ticino tourism ticket

Ticino Ticket – Travel & Explore This Canton Cheaply

There is nothing better than saving a few bucks when exploring a new area and Ticino has come up with a great way to help. With the Ticino Ticket you can save yourself quite a bit of money while exploring the sunniest canton in Switzerland.

Ticino Ticket Summary

• Free travel on public transport in Ticino
• Free entry to a limited range of museums
• 20-30% discount on a huge range of activities, museums & more
• Available for free when you stay at most hotels, campsites, and hostels (some Airbnbs)

Table of Contents

How To Get The Ticino Ticket

The only way to get access to a Ticino Ticket is if you stay in a participating hotel, hostel, Airbnb or campsite in Ticino. They will provide you with a Ticino Ticket for the duration of your stay with them.

The best way to get the Ticino Ticket is to download it to your phone via a webapp. You can read the instructions how to do this on their website .

Activiation of the Ticino ticket is then done once you have checked-in at your accommodation in Ticino.

What is Included in the Ticino Ticket?

The Ticino Ticket allows you to travel for free on almost all public transport in the canton of Ticino. There are only a few exceptions which are discounted by 50%.

There are a limited number of museums that offer free entry and also reasonable discounts of 20-30% on most other museums, pools and spas, as well as popular activities and sports in the canton.

Public Transport

Almost all public transport is covered by the Ticino Ticket which means you can travel by train or bus within the canton of Ticino as well as locally within the cities of Lucarno and Lugano.

The ticket is valid for the duration of your stay in the place you get your ticket, so you can move around the canton freely without having to pay.

There are some restrictions, however, so be aware that boat rides and mountain railways and cable cars are often not covered by the ticket. You will receive discounts on these forms of travel.

Funicular & Cable Discounts

For example, most funiculars offer 20-30% discount, this includes Funicular Monte San Salvatore, Madonna del Sasso, Ritom and more.

The same is true for taking a cable car up most mountains such as Monte Bre, Monte Tamaro,

Boat Ride Discounts

There are a few boat rides on Lago Maggiore from Locarno, however, on Lake Lugano only the Porto Ceresio to Morcote is covered. However, there is a 20% discount for all other rides on Lake Lugano if you happen to want to go for a boat ride there.

Museums & Attractions

There are a number of museums that are included in the Ticino ticket

• Museo parrocchiale San Sebastiano
• Museo cantonale di storia natural
• Museo delle Dogane Svizzero
• Museo Ruggero Leoncavallo
• Parco Sherrer
• Piccolo Museo della Radio e della Fotografia

The rest of the museums and other attractions in the canton usually get a 20-30% discount with the Ticino Ticket.

More On The Swiss Travel Pass

General information, scenic trains, mountain trips, pass comparisons, plan your trip to switzerland.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Our Free Swiss Tips Guide

Popular destinations, important pages, on social media, travel planning, certified swiss travel expert.

Swiss Holiday Newsletter

Please register your email address and we will keep you informed about interesting developments on holidays to Switzerland, along with any special offers that may become available.

By continuing, you are giving your consent to your details being stored by Swiss Holiday Co. for the sole purpose of sending you our newsletter.  Swiss Holiday Co.  will not share your information with any third party. You can always unsubscribe to our newsletter by sending an e-mail to [email protected] , at which point your data will be deleted from our mailing list.

Swiss Holiday Brochures

Lakes & Mountains 2024

Scenic Rail 2024

Ticino Ticket

Free travel around the entire ticino region.

The Ticino Ticket is issued to guests in hotels in Lugano, Locarno and Ascona. It gives you unlimited travel on the public transport network of buses and trains so that you may fully explore the region at your leisure. It has the added benefit of allowing you to bypass ticket office queues. 

• FREE travel on the scenic Centovalli Line as far as the Italian border
• FREE travel on the network of mainline trains and buses throughout Ticino
• FREE boat cruises Locarno-Tenero-Magadino and Morcote-Porto Ceresio
• 20% discounts on other cruises on Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore (Swiss waters only)
• 30% discounts on the Monte Brè funicular, Monte Generoso cog railway, Orselina-Cardada cable car, and others
• 30% reduction for entry to the Brissago Islands, Bellinzona castles, Alprose chocolate museum, and more
• 20% discounts on the Monte San Salvatore funicular and Locarno-Orselina funicular
• 20% reduction on cable cars such as Monte Lema, Monte Tamaro, and others
• 20% discount on entry to the Lugano, Ascona and Locarno lakeside lidos and Splash & Spa at Tamaro
• Discounts on leisure and cultural attractions such as golf, guided tours and museums

Holidays with a Ticino Ticket

The Ticino Ticket will be provided by your hotel when you stay in the delightful resorts of Lugano , Locarno  and Ascona . 

Make the most of the scenic excursions available in the surrounding lakes and mountains!

You may also be interested in these suggested holidays, which include a stay in the region - and include the Ticino Ticket:

8 Day | Scenic Contrasts Holiday

8 Day | Historic Route Across The Alps Holiday

12 Day | Sunny Lakes & Dramatic Mountains Holiday

15 Day | Hidden Treasures Holiday

8 Day | Mini Grand Tour

15 Day | Grand Scenic Train Tour    

Request your holiday quotation

Speak to our team today to find out more!

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at [email protected]

Did you know?

Each of our recommended excursion pages will mention if you can use your Ticino Ticket.

Find out more in this regional summary .

Planning your holiday 2024

• Decide where you would like to stay
• Choose your scenic journeys
• 1st or 2nd class rail travel in Switzerland
• How many nights in each resort
• Decide on bed & breakfast or half board
• 3, 4 or 5 star hotel accommodation
• Plan visits with your Half Fare Card

Best Excursions

Holiday Quotation

Order Brochures

Contact information

•  Address: 45 The Enterprise Centre, Cranborne Road, Potters Bar EN6 3DQ
•  Freephone: 0800 619 1200 Call from outside UK  +44 1707 646466
•  Email: [email protected]
•  Sitemap: Web Sitemap Independent reviews service:

ABTA & ATOL members

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice

Please click here for the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on travel to Switzerland

We work closely with SBB - the Swiss Travel System - and Switzerland Tourism

Design and development

The Swiss Holiday Company, 2024. All rights reserved. Pictures and video belong to our partners and are used with permission.

• Basel Stadt/Land
• Fribourg/Freiburg
• Valais/Wallis
• About Switzerland
• Accomodation
• About The Swiss Path

Free travel and discounts with the Ticino Ticket

The Italian-speaking canton of Ticino is full of exciting things to explore and see and is a very popular tourist destination. In order to give visitors the best opportunity to get the most out of their trip, the canton tourist organisation offers the Ticino Ticket. This ticket not only lets you ride for free on most of the Ticino public transport companies, it also gives discount on countless attractions. Here is a breakdown how the Ticino ticket can help you get the most out of your Ticino stay.

If you book a stay at a hotel, hostel or camping in Ticino, you will be offered this ticket. The ticket will be valid for the duration of your stay. Depending on your plans for your trip, this ticket can save you quite some money!

Free public transportation with Ticino ticket

For starters, the Ticino ticket allows you to travel for free with most public transport companies in the Canton. This includes the bus lines within the Lugano and Locarno region, and even the trains from the Swiss railways (SBB CFF FFS). However, for the trains, keep in mind that only journeys within the Ticino canton are covered. While both Locarno and Lugano are very walkable cities, the Ticino tickets provides more flexibility to move around quickly. You can not use the ticket for free boat rides on Lake Lugano. However, the ticket does provide you discount on these ships.

Most passenger ships on the lake fly under the flag of the ‘Navigation Company of Lake Lugano’. With the Ticino ticket you get 20% discount on their daily passes. Instead of CHF 49, you only pay CHF 39.20 for unlimited boat trips on Lake Lugano. You can buy these tickets at the ticket booths by the boat pier. (April – October)

Mountain transport discounts

As many other regions of Switzerland, Ticino is mountainous and has many funiculars and cablecars. Anyone who has visited Switzerland knows the fares of these types of transport quickly add up. This is why it comes in so handy that the Ticino ticket provides discount on most of the famous funiculars and cablecars in the canton. For example, the ticket gives you 20% discount on the Monte San Salvatore funicular in Lugano. For the Monte Brè funicular, this is even 30%. There are plenty of other cablecars and funiculars covered, you can find a full updated overview here .

Get your culture fix with the Ticino ticket

In addition to all the benefits mentioned aboved, this pass also allows you to visit well over 50 cultural attractions in the Ticino Canton with generous discounts. The participating attraction are scattered all over the canton, with many located in destinations such as Locarno and Lugano. For example, you can visit Swissminiatur with 30% discount! You can also visit the world famous castles of Bellinzona and pay 30% less than you normally would.

Other noteworthy attractions that partnered with the Ticino ticket are:

• Municipal Museum of Modern Art Ascona
• Gandria guided tours
• Monte Brè guided tours
• MUSEC – Museo delle Culture
• Sessa gold mine

For a full overview of all participating cultural organisations that offer discounts, have a look at the Ticino ticket website .

How to get your ticket

Generally, your accommodation will provide you with your Ticino ticket when you check in. Each member of your party will receive their own ticket for discounts and other benefits. Make sure you put your name on the ticket and read any instructions carefully! The ticket is valid from the moment you check in until midnight of the day you check out of your hotel, camping or hostel.

Since this year, Canton Ticino has also launched the ticket in digital form. On their website , you find instructions on how to sign up for the ticket and how to activate your pass.

Have you used the ticket during your trip to the Swiss canton of Ticino? What was your favorite attraction?

• free public transport
• ticino ticket

- Advertisement -

About TheSwisspath

On this website, you can read all about the best gems in Switzerland

Luzern Museum Pass – the ultimate money hack

Take a cruise from luzern on the vierwaldstättersee, staying at the royal savoy hotel in lausanne, visit the idyllic village gandria near lugano, visit the lilu lucerne light festival 2024, discounts on swiss public transport with new halbtax plus, dieci pizza delivery switzerland review, bern museum night 2023.

Ticino Ticket

One ticket, endless emotions

You save time and appreciate even more every minute of your holiday

With Ticino Ticket you are free to travel and visit every corner of the southernmost Canton of Switzerland. Lakes, rivers and mountains – everything at hand with Ticino Ticket! From summer 2021, Ticino Ticket is also available on smartphones in digital format. Faster check-in, less ink and paper: the perfect solution for environmental sustainability.

Who gets the Ticino Ticket?

Staying overnight in a hotel, hostel or campsite you have the possibility to use for free public transport and to get discounts on mountain railways, boat trips on the Swiss part of the lakes and on the main tourist attractions of Ticino. 

How to get the digital Ticino Ticket?

To obtain the digital Ticino Ticket, you must have a smartphone with you and, when you make your reservation, you must communicate your name, surname and e-mail address to the accommodation. To fill in your own Ticino Ticket and activate it when you check-in, watch the videotutorial or download the user manual.  In this way you get around for free in the whole region by using public transport during their stay and get additional advantages such as discounts on mountain railways, boat trips on the Swiss part of the lakes and on the main tourist attractions. Everyone will receive the Ticino Ticket at the arrival upon check-in and it can be used until midnight of the departure day.

User Manual

Don't have a smartphone or an e-mail address? Don't worry. You will always receive a printed copy of the Ticino Ticket from your host when you check in. Remember to always take it with you!

Which partners are there and what are their discounts?

A steep climb on a cable car to take advantage from a breathtaking view, a romantic boat ride, the visit of unique museums in a culturally and artistically rich land, or some hours of relax and entertainment at the Lido or at the Swissminiatur. All of this is possible thanks to Ticino Ticket, which allows to benefit from free public transport in the whole Canton. It also ensures discounts on cable cars, navigation and main tourist attractions.

How does it work and what are terms and conditions?

How does Ticino Ticket work? In “Frequently Asked Questions” we will answer to your queries and reveal all the details of this new product.

Frequently Asked Questions The answers to your questions

Terms and conditions validity of ticino ticket.

Navigate to myswitzerland.com

Destinations

Your swiss holiday time.

Holiday destinations

• Summer holiday destinations
• Winter sports & ski resorts
• Family destinations

Attractions

• Top attractions
• UNESCO World Heritage sites / biospheres
• Travel by train, bus or boat
• Top museums
• Swiss Parks
• Scenic nature

Experiences

Additional content about subnavigation experiences.

• Family excursions
• Food & Wine
• Group excursions
• Guided tours

Summer & Autumn

• Bicycle & Mountain bike
• Adventure & Sports Summer
• Zoo & animal experiences
• Ski and snowboard
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoe and winter hiking
• Tobogganing
• Winter excursions
• Christmas in Switzerland

Cities & culture

• Parks, Gardens and Squares
• Architecture

Experience Tour

• Car, motorcycle - Grand Tour
• Train, bus, boat – Grand Train Tour
• Mountain excursions

Accommodation

• Typically Swiss Hotels
• Wellness & Spa
• Family Hotels
• Bike Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Inspiring Meeting Hotels
• Swiss Historic Hotels
• Luxury hotels
• Winter sports hotels

Other types of accommodation

• On the farm
• Bed and Breakfast
• Mountains huts
• Group accommodation

Transport & Stay

• Travel to Switzerland
• Barrier-free travel
• Tickets public transport
• Service & support
• Money and shopping

About Switzerland

• General facts
• Custom and tradition
• History of Switzerland
• The Swiss Art and Culture Scene
• Health Travel
• Sustainability

Weather & Climate

• Climate in Switzerland
• Snow Report
• Water and pool temperatures
• City offers
• Touring offers
• Wellness offers
• Nature and outdoor offers
• Offers for families

Where are you from?

• België (Nederlands)
• Belgique (Français)
• Deutschland
• Netherlands
• Russia (Россия)
• Schweiz (Deutsch)
• Suisse (Français)
• Svizzera (Italiano)
• Switzerland (English)
• United Kingdom
• Canada (English)
• Canada (Français)
• China 中文简体
• China 中文繁体
• Gulf countries العربية
• Japan 日本
• Korea 한국어
• United Arab Emirates
• New Zealand
• International

Language, region and important links

• Slovenština

Service Navigation

• Help & Contact

Ticino Ticket – Free public transport in Ticino

• Open Information About Reservation Reservation Shoot Information About Reservation

Ticino Turismo Via Canonico Ghiringhelli 7 Casella postale 1441 6501 Bellinzona Phone  +41 (0)91 825 70 56 ticino.ch

From 2017 onward, guests staying in hotels, youth hostels or campgrounds will be able to use public transportation in the Canton of Ticino free of charge.

Upon arrival at the hotel, a day pass worth over CHF 50 will be handed out, which will be valid until the day of departure. This gives tourists the opportunity to explore every corner of the canton by public transport. The main focus of the project is on sustainable mobility, which will benefit the environment in two ways: Private car traffic will be reduced and public transportation strengthened. In addition, the inauguration of the Gotthard base tunnel in December 2016 has shorten the SBB journey to Ticino. This will enable guests to benefit from attractive opportunities for a long weekend or a holiday in southern Switzerland. Ticino Ticket

Advertisement

Discover bellinzona.

• Aargau region
• Basel region
• Bern Region
• Fribourg region
• Geneva region
• Graubünden region
• Jura & Three-Lakes Region
• Lake Geneva region
• Lucerne Region - Lake Lucerne
• Region Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein
• Ticino region
• Valais region
• Zurich region
• Avalanche course
• Bungee jumping
• Carriage rides
• Competition
• Cooking course
• Creative workshop
• Cross country skiing
• Eating with locals
• Escape Game
• Escape Room
• Exhibitions
• Food & Drink
• Ice climbing
• Indoor amusement park
• Lift tickets
• Llama and alpaca trekking
• Monster Scooter
• Mountain bike
• Mountain tour
• Natural attractions
• Night sledding
• Paragliding
• Photo course
• SBB Day Pass
• Scenic flight
• Scenic train
• Ski touring
• Snowboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Stand up paddle
• Summer tobogganing
• Swiss Rail Passes
• Trail running
• Train ticket
• Travel preparation
• Via ferrata
• Virtual Reality Games
• Wakeboarding
• private car tour
• snowboard rental
• virtual travel companion

58 Things to Do in Ticino region 2024

Ticino offers an unusual mixture of Mediterranean flair with palm trees in the south and the Swiss Alps in the north. It lies at an altitude range of 193 to 3400 meters above sea level. The name comes from the river of the same name, which flows through Ticino from the Gotthard massif to the mouth of Lake Maggiore. The official language in Ticino is Italian.

