Maddie Around the World

Lugano is a beautiful city in Switzerland near the border of Italy. I was lucky enough to study abroad here and wanted to provide some great things to do in Lugano as a solo traveler or with friends! You don’t need a ton of time here, as it’s a slow, quiet town, but there is plenty to do to keep you occupied for a day or two. The best time to visit is in the spring and summer when the flowers are in bloom, and you can take a boat out. However, you can enjoy Lugano year-round.

Contents:

1. Walk to Gandria
2. Visit the top of Monte San Salvatore
3. Rent a boat on Lake Lugano
4. Visit the castles in Bellinzona
5. Visit Swissminiatur
6. Try gelato at Vanini
7. Have a picnic at Parco del Tassino
8. Take a stroll in Parco Ciani

1. Walk to Gandria

The walk to Gandria is a beautiful walk along the lake. At the end of the walk, there are a few restaurants where you can enjoy the lake view. This walk is about 4 miles (6.5 km) one way from the train station. The walk is relatively easy, with a predominately flat path and only a few stairs. If you are here in the spring, you can see the beautiful flowers along the lake! If you don’t have time to walk the 8-mile (13 km) round trip, hop on the ferry for either one or both directions to end up back in the central part of Lugano.

2. Visit the top of Monte San Salvatore

If you like hiking, this a great hike with rewarding views looking over Lake Lugano. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the views by heading up the funicular. A round-trip ticket will cost around 30 Swiss francs. Click here to check out the funicular schedule and prices.

At the top of the mountain, you’ll find a cafe where you can enjoy lunch or a drink, or you can bring up some snacks to have a picnic at the top!

If you would prefer to go on a guided tour, click here to check out a Viator tour that is cheaper than the regular ticket!

3. Rent a boat on Lake Lugano

In the warmer months of April-September, you can rent a boat to take out on Lake Lugano. Choose between paddle boats, pontoon boats, or speed boats. If you want to hop on the lake but don’t feel comfortable driving a boat alone, hop on one of the multiple ferries around the lake!

4. Visit the castles in Bellinzona

Bellinzona is about a 15-minute train ride from Lugano and is home to three old castles that you can visit for free. The top castle is a bit of a hike, but you can also take a bus up. This is absolutely worth an afternoon trip if you have the time in your itinerary!

5. Visit Swissminiatur

Just a few train stops away, you can see all of Switzerland’s most famous landmarks in miniature form! This is a super cute area to walk around, especially if you were able to travel to some of these landmarks before. These models are very detailed and although they are mini, they are bigger than you’re imagining. Click here to check ticket prices and get a 10% discount!

6. Try gelato at Vanini

If you are a gelato lover (and how could you not be) you MUST visit Vanini. This is the best gelato I’ve ever had in my life, and I’ve tried a lot. Every flavor is amazing, but for the best part, ask them for the liquid chocolate in the cone. Please give this a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!

7. Have a picnic at Parco del Tassino

This park right next to the train station offers a beautiful view of Lake Lugano! For picnic supplies, I recommend checking out grocery stores Coop and Manor or grabbing a yummy Bretzelkönig sandwich from the train station.

8. Take a stroll in Parco Ciani

Last but not least, stroll along the Lake at Parco Ciani. This offers beautiful views of the lake and a small beach area. Admire the swans as they swim by and the beauty of Monte San Salvatore from the ground.

After studying abroad in Lugano it will always have a special place in my heart. It’s definitely a hidden gem of Europe, and I want more people to experience the beauty of it! It’s accessible as a day trip from Milan or Lake Como, so even if you’re in Italy add this to your itinerary. What are you most looking forward to during your visit to Lugano?

To check out other places to visit in Switzerland, check out my post: “10 Best Places to Travel to in Switzerland.”