The canton of Ticino is Switzerland’s only Italian-speaking area. It’s conveniently accessible from all the major Swiss cities and also from Milan, Italy making it a popular place to tour and vacation. Once there, you’ll find a Mediterranean feel, with beaches, palm trees, and a mild, pleasant climate. However, it’s still very close to the Alps (which hover in the north), making it an alpine wonderland as well.
No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find something to do and see while in this region. It has cities, small towns, and everything in between. To get you started on planning your adventure, here’s our list of the 13 best places to visit in Ticino, Switzerland.
Take The Funicular Up to Cimetta
No trip to Switzerland would be complete without exploring the mountains, and you can easily visit the Cimetta mountain (1700 meters high) from Locarno. Hop on the funicular from the center of Locarno. The first stop will be Orselina, where you’ll find the monastery Sacro Monte Madonna del Sasso, one of the most important historical and religious sites in the canton of Ticino.
At the Sacro Monte Madonna del Sasso, you can stop and tour the museum and also immerse yourself in incredible views of the lake and surrounding mountains. If you wish, you can continue to climb to the top of the rock spur, where the Sanctuary is located. Take some time to view the beautiful architecture and religious art there before continuing your journey up the mountain.
Change from the funicular to the cable car, where you’ll ascend to Cardada Mountain (1400 meters high). Take time to walk around, explore, and stop for a refreshing drink in the chalet. Although the views here are even more impressive than at the last stop, you’re still not done exploring this mountain, and you’ll want to continue to its highest point.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll take the two-seater open cable car and ascend to Cimetta, the highest point. You can also hike up to the top of the mountain if you prefer.
Take some time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you at Cimetta. You’ll likely never see more impressive views, leaving you feeling like you’re genuinely at the earth’s top. Ensure you follow the signs to find the “Swing the World” wooden swing. This fun and unique attraction allows you to sit and swing over the scenery, leaving you feeling like you’re floating through the air.
There are so many other things to enjoy and do up there as well, including hiking, drinking, mountain biking, hiking, and other adventures.
Visit Bellinzona
Don’t pass up the opportunity to stop in Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, Switzerland. This city has three of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland and numerous other things to do during your visit.
The three castles in this city are the Castelgrande, Montebello Castle, and the Castle di Sasso Corbaro. They are all listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and showcase the area’s rich history. The Castelgrande dates back to the 1st century BC, with the current views dating between the 13th and 16th centuries. All of them have a long history and numerous exciting things to explore.
After exploring the castles, take some time to check out the Municipal Palace of Bellinzona, which is the Town Hall. It isn’t quite as old as the castles, as it was constructed between 1921 and 1923. However, it is beautiful and a great example of a Renaissance-style building, showcasing the Swiss Italian patriotic style.
Another main attraction while you’re here, is the San Bernardino pass. It is one of the best high-altitude passes in the Swiss Alps and connects the Mesoclina and Hinterrhein. Note that you can only visit this attraction during the summer months, but if you’re in Bellinzona during that time, you won’t want to miss it.
Finally, since it’s Ticino’s capital city, you’ll find numerous places to eat and drink here and will be able to sample some of the finest cuisines in the country. Enjoy your visit by relaxing and enjoying the numerous restaurants, cafes, and other entertainment venues.
As its name suggests, it truly is a beautiful city.
Explore Lugano
You’ll find Lugano on the northern shore of Lake Lugano. It’s unique for several reasons, among them being that it’s the largest town in Ticino and it also has a car-free town center. It’s also known as one of the country’s important banking and business centers and is a popular tourist destination, especially in the springtime. During that time of year, the camellias are in full bloom and truly beautiful.
You’ll want to take your time exploring this town, and the atmosphere truly allows you to sit back, relax, and take it all in.
Bungee Jump At The Verzasca Dam
Also known as the Contra Dam, this arch dam on the Verzasca River became a popular bungee jumping attraction after it was featured in the opening scene of the 1995 James Bond film, Goldeneye. If you’re a thrill seeker, you’ll want to try it for yourself and get a pure adrenaline rush. Plus, it’s one of the only places you can bungee jump at night if you’re up for a really unique adventure.
If bungee jumping isn’t exactly your idea of fun, you can still view it by walking along the ledge for a less frightening but still adrenaline-rushing experience.
Monte San Giorgio
This transnational mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its amazing fossils. So far, thousands of fossilized fish and other marine and land creatures have been unearthed here. It’s one of the most important fossil sites of the Middle Triassic period.
If you’re wondering why paleontologists would find fish on the top of a mountain, you’re likely not the only one. However, there’s a good reason this area is a hotbed for sea creatures. About 245 million years ago, the site was a very deep ocean basin.