Recommended by travellers

Tickets and admissions

Guided tours

Schlechtwetter

Erstes Date

Valentinstag

Polterabend

Kindergeburtstag

Kinderwagen

Ticket Monte Tamaro with the cable car from Rivera

Take the cable car to the Alpe Foppa station on Monte Tamaro in Ticino and discover the wonderful mountain and adventure world with views as far as the Matterhorn. More details

Rope park Parco Avventura Monte Tamaro incl. train ticket

Climb between obstacles and trees through the rope park on Monte Tamaro. Three different courses offer an adventure for all ages and levels. More details

Funicular Monte Brè Ticket from Lugano Cassarate

The funicular runs from Lugano Cassarate in two sections up to Monte Brè. It climbs a total of 622 meters in about 14 minutes. More details

Pool and slides ticket to Splash and Spa

At the Splash e Spa adventure pool in Ticino you will find spectacular water slides, an exciting wave pool, heated attraction pools and an inviting pool bar. Look forward to a time out with lots of fun and relaxation in Rivera. More details

Maggiatal Val Grande canyoning for beginners

On this guided canyoning excursion, you will get to know the beautiful Val Grande and climb, swim and jump through the exciting gorge in the Locarno-Maggia Valley region. More details

Verzasca Valley Canyoning 3.5 hours for beginners and families

Experience the beautiful Verzasca Valley in Ticino on a guided canyoning tour. Jumps, slides, abseiling and lots of adventure await you on this beginner's route More details

Boggera canyoning for beginners

On this canyoning tour for beginners, you will get to know canyoning. You will jump from cliffs and slide through the fantastic nature of Ticino in the Bellinzona-Biasca region. More details

Ticket summer toboggan run on Monte Tamaro

Experience 800 m ride on the Ticino summer toboggan run on Monte Tamaro and enjoy the beautiful view of the Swiss Alps during the fast descent. More details

Best attractions close to Ticino region

Monte Tamaro

Brissago Islands

Lake Lugano

• Splash and Spa

Monte Generoso

Lake Maggiore

Ticino region activities and tickets.

You can find more information about Ticino in our article Hiking in Ticino with 30 mountain railroads .

• Highlights in Ticino:
• Ticino is also called "the sunroom of Switzerland"
• In the Ticino region, an immense diversity combines alpine and Mediterranean nature with an equally diverse culture, tradition and gastronomy
• Wide mountain valleys and large lakes are typical of Ticino and combine with the famous tourist cities
• the northern Ticino with the valleys of Leventina, Blenio and Riviera
• the northwestern region with the Maggia and Verzasca valleys
• the western region around Lake Maggiore with Centovalli and the Onsernone Valley and the towns of Locarno, Ascona and Brissago
• the region of Bellinzona in the east with the wide valley of the river Ticino and Bellinzona as the capital of Ticino
• the southwestern region of Lake Lugano with the city of Lugano; this region is also called "Sottoceneri", i.e. the region below Monte Ceneri
• the Mendrisiotto region in the extreme south, bordering Italy and including the towns of Breggia, Chiasso and Mendrisio
• Castelgrande
• Montebello and
• Sasso Corbaro.
• Caves and fossils from the Middle Triassic at Monte San Giorgio
• The intact beech woods of the side valleys of the Maggia Valley
• The Holy Week processions in Mendrisio are part of the intangible UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The north of Ticino is also called the Alto Ticino. This is where the famous southern portal of the Gotthard road tunnel is located. The Swiss Alps border the northern part of Ticino.
• Lugano and Lake Lugano in the very south of Ticino convey a particularly Mediterranean flair with Italian-influenced architecture and palm-fringed sandy beaches.
• Lake Maggiore lies in its northern part in Ticino.

The six regions of Ticino

The regions of Ticino combine a unique diversity of nature, culture and tradition.

• Northern Ticino

Northern Ticino, with the main valleys of Leventina, Blenio and Riviera, is alpine. The Swiss Alps characterize the region, which in winter offers beautiful ski resorts with corresponding lift facilities. In summer there is hiking or mountain biking. The chairlifts are also in operation on summer weekends.

• Maggia Valley and Verzasca Valley

Located in the northwest of Ticino, the region borders Lake Maggiore to the south. It is characterized by the Maggia Valley (Vallemaggia) and the wild Verzasca Valley. In the Verzasca Valley, the Roman bridge of Lavertezzo is a well-known postcard motif. The Vallemaggia is the largest valley in Ticino and stands for a lot of untouched nature and greenery between the mountains

• Lake Maggiore Region

The central western part of Ticino belongs to the Lago Maggiore region. Some famous towns around the lake are Locarno , Ascona and Brissago. This is where the Mediterranean flair of Ticino begins. Hot summers and mild winters ensure that even here palm trees and jacaranda trees make the hearts of vacationers beat faster. In the north, the Centovalli with its many side valleys and the Onsernone Valley follow.

• Bellinzona - Capital and Region

The Bellinzona region is located in the eastern part of Ticino. Here is the main traffic axis of Ticino, as the routes of the Gotthard Pass and the San Bernardino Pass join. Through the Magadino plain flows the river Ticino (Ticino) to Lake Maggiore to flow into it. Bellinzona as the cantonal capital of Ticino, however, also combines the Middle Ages and modernity excellently.

• Lake Lugano Region

In southern Ticino and below the regions of Lake Maggiore and Bellinzona is the Lake Lugano region. The city of culture Lugano is the most important city. This region is also called "Sottoceneri", that is, the region below the Monteceneri. The Monteceneri is a pass at 554 meters above sea level that separates the Magadino plain from the Vedeggio valley. Since 2020, the Ceneri base tunnel has ensured that trains can reach the south even faster or vice versa.

• Mendrisotto region

This small region forms the southernmost tip of Ticino and is enclosed on three sides by Italy. The towns of Breggia, Chiasso and Mendrisio characterize the region. The municipality of Balerna is divided by the A2 highway, which continues into Italy. Breggia and San Pietro are surrounded by beautiful and hilly nature, most of which is now protected. Chiasso is the southernmost town in the whole of Switzerland.

Sights in Ticino

Ticino has, in addition to a wonderful nature, some beautiful old towns with Italian-influenced architecture. They have very special buildings that want to be admired. In Lugano it is mainly the churches and at their top the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.

In addition, there are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ticino.

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ticino

The three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ticino are very different and refer to the Cultural Heritage, the Natural Heritage and the Intangible World Heritage.

Medieval Castles of Bellinzona

The three medieval castles of Bellinzona have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2000: Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro.

"The fortresses of Bellinzona are an outstanding example of a late medieval defensive structure in a strategic position for the crossing of the Alps. The castles of Bellinzona are among the most important testimonies of medieval fortified architecture in the Alpine region."

They were built around the 15th century by the Dukes of Milan on the north-south axis of the Alpine roads as a bulwark to block the passage.

From the old town of Bellinzona, the three castles can be visited with the Artù tourist tram. in addition, there is an explanatory museum in each case. On June 10, World Heritage Day, there will be additional activities for children and families.

Caves and fossils at Monte San Giorgio

UNESCO World Natural Heritage can be found at Monte San Giorgio. The fossils from the Middle Triassic have been part of it since 2003. They date back to 250 million years ago. in 2010, the Italian side of Monte San Giorgio was also added to the UNESCO list.

At that time, what is now Ticino was still largely seabed. In the Fossil Museum of Meride on Monte San Giorgio, visitors can see this ancient world with their own eyes in a replica. The fossils show in a rare sharpness the remains of dinosaurs, but also of fish, reptiles and plants. The entire mountain is a treasure trove of fossils of the very highest quality. To date, about 20,000 fossils have been recovered. June 10 is World Heritage Day, and in addition to free tours, the museum will offer workshops for children that day. A novelty is the Triassic Park and the Trias Aquarium, which are offered in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

Processions of the Holy Week in Mendrisio

The Holy Week processions in Mendrisio became UNESCO Intangible World Heritage in 2019. They are already documented since the second half of the 17th century. Always on the evenings of Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the processions pass through the old town of Mendrisio. To enhance the effect, the street lighting is then switched off

The lights of the "Trasparenti" give light. These large illuminated pictures are painted on translucent canvases and are stretched along the route over the alleys. They depict scenes from the Old Testament and from the Gospel. On Maundy Thursday, 270 amateur actors (without dialogue) perform a series of scenes from the Gospel. Sumptuous costumes depict biblical characters, horsemen and Roman soldiers. On Good Friday, the procession is more simple and solemn. More than 600 members of church associations and various brotherhoods parade through the city with statues. Funeral music accompanies the procession. Riding tambourines form the beginning and the end of the procession

Beech woods of the Valli di Lodano, Busai and Soladino in tributaries of the Maggia Valley

Since July 2021, the ancient beech forests of the Valli di Lodano, Busai and Soladino in side arms of the Maggia Valley in Ticino have also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Together with the beech forests on the Bettlachstock in the Jura Mountains of Solothurn, they have been honored with this designation. In total, UNESCO has now added eleven new forests in Europe to the list of important ancient beech forests in Europe.

• Old Towns in Ticino

The old towns of Lugano and Bellinzona are particularly worth seeing. The old towns of Locarno and Ascona are also beautiful. Guided city tours are offered everywhere, giving visitors a good overview within a short time. From the old town in Bellinzona, you can quickly reach the three castles, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, by tourist train.

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo, six churches and two Capuchin monasteries in the old town of Lugano are particularly pretty to look at. Built at the beginning of the ninth century, the cathedral was recently restored and now shines in new (old) splendor. The portal was redesigned in the Renaissance period. Inside the cathedral you can admire valuable frescoes and ornate Baroque parts

The church of Santa Maria degli Angioli used to be part of a Franciscan monastery. In it you can admire beautiful frescoes from the middle of the 16th century, which occupy entire walls.

At least six sumptuous palazzi were built between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries. Several piazzas with restaurants and day bars make the Italian feeling perfect

In particular, the Piazza della Riforma is known for its buildings from the classicist period. Many restaurants and bistros ensure that this square is very frequented by visitors. Throughout the year, large events are always held here. The waterfront promenade is also very popular. Palm trees grow here and cozy benches, small cafes and gelaterias invite you to linger.

Free guided tours of Lugano

For visitors who are visiting Lugano for the first time or simply want to get to know it better, it is worth taking part in one of the free guided tours of the city.

Guided City Walk

Every Saturday a guided city walk is offered starting at the tourist information office at the SBB train station. It shows historical alleys, piazzas and palazzi. In addition to the magnificent cathedral, you will see a magnificent park and, to top it off, experience an overview of the entire city of Lugano from above.

• Starting and ending point SBB train station, Tourist Office Lugano
• April to October
• 10:00 to 12:00
• free of charge, but reservation required
• in two languages

Unexpected Classic Tour

On Mondays, a guided tour of the city starts at the Lugano Region Tourist Office in Piazza Riforma and is led by actors from the city. They wear costumes and in their entertaining tour they put special emphasis on the many facets of the city, its important personalities and special places.

• Starting and ending point Piazza Riforma, Tourist Office Lugano
• May to October

The Lugano Region Tourist Board (Ente Turistico del Luganese) organizes other city tours, for example Lugano, past and present.

Lugano Art and Culture Center

The newly built Art and Cultural Center of the City of Lugano contains a museum and a concert and theater hall. The massive building stands at Piazza Bernardino Luini 6 and offers changing programs and exhibitions

Bellinzona is the capital of Ticino and is situated at 238 meters above sea level on the Ticino River, not far from where it flows into Lake Maggiore. The town is primarily known for the three castles above the old town, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. However, the old town also has interesting and inviting squares. For lunch, for example, you are sure to find a nice spot in the beautiful Piazza Collegiata

The narrow streets look especially romantic every Saturday morning. Then the weekly market is held here. Visitors should not miss this experience. Artisans sometimes produce their goods right in front of the customers. In spring and autumn the market is also held on Wednesdays

In February, the city becomes a boisterous celebration site during the carnival season. More than 150,000 guests come to Bellinzona during Carnival week to celebrate In the Realm of King Rabadan Carnival exuberantly for five days. In Bellinzona it is also worth visiting the art museum or booking a guided excursion. A guided tour of the city, including a visit to the castle, takes place every Saturday morning from 11:00 a.m. from the beginning of March to mid-December. The meeting point is the tourist office in Piazza Collegiata. The tour is not free of charge, but takes place already from 1 person.

Locarno is located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore and, together with Lugano and Grono, is one of the warmest places in Switzerland. The Mediterranean climate and the location directly on the lake attract many tourists. Lemon trees and palm trees grow here. The townscape of Locarno is one of Switzerland's sites worthy of protection.

The center of the city is the Piazza Grande. It was built around the eighth century. Here the Lombard arcades stretch along the houses for over 700 meters. Among them are restaurants and numerous stores. Magnificent town houses line the square. Their columns, loggias and arcades (portici) are still in their old splendor and their courtyards, arcades and terraces show the special charm of the old town. The medieval city tower is visible from the piazza

From here, steep alleys lead up to the old town proper. These alleys are the oldest parts of Locarno and are largely car-free. Some houses are still adorned with old family coats of arms, frescoes or decorated window sills.

Ascona is located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore not far from the town of Locarno. Both towns are separated by the river Maggia. The town is known for its Mediterranean architecture and the lakefront promenade, which is well stocked with cafes. The lake promenade was built as early as the 13th century

The old town of Borgo features a 16th century church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. The high bell tower of the columned basilica became the town's landmark. Ascona has long been a city for artists and intellectuals. In their honor, a museum was equipped on the hill Monte Verità in a historic park

Excursion destinations in Ticino

Ticino has 72 mountain peaks to offer, almost without exception, a wonderful view of the lake and valley landscape. In the background, the snow-covered Alps form a beautiful contrast. The lowest peak in Ticino is that of Monte San Salvatore at 912 m a.s.l. The highest peak is that of the Rheinwaldhorn at 3,402 m a.s.l. 135 valleys and 148 lakes also make the choice not easy.

Below are some of the most popular mountains, lakes and valleys of Ticino, as well as particularly interesting places for excursions explained in a little more detail.

• Interesting places for excursions

We have compiled only a small selection of very many interesting excursion locations here. They are particularly popular or unusually interesting.

Village of Gandria

The village of Gandria has now been incorporated into Lugano. It is located on the northern shore of Lake Lugano at 295 meters above sea level on a steep slope of Monte Brè. From the Lugano train station it is five kilometers away in an easterly direction. The fascination that still today emanates from this small town is related to the fact that here you can dive into the past. The small alleys by the lake perfectly reflect the former life. Nothing has changed here for more than a hundred years. You can get to the village either by boat or along the olive tree path, a picturesque nature trail. The Lugano Tourist Office offers a free guided tour every Friday afternoon during the summer, following the boat trip. Prior booking is required.

Orselina with the Madonna del Sasso

Above Locarno, in Orselina, there is a pilgrimage church dedicated to the Madonna del Sasso. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared on this elevation in 1480. Since then, believers have been making pilgrimages here in large numbers. There is even a funicular going up from Locarno. Those who go on foot either take the steep Way of the Cross or a path through the wild valley. There are several chapels along the way.

The pilgrimage church is full of works of art, magnificent frescoes and stucco work. A former monastery next to the church now houses a museum.

