranean climate. The region, shared by Switzerland and Italy, rarely experiences prolonged rain. Instead, it is usually dry until a severe thunderstorm rolls in, unleashing massive amounts of water. After a few hours, the sun returns. Of course, there are many more reasons to vacation at Lake Lugano. TRAVELBOOK provides an overview.
People as diverse as the writer Hermann Hesse and once Europe’s most successful race car driver, Rudolf Caracciola, chose Castagnola on Lake Lugano in Ticino as their adopted home. Anyone who has stood above Lugano and let their gaze wander can guess why. While Lugano, which belongs to Switzerland, is nestled in a bay with a rather limited view of Lake Lugano, Castagnola sits on an elevated promontory in the lake. From there, you have a view over large parts of the “Horned One,” as the body of water is colloquially called due to its shape.
The city of Lugano, with its 60,000 inhabitants, is an ideal starting point for a vacation on Lake Lugano, most of which lies in Switzerland. However, there are also many beautiful places and viewpoints on the Italian side of Lake Lugano that invite you to stroll and picnic.
Overview
Discover Lugano
Lugano and the lake of the same name in Ticino offer more than just a panorama. Of course, there are numerous beaches and outdoor pools, and you can go boating, surfing, diving, and do everything else you might want to do on vacation.
Sights and Activities in Lugano
Parco Civico
A walk in Lugano through the Parco Civico on the shore of Lake Lugano puts many locals and tourists alike in high spirits. The public park around Villa Ciani is one of the most beautiful attractions in Lugano. From there, a lakeside promenade leads into the district with the telling name Paradiso.
Charming Old Town
A popular meeting place for strollers is also the old town with the street cafés on Piazza della Riforma and Via Nassa with its exclusive shops. Other attractions in Lugano include the Renaissance Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the incorporated village of Gandria.
Museums in Lugano
Lugano, with its magnificent location at the foot of Monte Brè, was already settled in Etruscan times more than 2,500 years ago. Some archaeological finds from this period can be found in the Antikenmuseum Basel. There are three museums in Lugano that are particularly interesting for tourists: the Museum of Modern Art in Villa Malpensata. Nicely located in Brè above Lugano is the museum of the artist Wilhelm Schmid with a remarkable library. Also very interesting is the Museum of Fossils on Monte San Giorgio.
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By Cable Car to Monte Brè
Above the already mentioned district of Castagnola stands Monte Brè, which is accessible by the Fonicolare funicular. The 622 meters in altitude are covered in two sections in just over 15 minutes. The round trip costs 26 Swiss francs (about 28 euros). It’s worth checking the website of the Fonicolare, as there are often particularly favorable package prices in cooperation with hotels, ferries, and more. From the popular viewpoint, you have one of the best panoramas of Ticino before and below you.
Excursions from Lugano
Trip to Monte San Salvatore
A trip to Monte San Salvatore, located southwest of Lugano, is considered one of the most beautiful views of Lake Lugano. A funicular takes you up, and then it’s a short walk to the summit.
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Admire Palaces in Morcote
The palaces of Ticino are also worth a day of relaxation. On the slopes of Monte Arbòstora in Morcote, they stand side by side. The village is a real alternative to Lugano on Lake Lugano. The church of Santa Maria del Sasso, originally from the 13th century but baroquely expanded in 1758, is worth a visit.
Visit More Distant Places
Excursions to the Valle Maggia and Valle Verzasca, as well as to Ascona on Lake Maggiore, are possible, but one should not underestimate the distances. As the crow flies, it’s only a few kilometers, but the mountainous landscape requires plenty of detours. A drive around the entire Lake Lugano is worth a day trip–but not on weekends, when you’ll just be stuck in traffic.
The Best Time to Visit Lake Lugano
The weather in Lugano is said to be the best in Switzerland. At least that’s what many people in Lucerne claim. Because when it rains north of the Gotthard Tunnel with moderately cool temperatures, the sun often shines south of the Alpine pass in Ticino with a Mediterranean climate. This is one reason why the city on the border with Italy is particularly popular with long-term vacationers.
July and August are the best months for a summer and beach vacation in Ticino. During this time, the weather in Lugano is characterized by the highest air and water temperatures and the most hours of sunshine. For those who enjoy hiking, September and October are recommended as particularly beautiful travel times. In winter, you can also ski in the mountains.
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Text contribution: Ulrich Lenhard