Travel guide Lake Lugano
Where Switzerland and Italy share a lake
Look forward to not only water fun in the region of the Upper Italian Lakes during your holiday at Lake Lugano. You can also spend a great
holiday in the mountains at Lake Lugano. Lago di Lugano is located 63 percent in the Swiss canton of Ticino and 37 percent on Italian soil. Those arriving by plane usually land at the nearest airport, Lugano in Agno. If you are coming by car from Germany, you can reach your holiday apartment or house via the A7 (Bregenz - Chur - Saint Bernard - Bellinzona - Lugano) or the A5 (Basel / Zurich - Saint Gotthard - Bellinzona - Lugano). During the drive to the rented villa or accommodation, you will already pass fabulous landscapes between Switzerland and Italy.
Warm lake, warm climate
Holiday apartments and houses with a pool are particularly popular at Lake Lugano. Holidaymakers appreciate the mix of lake, private pool, and mountain peaks as a panorama. Due to the location of Lake Lugano, you can enjoy mild temperatures and a Mediterranean climate all year round. The maximum temperatures in summer are up to 27 degrees Celsius. The water temperature in the summer months is up to a sensational 24 degrees Celsius. Ideal for relaxing on the shores of the lake in the sun, swimming, and spending a great holiday with the whole family.
The Mountain of Dinosaurs
One of the most popular attractions during a holiday with a holiday home or apartment is Monte San Giorgio. Follow the nature trail, go on exploration tours, and observe the animals in their natural habitat. You can take a cable car to the highest heights and enjoy the breathtaking view of the surroundings. However, the mountain is even more famous for its fossil finds and has therefore been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. The most famous specimens include more than 100 ichthyosaurs Mixosaurus. A large part of the finds is exhibited in the Palaeontological Museum in Zurich. In the Fossil Museum of Meride, you will find further excavation pieces and replicas. It is not for nothing that Monte San Girorgio is also called the "Mountain of Dinosaurs". The city of Lugano is another great excursion destination. It is the largest city in
Ticino and is charmingly located between Monte Salvatore, Monte Bre, and Lake Lugano. In the historic old town, you can visit museums, churches, or old townhouses. The popular meeting point Piazza della Riforma is where most of the inner-city streets converge. At the northeastern end of the old town, you can relax and take a walk in Parco Civico. Here you will find exotic plants as well as impressive sculptures. In the center of the huge garden is Villa Ciani, an exhibition room of the city museum and a gallery for contemporary art. Another interesting excursion destination is
Porlezza. The top highlight is, of course, the unbeatable location of the municipality of Porlezza on Lake Lugano. But it is also worth visiting the numerous churches of the town. Porlezza is one of the insider tips for many guests. At the foot of San Giorgio, you will also find the old village of Porto Ceresio. Holidaymakers appreciate the tranquility, the picturesque old town, and the fantastic beach on Lake Lugano.
Lake Lugano: Hermann Hesse's last home
Enjoy your holiday with an affordable holiday home or apartment from private owners at Lake Lugano and explore the cultural highlights on the border of Italy and Switzerland! One highlight is, for example, the Hermann Hesse Museum in Montagnola. The famous German poet spent the last 43 years of his life in the region and created works such as "The Glass Bead Game" or "Narcissus and Goldmund" here. You can learn about the intense relationship between Hesse and the town of Montagnola in this exciting exhibition. In Lugano, we recommend a visit to the old town. The town hall there impresses with a richly ornamented facade in the style of the Neo-Renaissance. Of the many churches, San Rocco from the 17th century is particularly interesting, which you can find on Piazza Civico. The city of Lugano, located in
Switzerland, also has a lot to offer in terms of museums. The cultural offer includes, among others, the Museo Cantonale d'Arte (modern art), which is located in a central location in the city center. It is housed in an elegant city palace from the 18th century and contains an extensive art collection from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum presents a wide range of styles, from Romanticism to Impressionism and Pop Art.
Rice as far as the eye can see
If one had to choose a typical dish for the region at Lake Lugano, it would probably be polenta. A particularly hearty variant of cornmeal porridge. In Italy, pasta is, of course, very popular: ravioli, tortellini, or agnolotti. In the area of the lake, however, risotto is also a regular hit. Many of the lakes border the large fields of Piedmont and
Lombardy, the largest rice-growing area in Europe. During the carnival season, the villages in the canton of Ticino invite you to risottata, when risotto is cooked in huge pots on the piazza. From September, porcini is very popular with the locals: rice with porcini mushrooms. But sweet dishes such as tiramisu, panna cotta, gelato (ice cream), or crostata (shortcrust pastry tart with jam) are always enjoyed. In the lake area, there is also always a particularly wide range of wine varieties. Try, for example, the red wines Barbaresco or Barolo or the white wine varieties Arneis or Gavi. Rent a holiday apartment or house and taste your way through the culinary offerings at Lake Lugano.
National park and cable car
Lake Lugano is a highlight for entire families who want to rent a holiday home or apartment from private owners. However, the dog is also often taken along to spend a fantastic holiday at the lake and in the beautiful nature. Book a
holiday with your dog at Lake Lugano and enjoy your time together. At Lake Lugano, you have the opportunity to jump into the water with your family, surf, sail, or ride a jet ski. Plan, for example, a trip to the Gole della Breggia Nature Park in Muggiotal. Be fascinated by bizarre limestone rocks, deeply furrowed gorges, and prehistoric fossils. The hiking trail runs twelve kilometers across the long valley and directly along the Breggia River. The numerous offers around the imposing elevations Monte Bre and Monte San Salvatore are also great for families. In the south of Lugano, the funicular in the Paradiso district takes you to the mountain station of San Salvatore. A 15-minute hiking trail to the summit follows, which is also no problem for children.