Tibetan Bridge (Ponte Tibetano) "Carasc"

The Tibetan Bridge "Carasc" connects the municipalities of Sementina and Monte Carasso. In this way, the otherwise impassable valley can be crossed comfortably. The bridge was built by the Curzùtt-S. Barnàrd Foundation and is subject to considerable safety measures. Crossing the bridge is an experience for young and old.

• 270 m length
• 130 m above the valley floor
• 50 tons in weight
• Bridge floor made of larch wood
• fixed at an altitude of 696 m

The best way to reach the bridge is by cable car from Monte Carasso to Curzùtt. It is advisable to purchase the cable car tickets in advance, as this is a very popular destination. Curzùtt is a pretty traditional and historically preserved village center.

Monte Carasso is a district of Bellinzona. It is best to park the car in the public parking lot in Via Tatti. Afterwards you can take the post bus line 2 from Bellinzona or walk (about 15 minutes). Also arriving by train, the bus of line 2 can be used. There is also a shuttle bus between the train station and the valley station.

The Brissago Islands are two islands in the Swiss part of Lake Maggiore. Because of the subtropical climate prevailing there, plants grow here that do not otherwise occur in these latitudes. Palm trees also thrive magnificently. Therefore, a botanical garden was established on the larger of the two islands as early as the end of the 19th century. In the 20th century, a villa with an orangery and Roman baths was also built here. Since 1949 the islands have been owned by the Canton of Ticino and several municipalities. They have been open to the public since then. The islands are located near Brissago and Ascona.

• Mountain peaks and viewpoints

Although Ticino has a Mediterranean flair in large parts, there are also several beautiful mountain peaks here

The Lukmanier Pass in the north, at 1916 m above sea level, is a Swiss Alpine pass and also forms the border with Graubünden. The hiking mountain Matro (2172 m above sea level) is one of the few mountains whose summits offer a panoramic view. From Bellinzona, mountain enthusiasts can quickly reach the peaks of Gaggio and Molinera, and no less than three mountain peaks can be reached in a short time by mountain railroad from Lugano in the south of Ticino.

Monte Brè is the local mountain of Lugano. It is also called the sunniest mountain in Switzerland and is 933 m above sea level. The view goes to Lake Lugano, Monte Rosa and the Bernese and Valais Alps. The mountain is reached from Lugano by boat from the Debarcadero boat landing point in the direction of Cassarate. A cable car leads to the top of the mountain and the village of Brè can be reached on foot after a walk. The old stone houses, the church and the cemetery are worth seeing. The museum Wilhelm Schmid shows his works as a painter in the house where he was born. Every Friday morning from May to October the tourist office offers a guided tour. The guided tour itself is free of charge. Prior registration is absolutely necessary.

Monte San Salvatore

Monte San Salvatore reaches 912 meters above sea level at the summit. The mountain is located directly on Lake Lugano and is the second local mountain of Lugano. The panorama extends at the summit from the small lookout tower (12.5 meters high) from left to right over Lugano, Campione d'Italia to Melide. The incomparably beautiful panorama alone leads many visitors to the top. The funicular, which takes 12 minutes to reach the summit, makes the decision easier

In addition to a chapel, you can also visit a museum at the summit with ecclesiastical and geological exhibits and information (open Wednesdays to Sundays). The building in which the museum is located is already interesting. It was built towards the end of the 17th century for the poor and wanderers who were on pilgrimage to the Church of the Redeemer. Later it was used as a hospice. Pilgrims are said to have climbed the mountain as early as 1200 to honor the Son of God. There is a legend that Jesus stopped here for a short rest on his ascent to heaven

However, the mountain primarily offers plenty of space for physical activities. In addition to beautiful hiking trails and nature trails, there is also a popular via ferrata here. The museum in San Salvatore displays rocks and fossils from the mountain and provides information about local speleology. There is also a children's playground and for families or school groups, the treasure hunt along the nature trail is suitable. It is easy to walk and offers only a few meters of difference in altitude.

Monte Tamaro is located at 1961 meters above sea level near the northern part of Lake Maggiore. From the summit, Alpe Foppa at the top station of the aerial tramway is still a one and a half hour hike away.

At Alpe Foppa there is a mountain lake that can be circumnavigated. As for activities, the mountain offers a summer toboggan run, tyrolienne, children's playground and several hiking and biking trails. At the middle station Piano di Mora a rope park provides fun and thrills. The Tamaro Jumping is part of the rope park.

From Lugano, the valley station of the gondola lift to Monte Tamaro is reached in just under half an hour; from Locarno, it also takes half an hour.

Monte San Giorgio

Monte San Giorgio reaches 1097 m on the Swiss side and is located at the foot of the Southern Alps on the border with Italy. The mountain is surrounded by the two southern arms of Lake Lugano. Monte San Giorgio is an important site for marine fossils from the Middle Triassic (247-237 million years ago). Because of the abundance and detail of the fossils, they have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore, the mountain is also called "Saurian Mountain".

Monte San Giogio is reached by train via the Mendrisio stop. The bus line 524 goes from Mendrisio Stazione about 20 minutes to Meride Paese. By car it takes from:

• Mendrisio 7 km (10 min)
• Chiasso 14 km (15 min)
• Lugano 25 km (25 min)
• Bellinzona 60 km (45 min)
• Locarno 65 km (55 min).

There are limited parking spaces available (40 free and 25 paid parking spaces, plus a disabled parking space not far from the Fossil Museum). A boat trip can be planned in summer to Brusino Arsizio. From there, take the cable car up to Serpiano and Meride is about an hour's walk along a pleasant path.

The mountain is perfect for walking through the vineyards. A hike to the village of Riva San Vitale at the southern end of Lake Lugano is also worthwhile because of the baptistery located there. It is considered the oldest Christian building in Switzerland and dates back to the 5th century.

Located 1704 m above sea level, Monte Generoso has an extensive view of the Gran Paradiso Alpine range. The arc continues from the Matterhorn (Cervino) to the Monte Rosa massif and from the Jungfrau to the Gotthard massif and Piz Bernina in the east. The lake landscape of the northern Italian lakes forms a pleasant contrast.

Often, on a clear day, even the Alpine chain of the Italian Maritime Alps can be seen in the southwest. Monte Generoso is also called Calvagione. It is reached from April to October by a nine-kilometer-long rack railroad from Capolago on Lake Lugano. The border with Italy runs across the mountain.

A work by architect Mario Botta catches the eye. On the rocky plateau of Monte Generoso, he built the "Fiore di pietra" (Stone Flower) as a restaurant. The mountain panorama is reflected in the windows in a sophisticated way.

In July 2021, the first "Swing the World" swing in the Mendrisiotto was installed on Monte Generoso. The giant panoramic swing offers a 360-degree view of Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore, the Alpine chain, the Muggio Valley and the Po Valley.

Monte Lema is a mountain located at 1,619 meters above sea level and offers a special view of Lake Lugano, Lake Maggiore and the valleys around Luino. In 10 minutes you can reach the mountain from Miglieglia in Alto Malcatone by cable car. The cable car climbs 849 meters in altitude.

Monte Lema is a hiking mountain that also offers beautiful mountain bike trails. Paragliders also get their money's worth here. At the top station of the cable car there is an astronomical observatory and a restaurant with a hotel. Next to it there is a children's playground. Model pilots like to let their models fly here.

Cardada Cimetta

Cardada Cimetta is a viewpoint above Locarno that can be quickly reached by mountain railroad and chairlift. From here you can see both the lowest point of Switzerland (Lao Maggiore) and the highest (Dufourspitze. In Cardada there is a viewing jetty and in Cirnetta you have the view from the geological observation station

The popular hiking area offers alone three Helsana Nordic Walking trails, a trail for mountain bikers and a jumping-off point for paragliders. Cardada Cimetta is located between the Maggia and Verzasca valleys and is therefore also a good starting point for excursions into these valleys

• Lakes in Ticino

Ticino has a total of 148 lakes. Most of them are clear mountain lakes found in the mountains and valleys of the region. Two of the Upper Italian lakes are partly located on the Ticino territory and are also a particular tourist magnet because of the mild climate.

Ceresio is the Italian name of Lake Lugano. The glacial lake, which was formed 10,000 years ago during the Ice Age, is about 48.7 square kilometers in size with all its branches. About one third of it lies on Italian territory. Its deepest point is near Gandria and measures 288 meters. To the west of the lake, the Tresa River branches off and connects Lake Lugano with Lake Maggiore.

Lake Lugano offers a variety of active and passive activities. Fishing, for example, is very popular, as Lake Lugano is particularly rich in fish. The wide beaches and bathing establishments on the shores of the lake are very popular. Swimming in the lake is possible from May to September and for cooler weather there is, for example, the California Acquapark south of Lugano. Kayaks and canoes then populate the lake and for the particularly sporty, diving, sailing, windsurfing and water skiing are the most popular activities. Sailing and diving clubs can be found all around the Ceresio

Lake Maggiore (Lake Maggiore) with the Brissago Islands

The Brissago Islands are located on the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore and are also known as the Maldives of Switzerland. Located between Brissago and Ascona, the fastest way to reach the islands is by shuttle boat from Porto Ronco

Due to a very warm climate and the lack of ice days, many species of plants and palms grow here that are more common in more southern latitudes. The botanical gardens with subtropical plants were established already in 1885 and are very worth seeing. A total of about 1,700 plant species from all five continents grow here. The botanical garden is so unique that it is counted among the "Gardens of Switzerland". Excursion boats dock here and wedding ceremonies are very often organized on these islands.

Boat trips are popular on Lake Maggiore. A sailing trip across the lake is especially popular. Around the lake people go hiking, cycling or play tennis. All around there are even hotels specialized in certain sports

Mountain lakes

Most mountain lakes were formed after the retreat of glaciers. They are usually really clear and healthy. They are very popular as destinations for hiking tours or mountain bike rides. However, there are also many mountain lakes that can be reached by cable car without much effort.

Lago di Robiei - Glacier Basodino

The lake Robiei can be easily reached with the cableway San Carlo - Robiei. Here you can meet the Basodino glacier, which lies at an altitude between 2500 and 3120 meters above sea level and covers an area of two square kilometers. The lakes around Robiei were formed from melted glacier water. These lakes can be visited in hikes:

• Lago Zott (1.940 m a.s.l.)
• Lago Robiei (1.940 m above sea level)
• Lago Bianco (2.076 m above sea level)
• Lago Cavagnöö (2.310 m a.s.l.)
• Lago Nero (2.387 m a.s.l.)
• Lago Sfundau (2,363 m a.s.l.)

July and August are the best months for circular walks around the lakes. Glacier hikes under expert guidance are also possible. Below the Basodino glacier lies the Bavona Valley. The Caneggia waterfall can best be admired from here.

Mountain lakes of Sfille

In the Maggia valley lie the mountain lakes of Sfille. They are reached in a hike starting from Cimalmotto, which is the furthest village in Val di Campo. Here, at 1,400 meters above sea level, the ascent begins. Laghetto di Sfille is at 1,900 m.a.s.l. From Cimalmotto it is also possible to reach other mountain lakes. They are rather small:

• Pozzöi (1,955 m a.s.l.),
• Lago Gelato (2.161 m a.s.l.) and
• Arnau or Laghetto del Pèzz (1,979 m a.s.l.).

Alpine lake of Salei

In the Onsernone Valley a cableway goes from Vergeletto-Zott to Salei. Now you take a comfortable hiking trail (about 40 minutes) to the small mountain lake. From here you have a wonderful view over the Locarnese to the Lago Maggiore.

Mountain lakes of Chièra

The Chièra mountain lakes are located 2,344 m above sea level and 2,361 m above sea level. They can only be reached on foot from Sompréi (1,850 m above sea level). Cars can drive directly to Sompréi by road

Lago Retico

Lago Retico is situated at 2,372 m above sea level. Alpe Predasca (1,738 m above sea level) is reached by car west of Campo Blenio. A three-hour hike leads to Lago Retico via Capanna Bovarina (1,870 m a.s.l. and Redich (1,993 m a.s.l.).

Frasco (885 m a.s.l. ) in the Verzasca Valley can be reached by car and by post bus. Here begins a three-hour hike above the Hotel Efra that leads to the Efra Valley. After Alpe Efra (1,686 m a.s.l.) the mountain lake at 1,836 m a.s.l. is reached.

Lake Tremorgio

Lake Tremorgio is considered a jewel among the mountain lakes. It is located at 1,820 m above sea level in a mountain valley basin above Rodi-Fiesso in the municipality of Prato Leventina. It is reached by cable car from Rodi.

Lago Ritóm, Lago di Tom and Lago di Cadagno

Lago Ritóm is situated at 1,850 meters above sea level in the Piora Valley, a side valley of the Leventina. It can be reached by the funicular railroad Ritombahn from Piotta. It used to be a natural lake with the rare phenomenon of superimposed water layers that do not mix (meromixis)

Further north, at 2,020 meters above sea level, is the small Lago di Tom. It is known for its white sandy beach, made of sugar-grained dolomite. Along Lake Tom there is a hiking trail that, coming from Lago Ritóm, can be continued to the Cadlimo hut

Nearby is the natural reservoir Lago di Cadagno, where a meromixis can still be seen today. It is located at 1,987 m above sea level above Lake Ritom and is a favorite spot for scientists. There is also a refuge of the Ticino Alpine Club, the Capanna Cadagno.

Lake Cadagno has three layers of water. In the lower part there is a layer of highly saline and sulfurous water that comes from underground water sources of the dolomite layer. It is toxic and smells like rotten eggs. The middle layer is about 1, 5 meters thick and is inhabited by red sulfur bacteria. In the upper part is the fresh mountain water, which comes from granite springs and is very rich in fish. Life in the upper layer is only possible because the sulfur bacteria in the middle keep out the poisonous water.

Other mountain lakes that can be discovered in Ticino are for example:

• Lago di Temeo
• Lago di Lucendro Lago della Piazza and Lago dei Morti near Airola
• Laghetto near Astano
• Lago di Luzzone and Lai da Sontga Maria near Blenio
• Lago di Palagnedra near Centovalli
• Lake Muzziano
• Lake Vogorno
• Lago del Narèt and Lago del Sambuco near Lavizzara
• Lake d'Origlio
• Laghetto d'Orgnana near Verzasca (Lavertezzo Valle)
• Lake of Mognòla

• Valleys in Ticino

Ticino includes no less than 135 valleys and side valleys. Most of the valleys are very suitable for hiking or biking. Other valleys contain impassable gorges that are an Eldorado for active canyoning. If you want to try this for the first time on vacation or on a weekend, you can easily find certified canyoning guides.

Maggia Valley (Vallemaggia)

The Vallemaggia is located at the northern end of Lake Maggiore and extends to the Lepontine Alps. Hikers and nature lovers come here. The most important valley in Ticino has a high number of side valleys and occupies about twenty percent of Ticino in terms of area. Fresh and clear water gushes between steep rock faces. The valley is known for its beautiful waterfalls. The side valleys run up to rugged rocky landscapes of the alpine regions and to crystal clear mountain lakes. In a side valley lies Bosco Gurin, an old Walser village. Here, people still speak an Alemannic dialect that closely resembles medieval Alemannic.

The power of the river has created some niches that are used by animals. Among the most internationally important alluvial landscapes is the part of the valley that runs between Riveo and Giumaglio. The evergreen valley contains altitude differences of up to 3,000 meters. The entire flora of Switzerland can be found here. In the middle of the valley runs a sweeping river landscape. The force of the water has gathered huge deposits between Cavergno and Avegno. Everywhere gravel and sand banks formed, which are gladly used for bathing in the clear water.

Verzasca Valley (Val Verzasca)

The Verzasca Valley belongs to the district of Locarno. The very long main valley leads directly to Lake Maggiore. Within the valley there are authentic mountain villages in the middle of an intact nature. The water in the Verzasca Valley does not look blue, it is emerald green

The network of hiking trails in this region is about 300 km long. It ranges from high mountain tours to passes, alps and mountain peaks to themed trails or relaxing walks along the lake shores. By bike, the route Brione Verzasca - Sonogno is very popular.

