Lugano
Discover Lugano
Lugano is a lakeside city in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of southern Switzerland, and is the largest Italian-speaking city in Switzerland and outside Italy. Part of a temperate micro-climate, Lugano offers palm trees, picturesque boulevards, stunning views of the lake and the Alps, and plenty of opportunity for outdoor and indoor activities. It is the economic center of Ticino and the third-largest banking center in the country. Lugano is the unofficial capital of Ticino, even though the cantonal government is based in Bellinzona. Lugano also makes a good base for visiting other cities and sites in the area. The city is a pleasant place to relax in the summertime and is only half an hour away from Lake Como. Milan Malpensa airport is 1 hour away by shuttle (see the "By bus" section below) or 1 hr 40 min by train (see the "By train" section below) and is an EasyJet hub.
What to Experience in Lugano
Taste of Lugano...
If you like Italian-style cuisine with a Swiss twist, you're not going to go hungry here. The main draw is the Grotti, but there are much smaller restaurants and caffè where you can get excellent food. Indeed it can be quite difficult to find non-classy food here. In terms of "fast food", the locals love their piadine, an Italian-style wrap with various fillings (usually cold cuts, cheese, and veg) and served grilled. Essentially an Italian version of a quesadilla; delicious right? Go try one now. The main problem is that the locals don't seem to have discovered spicy food and you may have a hard time finding anything that requires chili peppers. Oh well, you can't have everything. Regarding times, note that mealtimes are rather strictly adhered to (this is Switzerland after all), so if you come from a 24-hour city then you may be in for a surprise when you find that nowhere is serving at 1545 when you finally decide to get out and go for a meal, and your stomach may just have to grumble a bit until you get to dinnertime. If you need delivery then your best bet, aside from the ristoranti themselves is probably Divoora who have a reasonably wide selection of restaurants that will deliver, but you're going to miss out on the pleasantness and vibrancy of actually dining out in Lugano. If you need groceries, then the main Swiss supermarket chains are called Migros, Coop, and Denner.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Lugano.
Many major labels and designer boutiques (Versace, Hermes, Paul & Shark, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier) can be found here, as well as the usual Swiss and Italian knick-knacks. Via Nassa in the city centre is the main place for shopping high street brands. If you like Italian-style cuisine with a Swiss twist, you're not going to go hungry here. The main draw is the Grotti, but there are much smaller restaurants and caffè where you can get excellent food. Indeed it can be quite difficult to find non-classy food here. In terms of "fast food", the locals love their piadine, an Italian-style wrap with various fillings (usually cold cuts, cheese, and veg) and served grilled. Essentially an Italian version of a quesadilla; delicious right? Go try one now. The main problem is that the locals don't seem to have discovered spicy food and you may have a hard time finding anything that requires chili peppers. Oh well, you can't have everything.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsLugano Airport stopped regular commercial flights in 2021. Milan Malpensa airport is 1 hour away by shuttle (see the "By bus" section below) or 1 hr 40 min by train (see the "By train" section below) and is an EasyJet hub. Lugano station is on the Gotthard railway, which crosses the Alps connecting the cantons of Schwyz and Uri to Cantone Ticino. It primarily serves: FFS/EC Trains leave for Zürich (2 hr), Basel (3 hr) and Milan (40 min–1 hr) as well as Geneva (via Zürich or Locarno-Domodossola: 5 hr 30 min with one or two transfers, 6 hr 30 min via Milan with one transfer). Getting to Geneva or points west it is faster to go via Zürich or Locarno as the trains are more frequent and faster. There is a direct airport service from Lugano to Milano-Malpensa provided by TILO. It is slower (1 hr 40 min) than the bus shuttles (just over an hour) but provides more regular service. Approx Fr. 23 (Swiss francs) as of 2019....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Lugano is small enough to get around on foot, and many of the streets are pedestrian-only, but the hills above the lakefront are very steep so the bus or the funicular from the centre of town might be a better option on the way up to the train station if you have a lot of bags. Taxis can be found on the main roads. Ferries and funiculars (Brè and San Salvatore) are great options for seeing the views. Italian is spoken in Lugano as a primary language. English and German are widely spoken by many of the individuals that interact with tourists. Many major labels and designer boutiques (Versace, Hermes, Paul & Shark, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier) can be found here, as well as the usual Swiss and Italian knick-knacks. Via Nassa in the city centre is the main place for shopping high street brands. If you like Italian-style cuisine with a Swiss twist, you're not going to go hungry here.
Where to Stay
There are a wide range of hotel options right in town, from atmospheric B&Bs to posh four stars to comfy and communal hostels. Be sure to book ahead in the summer, but the rest of the year it's possible to just show up and find something as long as your budget is flexible. There are a few internet cafes in town. As usual, try near the train station. Free Wi-Fi connection can be found along the lakeside and in the University campus (Via Buffi, 13). Lugano is as safe as most cities in Switzerland, but the density of expensive purses, watches, and sunglasses may make pickpockets more of a problem. The usual cautions apply to walking alone late at night, especially after bars and clubs close before dawn. In nearby Melide is an attraction which is very popular among the Swiss:
Money & Budget
Many major labels and designer boutiques (Versace, Hermes, Paul & Shark, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier) can be found here, as well as the usual Swiss and Italian knick-knacks. Via Nassa in the city centre is the main place for shopping high street brands. If you like Italian-style cuisine with a Swiss twist, you're not going to go hungry here. The main draw is the Grotti, but there are much smaller restaurants and caffè where you can get excellent food. Indeed it can be quite difficult to find non-classy food here. In terms of "fast food", the locals love their piadine, an Italian-style wrap with various fillings (usually cold cuts, cheese, and veg) and served grilled. Essentially an Italian version of a quesadilla; delicious right? Go try one now.
Language & Talk
Italian is spoken in Lugano as a primary language. English and German are widely spoken by many of the individuals that interact with tourists. Many major labels and designer boutiques (Versace, Hermes, Paul & Shark, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier) can be found here, as well as the usual Swiss and Italian knick-knacks. Via Nassa in the city centre is the main place for shopping high street brands. If you like Italian-style cuisine with a Swiss twist, you're not going to go hungry here. The main draw is the Grotti, but there are much smaller restaurants and caffè where you can get excellent food. Indeed it can be quite difficult to find non-classy food here.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Lugano is as safe as most cities in Switzerland, but the density of expensive purses, watches, and sunglasses may make pickpockets more of a problem. The usual cautions apply to walking alone late at night, especially after bars and clubs close before dawn. In nearby Melide is an attraction which is very popular among the Swiss:
Glimpses of Lugano
aerial view of city near lake and mountains during daytime
green trees near body of water during daytime
brown houses beside body of water
view from a boat in Lugano, Switzerland
a body of water with buildings and trees by it
Monte San Salvatore
aerial view of city buildings near body of water during daytime
Lugano
brown concrete building near body of water during daytime
white and brown concrete building near body of water during daytime
aerial view of city near lake and mountains during daytime
green trees near body of water during daytime
brown houses beside body of water