Make sure to take some time to visit the Fossil Museum in Meride while you’re here. You’ll find a fantastic selection of the area’s unearthed fossils and plants and learn about the history of the mountain.
Next, you’ll want to hike up to the top of the mountain to experience the incredible views, especially on a clear day. Several different routes will get you up to the top. The easiest one is from the Church of San Silvestro in Meride.
Allow a few hours of hiking to reach the summit. Along the way, you’ll pass Cassina and the fossil excavation site. At the summit, you’ll find a church and, of course, spectacular views.
You may want to take a different route back down, and one option allows you to access the Geo Paleontological path, which gives you information about the research done at specific sites along the way.
Once you’re back down, stroll through the quaint alleyways of the village. Here you can try some delicious food and wine in one of the charming restaurants. The village is car-free, so you can stroll around at your own pace and enjoy it from every angle.
Museo d’Arte Mendrisio
This art museum, which resides in the location of a former monastery, has numerous exhibits that showcase 20th-century artists, although there are many earlier works there as well. The artwork comes from various significant donations, and many of the pieces are related to local art history.
For example, there is an extensive collection of works by Pietro Chiesa, an influential 20th-century artist from Ticino and Lombardy. You’ll also find the nearly 700 works of religious art dubbed the Trasparenti, which have been carried in the processions that take place during Holy Week since the 18th century.
Swissminiatur
The Swissminiatur is something that will delight all members of the family, both old and young. The park is a miniature version of Switzerland and includes 128 models of famous monuments, castles, and houses. All of the models are as authentic as possible, down to the most minor details. It’s the only miniature park in the country of Switzerland and even includes operating rack railways, cable cars, suspension railways, and ships.
Explore The Brissago Islands
The Brissago Islands is one of Ticino’s most enchanting places. You’ll find them located on Lake Maggiore and easily accessible by boat. The islands have a beautiful mild climate that makes them an ideal place for various exotic flora to thrive, even in the winter.
You’ll mostly want to visit the island of San Pancrazio (Grande Isola), which is the larger one and is known very well for its botanical gardens. These gardens house around 1,700 plant species from all over the world, including all of the subtropical regions of Asia, America, South Africa, and Australia.
Walk the 0.5-kilometer-long nature trail there that not only exposes you to various types of plants but also allows you to obtain information on their origin.
If you’re traveling with children, pick up a treasure map at the tourist counter. It will guide them to look for hidden valuables on the island’s treasure hunt.
You can also choose to take a guided tour that’s included with your admission price and gives you some helpful information about the various plants and the islands’ history. The island also hosts various events, expositions, and conferences.
After exploring the gardens, take some time to enjoy lunch in the Hotel Villa Emden restaurant, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery as you dine.
The smaller island, Isola Piccola, has been left in its natural state and is covered throughout by various vegetation that has been allowed to flourish on its own. There are also the ruins of an ancient church there. Visitors, however, are not allowed as it is used for special education, work programs, and certain other groups.
Monte Bré And Bré Village
Monte Bré, located just outside Lugano, provides an excellent place for a good view of Lake Lugano and the surrounding town.
Arrive at the top by funicular in the summer months or by bus in the winter. You can also hike up the mountain if you’re looking for more of an outdoor adventure.
An interesting fact about Monte Bré is that it’s considered the sunniest mountain in Switzerland, and it’s the only place in Switzerland where you can find the Christmas rose. Typically the rare Christmas rose only grows in Southern Europe.
As an outdoor adventurer, you’ll find numerous opportunities to hike and mountain bike hire, with trails geared towards all levels of expertise. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the nature of this beautiful mountain environment.
When you get to the summit, take some time to enjoy the views and enjoy a refreshment at one of the two restaurants there. You’ll also want to make a stop in the Bré village on your way back down.
The town of Bré has the characteristics of an ancient rural village. It’s also home to numerous works of art. Walk the artistic path, which starts in the square in front of the Church, to admire the artworks of famous national and international artists.
Next, stop to visit the Wilhelm Schmid Museum, which is the house where the artist of the same name once lived. It shows his essential collection of works that demonstrate “Magic Nordic Realism.”
End your visit by enjoying dinner at one of the several town restaurants or the grotto, which has panoramic terraces that provide views of both the surrounding mountains and the beautiful Lake Lugano.
Valle Di Lodano Forest Reserve
The village of Lodano is located just 15 kilometers from Locarno. You’ll find the village here in a broad valley, along with vineyards.
One of the most intriguing areas of this village is the Valle Di Lodano Forest Reserve, and if you love nature, you will want to make a stop here. This large forest reserve is home to fascinating landscapes, history, and numerous flora and fauna.