Like James Bond, here you can experience a day full of thrills: with the most famous bungee jump in the world, which reaches 220 meters down from the dam wall and provides a particularly great adrenaline rush.

Val di Vira

Val di Vira is located directly on Lake Maggiore and begins at the village of Vira. The valley leads in a southerly direction to the mountain pass Alpe di Neggia. The valley consists of an adventurous gorge landscape alternating with green stream landscapes. The short gorge sections are often used for beginner canyoning courses. There are well suited rappelling points, slides or jumping points.

Piora Valley (Val Piora)

A side valley of the Leventina Valley in northern Ticino, the Piora Valley is reached by one of the steepest funicular railroads in Europe. The Ritom-Piora cableway has to cope with a maximum gradient of 87.8 percent. In the Alpe Piora you can hike or take a walk around the Ritom lake. It is the largest mountain lake in Ticino and has an interesting nature trail. The hiking trail around the glittering lakes is popular. Bikers and anglers also get their money's worth up here. The intact nature has especially many plant and animal species.

Blenio Valley (Valle di Blenio)

The Blenio Valley stretches from the north (Lukmanier Pass) to the south until Biasca. Here the Brenno River, which flows through the valley, joins the Ticino River. The valley is also called the Sun Valley because of a strong solar radiation. It is also famous for the number of ancient Roman churches in the valley that can be visited. They are located, for example, in Olivone, Aquila, Torre and Malvaglia. The valley is also famous for its "cave castles" (also called Casa dei Pagani pagan houses). These medieval fortifications were built in particularly inaccessible places. Remains of them can be seen in Marolta, Dongio and Malvaglia

Muggio Valley (Valle de Muggio)

The Muggio Valley is located at the foot of Monte Generoso, southeast of Lake Lugano. It borders directly on Italy near Lake Como. It offers above all tranquility and contact with nature. Cattle pastures and forests stretch along at an altitude between 300 and 1700 meters above sea level. For hikers, the flora and fauna is attractive. Besides cyclamen, violets, gentian and primrose, lady's mantle and hellebores grow here. Chamois can be found especially near Monte Generoso, also deer and roe deer live again in the Muggio Valley.

Breggia Valley (Val Breggia)

The river Breggia runs within the Ticino in the Mendrisiotto. It flows through the wooded Muggio Valley. The Breggia gorges have geologically and paleontologically interesting features. The erosion of the water has brought to light rock formations that were formed 80 million years ago. Fossils can be seen in the rocks, but also the consequences of submarine avalanches and evidence of climatic changes were visible here

These findings made the nature park so valuable. Thanks to them, the formation of the basin of Monte Generoso could be reconstructed. In the Breggia Valley there are numerous endangered and protected animal and plant species. Historically interesting buildings are at Castel San Pietro the 12th century castle and the 14th century Red Church. The gorges of the Breggia Valley can be walked along a marked path.

The Val Grande National Park is located between Lake Maggiore and the Val d'Ossola. It covers an area of 14,600 hectares. The national park is said to be the largest wilderness protected area in the Alpine region. The western part of the park is difficult to access and includes the Val Grande proper

The valley is about 25 kilometers long and is almost uninhabited. It is dominated in the upper part by a rocky massif, Pizzo Mottac, which is 1,809 meters above sea level. The middle part is a wild gorge dominated by rocky bands and steep woods. Only the lower part is accessible by road and partially inhabited. In Val Grande it is possible to go canyoning

Iragna Valley (Val d`Iragna)

The Val d`Iragna is a long side valley of the Riviera valley. It is very impassable and therefore hardly visited by hikers. Nevertheless, there is a hiking trail marked in white-red-white. It leads from the village square over a bridge and through woods of huge chestnut trees to the Citt Maiensäss

However, the valley is best known for its five gorges, which are used for canyoning. Among them is the Lodrino Canyon . The canyon is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It has many narrows, deeply cut gorges and an impressive waterfall. The canyon is a popular training area for experienced canyoneers

The lower course of the Boggera River is also characterized by deep gorges and roaring water. The clear water and many natural slides make the Boggera Canyon a popular canyoning destination.

• Swiss Activities Tips Ticino

The insider tips for Ticino include particularly beautiful places or views, free offers or unique experiences

Art and culture center

The Art and Culture Center in Lugano costs 15 CHF to enter. However, it can be visited for free on the first Thursday of every month between 5:00 and 8:00 pm.

Free city tours

The Lugano Tourist Office offers some city tours free of charge. It is best to ask for advice directly at a tourist office or by phone. Several excursions by boat in the nearby surroundings (Monte Brè, village of Gandria) are also accompanied by a free guide. Especially recommended is the guided tour "Unexpected Classic", which is conducted on Mondays by actors in costume very entertaining.

Renaissance fresco

The most famous Renaissance fresco in Switzerland can be admired in the church of Santa Maria degli Angioli in Lugano. It was created in 1529. The entire surface of the nave wall is covered with vivid and expressive scenes of the Passion of Christ. The church stands at the end of the shopping street Via Nassa, in Piazza Bernardino Luini.

Mount San Salvatore is also called the Sugar Loaf of Switzerland. Its summit reaches 912 meters above sea level and has a 360 degree panoramic view from a small observation tower and is considered the most beautiful panoramic mountain in Ticino. Lake Lugano contrasts with the mountains of the Swiss Alps in the background.

Maggia Valley

In the Maggia Valley you will experience pure nature. The valley, which occupies about 20 percent of Ticino, is home to a great many animal species. About a quarter of all species that exist in Switzerland can be found here. On hikes through the valley, you are very likely to encounter some of the animals that thrive in the valley. In addition, all the plants of Switzerland can be found here in the evergreen valley. It is considered a natural paradise.

At Foroglio, in the Maggia Valley, you will find a waterfall that falls 80 meters. It can be reached by turning into Val Bavona at Bignasco. This valley is the most rocky and also the steepest valley of the alpine ridge.

Monte Generoso offers a view of the entire Alpine arc with the lake landscape as a contrast. The view goes from the Maritime Alps in the southwest to the Piz Bernina in the Eastern Alps. The mountain is reached by rack railroad from Capolago on Lake Lugano.

Lake Cadagno in the Piora Valley consists of two lakes, one above the other. One of the lakes has clear fresh water and the other consists of salt water. Both lakes never mix. Scientists from all over the world come here to experience this phenomenon called "geogenic meromixis". However, the only way to get here is by funicular and a subsequent hike.

Roman churches

Those who love ancient Roman churches should plan a visit to the Blenio Valley. The most famous of these churches are in Olivone, Aquila, Torre and Malvaglia. The valley is also famous for its cave castles (also called "pagan houses"). They were built in the Middle Ages as fortified structures in particularly inaccessible places and are still visible in parts.

Riva San Vitale

In the village of Riva San Vitale stands the oldest Christian building in Switzerland. The Baptistery, dating from the 5th century, stands at the southern end of Lake Lugano.

Val Malvaglia

In Val Malvaglia there are old settlements from the 13th century called Ville. The houses are built of flat stones stacked on top of each other and inhabited. There are also old bread ovens and a water mill to visit.

• Events and shows

Rabadan Carnival Week in Bellinzona

In February, the city of Bellinzona becomes a boisterous celebration site during carnival time. More than 150,000 guests come to Bellinzona during Carnival Week to celebrate carnival for five days in the kingdom of King Rabadan

On Maundy Thursday, "Dirty Thursday", "King Rabadan" receives the symbolic key to the city gate for the next five days. On Friday there is a children's parade and on Saturday there are concerts by Guggen musicians from Ticino and German-speaking Switzerland

The highlight of Rabadan is the big parade on Sunday. Fifty floats and Guggen groups take part. In addition, there are carnival activities such as mask competitions, street theater, rope pulling tournaments and much more. In the festival hut the party goes on until the early hours of the morning. Tickets are available at the tourist office in Bellinzona.

Sailing regatta

A special highlight on Lake Maggiore is the annual international sailing regatta week. The Laveno Ascona sailing regatta takes place in June. The surrounding mountain landscapes provide the appropriate backdrop.

Jazz Ascona New Orleans and Classics

This festival takes place in the open air in the Borgo for ten days. International jazz musicians come to Ascona and among them there have been many legends in the last 20 years. 200 jazz concerts are given between the end of June and the beginning of July in different places in the old town.

Ticina Musica

In July, young musicians in Lugano, Locarno and Ascona invite you to listen to their music. They come from all over the world.

Ascona Music Weeks

From August to October there are always musical weeks that attract music groups or orchestras to Ascona. The chestnut festival is one of these occasions. Chestnuts and products from them are offered everywhere on open fire and as an accompaniment there is music.

Alpinavera Markets in Ticino

The markets of regional goods are held every year from the end of June to mid-September, initially on Sundays, as a passport market. The goods produced on the Alps are brought to the customers. Alternately, the pass market is held on the Lukmanier, the Gotthard, the Klausen, Oberalp and Flüela.

In the months of September and October, the markets are held on Saturdays in Ticino (in Ascona, Locarno, Bellinzona, Lugano (or Cevio). There are 25-30 farms participating each time. The farms certified by Alpinavera carry the "regio.garantie" sign. You should have plenty of time to visit one of these markets.

Locarno Film Festival

The Locarno Film Festival is one of the most renowned film festivals in Europe. Four competitions take place over a total of eleven days:

• Concorso internazionale
• Cineasti del presente
• Pardi di domani (national and international competition)

Streetfood Festival Bellinzona

The Streetfood Festival is held in Bellinzona for three consecutive days in August. It features more than 50 food stalls from all over the world. A total of 35 countries are represented.

Traditional Lake Lugano Crossing

Traditionally, the lake crossing takes place as a popular swim around the end of August. In the process, 2,500 meters are crossed. Participation is allowed from 14 years and costs CHF 25,00 (on site 40,00). It is not a competition.

During two days at the end of August, sporting competitions will take place in the city center of Lugano, for which athletes can register

Gusta & Pedala con COOP

An oenogastronomic bike tour will take place at the end of August in 10 stages along the roads and paths of Capriasca (Tesserete). On the way, some farms will be visited where local products will be tasted.

During four days at the beginning of September, all the novelties of the Geneva Motor Show will be presented open air in the urban area of Lugano. In 2021, the Autonassa will be held in conjunction with the Nassa Boat Show.

At the end of September, an uphill race is held from Miglieglia in Malcantone to the summit of Monte Lema.

Ropeway Festival

Above Bellinzona, every year in June, there is a cable car festival of the small cable car Camorino - Monti di Croveggia on the mountain. The cabins date back to 1970.

Starways to Heaven (Stairs to Heaven)

In mid-October, a race is held along the 1.3-kilometer-long historic staircase of the Piotta-Ritom funicular. Starways to Heaven . There are 4261 steps to climb on this race. Since the gradient is up to 89%, 790 meters of altitude are climbed on this course. The records are about half an hour (women) and 25 minutes (men).

Restaurants in Ticino

Restaurants in Ticino offer mostly regional cuisine, which is very much influenced by Italian cuisine. Mountain restaurants are popular, located on mostly sunny and panoramic terraces with large terraces.

Typical for Ticino are the grotti. These are small rural and rustic restaurants, mostly located in remote and shady places. These places were used by previous generations as refrigerators. Today, there are granite tables and benches where local dishes are served. These include polenta with braised meat, minestrone, tripe, risotto, cold cuts and cheeses. These are accompanied by Merlot or Gazzosa, the typical lemonade. You can find a grotto almost everywhere in Ticino.

• Ristorante Vetta at Monte San Salvadore

Restaurant Vetta San Salvatore has a total of 200 seats for guests. They are located on an outdoor terrace and in a panoramic terrace. Mediterranean cuisine with regional ingredients is a matter of course in the kitchen. Whether coffee break, small dishes or extensive lunch, everything is possible. At the same time you can enjoy the panorama of Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains. Every day a different daily plate is offered and in combination with the mountain railroad ticket there are special offers for 32 CHF

Open from mid May to mid September

• Mid-May to early July Fridays and Saturdays until 11:00 p.m
• Beginning of July until the end of August daily until 23:00
• Beginning of September until mid-September Fridays and Saturdays until 23:00
• Ristorante Vetta at Monte Brè

There is also a Ristorante Vetta at Monte Brè. Typical Ticino dishes are served here. In addition to a large hall, there is also a large outdoor terrace. This restaurant can also be reached by car from Cassarate or Viganello

The restaurant is open

• sundays to thursdays from 10:00 to 19:00
• fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm

Hotels in Ticino

Hotels and accommodations in Ticino are very diverse. In the cities of the tourist areas you can find noble 4 and 5 star hotels with spa or also sports hotels that have hired the experts of certain sports right away.

In remote places in the valleys and mountains there are rather small cottages with traditional restaurant or there are only bed&breakfast. Besides those listed here, there are many other and very different accommodations.

• Villa Principe Leopoldo

This five-star luxury hotel combines a Mediterranean style with elegance. In fact, the residence used to be that of a real prince. The large pool in the garden and the view of Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains are also quite princely. The restaurant is well known and the flagship of the hotel. In the evenings live music is played in the piano bar and during the day you can pamper yourself in the SPA. The hotel is located in Lugano near Lake Lugano.

• Capanna Gorda

The Gorda hut is located in Aquila in the municipality of Blenio at 1800 meters above sea level. From here you can watch the starry sky from the huge glass windows. The hut belongs to the alpine association Adlerhorst (SANDA). It is equipped with a wind turbine. From the hut you can see over the Adula and the whole valley floor. The hut is accessible by road.

The hut has 28 beds (two 8-bed rooms, one 10-bed room, one 2-bed room).

Hiking excursions from here:

• Passo Bareta
• Pian di Nara-Leontica
• Bassa Nara-Leventina
• Punta di Larescia (also known as Cima di Gorda or "Pilon")

In the picturesque region of Mendrisotto in southern Ticino stands the B&B La Villa. The building was built in 1746 and is furnished with antique furniture and balconies. It is picturesquely situated on a hill of the wine village. A large park with old trees surrounds the villa. In summer breakfast is served in the garden. In total this accommodation has 4 beds available.

From here you can reach the A2 freeway in two km. Mendrisio, Lake Maggiore or Lake Como are quickly reached via it. For hiking the mountain landscape of San Giorgio is wonderful.

• Arrival and location

Ticino is located in the south of Switzerland and is enclosed in its southernmost part by Italy.

From the north you can reach Ticino via the A2 freeway. It leads through the Gotthard tunnel. To reach Lake Maggiore, take the Bellinzona South exit in the direction of Locarno. Lake Lugano is directly on the A2 freeway, which even crosses it.

From the south, one can use the lake freeway A9 from Milan or the A8 from Varese.

Alpine passes

In summer the alpine passes Saint Gotthard, San Bernardino, Nufenen and Lukmanier can be used.

The San Bernardino pass leads from Chur to Ticino at an altitude of 2,065 meters above sea level. It crosses the Hinterrhein valley and the Grisons Alps. The landscape consists of pine forests, swamps and mountain lakes.

The Saint Gotthard pass is situated at 2,106 m above sea level. It has been one of the most important north-south connections since the Middle Ages. It connects Uri with the Ticino. When the railroad and highway tunnels were built, the traffic shifted. Nevertheless, it is still called the Gotthard axis today

The Gotthard Pass is a Swiss myth. To it belong inseparably such historical names as the Devil's Bridge, the Schöllenen Gorge, the Urnerloch (the oldest tunnel in the Alps), the Suwarow Monument, the Reduit, the Tremola and the old Sust near the Hospiz

The Lukmanier Pass is located at 1,915 m.a.s.l. It connects Graubünden with Ticino and leads directly into the Blenio Valley, also known as the Sun Valley. Allegedly, this pass was the favorite pass of Barbarossa.

The Nufenen Pass connects Valais with Ticino at an altitude of 2,439 meters above sea level. It also separates the Gotthard Group, which lies to the north, from the Leone Group, which lies to the south. The pass road leads from Ulrichen in the district of Goms to the Bedretto Valley (Val Bedretto).

