Swiss Cities

Bellinzona (German: Bellenz) is strategically positioned where the valley narrows at the southern entrance to the Alpine passes of St. Gotthard, San Bernardino and Lucomagno and is probably Switzerland's most Italianate town. The skyline of the capital of Ticino, comprising three of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the northern end of Lake Maggiore in the canton of Ticino is Locarno, the city with the mildest climate in Switzerland, enjoying 2300 hours of sunshine every year. Locarno lures the visitors with its southern charm, Mediterranean climate and sub-tropical vegetation. Locarno hosts a well-known International Film Festival.

Lugano – the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino, is not only Switzerland's third most important financial centre and a conference, banking and business centre, but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town. Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular tourist destination in the spring when the camellias are in bloom.