Lugano is a city in Switzerland, located in the canton of Ticino, close to the Italian border. The city is located on the shore of the picturesque Lake Lugano, between two mountains-Monte San Salvatore and Monte Bre .
Lugano is the economic and cultural center of Ticino, as well as the third most important banking center in Switzerland. This compact town can be called a real concentration of banks and shops.
General information
About 64 thousand people live in Lugano. 87% of the population speaks Italian. The city occupies the third place in the list of the largest financial centers in Switzerland.
The city is located right on the shores of Lake Lugano and is surrounded by mountains. Winter here occurs only from December to February. During the day, the thermometer can move into the range of an average of 7 degrees. So even in winter, it’s still nice here. Until October, you can usually expect up to 17 degrees Celsius. Lugano is recommended for those who do not like winter! From March to April, camellia and magnolia blooms are really warm and colorful.
The main train station of Lugano is located in the upper part of the city, and the old town can be quickly and conveniently reached on foot or, since 1886, by funicular directly to the center to Piazza Cioccaro. The old town of Lugano invites you to take a leisurely stroll and see its streets. There are plenty of great shops in many small alleys and galleries. Whether you’re interested in fashion designers, jewelers, bookstores, bakers, or anything else, it’s going to be fun here.
With its typical Lombard-style buildings, Lugano has a special charm. There is also something good about a narrow building in summer, because it gives shade and makes it tolerable to stay in the city even in very hot weather.
Lugano’s must-see attractions
Many tourists traveling in Switzerland, Lugano attracts with its Italian squares, a huge number of outdoor cafes, shady parks with lush flowering vegetation. In the city itself and its surroundings there are many interesting sights that you should definitely see.
Cathedral of St. Lorenzo
All the most important historical sights of Lugano can be viewed in one day – they are concentrated in the Old Town, which is located below the central station. From the station, you can get to the center of the Old Town by funicular, but in order not to ignore the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo, located on Via Cattedrale, it is better to go down on foot, along the steep steps of the ancient city.
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo-in fact, this is the first attraction that can be seen from the Lugano train station, or rather, you can only see the majestic bell tower of the cathedral towering over the city.
The cathedral looks quite attractive, largely due to the large number of frescoes and sculptures. The facade of the building is divided into 3 parts: the central entrance was previously intended exclusively for the nobility, the left entrance is known as the “portal of birds”, and the one located on the right as the “portal of death” (perhaps it was intended to carry out the dead through it).
You can view the interior of the cathedral from 8: 00 to 17: 00.
Through the narrow streets leading from Cattedrale di San Lorenzo further down, you can walk to the next attraction of the city of Lugano – Piazza della Riforma.
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Central square of the city Piazza della Riforma
Reforma Square, paved with granite slabs, is a centuries-old landmark.
Della Riforma has a lot to see. Along its entire perimeter there are low old buildings, small shops, cozy cafes and restaurants. There is also the city hall, the facade of which is decorated with allegorical sculptures of Freedom, Power, Religion and Harmony.
This square hosts various citywide events, ranging from official and religious holidays in Switzerland, to jazz festivals.
This Italian-style square always attracts a lot of tourists, because it is included in the list of what you should definitely see in Lugano in 1 day.
A recreational area is located near Piazza della Riforma, on the seafront of Lake Lugano.
Lido di Lugano beach area
Lake Lugano and the promenade (Via Lido, Lugano) can be easily reached on foot from the Old Town. You should definitely see the Lugano embankment, because it is one of the most popular places where both city visitors and locals like to walk.
Along the embankment, there are 2 rows of trees that serve as an unusual dividing line between the lake and the Old Town.
On the shore there is a comfortable beach area with full infrastructure. It is not customary to swim in the lake here, for this there is a spacious open-air pool, which is very popular. . On the territory there are comfortable changing rooms, showers, storage rooms. The Lido di Lugano area is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
- Admission to the Lido di Lugano complex costs 10 francs for adults and 6 francs for children and students.
- Opening hours: from May to mid-September from 9: 00 to 19: 00.
