Introduction
Lugano is a city belonging to the Ticino region of Switzerland and is one of the ten largest Swiss cities. Bustling lakeshore overlooked by green mountains and quaint villages is just some of the things Lugano has to offer. Lugano is located near Italian borders, and Milan is the closest major city, around 80km away. Other major Swiss cities like Zurich and Bern are more than 200km from Lugano.
The city is considered an Italian-speaking region within Switzerland due to its proximity to Italy. German is another commonly spoken language in Lugano, following Italian. Lugano is considered to have nice weather year-round and is one of the relatively warmer places in Switzerland.
The city lies at the edge of Lake Lugano, which is surrounded by the lakes Lago Maggiore and Lago di Como. Historically, Lugano has been under contention between Como and Milan but eventually became part of the Swiss Confederation in the 16th century.
How to get to Lugano
Lugano has various travel options including an airport. The Lugano-Agno Airport is only 6km from the city center but has limited service. The Lugano Ponte Tresa rail line
connects the city center to the airport. The Milan Malpensa Airport
is better served and has trains connecting to Lugano.
Flixbus
is Europe’s leading bus service provider with numerous daily connections. It is recommended to book the tickets online and they also offer free checked luggage.
Train is the more popular choice since Lugano station is a part of the Gotthard railway line, which forms a link between Northern and Southern Europe. Trains are mainly operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and TreniItalia of Italy. The travel time to Lugano by train from Milan is 1 hour; from Zurich, it is close to 2 hours, and from Bern and Basel, it is close to 3 hours. The city center is a short walk down from the train station and there is also a funicular which connects the two. I would suggest walking down to the city center and enjoying some of the sights on the way down, and taking the funicular back up on your return to experience it too.
Trainline
is a popular and convenient option to get the best available prices, times, and book train tickets. Trainline makes trip planning simple and with early booking, you can save upto 51%.
If you prefer traveling by road then E35 (European Route 35), which connects Amsterdam and Rome, runs along Lugano. A2 motorway, part of E35, links Lugano to northern Switzerland via Basel and to Italy in the south via Chiasso. Ensure to get the Swiss Motorways sticker applied to your vehicle when driving in Switzerland. It can be bought in customs, gas stations, and retail stores.
How to get around Lugano
One can easily get around on foot in Lugano and enjoy most sights. Although there are places where the walk might become strenuous, taking public transport is preferable in such cases. Lugano is served by four different bus companies. TPL (Trasporti Pubblici Luganesi
), PostBus
, ARL (Autolinee Regionali Luganesi
), and SNL (Societa Navigazione del Lago di Lugano
). TPL covers most of the city center and nearby areas, PostBus connects Lugano center with outlying areas and is Switzerland’s largest public transport company, ARL connects northern districts with the city center, and SNL provides connectivity around Lake Lugano through boats and buses.
Lugano has three funicular lines, one connecting the train station, and lines connecting to the summit of mountains Bre and San Salvatore.
Things to do and see in Lugano
Lake Lugano
A picturesque lake surrounded by mountains and offering spectacular views. It is a glacial lake (waterbody originating from glacial activity) located between Lago Maggiore and Lake Como. There are restaurants and cafes along the shore adding vibrancy. Take a boat ride or walk along the promenade to enjoy the views. It would not be out of place to call Lake Lugano the heart of the city.
San Lorenzo Cathedral
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, also known as San Lorenzo Cathedral, is a church founded in High Middle Ages and dedicated to Saint Lawrence. With Baroque interiors, a beautiful main entrance, frescoes, and a striking bell tower, the church is worth a visit. If you are walking from the train station, the cathedral can be found on the way down to the city center.
Piazza della Riforma
The main square of Lugano faces the lake and has many cafes, restaurants, and bars. It is a nice place to relax and soak in the surroundings. The Palazzo Civico or Townhall is part of the square and has witnessed a lot of historical events.
Parco Civico-Ciani
Spread across 63000 square meters along the shores of Lake Lugano, Parco Ciani is a charming place to visit. The pathway lined with trees, flowerbeds, fountains, and statues is ideal for a stroll with the mountains as the backdrop. The park also has buildings like Villa Ciani, National History Museum, and Cantonal Library.
Monte Bre
Located to the east of Lugano, Monte Bre offers a bird’s eye view and is a must-visit for nature lovers. The mountain is 925m tall and can be reached by hiking, taking the funicular rail, or public transport but only up to a certain point. The hiking trail is well-marked with great views along the way, taking around 4 hours to reach the summit.
The funicular has to be taken from Cassarate and is over 100 years old offering panoramic scenery of Lugano. The ride lasts 15 minutes and costs 26 CHF for the round trip. There are discounted prices when buying combined tickets, including the boat ride or Swissminiatur check here
for detailed and latest prices. There are buses too that take you up the mountain but only up to Bre village. It is a short climb from the Bre village to the summit.
Herman Hesse Museum
Herman Hesse is a poet, novelist, and painter who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946. The Camuzzi House, where Hesse lived between 1919-1931, hosts the museum and portrays 40 years of his life spent in the region. The Herman Hesse museum is in Montagnola, about 5 km from the city center, and is served by bus line 436 from Lugano. Tickets to the museum cost 10 CHF, at the time of this writing. “Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary, to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself” - Herman Hesse
Monte San Salvatore
At 912m, the San Salvatore mountain provides a 360-degree view of the lake, city, and surrounding mountains. It has a history dating back centuries to the year 1200 when pilgrims made the climb on foot. There is a funicular to reach the summit of Monte San Salvatore that takes 12 minutes and costs 32 CHF round trip. The price is reduced to 16 CHF for SBB day pass holders and there are other price reductions, for details check here
. The trail from Paradiso to reach the top on foot takes close to 2 hours.
Santa Maria degli Angioli Chruch
The church of Santa Maria degli Angioli was built in the 16th century and houses the fresco of Passion and Crucifixion, considered one of the masterpieces of the early Renaissance. The church also has the work of Leonardo da Vinci’s disciple, Bernardino Luini, most notably a version of the Last Supper. The church is located across the Lake Lugano promenade and a few minutes walk from the city center. Entry into the church is free.
Swissminiatur
The Swissminiatur is Switzerland’s largest open-air museum depicting the country’s most famous buildings and monuments on a 1:25 scale. The miniature rail network is over 3km long with 18 trains running on its tracks. It is a nice getaway for families and kids. The park first opened in 1959 and is located in Melide, roughly 7 km from the city center, and takes 7 minutes by train. Entry tickets cost 18.90 CHF for adults and 12.60 CHF for children, at the time of this writing.
Conclusion
Lugano takes you closer to nature through its scenic views, wonderful lake, and stunning mountains. The city also offers a rich cultural experience and all of it is underlined with a sense of calmness. Due to its close proximity to Milan, it is a popular day-trip option.
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