Summer destinations in Ticino

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.

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.

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.

Palm trees and a fascinating world of flowers await you in Locarno. The location on Lake Maggiore with the surrounding mountains and valleys, the mild climate and festivals of film and music guarantee the perfect stay. This is the ideal place to soak up the sun and enjoy the Dolce Vita.

The Maggia Valley – a wonderful natural oasis north of Locarno. The turquoise blue Maggia with its rock formations, bathing areas and waterfalls offers you refreshment and photogenic locations. While hiking or biking, you will be amazed by the landscape and the rich cultural heritage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.