Civico Ciani Park
Near Lake Lugano, at Viale Carlo Cattaneo, there is another city attraction – one of the most beautiful parks in Switzerland, Parco Civico Ciani.
In Chiani Park, you can rent a boat and go for a ride on the lake, take a walk to the yacht club, sit on comfortable benches and look at the blooming exotic plants. A children’s playground is available at the entrance to the park.
Ciani Park is famous for its carved gates. This landmark on the shores of Lake Lugano in Switzerland seems to serve as a symbol of the door to Italy, which is very close, on the opposite shore. You can sit on a bench in front of the decorative gate and see how beautifully the water surface that separates the two states sparkles in the sun.
In the Civico Ciani Park, you can not only admire the scenery: there is a cantonal library, a Congress House, and a small villa Ciani, which now houses the city’s Art Museum. It is thanks to the elegant villa that once belonged to the Chiani brothers that the park got its name.
Like Reform Square, this city park serves as a platform where various celebrations and festivals are often organized.
Admission to Parco Civico Ciani is free. Perhaps that’s why there are always a lot of visitors here in the summer.
Entertainment and attractions of Tunsky Lake
St. Mary’s Church
Among other city attractions, a special place is occupied by the Church of St. Mary.
This Romanesque church is known for its unique frescoes, created by the Italian artist Bernardino Luini in 1529. Directly above the altar on the wall are scenes of Christ’s crucifixion: “The Passion of Christ”, “The Descent from the Cross” and “The Resurrection”. If you stand close to the altar, the image will be able to recognize the views of Jerusalem and Calvary. On the right wall is a fresco of “Madonna and Child”, and on the left – “The Last Supper”.
- You can see the sights just mentioned in Lugano every day from 8: 00 to 17: 00 – this is the time when the Church of St. Mary is open.
- Address: Piazza Bernardino Luini 6, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland.
St. Salvatore Mountain Observation Deck
Monte San Salvatore is a natural attraction and one of the most popular places in Lugano. From the observation deck equipped on this mountain, you can look at the magnificent Lepontine Alps – it is thanks to these landscapes that Lugano became known as Rio de Janeiro in Europe.
Mount St. Salvatore is located a couple of kilometers south of Lugano, and you can get to the observation deck located on it by funicular. Paradiso Station, from which the funicular departs, is located five hundred meters from the motorway exit (E-35 / A2) Lugano-Sud and 5 minutes from Paradiso Train Station.
- The funicular operates according to the following schedule: from mid-March to mid-November daily from 9: 00 to 18: 00, in winter only on weekends from 10: 00 to 17: 00. Departure every half hour.
- The ticket costs 23, and when buying “two-way” 30 francs for adults, for children from 6 to 16 years-10 and 13 francs, respectively, children under 6 years go free.
Monte Brae Observation Deck
Another peak that is also considered a tourist attraction in Switzerland is Monte Bre, which is located to the east of the city.
The summit of Monte Bre is not only climbed to take beautiful photos of the city of Lugano in Switzerland from a bird’s-eye view. Here is the Wilhelm Schmid Museum (German artist of the 1920s), which receives visitors exclusively on Friday and Sunday.
- The Cassarate — Monte Brè funicular for adults costs 16 and 25 francs in one and both directions, respectively, and for children from 6 to 16 years of age, half as much.
- Website: www.montebre.ch.
Historical center of Gandria
Centro storico Gandria was once a fishing village, but now it is one of the suburbs of the city of Lugano.
Gandria, which is considered a tourist attraction throughout Switzerland, is located on the slopes of Monte Bre, which in this place descend steeply to Lake Lugano.
It is interesting to see the stone houses in Gandria: they literally grow out of the water or stand along the steps leading to the top of Monte Brae. After all, Gandria is also a lot of stairs made of stone. House owners come here mainly in the summer, many rent out housing to tourists and local vacationers.
There is a bus service at the top of Monte Brae, but most of Gandria is inaccessible to motor vehicles. With this in mind, the route through the town can be planned as follows: arrive by bus, then go down to the pier, and from there return to Lugano by boat.
But if the uphill climb is not scary, then you can get to Gandria by boat-they leave from the pier in Lugano every hour.
