Is Lugano in Italy or in Switzerland?

The city of Lugano is located in Switzerland, in the southern canton of Ticino. The large Lake Lugano is partially in Switzerland, and partially in northern Italy.

Is it worth visiting Lugano?

Yes, Lugano is definitely worth your time. The town center is appealing. The hilly districts at the foot of the Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè mountains are attractive too: they offer great city and lake views. The large Lake Lugano and its steep green hills make for impressive scenery. You can make lots of varied day trips in Lugano and in the nearby towns of Locarno and Bellinzona.

How many days to spend in Lugano?

Visit the city for at least 1 full day. You can then explore the town on foot and add another activity, such as a boat trip on the lake and a visit to either Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè . Spend at least 3 days in Lugano if you want to explore the lake area more thoroughly. This allows you to add excursions a bit further away, such as a trip to Monte Generoso .

Lugano or Geneva: which is better?

Visit Lugano if you prefer an Italian and Mediterranean atmosphere. It's a good base town if you're traveling to or from Italy, or if you're planning a trip by Gotthard Panorama Express or Bernina Express . Also choose Lugano if you appreciate a variety of nearby boat and mountain excursions. Choose Geneva if you prefer an international touch, if you're coming from or traveling to France, and if you don't mind traveling a bit to reach the Swiss mountains.

Lugano or Montreux: where to stay?

Lugano is a better option if you travel from or to Italy, or if you plan to travel by Gotthard Panorama Express from/to Lucerne or the Bernina Express from/to St. Moritz. Montreux on Lake Geneva is a more obvious choice if you're traveling to or from France. It's also a better base town if you want to ride the GoldenPass train to the Bernese Oberland and Lucerne.

Lugano versus Lucerne: where to stay?

Lugano is a better choice if you value a Mediterranean feel, and if you like warm and sunny weather. It's also recommended if you're coming from, or traveling to, Italy. Lugano is a sensible base town if you're traveling by Bernina Express . Choose Lucerne if you appreciate the cooler climate and typical architecture of northern Switzerland. It's a good base to reach cities like Zurich, Bern and Interlaken. Lucerne is also the more obvious option if you're traveling to/from Germany or Austria. Lugano and Lucerne are just a 1h40-train ride away from one another. So you can even make a day trip from one town to the other.

Which airports are near Lugano?

The larger airport closest to Lugano is Milan-Malpensa Airport in Italy, at a 1h45-train journey. The closest larger Swiss airport is Zurich Airport, at a 2h15-train ride from the city. There's also a small airport just west of Lugano, at a 20-minute train or bus ride from the town center. It's not used much for international flights though.

Lugano in Ticino, Switzerland - how to travel, what to do and where to sleep

This page was last updated by Annika on 13 October 2023.

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Must-knows about Lugano

Lugano is a lively and colorful Swiss city in the southern canton of Ticino.
It’s directly on the large Lake Lugano.
The natural surroundings are impressive: steep green hills rise up all around the lake.
There are quick train connections to other cities in the Ticino, to northern Swiss towns such as Lucerne and Zurich, and to Italy.
The hills of the districts Paradiso and Cassarate offer panoramic views of the city and the lake.
You’ll get a free Ticino Ticket for local traveling if you book a hotel in Lugano.

Region: Lake Lugano

Recommended season: mid March to late October

Altitude: 273 m (896 ft)

Town size: Big

This town is on a lake

Local language: Italian

There is a train station

What to see and do in Lugano

Find your day trips in the Lugano area

Gotthard Panorama Express

Scenic boat trip, Scenic train tripMin. time required: 5:30

The Gotthard Panorama Express is a scenic boat and train journey between Lucerne and Lugano. Prepare with our info about the route, tickets, reservations and …

Ferry crossing Lake Lugano between Gandria and Lugano

Boat Lake Lugano

Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 0:30

Boat trips on Lake Lugano are a relaxed way to see the area, and can be combined with other activities like Monte Brè and Monte …

Fence with views over Lake Lugano in Ciani Park, Lugano

Town walk Lugano

City trip, HikingMin. time required: 1:30

Explore the vibrant town center, the lake and the parks of Lugano during this pleasant walk. You'll get a good impression of the city in …

Monte San Salvatore

MountainsMin. time required: 1:30

Monte San Salvatore is an easy-to-reach mountain top in Lugano, Switzerland. Learn about the funicular ride from the city and the great views from the …

Monte Brè

MountainsMin. time required: 3:00

We visited Monte Brè in Lugano and share our tips. Learn about the funicular ride to the top and what to expect there: panoramic views, …

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What not to miss in Lugano

These are the 3 sightseeing must-do's when you're in Lugano:

Make a boat trip on Lake Lugano.
Get to know the town on foot. You can use the city walking route we did ourselves.
Pay a visit to either Mount Brè or Mount San Salvatore for a lookout over the city and the lake.

