Ascona
Discover Ascona
Ascona was able to maintain its charm as a colony of artists and drop-out even as the touristy Locarno developed into a big tourist destination. Strict limitations for cars ensure that the main center of the town is car free. Its tranquil people make this town a calming and refreshing visit. The old buildings have been beautifully kept restored. Ascona is popular for day trips and boat tours to the Brissago Islands. The Lake Maggiore cools the town in summer and ensures a Mediterranean feeling in winter. Two bus lines connect Ascona to Locarno which are run by the public transport system FART. The Locarno railway station connects the area to the Swiss train network.
Taste of Ascona...
There are numerous restaurants at the lakefront. In these, you'll generally have to pay for the view - which may well be worth it, as the view is very nice indeed. On the other hand, if you're only after food, you may find better value for your money a block or two inland.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Ascona.
At the lakefront there are mostly hotels and restaurants, but the narrow pedestrian streets leading away from the lake have dozens of little stores where you can find almost anything. There are numerous restaurants at the lakefront. In these, you'll generally have to pay for the view - which may well be worth it, as the view is very nice indeed. On the other hand, if you're only after food, you may find better value for your money a block or two inland.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTwo bus lines connect Ascona to Locarno which are run by the public transport system FART. The Locarno railway station connects the area to the Swiss train network. Visitors from most of Switzerland will arrive from the east, taking one of the two bridges over the river Maggia. You can bypass the sometimes heavy traffic in Locarno using the Mappo-Morettina tunnel. To arrive from southwestern parts of Switzerland (e.g. Valais), it can be faster to take a shortcut through the Simplon Pass and the Italian town of Domodossola. A road on the western shore of Lake Maggiore also connects Ascona to the Italian region of Piedmont via Brissago. The old town cannot generally be reached by car, but there are several public parking lots surrounding it. From any of these, it's a short walk to the lakefront. Boats on Lake Maggiore stop at the Ascona boat dock in the middle of the old town. These can be a pleasant way to get into Ascona from Locarno, Brissago and the Italian towns on the lake....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The town is best discovered on foot as small lanes are in general pedestrian only. At the lakefront there are mostly hotels and restaurants, but the narrow pedestrian streets leading away from the lake have dozens of little stores where you can find almost anything. There are numerous restaurants at the lakefront. In these, you'll generally have to pay for the view - which may well be worth it, as the view is very nice indeed. On the other hand, if you're only after food, you may find better value for your money a block or two inland.
Money & Budget
At the lakefront there are mostly hotels and restaurants, but the narrow pedestrian streets leading away from the lake have dozens of little stores where you can find almost anything. There are numerous restaurants at the lakefront. In these, you'll generally have to pay for the view - which may well be worth it, as the view is very nice indeed. On the other hand, if you're only after food, you may find better value for your money a block or two inland.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Ascona
Ascona, Ticino, Switzerland🇨🇭😍
Ascona - Ticino
red and white boat on dock during daytime
brown and white concrete houses near green palm trees during daytime
body of water near mountain under blue sky during daytime
Boat Day
an aerial view of a city on a lake
silhouette of mountain near body of water during night time
Madonna del Sasso
a view of a city and a lake from a hill
Ascona, Ticino, Switzerland🇨🇭😍
Ascona - Ticino
red and white boat on dock during daytime