17 Best Sights in Lugano, Ticino

Piazza della Riforma

Old Town Fodor's choice

In the early 19th century, several buildings were torn down to enlarge the square, providing room for the present-day café tables. Commonly referred to simply as "La Piazza," it's the social and cultural heart of the city and the site of outdoor markets and open-air concerts.

Via Lungolago

Fodor's choice

This 2-km (1-mile) lakefront promenade is lined with highly pruned lime trees, funereal cypresses, and graceful palm trees stretching from the Lido all the way to the Paradiso neighborhood. Il Lungolago is the place to see and be seen—while taking in the views, of course. At night, luminous fountains turn the lake near the Parco Civico into a special attraction.

Casinò Lugano

Old Town

In addition to slot machines and gaming tables, the three-floor Casinò Lugano has a bar and a first-rate restaurant.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Cattedrale di San Lorenzo

Old Town

Behind this church's early-Renaissance facade is a baroque interior with carefully restored frescoes and a baptismal font dating from 1430. The church has premedieval origins, becoming a collegiate church in 1078 and a cathedral eight centuries later.

Via Borghetto 1, Lugano, Ticino, 6900, Switzerland

Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli

Old Town

The simple facade doesn't prepare you for the riches within. Begun in the late 15th century, the church contains a magnificent fresco of the Passion and Crucifixion, as well as the Last Supper and Madonna with the Infant Jesus, all by Bernardino Luini (1475–1532).

Piazza Luini 6, Lugano, Ticino, 6900, Switzerland

Lido di Lugano

The city's public beach has two swimming pools and two restaurants. To reach it, you have to cross the River Cassarate. Heading east from the Parco Civico, cross Viale Castagnola and then turn toward the lake. The entrance to the main swimming area is ahead on the right. Everyone from families to scenesters comes here to cool off.

Via Cassarate 6, Lugano, Ticino, 6900, Switzerland
058-8666880
Sights Details
Rate Includes: SF11, Closed Oct.–Apr.

Monte Brè

A funicular departs every 30 minutes from the east end of Lugano in Cassarate to the top of Monte Brè, where there are several well-marked hiking trails. An "art trail" in the summit village of Brè features a path studded with pieces of sculpture. The funicular costs SF25 round-trip.

Ticino, 6900, Switzerland
091-9713171
Sights Details
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Jan.–mid-Feb.

Monte Generoso

Take a boat from Lugano across to Capolago, where you can take the 40-minute cogwheel train up to soaring Monte Generoso and its striking geometric observatory designed by Mario Botta. Fares vary, depending on the route taken, but are between SF35 and SF50 round-trip. At the top of the observatory are two restaurants, one self-service and the other fine dining, as well as a panoramic terrace. After lunch, head out on one of the many marked hiking trails.

Via Luerga, Capolago, Ticino, 6825, Switzerland
091-6305111
Sights Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–Apr.

Monte San Salvatore

Paradiso

Monte San Salvatore can be reached via the funicular in Paradiso. Departing every 30 minutes, it costs SF30 round-trip. At the top is a huge relief model of the entire Sottoceneri region, with "nature itinerary" paths marked and signs pointing out flowers and trees.

Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale

Parco Civico

A museum since 1854, the Cantonal Museum of Natural History contains exhibits of fossils, animals, and plants, mostly those typical of the region, with all labels in Italian. There's a large section on local crystals, which is especially interesting for people planning long hikes in the mountains.

Viale Carlo Cattaneo 4, Lugano, Ticino, 6900, Switzerland
091-8154761
Sights Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon. all day and noon–2 Tues.–Sat.

Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana, Lugano (MASI)—LAC

Old Town

In 2015, the Museo Cantonale d’Arte and Museo d’Arte joined forces to create the new MASI, contained in an enormous modern building on the lakeside. Dubbed the "LAC"—Lugano Art and Culture—building, it has more than 27,000 square feet of space in which to showcase 20th-century and contemporary art, emerging artists, and interdisciplinary exhibitions in collaboration with the theater and music departments of LAC.

Piazza Bernardino Luini 6, Lugano, Ticino, CH – 6901, Switzerland
058-8664230
Sights Details
Rate Includes: SF24, includes admission to MASI--Palazzo Reali, Closed Mon.

Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana, Lugano (MASI)—Palazzo Reali

This second MASI location is housed in the grand Palazzo Reali, a historic palace dating back to the Renaissance and the former site of the cantonal art museum. In contrast to the trendy LAC site, the atmosphere here is classic and refined. Its offerings are dedicated to the historic art of the region, with a permanent collection of local Ticinese artists.

Via Canova 10, Lugano, Ticino, CH – 6901, Switzerland
091-8157971
Sights Details
Rate Includes: SF24, includes admission to MASI--LAC, Closed Mon.

Museo Hermann Hesse Montagnola

In the tower of the Casa Camuzzi, a fabulous jumble of old houses on a hilltop in Montagnola, the Herman Hesse Museum is tiny but impressive. The Nobel Prize–winning author lived here the last 43 years of his life, writing Siddhartha and Steppenwolf. His rooms have been meticulously preserved; you can see his papers, books, desk, glasses, even his straw hat. Take the PostBus marked Agra-Montagnola from Lugano's train station.

Palazzo Civico

Old Town

This neoclassical Lombard structure dates from 1844. Inside there's a large yard surrounded by an arcade with a wide vestibule on the piazza side. It houses the town council and tourist office.

Parco Civico-Ciani

A green oasis in the city center, the park has cacti, exotic shrubs, and more than a thousand varieties of roses, as well as a fine view of the bay from its peninsula.

Lugano, Ticino, 6900, Switzerland

Parco del Tassino

Just behind the train station, this park offers lovely bay views from its rose gardens. A small deer park and playground make it very child-friendly. To get here, take Bus 2 east to the San Domenico stop in Castagnola, or hop aboard the funicular from Old Town.

Via Tassino, Lugano, Ticino, 6900, Switzerland
Sights Details
Rate Includes: Free

Rivetta Belvedere

Old Town

This lakefront sculpture garden frames a dozen modern works with palms, camellias, oleanders, and magnolias. At the far west end there's a public swimming area.

Quai Riva Antonio Caccia, Lugano, Ticino, 6900, Switzerland
Sights Details
Rate Includes: Free