Ticino, southern Switzerland · Switzerland
Switzerland with an Italian accent, palm-fringed lakes, piazzas, risotto and merlot, three UNESCO castles and a bridge you can jump from.
Photo: John Samuel · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ticino is the only Swiss canton that is entirely Italian-speaking, and it feels like a different country from the German-speaking north. South of the Alps, palm trees and camellias grow on the shores of Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore, the air is warmer, and the pace is slower. Espresso replaces filter coffee, risotto and polenta appear on menus, and the wine is merlot.
Lugano is the main city, a lakeside town of about 63,000 people, with an arcaded old town around Piazza della Riforma, a lakefront promenade and funiculars up to Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore for views over the lake. Ticino's other centres include Locarno and its neighbour Ascona on Lake Maggiore, famous for a film festival and sunshine, and Bellinzona, with three medieval castles that make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beyond the towns are wild valleys of granite, chestnut woods and stone villages. The Verzasca Valley has turquoise water, and the Ponte dei Salti, a stone bridge near Lavertezzo. Ticino is a summer resort, but it is also lovely in spring, when camellias bloom, and autumn, when the chestnuts fall. Three days lets you feel the region, and it is a short train ride through the Gotthard Base Tunnel from Zurich.
Why visit
Ticino is a sunny, Mediterranean side of Switzerland with excellent food.
Lugano and Maggiore.
Piazzas, espresso and gelato.
Bellinzona's UNESCO trio.
The Verzasca and its green water.
Risotto, polenta and local wine.
Main attractions
Lugano is the base, with Locarno and Bellinzona easy trips.
A lake ringed by hills, with a funicular up Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore for views, and a shoreline promenade.
Tip Take the funicular at sunset.
The main square of Lugano, lined with pastel buildings and cafés.
Tip Have a coffee here.
Two lakeside towns on Lake Maggiore, with a cable car up to Cardada and a promenade of pastel houses.
Tip Visit the Madonna del Sasso.
Three medieval castles, Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro, protecting a pass, and a UNESCO site.
Tip Walk the ramparts.
A valley of clear green water and stone villages, with a double-arched stone bridge at Lavertezzo.
Tip Swim in summer, and take care of the currents.
A model Switzerland in miniature, popular with families.
Tip Fun for children.
Things to do
Ticino is about slowing down.
Follow the shore to Gandria.
Tip Take a boat back.
A village on the lake.
Tip Try the olive-tree path.
Ticino's rustic stone restaurants.
Tip Order local wine.
A scenic railway to Italy.
Tip Check schedules.
Monte Brè or San Salvatore.
Tip Sunset.
Verzasca pools in summer.
Tip Be careful.
Local food
Ticino's food is Italian in spirit and Alpine in ingredients.
Rice cooked with local wine.
Where to try it Grottos and restaurants.
Braised beef with polenta.
Where to try it Traditional restaurants.
Red wine from local vineyards.
Where to try it Wine estates.
Mortadella and salami.
Where to try it Delis.
Italian-style treats.
Where to try it Piazza della Riforma.
Accommodation
Stay in Lugano or on Lake Maggiore.
Transport
Ticino is reached by train through the Gotthard.
Trains and boats work well.
When to go
Ticino is the sunniest part of Switzerland, with mild winters and hot summers.
Camellias and mild days.
Hot, with swimming, but busy.
Golden light and chestnuts.
Mild but quiet.
Worth planning around: Rainy days in November.
Itinerary
Lugano, then Locarno and Bellinzona.
Lake and piazza.
Castles.
Water.
Travel tips
A few tips help you plan.
FAQ
Italian.
Three.
Yes, it is the sunniest region.
Yes, about two hours by train.
Yes.
Slightly cheaper than the north, but still pricey.
Keep exploring
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