Trains and buses

Fast trains from Zurich take a similar route to the A2. The IC2 goes via Bellincona to Lugano in two hours. By car, this route takes at least three hours. The regional trains and bus lines in Ticino are very well connected.

Trains from both German-speaking Switzerland and Milan run every hour. The opening of the new Ceneri Base Tunnel as a southern connection to the Gotthard Base Tunnel made it even easier and faster to discover this diverse southern Switzerland.

By plane you fly to the airport Lugano-Agno. It is located virtually between Zurich and Milan and is only a few kilometers from the center of Lugano. The airport is open to private traffic. The airline Silver Air flies to it in the summer. It is a company that operates charter flights.

• Climate and weather in Ticino

The climate in Ticino varies. In general, Ticino has a pleasant continental climate. South of the Alps, however, the cold air masses from the north are largely held back. Thus, the warm Mediterranean climate can spread well in Ticino and leads to the fact that Ticino is called the "sunroom of Switzerland". The warmest city in Ticino is Locarno.

Locarno has an average of 100 rainy days per year (Zurich 160). The sunshine hours in Locarno reach 2300 hours (Zurich 1878 hours).

On the Brissago Islands in Lake Maggiore it is even warmer. Here there is a so-called insubric climate: there is a lot of precipitation, but also just as many hours of sunshine. Here the average annual temperature is 14°C and the islands have no ice days (days when the temperature stays below 0°C). As a result, especially exotic species of plants and palms thrive on these islands.

However, in the lake area of Ticino, particularly violent thunderstorms can occur more frequently in the summer. In October 2000, the Piazza of Locarno was under water and the population had to move around in boats.

Nevertheless, the best time to travel is between June and September, as precipitation tends to be low on average, with pleasant temperatures. Most precipitation falls in the months of May, October and November

average temperatures and average precipitation in Ticino

Table of contents.

Ticino is largely south of the Alps. There are palm trees on the beaches and Italian is spoken almost everywhere. This region is known for its Mediterranean climate and Italian flair. In addition to the tourist centers such as Lake Maggiore, there are still largely unspoiled mountains, valleys and hamlets. North of Mendrisio there is Foxtown, a shopping center that offers 250 brands in 160 stores and is open daily

The two rivers Maggia and Verzasca are popular destinations in the region and invite visitors to hike, rock jump, swim and lounge

The top destinations include first and foremost the towns and cities of Ascona, Bellinzona, Locarno and Lugano

Ascona is located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore and is known for its Mediterranean beach promenades, street cafes and mild climate. The old town, with a 16th-century columned basilica, branches directly to the car-free lakeside promenade. Above Ascona, Monte Verità was long home to a lateral thinkers' colony; today a museum stands on the site.

Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, is associated above all with its strong fortifications. It consists of three of the best preserved medieval castles in Switzerland and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has a key position and connects the north with Italy, which lies to the south. From here you also have access to the Alpine passes San Bernardino, Gotthard and Lukmanier

Locarno is also located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore. It can be reached from Ascona by car or by bus in a few minutes. The Piazza Grande is world famous and is connected to the old town by several narrow streets. The Castello Visconteo, dating from the 12th century, is only partially preserved. Better known is the sanctuary Madonna del Sasso above the city. It is said to go back to an apparition of the Virgin Mary and has become Locarno's landmark. Several art collections can be found in the city in old magnificent pallazi.

Lugano on Lake Lugano is the largest city in Ticino and an important financial center in Switzerland. The local mountains are Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore. From the top you have a view of the entire lake landscape all the way to Italy. The city is known for its high level of art and architecture. The art museum Museo d'Arte della Svizzera Italiana MASI shows paintings by Renoir, Klee and other famous painters.

The lesser known Mendrisiotto stretches as a narrow tip south to the Italian border. Here, extended hikes or bike excursions through the vast and hilly terrain on both sides of the transit freeway are popular.

Top Destinations

• Grindelwald
• Lauterbrunnen
• Brienzwiler

Top Activities

Top attractions.

• Harder Kulm
• First Cliff Walk
• Jungfraujoch
• Museum of Transport
• Mount Titlis
• Eiger Glacier
• Grindelwald First
• Chocolarium
• Chillon Castle
• Alpine playground Bort
• Glacier Gorge Grindelwald

Ticino Travel Guide

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• Switzerland
• Travel guide
• Local Experts
• Travel Advice
• Accommodation

The Italian-speaking canton of Ticino occupies the balmy, lake-laced southern foothills of the Alps. Radically different from the rest of Switzerland , it's a place where the culture, food and architecture owe more to Milan than Zürich . Plan your trip to Ticino with our guide to Ticino, based on The Rough Guide to Switzerland , your travel guide for Switzerland.

What to expect when travelling to Ticino — your Ticino travel guide

Top attractions and things to do in ticino, great day tours and excursions in ticino, sports and activities in ticino, best festivals in ticino, how to get around ticino, tailor-made travel itineraries for switzerland, created by local experts.

8 days  / from 2700 USD

Special Golden Round Trip to Switzerland (small group or private)

Stay active on Switzerland's mountains with hikes and cable cars before indulging in delicious Swiss cheese and wines around Lausanne and Geneva. Is there a better way to get a taste of Switzerland than to actually taste it? Pricing is based on a small group tour, enquire for a private tour!

11 days  / from 3564 USD

Unforgettable Switzerland

Discover Switzerland's real natural paradise. Enjoy 11 relaxed days of picturesque scenery, breathtaking views, romantic towns, eternal ice and snow, rural villages and historic buildings. Visit Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and many other highlights.

7 days  / from 2700 USD

Lakes and mountains for the whole family in Italy & Switzerland

Spend your first 3 nights at Lake Como in Italy, discovering the area by boat or foot, before heading to Zermatt in Switzerland. Zermatt with its peaceful nature is the ideal backdrop for strolls, hikes and other activities with the whole family.

Tailor-made trips for   Switzerland

The glamour of Ticino and its natural beauty – lushly wooded hills rising from azure water, palm trees swaying against blue skies, red roofs framed by purple bougainvillea – are staggeringly romantic.

That romance is enhanced by the canton's ancient churches, and stone-built towns and villages.

Ticino is divided topographically by the Monte Ceneri range. The area to the north is Sopraceneri (“Above Ceneri”), and to the south, Sottoceneri (“Below Ceneri”).

The former takes in the cantonal capital Bellinzona, a quietly elegant place often passed over in favour of the lakeside resorts.

The heart of this rugged region, however, lies in the very hinterland that most people see through the window as they hurtle past — unspoilt Alto Ticino, comprising Prealpine valleys and mountain-top lakelets glittering in sunshine.

South of Bellinzona, prosperous towns are crammed between narrowing international borders to east and west.

The principal draw is the stylish city of Lugano, sited on a bay of the glorious Lake Lugano. The surrounding countryside is dotted with idyllic Italianate villages and crisscrossed by some of the loveliest walks in the canton.

In Ticino, its clear to see why you voted Switzerland one of the most beautiful countries in the world .

Castelgrande, Bellinzona, Ticino © elesi/Shutterstock

A fortress since Roman times, Bellinzona occupies a prime valley-floor position, controlling the great Alpine passes of the Novena (Nufenen), Gottardo (Gotthard), Lucomagno (Lukmanier) and San Bernadino.

Lacking the pace, crowds and touristic sheen of its bigger neighbours, it’s blessed with medieval architecture, picturesque churches, and a trio of UNESCO castles.

The elegant Renaissance buildings of Piazza Collegiata mark the centre of Bellinzona's Old Town.

Where to stay in Bellinzona

• Best for city chic: Internazionale . An upmarket spa and business-oriented hotel across from the station.
• Best for convenience: Hotel Unione . Some rooms in this central three-star have a balcony and castle view.
• Best for budget travellers: Ostello/Jugendherberge . A fine hostel housed in the grand, cliffside Villa Montebello.

Explore more places to stay in Bellinzona .

This pretty old town enjoys a grand location on the sweeping curve of a bay in Lake Maggiore.

The town's arcades and piazzas are overlooked by subtropical gardens of palms, camellias, bougainvillea, cypress, oleanders and magnolias. If you plan to see them at their blooming best, you might want to read up on the best things to do in Switzerland this summer .

Lined with Renaissance facades, the cobbled alleys of Locarno’s Old Town can get overrun with the rich and wannabe-famous on summer weekends. That said, even then, Locarno retains its poise.

Meanwhile, the surrounding valleys are packed with hiking possibilities, and offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole canton.

If you're seeking a more relaxing experience, take a thermal bath at the Termali Salini Wellness Centre . With a breathtaking view over Lago Maggiore, life doesn 't get more laidback.

Travelling with kids? The zip-lines, rope courses and playgrounds of Lago Maggiore Adventure Park will burn off plenty of energy. The panoramic views aren't half bad, either.

Where to stay in Locarno

• Best for couples: Hotel America . Set in a piazza next to cosy restaurants and five minutes from Lake Maggiore.
• Best for families: Camping Delta . This fancy, semi-forested lakeside campsite has a playground and beach.
• Best for understated style: Giardino Lago . This quietly opulent hotel opens onto the waterfront.
• Best for contemporary comfort: H4 Hotel Arcadia . A modern four-star with an outdoor pool.

Explore more places to stay in Locarno .

Madonna del Sasso Church with views to Lago Maggiore, Locarno, Switzerland © Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock

3km southwest of Locarno, Ascona has been a magnet for sun-starved northerners for more than a century.

Until the 1890s, it was nothing more than a fishing hamlet. Since then, it's grown into a cultured small town, offering an enticing blend of character, natural beauty and good shopping.

Ascona’s tour de force is Piazza Motta, the cobbled lakefront promenade. Flanked by wooded peaks, the airy views down the lake are sensational. There are few better places to watch the day drift by.

On Tuesdays, market stalls set up along the piazza, selling everything from local cheese to clothing, ornaments and knick-knacks.

Where to stay in Ascona

• Best for al fresco style: Hotel Ascona . This plush hillside four-star offers fine views from the rooms, dining terrace, and palm-fringed gardens.
• Best for big spenders: Eden Roc . One of Switzerland’s top hotels, this attracts money’s-no-object visitors.
• Best for couples: Romantik Hotel Castello . This four-star hotel has a distinctive tower and romantic rooms.

Explore more places to stay in Ascona .

Ascona's Old Town is a Ticino treasure © Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock

With its compact cluster of Italianate piazzas and extensive tree-lined promenades, Lugano is the most alluring of Ticino’s lake resorts.

Lugano basks on a south-facing bay of Lake Lugano, framed on all sides by wooded, sugarloaf hills rising sheer from the water.

Much less touristy than Locarno, it's an exciting, sassy place, full of energy and style – less famous than its Italian near-neighbour Como, but smaller, cleaner and sexier.

Its old alleys and winding lanes are full of enticing delicatessens and boutiques, and graceful, villa-style hotels. It's also a place to explore churches and galleries, and indulge in strolls under lakeside palms. 

On the subject of indulgence, foodies in Lugano might relish a taking a self-guided food tour of town .

Alternatively, for an immersive, five-star experience that combines history, lakeside scenery, fashion, and food, book a guided tour with lunch — a chef will help you create the perfect risotto.

Meanwhile, Instagrammers will be rewarded by a guided walking tour of the city's most photogenic sights .

Where to stay in Lugano

• Best for couples: Hotel Federale . An atmospheric, good-value old town hotel in a quiet leafy district.
• Best for families: Lugano Dante . A quality four-star in a converted townhouse by the funicular base station.
• Best for five-star spenders: Splendide Royal . Traditional public spaces and rooms characterize this classic hotel.
• Best for beauty on a budget: Youth Hostel Lugano Savosa . A top hostel with gardens and a pool many plush central hotels can only dream of.

Explore more places to stay in Lugano .

Lugano, Switzerland, is sure to feature in any good Ticino travel guide © Shutterstock

Bellinzona's castles

This atmospheric, often-bypassed town of Bellinzona, is dominated by its three castles — Castelgrande, Castello di Montebello. and Sasso Cobaro.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 , the castles are strung across the valley at three different levels. All three are breathtakingly beautiful, and house exhibitions on local history.

Save time and beat the queues by booking your three-castle ticket in advance .

Boating on Lake Maggiore, Locarno

Visiting the region's most stylish lakeside resort is a hand-down highlight of any Ticino vacation.

Boats run by NLM crisscross the Swiss shores of the exceptionally beautiful Lake Maggiore, as well as continuing down the lake into Italy.

For all but the shortest hops, a one-day pass, which can be purchased from ticket offices at landing stages, is the most economical choice.

When sweltering Locarno gets too much, it’s easy to escape into the cool, wooded hills above.

By the top station of the Madonna del Sasso funicular in Orselina you'll find the base station of a futuristic cable car that rises to the plateau of Cardada .

Set amid fragrant pine woods and fresh breezes, the Observation Platform offers an eagle’s-eye view that takes in Ascona, the lake, and the mountains.

View to Locarno from Cardada mountain, Ticino, Switzerland © Eva Bocek/Shutterstock

Valle Maggia

Comprising a complex valley system stretching north of Locarno into the high Alps, the Valle Maggia culminates in a spectacular cable-car ride at San Carlo.

Aside from the superb Alpine chapel in the Val Lavizzara at Mogno, this is outstanding territory for walking, particularly from Robiei.

The scenic Centovalli railway running to the Italian town of Domodossola winds above a ravine west of Locarno.

Little trains run by the FART company depart from beneath Locarno station into the spectacular valley – so named for its “hundred” side valleys.

Most of the time, the train winds slowly on precarious bridges and viaducts above ravine-like depths.

With a walking map from Locarno tourist office, you could disembark at any of the villages en route. Simply choose your trail and head for the hills to explore an area that's renowned for its natural beauty,

Isole di Brissago

A duo of tiny green dots in shimmering Lake Maggiore, the Isole di Brissago overflow with luxuriant subtropical flora.

While the small island, St Apollinaris, has no public access, the main island, St Pancras, is given over to a fine botanical garden, with plant species arranged by geographical area.

Elesewhere, the atmospheric 1929-built villa at the island’s northeastern end, retains much of its original character, with cavernously cool rooms, an art gallery and restaurant.

Ticino's Isole di Brissago are packed with natural subtropical treasures © Amphi/Shutterstock

Monte Brè, Lugano

From Cassarate, ten minutes’ walk east of the centre of lovely Lugano, a two-stage funicular ascends to Monte Brè.

Rising sheer 660m directly above the city, it offers spectacular views from the summit café over the lake and surrounding mountains.

To soak up the scenery,  book a trip that transports you by boat from Lugano to Cassarate, with a funicular ride to the top of Monte Bré .

Travelling independently? Take a twenty-minute walk down from the summit to the village of Brè. Its artistic heritage is expressed through the outdoor art installations that adorn its traditional stone houses.

Monte Generoso

Alongside Capolago-Riva San Vitale train station, a rack-railway climbs on a slow, scenic route up to Monte Generoso .

From the summit, you can see across a sizeable part of northern Italy in an amazing panorama.

Milan and Turin are both visible. Bellagio on Lake Como is in plain sight, as is Arona on Lake Maggiore and the distinctive pyramidal Matterhorn.

The summit is the starting point for an array of walks, including down to Mendrisio one way (2hr 40min) or Muggio another (2hr 15min).

The Gambarogno

The 13km of shoreline opposite Locarno and Ascona is known as the Gambarogno, and comprises a line of quiet shoreside villages backed by rugged mountains.

On the hillside above Vira, the splendid Parco Botanico del Gambarogno showcases one of Europe’s finest collections of magnolias and camellias.

From Vira, a tightly coiled road leads for 17km over the bleak Alpe di Neggia pass up to the isolated hamlet of Indémini, on the mountain border with Italy.

This stone-built village clings to the valley sides and is virtually abandoned outside the summer. The town has long attracted artists, who exhibit and sell their work at the village’s Bottega dell’artista.

