Holiday destinations in Ticino

Meride is located at the foot of Monte San Giorgio, which is particularly famous for its fossil finds. The village, which follows a winding path along the main street, lies amidst a landscape defined by viticulture.

Just a few kilometres from the well-known Ticino resorts of Locarno and Ascona are the unspoilt romantic valleys known as the Valli di Locarno. The most well-known are the Centovalli, the Onsernone, Maggia and Verzasca valleys.

Giornico is located in the middle of the Leventina region. The village was once an important waypoint for pilgrims and travellers negotiating the historic Gotthard route.

Monte Generoso has so much to offer: a sweeping view of northern Italy and Ticino, the opportunity to discover traces of prehistoric cultures in the Bear Cave, to sense the vast horizons of interstellar space in the astronomical observatory or learn a great deal on various theme hikes.

The Blenio Valley combines wild nature with cultural heritage. Here you can hike through chestnut forests, discover Romanesque churches and enjoy the peace of authentic Ticino villages.

In Bellinzona – probably the most Italian city in Switzerland – you’ll find a real mix of grandeur and coziness. This is where the St. Gotthard and San Bernardino alpine passes come together, and it is also an ideal starting point for excursions into the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The Ticinese city of Lugano is sunny, Mediterranean and really very pleasant. With its historic city centre, the Piazza della Riforma with its cafés and bistros, Lake Lugano, and the surrounding mountains such as Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore: Lugano is sure to inspire you.

The gateway to the South: Here the railway tunnel (inaugurated 1882) and road tunnel (inaugurated 1980) enter the Leventina Valley and lead to Bisaca. Airolo, located at 1141 meters in the southern foothills of the Gotthard Pass, provides access to the Bedretto Valley, from where one gets via the Nufenen Pass to the neighboring Canton of Valais, or via the San Giacomo Pass (hiking trail only) to the Italian Formazza Valley.

Thanks to projects to enhance the landscape and regional development, Brontallo today shines in all its glory; welcoming visitors to authentic beauty, charm, culture and an overall enchanting landscape.

In Indemini, the houses are all built of local grey gneiss rock, with slate roofs and wooden outbuildings. This typical Ticino village with its twisty alleyways is in a quiet, almost lonely location behind the hills of the Gambarogno south of Lake Maggiore.

This impressive village on a rocky spur at the confluence of the Isorno and Melezza rivers has Ticino's highest church tower and an 80-m high railway viaduct.

Boulders, rock faces an boundless nature are the distinguishing features of this region, which man penetrated in ancient times.

Malcantone, the gently rolling, densely grown hilly landscape that extends from Lake Lugano to Monte Lema, had for centuries only one main one staple: The chestnut. Picturesque Ticinese villages, narrow mountain roads and extensive chestnut forests characterize this region. Bicyclists, and especially hikers, find excellent conditions here.

The small Ticinese mountain village, located in Centovalli Valley, is part of the municipality of Centovalli.

The former fishing village of Morcote is situated on the shore of Lake Lugano and is undoubtedly one of the most frequently photographed places in Ticino. It was not without just cause that picturesque Morcote was voted Switzerland's most beautiful village in 2016.

This Ticino hill landscape ranges from the Gulf of Agno on Lake Lugano to Monte Lema. Picturesque Ticinese villages, narrow mountain lanes and vast chestnut forests define the region, which is ideal for hiking and biking tours.

Ticino is the sunniest region in Switzerland. With its beautiful landscapes, mountains, palm trees, lakes and many charming towns and villages, there are plenty of reasons why the southernmost canton of Switzerland is one of the most popular destinations for holidays and excursions.

The Valle Onsernone is one of the most impressive and mysterious valleys in Ticino. Characteristic are the thick forests, spectacular gorges and white water. This rather isolated place can be reached by a winding road.

Beautiful lakeside promenades, unspoilt typical Ticino villages, chestnut groves, camellias and magnolias: the Riviera del Gambarogno – on the south-eastern shore of Lake Locarno - embodies everything one expects of the Ticino.

Small and secluded, Osignano impresses visitors with its well-preserved rural architecture. The village at the foot of Monte Tamaro features pretty stone buildings embedded in a lush green landscape.

The Leventina is mostly known as a transit axis leading from the Gotthard Mountain to the south. At certain points in the partially narrow valley, where trains, roads and super highway emerge, one does not expect to find scenic beauty and cultural and historic sights - but this assumption is unfair.

Bosco Gurin is the highest village in Ticino and still preserves its whaling tradition today. Nestled in an alpine landscape, the village attracts sports enthusiasts, families and nature lovers in search of scenic beauty, nature and the tranquillity of the mountains.

Lying at the lowest point in Switzerland, just 197 metres above sea level, and perched between the shores of Lake Maggiore and the steep mountains behind, Brissago is a small town on the Italian frontier. The lowest and oldest part of the village is clustered around the beautiful Renaissance church of St. Peter and Paul, surrounded by centuries-old cypresses.

Located in the southernmost corner of Switzerland, the Mendrisiotto Region extends up to the Italian border. This important commercial and tourist transit zone offers a vast hilly landscape away from the expressway and is therefore ideal for hiking and biking tours. The “grotti” – traditional small inns – are a source of welcome refreshment.

The Blenio Valley in northern Ticino extends from the Lukmanier Pass (1914m) down the valley as far as Biasca. Leontica at the center of the valley is part of the municipality of Acquarossa. A popular excursion destination is the Romanesque church of San Carlo di Negrentino.

Numerous interesting hikes, including visits to monuments and sights of interest, are your to enjoy in the Valle Riviera valley – at the same time testifying the artistic and historical value of the ancient tracks left by the people in the valley.

Ascona – the jewel on Lake Maggiore. Stroll along the famous lakeside promenade with its colourful houses and many cafés, look out over the lake and the wonderful mountain scenery, explore the old town and enjoy the Mediterranean flair of this town in Ticino.

Gandria is a picturesque village on Lake Lugano with narrow streets, colorful houses and traditional grottos. Here you can enjoy Mediterranean flair, surrounded by lush nature and with views of the mountains and the water.

Carì is situated on the southern slope of the Leventina Valley above Faido at 1,650m above sea level: an ideal place for sports and nature enthusiasts.

Chiasso, Pedrinate and Seseglio are at the southern tip of Switzerland. The customs town borders the Italian region of Lombardy and is an important starting point for discovering the variety of experiences in Mendrisiotto. The park of the Breggia Gorges, the Muggio Valley and Monte Generoso are close by.

Located at the foot of the pyramid-shaped Sosto mountain (2221 meters), Olivone is the starting point for excursions and hiking tours to the impressive Greina Plateau, to the untouched Val di Campo or to the Luzzone Reservoir Lake.

Centovalli (Hundred Valleys) owes its name to the countless side valleys on both sides of the central valley. Since time immemorial it has been an important transit region between Switzerland and Italy. Its natural landscape, which is of extraordinary scenic beauty, offers nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts a myriad of recreational opportunities.

Mendrisio blends old-town charm, vineyards and two local mountains: Monte Generoso and the UNESCO-listed Monte San Giorgio. Grotti, museums and panoramic trails sit close together—ideal for food, culture and nature in Switzerland’s far south.

Lake Maggiore combines Swiss charm with Mediterranean flair. In Locarno and Ascona, you can stroll along the lakeside promenades, enjoy the mild climate and discover picturesque alleyways. The Brissago Islands and the wildly romantic Verzasca Valley also beckon.