Want to experience a little bit of Italy in Switzerland? The best way to enjoy a “Little Italian” holiday in Switzerland is by staying in Lugano.

Why you should visit Lugano

The city of Lugano sits on the 50km-long Lake Lugano in the Italian-speaking Ticino region of southern Switzerland.

The blend of dramatic mountains and a beautiful glacial lake, coupled with the charm of an Italian town, makes Lugano the ideal place to spend a day or two.

With plenty of smaller towns dotted around Lake Lugano, the town of Lugano itself provides the perfect combination of a waterfront holiday and immersion into a charming old town.

Our favourite things to do in Lugano

Explore Lugano’s Centro Storico

We loved walking around Lugano’s Old Town. Full of charming squares and buildings, the streets are a delight. And, surrounded by colourful buildings and the Town Hall, Piazza Riforma is the heart of the town. Situated close to the waterfront, it’s the best place to settle into a cafe and enjoy a little people-watching.

Afterwards, pick one of the narrow streets that run off the Piazza to explore.

Lugano in Switzerland

Head higher in Lugano

The upper part of the Old Town is as charming as the ground level.

Be prepared to walk up plenty of steps to see parts of the town that most people miss. Then follow the streets further up to visit Lugano’s Cathedral of San Lorenzo.

Enjoy a "Little Italian" holiday in Switzerland
Steps leading to the upper old town in Lugano

Cathedral of San Lorenzo

Enter the Cathedral, and you’ll find a peaceful sanctuary filled with beautiful stained-glass windows, frescoed walls, and architecture dating back to the Middle Ages.

Inside the Cathedral di San Lorenzo in Lugano, Switzerland
Inside the Cathedral of San Lorenzo

Your reward for walking the distance up to the Cathedral is the panoramic view over the town and lake below.

The uphill walk deters most visitors, and it is likely that, like us, you’ll have the viewing terrace and the Cathedral almost to yourselves.

The views from the terrace of San Lorenzo Church above Lugano's old town are panoramic
Take in the panoramic views from the terrace outside San Lorenzo

Wander along the shopping street

Not far from the waterfront is Via Nassa. It’s Lugano’s main shopping street, lined with high-end boutiques and historic buildings.

Lugano, Switzerland

It’s a lovely street to walk along for a browse, but we preferred to veer into the more authentic side streets in the lower town to get a real feel of life in Lugano.

Walk along the tree-shaded promenade

The first thing we did when we arrived in Lugano was take a stroll along Lugano’s beautiful lakeside promenade. The tree-lined promenade gives the best ground-level aspect of the lake and the mountains towering over the town.

Views from the lakeside promenade of Lugano in Switzerland
Views from Lugano’s lakeside promenade
Views from the lakeside promenade of Lugano in Switzerland

The promenade was quiet when we first arrived in the late afternoon. By early evening, locals were out enjoying the traditional Italian passeggiata, taking time out from their evening walk to stop and chat with friends and acquaintances or sit on a park bench to enjoy the scenery and watch the world go by.

Other things to do in Lugano

While we didn’t have the opportunity to do the following activities, they come highly recommended if you have the time.

Spend time in Parco Ciani

Parco Ciani is a green space in the heart of the city. A large park with a mixture of manicured gardens and lawns modelled on English gardens, and plenty of trees that have been in their spot for centuries, it’s a quiet place to retreat to.

Visit inside Santa Maria degli Angioli – fresco

Originally part of a Franciscan monastery, the church is renowned for its fresco, which covers the whole nave, “The Passion and Crucifixion of Christ”.

Monte Bre funicular

For some of the best views over Lake Lugano, take the 15-minute funicular train ride up to the summit of Monte Bre.

Enjoy the panorama before walking a further 15 minutes to the village of Bre, and, if time permits, continue the 2.5-hour hike down to the town of Gandria.

Where we stayed

For our one-night stay, we booked a room in GuestHouse Lugano Centre by LR. Located just over one kilometre from the city centre, our room was comfortable, and breakfast was included.

Where we dined

Most shops and restaurants are closed on Sundays in Switzerland. Lugano was no exception.

Wandering down from the Cathedral, we found a small cafe serving piadine. Piadina is a typical Italian snack, a thin flatbread sandwich which can be filled with all types of meats and vegetables. Delicious with a cold beer on a hot summer evening in Switzerland.

Our conclusion

Although short, we thoroughly enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere in Lugano. Even at the height of summer, the town wasn’t overcrowded with tourists. Lugano seemed more of a holiday destination for Italians, who could enjoy the combination of water and small-town activities, than a tourist hotspot for international holidaymakers.

The streets, atmosphere, and food around the town were typically Italian. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a “Little Italian” holiday in Switzerland.

In case you’re interested

Planning a trip to Switzerland?

Our travels have taken us to other towns and cities in Switzerland, which we believe are worth visiting.

Take a look at our recommendations by clicking on the links below.