Photo: Emanuela Meme Giudic… · CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lugano
Italian-speaking lakeside Switzerland, with palms, piazzas and two lookout peaks.
Switzerland with an Italian accent: a lakefront town of arcaded streets, palm trees and piazzas, with funiculars up to two lookout peaks and an olive trail to a fishing village.
Places to see
- Cathedral of San LorenzoChurch · A white Renaissance facade at the top of the old town, with a terrace in front that looks…Free
Santa Maria degli AngioliChurch · A plain lakeside church hiding one of Switzerland's greatest Renaissance paintings:…Free
Monte BrèViewpoint · A funicular to Lugano's sunniest mountain, with a view over the lake and the city, and an…≈ A$48
Gandria and the olive trail
When to go
- Jan7° / -1°Mostly dryQuiet
- Feb9° / 0°Mostly dryQuiet
- Mar14° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Apr17° / 7°Often wetBusy
- May21° / 11°Often wetBusy
- Jun26° / 15°Some rainBusy
- Jul28° / 17°Some rainVery busy
- Aug27° / 16°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The old town. Arcaded streets, piazzas and the cathedral between the station and the lake.
The lakefront. Parks, the promenade, the arts centre and the lake boats.
Paradiso. South along the lake, for Monte San Salvatore; good-value rooms.
Flying in
Milan Malpensa (MXP): Bus or train to Lugano, about 1 h, ≈ A$47.
Zurich (ZRH): Train to Lugano through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, about 2 h, ≈ A$112. Saver tickets can be much cheaper (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Lugano; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$0. The centre and lakefront are walkable, with a funicular from the station down to the old town. Buses and trains are usually free with the Ticino Ticket from your stay; the lake boats and the mountain funiculars are extra (check).
Swiss Half Fare Card (≈ A$279, 1 month): Halves train, boat and most mountain-lift fares; worth it if you'll spend more than about CHF 300 on them.