Gandria and around

From Castagnola, just east of Lugano city centre, a pleasant stroll heads east around the base of Monte Brè.

It joins the Sentiero di Gandria footpath at the San Domenico car park. After running through the Parco degli Olivi, a Mediterranean-style lakefront park shaded by olive trees, cypress, laurels and oleander, it eventually reaches picturesque Gandria.

There are few quieter, more alluring corners at which to hole up. The precipitous wooded slopes opposite seem almost completely devoid of habitation.

The good news is, if you're based in Lugano, you can book a boat cruise and walking tour of the Olive Tree Trail from Lugano to Gandria .

Gorgeous Gandria in Ticino, Switzerland © Keitma/Shutterstock

Alprose chocolate factory, Caslano

On a western arm of Lake Lugano, the town of Caslano is the unlikely home of the Alprose chocolate factory .

As you enter, you’re greeted, Willy Wonka-style, by a fountain bubbling with fragrant molten chocolate.

The museum comprises some old coin-op machines and nick-nacks, plus the chance to watch the mixing machines and production line conveyor belts in action.

The Mendrisiotto

South of Lake Lugano, main roads and trains shoot through the hot, dry region known as the Mendrisiotto.

After Mendrisio, the largest town in the area and a major wine-growing centre, there’s a palpable sense of being right on the threshold of the Alps.

At Chiasso, where Switzerland reaches an end, the countryside is gentle and rolling, flattening into the plains of northern Italy immediately beyond.

Adventure activities around Locarno

The area around Locarno offers excellent opportunities for adventure sports. Think canoeing. wakeboarding, waterskiing, canyoning, rafting, paragliding and biking.

Trekking Team runs what is perhaps the star attraction — the highest bungee-jump in the world, off the 220m-high Verzasca Dam. In high summer, you can jump by moonlight.

They also do bungee-jumps off the 70m Intragna railway bridge, as well as canyoning in the Centovalli, Val Onsernone, Val Verzasca, and Valle Maggia.

Walking around Locarno

The tourist office brochure Sentieri della Collina pinpoints the route of two pleasant walking paths on the hillside just above the town.

The Sentiera Collina Bassa is 5.4km long, and takes you from the Madonna del Sasso funicular east through Orselina and onto the Via Panoramica through the suburb of Brione before gently descending to the lakeshore in Tenero (1hr 40min).

The Sentiera Collina Alta runs for 6.3km from Monte Brè, the next hill west of Orselina, on a scenic, winding path through the foothills to Contra, and down to Tenero (2hr).

Swimming in Locarno

Locarno’s busy and extensive lido is 900m south of the train station. It features indoor and outdoor pools, a dedicated children’s pool, waterslides, fitness rooms, lawns and a small beach area beside the lake.

Into adventure sports? Read up on the  best outdoor experiences in Switzerland .

Female travellers might also want to discover a host of  women-only outdoor activities in Switzerland .

Kayaking is one of many activities travellers can enjoy around Locarno © NDStock/Shutterstock

Bellinzona festivals

Bellinzona’s February carnival, known as Rabadan , takes in a masked parade and festivities. It kicks off on the Thursday before Mardi Gras and continues all weekend.

May heralds Montebello castle's medieval festival, Spada nella Rocca . Come July, the same historic venue hosts an international festival of chamber music .

Locarno and Ascona festivals

The season begins in May with Ascona’s Street Artists Festival , followed by the popular Ascona Jazz Festival in late June.

In July, nearby Magadino holds an International Organ Festival , while Locarno hosts Moon and Stars , a run of open-air rock and pop gigs by major stars.

The top-class Locarno International Film Festival in early August is rated among the top five film festivals in the world.

Through late August and September, Ascona presents its Settimane Musicali (“Music Weeks”), a series of prestigious classical concerts staged around the region.

Lugano festivals

Lugano's music scene is dominated by LuganoMusica's classical concerts from October to June, and the star-studded free concerts of Estival Jazz in July.

The Ceresio Estate classical music season runs throughout July and August, flanking two big fireworks displays over the lake.

Come late August, the Blues to Bop Festival showcases international blues, jazz, rock and gospel artists.

Live music is a feature of many Lugano festivals © 13_Phunkod/Shutterstock

Lago Maggiore Express pass

For its simplicity, diversity and superb scenery, the great-value Lago Maggiore Express ticket is worth investigating.

It comprises three sectors, all of them great journeys in their own right — a long boat trip on Maggiore, the stunning Centovalli railway between Locarno and Domodossola, and a fast train on the historic Simplon line between Domodossola and Stresa.

The whole thing could take as little as eight hours, or you could dawdle over it for a couple of days, breaking your journey anywhere on the route.

It can be done any time from mid-March to mid-September, but not on Wednesdays when a different timetable takes account of the weekly market in the Italian lakeside town of Luino.

Note this is not a tour — you're on your own, using the public transport described on the downloaded schedule. Remember to carry your passport, as the route crosses into Italy.

Travelling further afield? Consider buying a Swiss Travel Pass to save cash.

If you feel inspired by this Ticino travel guide, The Rough Guide to Switzerland  and our run-down of  things not to miss in Switzerland  will help you plan — think of them as your personal travel guide to Switzerland.

Not a fan of planning? Book a hassle-free tailor-made trip to Switzerland, with customisable itineraries curated by local experts covering everything from  unforgettable highlights of Switzerland , to  touring the Grand Circle .

We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.

Related articles from the blog

Discover more places in Switzerland

• Travel Guide Morocco
• Travel Guide Namibia
• Travel Guide South Africa
• Travel Guide China
• Travel Guide India
• Travel Guide Indonesia
• Travel Guide Japan
• Travel Guide Laos
• Travel Guide Malaysia
• Travel Guide Myanmar (Burma)
• Travel Guide Nepal
• Travel Guide Philippines
• Travel Guide Singapore
• Travel Guide South Korea
• Travel Guide Sri Lanka
• Travel Guide Taiwan
• Travel Guide Thailand
• Travel Guide Australia
• Travel Guide Fiji
• Travel Guide New Zealand
• Travel Guide Belize
• Costa Rica Travel Guide
• Travel Guide Cuba
• Travel Guide Guatemala
• Travel Guide Honduras
• Travel Guide Jamaica
• Travel Guide Nicaragua
• Travel Guide Panama
• Travel Guide Puerto Rico
• Travel Guide Trinidad and Tobago
• Travel Guide Albania
• Travel Guide Austria
• Travel Guide Belgium
• Travel Guide Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Travel Guide Bulgaria
• Travel Guide Cyprus
• Travel Guide Czechia (Czech Republic)
• Travel Guide Denmark
• Travel Guide England
• Travel Guide Estonia
• Travel Guide Finland
• Travel Guide France
• Travel Guide Germany
• Travel Guide Greece
• Travel Guide Hungary
• Iceland Travel Guide

The Rough Guides to Switzerland and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Find even more inspiration here

Planning your own trip prepare for your trip.

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

• Where to Stay
• Festivals & Events
• Boats & Sailing
• Walking Hiking Trekking
• Train Journeys
• Thrill-Seeking
• Inspiration
• See & Do
• Where to stay
• Travel Tips

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 11.08.2022

Ready to travel and discover Switzerland?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Travel advice

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Together In Switzerland

All Things Swiss

Our Ultimate Ticino Guide: Written By Two Locals Who Love Exploring!

Zoe | Ticino

Welcome to our fully-loaded, high content Ticino Guide ! Ticino is a stunningly beautiful region located in the south of Switzerland, bordering Italy. It is known for its picturesque landscapes, crystal clear lakes, and charming towns and villages.

We’ve written this Ticino guide for you, answering top question about Ticino as well as listing local things to see, do and explore with each season in Ticino: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. This includes local Swiss hiking, must-see hidden gems, Ticino festivals, charming stone-housed villages, mountain peak views and more. The canton is also home to a number of cultural attractions, including art museums, castles, and churches, as well as a rich culinary scene too.

Whether you are a first-time visitor to Ticino or a seasoned traveler, our Ticino Guide has something for everyone. So come and discover the beauty and charm of Ticino with us!

*This guide is written fully by us, with our own personal views, experiences and recommendations for each season in Ticino Switzerland.

Top Answered Questions About Ticino

Is ticino in italy or switzerland.

Ticino is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland , and so it’s officially in Switzerland, however with a very strong Italian vibe! When checking the geography of Ticino, you can see that the Northern part of Lake Maggiore and many surrounding Southern mountains are half Swiss half Italian.

What language is spoken in Ticino?

Ticino might be based in Switzerland, but the main language spoken is Italian! Ciao!

If you do not speak Italian however, you can get around with some basic English or German in many places like supermarkets, restaurants and shops. Of course knowing the basics is always fun to speak and practice while visiting. It is much nicer to know a bit of Italian so we suggest to learn at least the following words:

Here are ten basic Italian words with their translations: Ciao – Hello Si – Yes No – No Per favore – Please Grazie – Thank you Scusi – Excuse me Buongiorno – Good morning Buonasera – Good evening Buonanotte – Good night Arrivederci – Goodbye

If you speak a little bit of these Italian words, this will be nice, helpful and appreciated by the locals! 

P.S: We also have a list of Fun Italian words that don’t exist in English . Did you know there we’re so many!?

Currency In Ticino

The local currency used in Ticino is CHF = Swiss Francs

The cash notes are very colourful that makes you not want to spend them. However you can also use EUR in quite a few local locations, since Ticino is located so closely to the Italian border. For example we paid for parking with our car when taking the train to Monte Generoso with euros.

Additionally, card payments is widely accepted in shops, restaurants and touristic activities. However some smaller attractions or really local things (like selected parking) it is best to have cash. 

What is Ticino known for?

To name a few, Ticino is known for:

Sunshine, palm trees, beautiful lakes, swans, stunning hiking routes , delicious pastas, funiculars, hidden waterfalls , crystal clear waters, tasty aperitif, dog friendly, flowery parks, ice cream and everything else linked to the dolce vita !

Weather In Ticino

Ticino gets over 2300 of sunshine exposure in total per year. Thats pretty special for a Swiss location!

Based on the geography, the Alps protects the canton of Ticino from the colder Northern European weather. So you can experience warm and moist summers, and also milder winters.

What Is The Capital City?

The city of Bellinzona is the capital of the Ticino canton.

Bellinzona is home to around 45,000 residents. The city is surrounded by the Lepontine Alps to the east and west, and the Lugano Prealps to the south. It is also stunning location with 3 UNESCO castles all within walking distance from the main train station. 

More information on Bellinzona can be specifically found here .

Is Ticino worth visiting?

There is only one answer: Si / Yes!

Get inspired with all seasonal activities and things to do shared below with our ultimate Ticino Guide! As there are many thing to do all year round. So every season has something special.

Tip : Here are also 13 reasons to visit Lugano specifically too!

How do you get to Ticino Switzerland?

So it all depends on how you would like to visit Ticino and with what mode of transportation, so we will highlight the easiest ways to get to Ticino Switzerland.

If you are already in Switzerland, you can travel from another canton to Ticino fairly easy when it comes to using public transportation. Else also the same from if you are already in Northern Italy. There are trains running from Zurich or Milan multiple times a day straight to the heart of Ticino.

For example, From Zurich or Milan to Lugano:

From Zurich

• There is a direct train which takes 1 hour 53 minutes with the local SBB train to Lugano. On most days it is departing every hour.
• There is a direct train which takes 1 hour 15 minutes from Milan to Lugano on the local RE80 SBB train. Or you can also get tickets on the EC high speed rail instead.

Seasonal Things To Do In Ticino – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter

Spring in ticino.

Here is our list of recommended activities and things to do in Ticino during Spring as part of our Ticino Guide.

Local Village Explorations

We find that Spring time is the best time to visit some smaller villages in Ticino . These are always very pretty with all the plants and flowers opening their petals to the fresh sun and warm temperatures. Spring season is also not as busy as Summer, so you are able to enjoy village life with locals and take your time exploring.

A few village suggestions (that we have been to ourselves) include:

Gandria – For explorations in a car-free village, Gandria is your place to visit. It is only a short bus ride North East from Lugano, else you can walk there in 1 hour along the Olive Path. Alternatively you can also enjoy a ride with the local boat from Lugano directly! There are a few local restaurants here with balconies hanging over the water, which all provide great service, food and a stunning view of the boats.

Morcote – An award winning prettiest village that you can arrive by boat or bus, located South of Lugano. You can climb the stairs to the top and enjoy the surrounding views, before heading back down and enjoying a drink in one of the lakeside restaurants.

Melide – Home to the Swiss Miniatur Museum , the village of Melide is also perfect for those wanting to enjoy a walk along the lakeside and swim from the designated area. There’s lots of parking, as well as easy to reach from Lugano with a short 7 min train ride.

Brè at 798m elevation, the village of Brè is a lovely place to explore with some amazing views of the lake. The village has only around 300 inhabitants, but also with plenty of kitties to greet. It’s lovely to combine with a funicular trip to the top of Monte Brè !

Sonogno – A charming, cobblestone and stone-housed village at the very end of the Verzasca Valley . There are a few little restaurants, a grotto, some locals selling products and a Cascata La Froda huge waterfall 10 minutes from the village. It’s beautiful to visit all year round, but Spring being exceptionally special with all the flowers, insects and the large amount of water coming through the fall. In the same valley you could visit Ticino’s smallest village of only 9 residents!

Bissone – A small historical fishing village is on the lake front where the trains and highway passes over towards the village of Melide. You can walk around the lake front and stop at the local restaurant while soaking in some sunshine.

Ascona – One of the prettiest lakeside villages (in my opinion) to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat while watching the boats on Lake Maggiore. There are also some lovely boutique stores in Ascona for shopping. Else to take a hike up to one of the viewpoints above the village!

Foroglio – Much further from the others mentioned here, its a hidden gem in the valley North West from Locarno. You can get there easiest by car, or with a 1 hour bus ride from Locarno. The village has one grotto restaurant serving typical Swiss food – perfect after exploring!

Visit the Swiss Miniatur Museum in Melide, featuring miniature models of Swiss landmarks

Perfect for those wanting to see a lot of Switzerland in a short amount of time, the Swiss Miniatur Museum features miniaturised versions of the country’s landmarks. The park has lots of items moving, such as the trains and boats, making it great to watch how it all is. It’s suitable for families, but also great for adults too.

Enjoy all the Switzerland models and park area first before stopping at their cafe for a drink or ice cream.

If still not convinced, read our personal experience for full inspiration on visiting this park!

Visit the Botanical Garden On The Brissago Island

Close to Ascona , the Brissago Islands are a short 15 minute boat trip away. The main island is visitable with a stunning botanical garden and restaurant. You can stroll around and discover up to 1500 plant species here. The bamboo forest is most stunning to walk through and they even have a swing on the beach area to enjoy the view!

We recommend visiting first thing in the morning, and staying for a few hours with an early lunch. During summer touristic season it can get very busy with lunch and afternoon visiting times.

Info : Tickets cost 10 CHF per adult or discounted if you are in possession of the Ticino Ticket. The islands are open for visitors usually between April and November, but for 2023 the dates it will open are from 29th March to 5th November.

Enjoy a picnic at Parco Ciani

Lugano is home to many green, well kept spaces for the public to enjoy. The main one located on the lakeside front of Lugano is Parco Ciani . You can sit on one of the many bright red benches throughout the park, up to the beach area at the very end.

A picnic here is great as you can also sit on the grass or beach directly. So bring a blanket, some snacks and your book for relaxing afterwards. Springtime is already perfect for this with temperatures reaching above 15°c.

Are you wondering Is Lugano Worth Visiting for you? Read on here !

The Locarno Parco delle Camelie

With over camellia flowers, the Locarno Camellia Park is really the Ticino place to be during Spring time . From mid March the park is perfect for visiting, with many camellias already in bloom from the warm Ticino sunshine.

The park recently received the International Camellia Society Gardens of Excellence designation and is part of the Gardens of Switzerland network, which brings together the most beautiful gardens of Switzerland.