In fact, the area has a very rich history which shows that alpine settlements have been there since the 13th century. These settlements were in the five alpine pastures and occurred through seasonal migration. From June to September, alpine farmers moved with their livestock to these high mountain pastures.
The area is also known for logging activities and charcoal production. Most charcoal production sites were active during the 19th century and up through WWII, but the oldest dates back to the 14th century. You’ll find remnants of these activities throughout the valley.
Regarding the area’s natural elements, more than 680 animal and plant species live here. This fact made establishing the forest reserve an important matter in order to protect the wildlife that has called this place home for centuries.
The area is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the beech tree forests that occur here and represents the beech tree’s expansion in the Southern Alpine Region after the last Ice Age.
To make the most of your visit to the reserve, choose one of four preset suggested itineraries, which take either one day or two days. If you do the two-day itinerary, you stay overnight at the cabin at Alp da Canada.
You can also hike the marked trails on your own path. All of the trails are in excellent condition and offer very scenic views.
Visit The Hundred Valleys (Centovalli)
Another must-see location for hikers and nature lovers is the Centovalli. Here, you’ll find 141 kilometers of hiking trails that lead to all corners of the “hundred valleys.”
You can also explore the area by railway. The Centovalli railway provides a unique opportunity to explore these remote valleys by train. While on the train, you’ll see many beautiful sights, such as rocky gorges, small villages, and numerous beautiful waterfalls.
You can do the train ride as a day trip, or if you want to travel from southwest Switzerland to southeast Switzerland. You can take the train from Locarno, which runs across 83 bridges, 31 tunnels, and countless waterfalls. The trains move at such a pace that you’ll thoroughly enjoy the beautiful scenery as you pass through while being able to relax at the same time.
If you’re planning to hike in the valleys, you can access the trails from numerous stops along the route. Most villages have hiking trails that you can use to journey into the region’s valleys and mountains. One very popular option starts in Verdasco. You then take a cable car ride to the town of Rasa and hike to Corcapolo or Intragna.
You can hike the Merchant’s Way if you get off the train in Camedo. The hiking path here was an old mule track and was once the only connection between Lucarno and the valley. You can hike this path and end in Corcapolor or Intragna as well.
If you don’t want to hike but still want to stop and explore nature more closely, you can depart the train at Tegna or Ponte Brolla and take a relaxing stroll along the Maggia River.
The entire train ride takes 2 hours and covers 52 kilometers. Of course, if you get off at specific stops to hike, your trip will be extended further.
Maggia Valley
Yet another beautiful valley in this area of Switzerland is the Maggia Valley. This area starts by Lake Maggiore near Ascona and Locarno and makes its way through the Alps. This valley is the largest one in the canton of Ticino and the widest one on the Alps’ south side.
It’s quite popular in the winter months when it offers an array of winter sporting options and is one of the not-to-be-missed winter destinations in Ticino.
Another highlight of this area is the Maggia Gorge. You’ll find it at the start of the valley and it’s made up of incredible rock formations.
Some visitors enjoy taking a bike ride along the river and passing through the quaint villages along the way, such as Gordevio, Mogheno, and Avegno. These small villages are rich with history and art, which make you feel like you’ve stepped back into another time.
If you stay along the river, you’ll also come across some sandy beaches where you can stop and take a quick dip during the summer months. Because of the Mediterranean climate of the area, you’ll also see numerous palm trees growing.
If you’re looking for a fantastic hike, consider the Valle del Salto via Maggia. This circular hike starts in Maggia and runs through the Valle de Salto through the Riale Salto River. You’ll traverse through beautiful forests and over to Presa Lake. You can also admire the Salto waterfall here, which is 61 meters high.
While in Maggia, stop at the Church of the Madonna Delle Grazie, which dates back to the 15th century and boasts beautiful Renaissance frescoes, including ones depicting St. Bernadino.
You can also stop and get a drink in one of the many Grottos in the area that have been converted to restaurants with delicious local dishes and a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Visit The Smallest Town In Switzerland
The tiny town of Corippo is the smallest in all of Switzerland, with just 12 permanent residents. However, it’s also one of the most picturesque towns in Ticino. All of the houses are constructed of Ticino granite, which makes them appear similar and beautiful. It indeed looks like something out of a fairytale.
You’ll find one business here, the local restaurant.
Unfortunately, the town was nearly on the verge of extinction as the years passed, and the population aged and dwindled. Thankfully, it was recently converted into a “scattered hotel,” where visitors can stay in one of the quaint buildings and immerse themselves in the beauty of the area, which remains largely untouched by the rest of civilization. It just might be the getaway you need when you visit the Ticino region and are looking for a place to truly unplug.
