Things to do in Ascona

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Collina d'Oro

Old Town Lugano

Old Town Lugano is located in the Canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland, nestled on the shores of Lake Lugano and bordering Italy. Palm trees and outdoor cafes can be seen on the streets, and the Mediterranean-style laid-back atmosphere makes it stand out at the foot of the Alps. Piazza Riforma is surrounded by cafes and restaurants and is a gathering hub for locals. Turning from here into Via Nassa, the old arcades are lined with watch shops, jewelry stores, and boutiques, where you can admire the historic buildings along the street while shopping. The steps of the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence are a great spot to overlook the lake, while the Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli houses large frescoes by Renaissance painter Bernardino Luini. Parco Ciani by the lake was originally a 19th-century private estate. Today, it is surrounded by greenery with neat flower beds and is a place for locals to go for morning jogs and picnics. The lakeside promenade connects to the pier, where you can take a boat to tour the lake during the day and visit the small stone-house fishing villages on the opposite shore. If you want to enjoy the view from above, take a cable car up to Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè, where you can take in the lake scenery, the ridges of the Alps, and the valleys toward Italy. On summer evenings, the lakeside is exceptionally comfortable with a gentle breeze, the outdoor cafes are bustling, and street performances often light up the night, creating a perfect vacation atmosphere.

Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande is located in the town center of Locarno, Switzerland, and serves as the starting point for visiting other attractions. Built in the Middle Ages, the square is paved with cobblestones and lined with century-old buildings, making a stroll through it feel like stepping back in time. During the film festival, a giant screen is hung in the square to show open-air movies, creating a lively atmosphere.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Canton of Ticino

Castel Grande

Castel Grande is a World Heritage site in Bellinzona, the capital of the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland. This site is not a single castle, but a defensive system composed of three medieval fortresses: Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro, along with extensive defensive walls and the old town ramparts. Bellinzona guards the Ticino Valley, where routes crossing the Alps, such as the St. Gotthard and San Bernardino passes, converge. In the 15th century, the Duke of Milan built long walls to block the valley entrance, enclosing the entire medieval town within a defensive perimeter. This layout, which integrates multiple castles with defensive walls, is rare in the Alpine region and remains remarkably well-preserved.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Collina d'Oro

Lake Lugano

Lake Lugano is a beautiful lake located in Switzerland. Its shores are dotted with many beautiful villages, making it a popular vacation spot for locals and tourists alike. On sunny days, you can swim, boat, and fish on its calm and inviting waters.

No. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Italy

Lake Como

Lake Como is a lake carved by glacial movement, with an inverted Y-shaped surface that branches into three arms and a depth of over 400 m. The mild microclimate regulated by the lake allows Mediterranean plants like olives and citrus to grow along the shores, creating a distinct transition to the alpine vegetation on the hillsides. For centuries, the landscape here has attracted numerous artists, and composer Verdi once drew inspiration here. The eastern shore also features the Traveler's Path, a hiking route restored along ancient trails, where climbing to a higher vantage point offers a panoramic view of the Bellagio peninsula at the confluence of the lake's two branches, making it a classic spot to overlook the entire lake region.

Ponte dei Salti

The Roman Arch Bridge of Salty, located next to the village of Lavertezzo in Switzerland, is one of the most famous cultural landscapes in the Verzasca Valley. The arch bridge has a beautiful and surprising shape and has a long history, dating back to the 17th century. The arch bridge was rebuilt in 1960.

Sacromonte e Santuario Madonna del Sasso

Falconeria Locarno

Lido Locarno

The venue is built by the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the lake and surrounding mountains, and is suitable for swimming, family entertainment, and summer vacations. It usually features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, standard lanes, children's splash areas, diving facilities, and water slides, with some pools open year-round. In summer, there is also a lawn sunbathing area, and designated areas provide direct access to the lake. The park generally offers changing rooms, lockers, showers, dining facilities, and sports grounds, making it suitable for half-day or full-day visits.

Ascona lakeside