Info : Opening times are from 1st March to 30 September, daily from 09:00 – 18:00. For the cost, this was last advertised at 10 CHF per adult.

Parco del Tassino

This beautiful park just a short walk from Lugano train station offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle, with stunning views to enjoy. Also known in English as the Tassino Park, it’s a great place for those also with dogs who want to let them out for a run and play.

For those who love to be surrounded by roses, magnolia trees and an English-style garden, Tassimo Park is the place to be. There are also rare varieties of blue, red and white Chinese wisteria as well as sweet gum trees, honey locusts trees and chestnut trees.

We discovered Parco del Tassino during Winter, which is visitable all year round. But Spring time would be best to enjoy all the flowers during this time!

Easter Weekend Markets

While in Ticino, Easter weekend is a lot of fun in the larger locations. You can expect some fun Easter markets, with great food and events for all ages. Lugano specifically has a large market area throughout the city. Kids can play the local games while adults shop local for treats.

You will spot a lot of bunnies, chocolate eggs and usually warm sunshine!!

TIP: If you want to watch the sunset in Lugano during Easter weekend, check our best locations for this !

Lugano Blossom Trees

When visiting at the exact Spring moment for cherry blossom trees, head to Via Beltramina near the ‘Polizia Comunale Città di Lugano’. If you walk around the courtyard of the building you will find more than 20 picturesque cherry blossom trees!

Want to know more information, check our Spring Gardens post .

Tip : Follow local instagram tags like #lugano to see when the trees are blooming in Spring best, as every Spring the dates are different and they don’t last long. For 2023, they were already blooming from March 16th!

TIP : If you are visiting during Spring specifically, our Spring in Lugano post has more local tips and inspiration!

Gambarogno Botanical Park

Get lost for a few hours at the beautiful Gambarogno Botanical Park . The botanical garden has numerous variety of camellias and magnolias. There is ample parking, but once you’ve found a spot, we believe its worth it.

At the gardens you will first see the building and store where you can buy local plants and gifts. Then at the entrance further down from the parking you will enter the botanical garden.

In the park you can walk through each pathway and down to the river, where you also have an amazing view towards Ascona and Locarno with the mountains!

Address: Gambarogno Botanical Park, 6575 Vairano

Rainy city walk and museum visit

Since this section is about Ticino during Spring time, it would not be complete with a rainy walk in the city and a visit to a local museum. Ticino has many museums throughout the canton with some of the top ones visited in Spring include:

• Museo Cantonale d’Arte: located in Lugano, this museum features a collection of modern and contemporary art.
• Museo delle Culture: located in Lugano, this museum is dedicated to exploring the diversity of cultures around the world.
• Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana: located in Lugano, this museum showcases a collection of Swiss and international art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Museo Vincenzo Vela: located in Ligornetto, this museum is dedicated to the works of the sculptor Vincenzo Vela.
• Museo Comunale d’Arte Moderna: located in Ascona , this museum features a collection of modern and contemporary art.
• Museo d’Arte Sacra: located in Ponte Capriasca, this museum showcases a collection of sacred art.
• Museo Civico Villa dei Cedri: located in Bellinzona , this museum is housed in a historic villa and features a collection of art and artifacts from the region.
• Museo di Storia Naturale: located in Lugano, this museum features exhibits on natural history and the environment.
• Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale: located in Lugano, this museum is dedicated to the natural history of Ticino and its surroundings.
• Museo delle Arti e delle Tradizioni Popolari: located in Minusio, this museum features exhibits on the folk art and traditions of Ticino.

We also have a detailed post about things to do in Lugano specifically in the rain !

Gardens Of Villa Heleneum

Officially located in the Castagnola district of Lugano, the Villa Heleneum and park area was built and designed in the Liberty style in 1931. The gardens here have a rich Mediterranean vegetation, with the most stunning, fresh smelling plants. Famously beautiful camellias, known to the canton, can be spotted here in rich pinks and reds.

We loved our visit there as they have also the prettiest purple wisteria flowers here during Spring. They last only about 2 weeks so you have to time it perfectly!

It is one of many  Spring Parks in Lugano  worth visiting that we have personally experienced too.

Visit the historic Castelgrande in Bellinzona, a UNESCO World Heritage site

While you can visit Bellinzona as the capital of the canton, the highlight are the 3 beautiful castles all located in the area. These 3 historical castles are equally unique, but all served an important role in history. Since the year 2000, they combine the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Castelgrande is the main castle that you can find right in the city centre of Bellinzona. There is a sloping walkway to the top, else to grab the lift from Bellinzona Piazza. You can enter the castle grounds for free, which allows you to see the beautiful walls and city from above.

The Sasso Corbaro castle is located the highest of the three, it is not within the city walls. Here you can enjoy the temporary exhibits on show here, and to learn more about how the tower was once a prison!

Lastly there is the Montebello castle, which is the only one of the three castles that has deep moats surrounding the walls. It is also very easy to spot the different years of construction to the castle, such as the 13th century walls to the 17th century buildings. Montebello also has a little chapel, which is one of the few buildings that was erected within the castles. You can also visit the Archaeological and Civic Museum here.

For full in depth information on Bellinzona, our Ultimate Guide To Bellinzona shares more!

Summer In Ticino

Here is our list of activities and things to do in Ticino during Summer as part of our Ticino Guide.

Join A Summer Festivals

There are many local festivals during Summer in Ticino, with some of the bigger ones to attend include;

• Locarno Film Festival
• Ascona Jazz Festival
• Vintage car shows in Lugano and Locarno
• Summer Jamboree on the Lake (American music and culture of the 40s and 50s)

For all information on these plus more events, check the Lugano Events Calendar .

Rent A Paddle Boat In Locarno

If you want to be enjoying Lake Maggiore directly from the water, stop at one of the local boat and paddle rentals. You can rent small boats, paddle boards, and paddle boats on an hourly basis. This is perfect if you want to be on the water in the Summer sunshine.

Our personal favourite is to rent a little paddle boat (with chairs for sunbathing) from Tinoleggiobarche just a short walk along the lake promenade of Locarno.

Lugano with Lake Lugano also has these pedalo boats for rentals too, check more here !

Swimming and water activities

Ticino is the perfect place for swimming in the lake or at a local pool and spa during Summer. This is due to the warm lake waters that’s been heated up with the summer sunshine. So pack a picnic, take your book and your towel for a day at the beach or water’s edge.

We have personally swam in the waters of Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, which reach temperatures of 22 °C in July and August!

Ticino Waterfalls

There are many popular but also hidden waterfalls throughout Ticino . There are a few we visited in the Summer last year that we will definitely head back to next Summer. These include:

• Foroglio Waterfall and village
• Ponte Brolla  waterfall and beach area
• Cascata del Salto 60 meter waterfall
• Cascata La Froda 70 meter waterfall
• Cascata La Botto 68 meter waterfall
• Cascata Di Val Moett waterfall

Ticino Guide Tip: Take some snacks, a drink and a blanket or towel with you for staying refreshed and relaxed after being in the water. Always take your trash with you afterwards too.

Enjoy A Swiss Apero

What better way to enjoy Summer than to stay out late, enjoy the warm weather with friends and with some drinks and snacks. An aperitivo is always an enjoyable idea! Many restaurants in Ticino provide this from 4:30pm onwards as a pre-dinner. It usually includes some cheese, cold meats, vegetables, nuts, olives and breads. But many restaurants put a twist on it too with their own special choices.

For those looking for a bite to eat with nibbles and a nice drink before dinner, check our suggestions here: Swiss Apero: A Social Tradition for Any Occasion

Ticino Summer Hiking

There are hundreds of hiking routes, for all levels, within Ticino. For the Summer season, we’re personally big fans of getting up into the mountains and spending all day there. We can recommended quite a lot, but here are our 9 most recommended Summer Hikes in Ticino !

Take A Larger Boat Ride

Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore are the perfect places for a boat ride during Summer . With both boats you can also choose to visit the picturesque towns around the lake. For example, you can get a day ticket and hop on and off at each village.

It’s an easy and fun option in our Ticino Guide for all ages!

Check here for the our Lugano Lake Boat post !

A popular location to start at is at Lugano Paradiso on Lake Lugano. From here you can enjoy a short journey to the village of Gandria or all the way south to Morcote . Alternatively if starting in Locarno or Ascona with Lake Maggiore, you can also visit many Italian villages south of the lake.

Sleep In A Private Mountain Cabin

With stunning Swiss landscape views, a delicious meal and a private special hut all for yourself, we can recommend a night in the mountains at Capanna Monte Bar. This is situated near the peak of Monte Bar in the Ticino canton, where you can hike and bike at with an elevation of 1600+ meters.

The capanna is one of many great mountain huts you can stay at across Switzerland as part of the Swiss Alpine Club SAC, with room different room choices, a place to relax and to enjoy refreshments at. You don’t have to stay the night, but Capanna Monte Bar is a great choice in Ticino to experience a night under the stars.

Watch The Sunset from Parco San Michele

For those longer Summer evenings, what better way to enjoy it than from a park with a view. The Parco San Michele is located just above the lake with an easy bus or short walk up. There are a few typical red Ticino benches and the view is amazing. You can see down to the city, as well as towards Monte San Salvatore and surrounding villages of Bissone and Melide.

It’s one of the greatest place to watch the sunset in Lugano – check here for more locations too!

Visit Monte San Salvatore

Located next to the sweet Swiss city of Lugano is the mountain of Monte San Salvatore . With a bright red funicular ride to the top, you can see the stunning views and the delightful highlights of Monte San Salvatore.

The main highlight of the mountain is of course the gorgeous 360° views of Lake Lugano and looking down to the smaller villages surrounding the lake, a great place to eat and a few local hikes that can be started from the top.

Autumn In Ticino

Here is our list of activities and things to do in Ticino during Autumn as part of our Ticino Guide.

Hike A Local Mountain

There are many local mountains still enjoyable to hike during the Autumn season. As long as you dress appropriately, we can personally suggest the following when the weather is suitable:

• Monte Generoso
• Monte San Salvatore
• Monte Tamaro
• Monte Boglia
• Monte San Giorgio
• Monte Gambarogno
• Piora Valley (with 3 stunning lakes!)

Ticino Guide Tip: Take some snacks, a drink and suitable clothing with you.

Autumn Centovalli Railway Scenic Train Ride

If you are looking for an easy travel route between Ticino, Switzerland and  Northern Italy , or want to enjoy a scenic Autumn train ride for a day trip, the Centovalli Railway is a journey you should check out. The distinctive white and blue trains run daily and suitable for everyone wanting to travel along the pretty scenic route via Locarno and Domodossola.

Ticino Guide Tip: Book tickets in advance, as it can sell out for popular weekends.

Visit the Lugano Autumn Festival

During Autumn, many locations have events and celebrations for the Autumn season. We didn’t experience all festivities yet, but we did visit the Lugano Autumn Festival which was really local and lovely. It’s an easy option in our Ticino Guide for all ages in the city centre.

This Autumn Festival in Lugano (Festa d’autunno) is one of the city’s free highlights for October, with gorgeous oranges, yellows and brown trees surrounding the city.

As well as the events and live music, the Autumn Festival you can buy local cuisine, Swiss gifts, vintage items and join a game or two!

Explore The Breggia Gorge Park

In Autumn, take a stroll through the Breggia Gorge Park. This gorge area is an industrial location along the river, but dates back with 200 million years of geological history.

You can follow an official geography route, through the colourful clay, limestones and colourful mineral rocks. Alternative you can choose a more historical route to explore, crossing an iron bridge and discovering the historical industrial buildings. Check  the map  for the walking Breggia routes!

Visit Ticino’s Smallest Village (only 9 inhabitants!)

With quaint little granite houses, a local historical church and plenty of surrounding nature, the village of Corippo is the smallest village in Ticino you can visit. It’s picture perfect all year round, and an ideal pitstop while on a local hike in the Verzasca valley.

The village is also perfect for those looking for some peace and quiet, a place to relax, for a village experience in the mountains and for those who love hiking! You can even sleep here for a night at one of the local places, which can also be quite romantic for couples!

Enjoy a local Sunday brunch

There are many restaurants that offer a delicious brunch menu, some every day and others only on Sundays. Check our Brunch recommendations to see our personal choices in Lugano. It’s a great idea for a rainy day as well as if you’re starting the day later than usual, such as on a lazy weekend.

Many offer some delicious choices, including the usual eggs, pancakes, avocado or salmon toasts, Turkish yoghurts and more!

Hike To Curzutt and The Ponte Tibetano Carasc Bridge

You can first take the Monte Carasso – Mornera cable car to the village, which gets you to Curzutt for the start of the hike. You can explore first the little stone-housed village, which is very picturesque!

From Curzutt, you then follow the signs to the Tibetano Carasc bridge . This route passes by some little waterfalls, which during Autumn can be overflowing. So this hike is suitable for when it’s safe enough and you don’t want wet feet! We did this hike after a day of rain, so actually we got a bit wet, but with the sunshine we were dry in no time!

The suspended bridge is 130m above the ground and 270m long! Our visit was a little windy, but it felt very strong and safe. Though it’s definitely not recommended for those with a fear of heights!

Stay Off Grid In A Tiny Home

For a cosy night stay in a tiny home, off grid and right in the middle of nature – book a night at Momo Bellavista . It is located in Mendrisio, south of the city of Lugano. This hidden, wooden home located not far from the peak of Monte Generoso is perfect for star gazing, relaxing with a book and enjoying nature.

We loved our stay at this tiny home, where we relaxed during the day and slept under the starts at night. We combined our stay with a dinner at the local restaurant, but you can also enjoy a BBQ at the designated area.

Visit Monte Bré

Located not far from Lugano city centre , you can take the funicular or local bus to the top to visit Monte Brè . There are some amazing views looking down to Lugano and the lake. From Spring onwards to Winter you can also enjoy food and drink at the local restaurant Vetta Monte Brè . It’s an easy option in our Ticino Guide for all ages

Else to consider Grotto Castagneto or Osteria for more delicious food options in the village of Brè.

Drive The Valle Maggia Valley

Following the valley from Locarno and Ascona, the ValleMaggia District is truly beautiful all year round, especially in Autumn. We personally enjoyed a drive early Autumn here and ended up all the way at Lago del Narèt ! It’s a reservoir at the very end used for hydropower. The elevation you reach here is 2310m!

The whole valley has local grotto’s and places to stop at for hiking and exploring. We stopped along the way at Osteria Grotto Alzasca (highly recommended for their lasagne!) and then also at Grotto Pozzasc right by the water.

When you reach the end of the valley, you wont be disappointed. The lakes (like Lago di Sassilo photoed below) and mountainous scenery is stunning in Autumn. You can leave your car and complete a long hike or to simply admire the beauty with short pitstops!

Take Photos At Foroglio

For one of the most special places in Ticino during Autumn, Foroglio is the place to visit. There you can explore the village and waterfall , with a few hiking options around as well to see the village from different angles. This location is at the end of the Vallemaggia District which is enchanting to visit during Autumn.

From what we see on social media, Foroglio is a popular place for those with a drone, but we went on a weekend in November during Autumn, and it was super empty with hardly anyone around. We met a local black cat from a house there, but the rest of the residents had already left due to the upcoming Winter season.

Winter In Ticino

Here is our list of activities and things to do in Ticino during Winter as part of our Ticino Guide.

Taste Local Ticino Specialties

There are lots of traditional specialties to eat and drink in Ticino, with some of them more popular in Winter such as fondue. Here are 5 Ticino specialties to try in a local restaurant:

• Polenta: This is a traditional dish made from cornmeal that is popular in Ticino and throughout Italy. It is often served as a side dish or used as a base for other dishes, such as stews or grilled meats.
• Rösti: This is a Swiss dish made from grated potatoes that are fried until they are crispy and golden brown. It is an easy breakfast food in Ticino and is often served with eggs, bacon, and other toppings.
• Fondue: Fondue is a classic Swiss dish that is made by melting cheese in a pot and dipping bread or other foods into it. It is a popular winter food in Switzerland, with many local restaurants in Ticino serving this during Winter.
• Bündnerfleisch: Bündnerfleisch is a type of air-dried meat that is made from beef or pork. It is a specialty of Ticino and is often served as an appetizer or snack. You can usually find this also sold at the local Bellinzona market!
• Merlot: Merlot is a type of common red wine that is made from the grape of the same name. It is a popular wine in Ticino and is often served with local dishes such as polenta and fondue.