There is another way to get to Gandria to see all the sights of this historic center. The village is connected to the city of Lugano by a walking path that runs along the lake through an olive grove.
Address: Piazza A. Giambonini, Gandria, Lugano 6978.
Prices for accommodation and meals
Since any tourist, in addition to what to see in Lugano, is also interested in how much it will cost to stay in this Swiss city, it makes sense to tell about the prices of accommodation and food.
Accomodation
Most of the hotels in Lugano are located in the old part of the city – there is a great view, many cafes, and, quite unusual for Switzerland, affordable prices. The cost of a room per person in 2* and 3*hotels in this area is kept in the range from 95 to 220 CHF per day, depending on the” stardom ” and demand. For example, at Acquarello Swiss Quality Hotel, you will need to pay from 145 CHF per day for an economy class room for two people.
In hotels that are further away from the historical center and main attractions, prices are slightly lower. So, in 3* Locanda Del Conventino, which is located at a distance of 3 km from the center, a standard room will cost at least 115 CHF. There is a good hotel near Independence Square-this is Pestalozzi Lugano, where a room will cost 185 CHF for two people. Hotel Zurigo is located near Ciani City Park, where in season rooms start at 147 CHF per 1 day stay.
The most economical tourists who come to the city of Lugano can stay in the hostel. An overnight stay in a private room with shared bathroom at Salotto Brè-Charming rooms, 3.7 km from the center, costs 90 CHF per day.
Food
Below you can see the average prices in public catering establishments in Lugano, indicated in Swiss francs:
- lunch or dinner in a cafe or inexpensive restaurant (for one person – – 22-27;
- lunch in a mid-priced restaurant (soup, second course, salad) for two – 110;
- fast food combo set – 15;
- lunch with drinks – 25-32;
- cappuccino – 3-5;
- local draft beer (0.5 l) – 7.
The best option for food is to eat well during lunch. A great place to satisfy your hunger with a delicious and inexpensive meal is the Ristorante Manora buffet restaurant in the department store of the same name on the territory of the Old Town. By the way, what is important in Switzerland, this institution is also open on Sundays!
Weather: when is the best time to arrive in Lugano?
Lugano has a Mediterranean climate, almost always cloudless and sunny. Winters in this city are mild, the lowest air temperature is +2 °C, there is no snow. In summer, the air warms up to +25…+27 °C, and due to low humidity, the high temperature is practically not felt. If you focus on the weather conditions, then in Lugano is always great!
The most important cultural events in this city take place from the moment when Easter is celebrated (March-April), and end with the harvest season in October. If the trip is devoted exclusively to a cultural program – visit museums, see the city’s ancient buildings – then the best time is the beginning of spring or mid-autumn. At this time, there are few tourists, and you can easily see all the sights of the city of Lugano in Switzerland. And from May to August, there is usually the largest influx of tourists here.
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How to get to Lugano
You can get to Lugano by train, and it is convenient to get there from different cities in Switzerland.
- From the old city-museum of Bern, the train goes through Lucerne, the ticket costs 88 francs.
- There are 18 trains running daily on the Zurich – Lugano route, the journey lasts more than 2 hours, and tickets cost 65 francs.
- From Geneva, travel by train will cost 106 francs, the journey will take 4.5-5.5 hours with transfers.
You can find a convenient flight, view the schedule and buy a train ticket on the website of the Swiss Railways — www.sbb.ch.
Lugano is a city in Switzerland, where there is a small airport Lugano-Agno (Lugano-Agno). It is located 4 km from the city and accepts international flights.
Interesting facts
- Since 2017, you can travel around Lugano and the entire canton of Ticino for free by public transport, thanks to the Ticino Ticket. It can be obtained by anyone who stays in any hotel in the city for the night.
- Although the largest city in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland, Lugano is not its capital. The main city is Bellinzona.
- Since 2016, the burqa and hijabs have been banned in Lugano. The implementation of the law is monitored, and women are indeed fined for violating it.
- The Lugano Hockey Club has won the Swiss National championship 7 times.
- The first ever Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano (1956).
