Lugano
Fly here
Mediterranean mildness, palm trees and mountains on the shore of its lake.
From the basket
On the northern shore of its lake, Lugano lies at the foot of two mountains: Monte San Salvatore to the south and Monte Brè to the east. From the balloon the city looks like a theatre stage: the colourful façades lined up along the quays, the palm trees and, in front of them, the water of the lake, framed by wooded slopes.
The climate is mild, softened by the lake, and the vegetation is lush. Snow falls every winter, but it hardly settles. In the Middle Ages the town long depended on the bishops of Como, then on powerful Milan.
Today it is the ninth-largest city in the country by population, and visitors flock to it. Its shopping lanes, squares and churches run down to the water’s edge, from where boats leave for the lakeside villages.
Fly over the quays, then climb towards the summit of Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè to take in the whole lake.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Lugano” (in French).
All around
- Lake Lugano, close by, to the south
- Lake Maggiore, 18 km to the north-west
- Bellinzona, 21 km to the north
To discover around Lugano
Cattedrale S. Lorenzo
A significant building with a Renaissance facade. In the interior you will find numerous frescoes and important Baroque decorations.
EGO Gallery
The EGO Gallery at Via Canonica 9 in Lugano was opened to meet a need: it aspires to provide a platform for young artists while at the same time presenting audiences with the latest developments in contemporary art.
Lugano's Lakefront Promenade
The lakeshore promenade in Lugano with its Mediterranean atmosphere is an inviting place for tourists and locals to enjoy a stroll.
Obelisk Monument
Piazza della Riforma
Piazza della Riforma in Lugano is the vibrant center of the city, surrounded by historic buildings, cafés and restaurants. Cultural events take place here and the square is the ideal starting point for exploring sights such as Lake Lugano and Parco Ciani.
The Madonna degli Angioli church
The church, which was originally part of a Franciscan monastery, is home to Switzerland's most famous Renaissance fresco. It covers the whole wall of the nave. The "Passion and and Crucifixion of Christ" is defined by great expressiveness and vividness of the individual scenes.
Via Nassa
In the heart of the historic city centre, just behind the lakefront promenade, lies Lugano’s principal shopping street.
William Tell
Source: Switzerland Tourism — myswitzerland.com, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.