For more Swiss related food and drink, become familiar on our foodie post sharing more information on these.

For Lugano specifically, check our personal dinner restaurant recommendations as well as our best pizzeria guide !

Ticino Guide Tip: If you want to try many of these cheaply, consider cooking them yourself! You can buy many items in the local supermarkets such as Aldi, Lidl, Coop and Migros.

Visit A Christmas Market

Ticino is home to many local Christmas markets during the December period in Winter. The largest of the markets include Bellinzona , Lugano and Locarno. But you can also find lots of mini markets and celebrations in local villages and smaller areas throughout Ticino.

For Lugano, it’s always beautiful to visit, with live music, cosy restaurants and local things to eat and buy. There is often live music being played in the main square, with the tree as the backdrop. It’s the ideal spot to sit at a local restaurant for a warm drink and to enjoy the cosyness of Lugano together with others.

Tip: If you wish to visit Bellinzona’s Christmas Market, make sure to plan this as it’s only held on the two Sundays before Christmas – see here for exact dates!

Enjoy A Spa Day At Termali Salini & Spa

A well deserved spa day at Termali Salini & Spa is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a massage treatment and rest in the thermal heated pools. We visited the local Locarno spa during the winter with a local package that included also a private jacuzzi with prosecco and aperitif. Well recommended for a winter visit, but they are open all year round!

TIP: For more things to do in Locarno, check our post: Things To Do In Locarno: Recommended By Locals!

A Spa Night At Kurhaus Cademario

For Winter, we decided to spend a romantic night away at the Kurhaus Cademario Hotel and Spa.

The hotel is based in the Ticino canton of Switzerland, you can already expect to have a lot of sunshine being the sunniest canton of Switzerland. The hotel is located in an approximately 3 hectare park with 82 rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, conference and banquet rooms as well as various terraces with panoramic views and the 2,200 m² DOT. Spa.

Read our review: One Night At Kurhaus Cademario In Lugano: Hot Tub, Prosecco And Ultimate Relaxation!

Discover The Local Chocolate Factory

Located in the Caslano neighborhood of Lugano is a chocolate museum and factory called Chocolat Alprose . This museum is great for all ages, with it starting at the beginning of the museum where you get a sample of ‘fresh’ chocolate from the small chocolate fountain. You can see how the chocolate is made here, which is rather fascinating. After the museum (or tour if you take it), you end up in the final chocolate shop where you get to taste more of the chocolate before you can buy it.

Winter Sports At San Bernardino

A wonderful skiing and snowboarding location in Ticino is to visit the brand new San Bernardino Resort , located at the San Bernardino village in the very North of the canton. Opened in December 2023, the resort has already a gondola, ski lift and the Capanna Confin restaurant open for enjoyment.

The Capanna Confin restaurant has some great choices, so even if you don’t ski or snowboard, you can visit with the gondola for a nice lunch in the mountains.

Enjoy Stargazing In The Mountains

Switzerland is a great place to see the night sky on a clear night. There are plenty of locations you can be at to enjoy stargazing in Ticino based on the low light pollution. If you are lucky, you will see a few shooting stars while watching. Make a wish to stay in Ticino longer for more Winter fun!

Get Romantic for Valentines Day

Since Valentines Day is in February during Winter, you could consider enjoying a local treat with your loved one at a local restaurant, trying a new activity like a cooking workshop or a visit to the local spa mentioned above. It all of course depends on what you and your loved one enjoys doing and if you celebrate Valentines together !

P.S You can also learn these Romantic Italian Love Phrases while in Ticino!

Rummage In 2nd Hand Vintage Stores

If you are looking for a day of shopping in thrift stores in our Ticino Guide, or as also known as a second hand stores in Ticino, we’ve got a great list for you!

This post shares the top 12 stores in the Ticino canton of Switzerland, where you can shop for something cheap, something vintage, something antique and something fun. Enjoy!

Stay warm with a cinema trip

An easy place to get away from the cold wintery weather is to visit the cinema. The CineStar cinema in Lugano has most films in Italian, but some of the top movies are also shown in English with Italian subtitles too. Make sure to check first online, where you can also buy the tickets, or by calling to see what films are in English for your visit.

Enjoy the Winter fireworks in Ascona!

To celebrate the new year, Ascona has a tradition of letting off the most beautiful fireworks on the 1st January every year. This is great for all ages, since it’s so dark that the firework show is usually around 6.30pm.

It can get extremely busy, so make sure to arrive early. We suggest to visit for the day, as there is also lots to do in Ascona during winter ! The city is lit up during Winter too, with each house framed like a Christmas present!

Hike In The Snow!

Ticino, despite being the sunniest canton in Switzerland, does experience snow every year. This can vary from October onwards to as late as April. Snow usually stays on the higher elevation locations, such as from Monte Bré and above. This is around 925meters and higher.

For most chances of Snow in Ticino, it is best to keep your eyes watching the local webcams in the very North of Ticino – at the Blenio Valley . This area from the Lukmanier pass often has snow, nice snowshoe hiking routes and even skiing possibilities from late November onwards.

When you have the chance to hike in the snow, please take correct precautions with the correct insulated clothing, shoes and equipment. For specific locations you can also rent snow equipment from places such as from the Decathlon and other sport shops.

P.s there is also a skiing area in Winter in Ticino at Bosco Gurin – at the very end of the Vallemaggia District . We’ve not been yet, but maybe this winter we will!

Any questions or new suggestions we should add? Let us know in the comments!

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

• Brunch In Lugano: 9 Recommendations From Locals
• Rent A Vintage Fiat 500 In Como
• Exploring the Scenic Shores of Lac Leman, Switzerland
• The Best Scenic Viewpoints In Switzerland
• Ticino Ticket Guide: Discounts & Free Travel!

© Together In Switzerland, 2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Zoe and Togetherinswitzerland.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Discounts and promotions

Ticino Ticket: one ticket, endless emotions

You save time and appreciate even more every minute of your holiday. From the Saint-Gotthard Massif to the soft hills of the Mendrisiotto region. From the furthest valleys to the vibrant cities flanking the lakes. With Ticino Ticket you are free to travel and visit every corner of the southernmost Canton of Switzerland. Staying overnight in a hotel, hostel or campsite you have the possibility to use for free public transport and to get discounts on mountain railways, boat trips on the Swiss part of the lakes and on the main tourist attractions of Ticino.

More Information

• FAQs & Terms of Conditions
• ticino.ch/ticket

Holiday Card

The region of Lugano offers all kind of activities suitable for all tastes. With the Holiday Card you can benefit of over various discounts throughout your stay.

Go to the discount page

Explore the city and enjoy a one-of-a-kind shopping experience with LVGA, Lugano's digital currency. Embrace the local lifestyle: use LVGA for payments in the city and receive up to 10% cashback on every purchase. With over 400 participating businesses, including shops, restaurants, museums and tourist attractions, accumulating LVGA and saving money is a breeze. Download the app and register for free. MyLugano, recognized as the most innovative Smart City solution of 2023, offers a cutting-edge technological experience in the heart of Lugano. Learn more at www.mylugano.ch .

Lugano à la carte

Lugano à la Carte created by the synergy of the five-5star hotels in Lugano. An offer, which gives you the opportunity to choose from the Hospitality and gastronomic excellences of Ticino Region.

• Discover the promotion

• lol Badge Feed
• win Badge Feed
• trending Badge Feed

Browse links

• © 2024 BuzzFeed, Inc
• Consent Preferences
• Accessibility Statement

Jennifer Lopez's Tour Has Some Pretty Bleak Ticket Sales

This follows her latest album debuting at #38 on the charts.

BuzzFeed Staff

Jennifer Lopez appears to have slightly rebranded her tour amid low ticket sales.

The tour follows Jennifer's $20 million self-financed three-part multimedia series, which included a visual musical film and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told . The album, titled This Is Me... Now , failed to garner commercial success, debuting at #38 on the Billboard album charts.

J.Lo first announced her tour in the middle of February, initially touted as the This Is Me... Now tour. A week later, another three shows were added . However, in mid-March, several tour dates were quietly removed without explanation — though Entertainment Weekly reported it was due to a "logistical issue through the promoter."

Yesterday, Variety noted that the tour's name had been changed from This Is Me… Now to This Is Me… Live | The Greatest Hits. The publication cited low ticket sales as a possible reason for emphasizing J.Lo's back catalog.

So, how bad are the ticket sales? Let's look at the Ticketmaster sales for the opening night in Florida, where blue denotes unsold standard seats and purple denotes resold tickets for sale.

It's about on par with Feid, the Colombian singer hitting the same arena two days later.

Let's consider J.Lo's hometown gig, which is Madison Square Garden. Here are ticket sales for Aug. 16:

The next artist to play at the Garden is Tate McRae on Aug. 22, where only resale tickets are available:

Finally, we have the current final night of the tour: Aug. 14 at DC's Capital One Arena.

Fellow Super Bowl performer Usher will be the next arena artist on Aug. 20. He has also sold out all tickets, bar resales.

Well, if you've ever wanted to see J.Lo live...now is a good time.

Update: a source close to jennifer told buzzfeed that the updated name is simply part of the tour's "updates and news along the way, as with any tour." they further said, "this conveys the jennifer lopez live experience in case there was confusion that this tour is an interpretation of the amazon original that she created or singularly with the music from the album.", share this article.

• facebook-rs

Bad Bunny’s ‘Most Wanted Tour’: Here’s Where Fans Can Still Find Last-Minute Tickets Online

• By John Lonsdale

John Lonsdale

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

After releasing his critically acclaimed album, the 80-minute Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana , and pulling double duty as the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live , Bad Bunny embarked on his 47-date tour across America in February.

Dubbed the Most Wanted Tour , Benito’s trek included 47 dates for the first half of the year, with stops including the opener in Salt Lake City, Utah, plus multiple dates at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and Barclays Center in Brooklyn, before wrapping up with a series of concerts in Miami. With tickets still on sale and some sold out, the tour will support the Rolling Stone cover star ‘s new No. 1 full-length project.

Where to Buy Bad Bunny Tickets Online

Though he’s in the final stretch of the Most Wanted Tour , here’s everywhere you can still buy Bad Bunny tickets right now (including the places to look for stubs that’ve sold out) to hear “Monaco,” “Un Preview,” and more in real life.

Find Bad Bunny Tickets on Ticketmaster

Tickets to Bad Bunny ‘s Most Wanted Tour are still on sale on Ticketmaster for select dates, including verified resale tickets. To score tickets, fans will want to be signed into their Ticketmaster account on the website or the Ticketmaster app. From there, you can select the date you want to see and you’ll join the queue to buy tickets.

Find Bad Bunny Tickets on StubHub

If Bad Bunny tickets end up selling out for the Most Wanted Tour stop of your choice, you can search for better seats and deals on resale site StubHub . At the time of this writing, the reseller has available tickets for all of Bad Bunny’s remaining 2024 dates at a range of prices. (Reminder: We recommend price-checking among ticket sites to make sure you’re not paying more than face value.)

Find Bad Bunny Tickets on Vivid Seats

Another reseller that currently has Bad Bunny tickets for sale is Vivid Seats . You can use our exclusive promo code RS202 4 to save an extra $20 on first-time orders of $250 at checkout.

Find Bad Bunny Tickets on SeatGeek

Even though you might know SeatGeek best for scoring sports tickets, it’s also a reliable ticket reseller for concerts. SeatGeek has Bad Bunny tickets for the rest of the 2024 Most Wanted Tour dates, and live music fans can use our promo code ROLLINGSTONE10 to take $10 off first eligible first orders of $200 before checkout. It’s not a huge discount, but it’s enough left to buy a digital download of Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana so you can prep for the upcoming show.

Bad Bunny Most Wanted Tour Dates 2024

With a few weeks to go and final dates in Miami, here’s the complete remaining schedule for Bad Bunny’s Most Wanted Tour in 2024.

March Madness Women's Championship Game Livestream: How to Watch Iowa vs. South Carolina Online

• Streaming Guide

How to Watch the 2024 CMT Music Awards Online

How to watch tonight’s uconn vs. alabama final four game without cable.

• March Madness Livestream
• By Oscar Hartzog

How to Watch Tonight’s Purdue vs. NC State Final Four Game Without Cable

The 20 best sites for womenswear: a guide to shopping online.

• Shop Smarter
• By Kyle Lamar Rice and Jasmin Sandal

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

I spent $1,200 on tickets to see Olivia Rodrigo with my daughter. It was worth every penny.

• I wasn't able to get tickets for Olivia Rodrigo 's Guts World Tour at first.
• I didn't want my daughter to miss out on the show, so I bought resale tickets for $1,200.
• We had a great time together and seeing my daughter's joy made the cost worth it. 

When Olivia Rodrigo announced her Guts World Tour in support of her sophomore album, my body tensed.

"Here we go again," I thought. My daughter, 13, loves Rodrigo almost as much as she loves Taylor Swift.

Having tried, and failed, to get tickets through Ticketmaster for Swift's Eras Tour , I swore to do better.

Ultimately, I failed and ended up shelling out over $1,000 for two tickets to the tour. But I don't have any regrets.

I was determined to bring my daughter to the Guts World Tour

When Rodrigo announced the Guts World Tour , I did everything I could to prepare.

I recruited relatives to sign up their email for the Ticketmaster presale lottery so we'd have more chances to buy tickets. I even opened a credit card in hopes of getting access to the American Express presale.

When Rodrigo announced she was releasing $20 tickets in select cities, we once again rallied the troops to sign up for a chance to buy them.

We tried to get tickets to the show in our city, Washington, DC, and anywhere within reasonable driving distance, too.

We walked away defeated. Eventually, I realized Rodrigo would be performing in St. Paul, Minnesota, during our family trip there in March.

Related stories

But resale prices were high — two tickets with an unobstructed view were going to cost over $1,000. I put off making a decision.

The night of Rodrigo's first show, my daughter wondered aloud which songs would be on the setlist and what types of outfits the singer might wear.

My heart grew watching her excitement, and it quickly sank thinking she might miss out on seeing Rodrigio live. I worried ticket prices would climb even higher with the tour starting.

I panicked. Before Rodrigo's set ended, I'd purchased two tickets in the 110 section from resale marketplace TickPick for a whopping $1,200 after fees.

I felt incredibly fortunate that I could do this for my daughter, but still wondered if these tickets were a good use of money.

"It's a bad idea, right?" I told my daughter, quoting one of Rodrigo's songs. She assured me it was the best idea ever.

We had an amazing time, and I don't regret a thing

Once I had tickets, my daughter and I went all in, recapturing some of the magic we had preparing for Swift's Eras Tour .

My daughter carefully chose her outfit, working in several references to Rodrigo's songs, with ribbons in her hair and a homemade shirt. She even made me a matching one, even though we hadn't had matching outfits since she was a toddler.

She made me a friendship bracelet in Rodrigo's signature color, purple. I haven't taken it off yet.

When the concert started, my daughter was beside herself with joy.

As Rodrigo started her performance, my daughter's phone was fixed on the stage, but I was fixated on her. There's nothing better than watching one of my children experience happiness the way she did hearing Rodrigo sing live for the first time.

My daughter sang along to every single song. And, really, the show was incredible.

It was hard to look away as Rodrigo floated above the audience on a moon surrounded by stars. The 21-year-old singer acted like the rock star she is while also pausing to wave to fans.

I'm looking forward to going to more concerts with my daughter, but hopefully at more reasonable prices.

Watch: The Taylor Swift effect: How a pop star created her own economy

• Main content