Activities near Locarno and Bellinzona

Locarno and Bellinzona are other attractive cities in the Ticino. You can enjoy sightseeing in these cities too, as they're within quick reach of Lugano (30 minutes by train to Locarno, 15 minutes to Bellinzona):

Travel info and map of Lugano

How does the timetable work?

How to travel to Lugano by train

Public transport is the best way to reach Lugano. Lugano is a transportation hub. There are many trains, buses and also boats connecting the city to the entire region, to airports and towns throughout Switzerland, and to Milan in nearby Italy.

Examples of train travel durations to Lugano:

2h15 from Zurich Airport, 1h55 from Zurich
3h20 from Basel EuroAirport, 2h55 from Basel
4h55 from Geneva Airport, 4h45 from Geneva
1h40 from Lucerne, or 5h35 if you want to enjoy the full Gotthard Panorama Express journey
1h45 from Milan-Malpensa Airport in Italy, 1h15 from Milano

The timetable will help you plan your trip to or from Lugano.

Scenic train routes to Lugano

We especially recommend reaching Lugano via the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne. Or take the Bernina Express from Tirano or St. Moritz.

How to reach Lugano by car

Lugano can be reached by car via the A2 motorway that connects Italy to Central Switzerland.

The airport of Lugano

There is a small airport just west of the town. Apart from very exceptional cases, we don't recommend coming by plane. It is rarely quicker or cheaper than other modes of transport, nor is it an eco-friendly option.

If you land at Zurich Airport, you can quicly reach Lugano by train.

Finding your way in Lugano

Most parts of Lugano can be reached on foot or by bus. The train station is close to the city center, but about 50 m up the hill. After arrival, you can walk down in about 5 minutes or take a 1-minute funicular ride directly from the station.

The center itself is small enough to be explored on foot.

A nice stroll along the lake from the city center to the district Lugano-Paradiso takes 20 minutes. You can also go by train in 2 minutes. A walk to the district Cassarate takes 20 minutes as well. There are buses too.

Public transport is convenient

Driving within the city is not recommended. There is quite a lot of traffic, plus pedestrian zones and one-way streets as in most Swiss cities. Walking and public transport are more convenient.

Public transport is free for hotel guests

Hotels will provide you with a Ticino Ticket, offering a lot of transportation either for free or discounted.

If you'll be traveling in other Swiss regions too, you'll probably need an additional rail pass. Our rail pass guide explains how to choose the one that fits your plans.

Lugano on a map of Switzerland

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Travel guides for Lugano

Italy to Switzerland

How to take the quick trains from Milan and other Italian towns to Switzerland, and which scenic routes to choose. …

Browse all travel guides

When to visit Lugano

The best time to visit Lugano is mid March to late October:

The steep green hills surrounding Lake Lugano look prettiest during these months.
Boat trips on the lake, and visits to Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, can be made during this entire period.

Lugano from March to June

Spring can already set in by March in Lugano. March to June is a great time to visit the city. It's relatively quiet, and temperatures can already be very pleasant. Note that it can even get hot in May and June.

Lugano in July and August

July and August are the hottest months in Lugano. If you don't like heat, you may want to avoid the city during these months. The lake and mountains offer pleasant cooling-down though.

Lugano in September and October

September and October are less touristy. Autumn will gradually set in. The hills and valleys on the lake still look pretty.

Lugano from November to February

To us, Lugano is less attractive in winter. Snow isn't likely and there are no nearby ski resorts. The steep hills can look somewhat dull.

We also prefer the holiday atmosphere of other Swiss cities in November and December.

Weather in Lugano

Temperatures in winter and summer

Average daytime temperatures during winter in Lugano are 7°C to 11°C. Expect average daytime temperatures between 20°C and 30°C from May to September.

Rainfall

April to November is the wettest period in Lugano. On hot summer days, thunderstorms and showers can occur in the (late) afternoons.

December, January and February are significantly drier.

5-day weather forecast for Lugano

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Accommodation in Lugano

Find a hotel in the lively town center of Lugano, or directly on the lake. Holiday apartments are available too.

Cafes and hotels on Piazza Riforma in Lugano

Hotels in Lugano, Switzerland

Our selection of hotels in Lugano: close to the rail station, in the vibrant town center, or right on Lake …

More about accommodation

Why stay in Lugano?

The Lake Lugano area is absolutely beautiful, and Lugano is the lively center of all of that. The city offers wonderful architecture, a picturesque park on the lake, and plenty of (luxury) shopping, restaurants and hotels.

Day trips are easy, as various modes of public transport connect the city to the entire region.

The scenery from the lakefront is impressive, with steep green mountains rising up from the lake. We feel like there’s a slight similarity with the landscapes of Rio de Janeiro.

Why not stay in Lugano?

Lugano is relatively small, but it’s still a city. So it is lively and there is quite some traffic. If you want to stay in the middle of nature, you may want to look elsewhere. Do pay the city a visit though!

The districts of Lugano

Lugano has a very nice city center between the train station and the lake. Two other districts are worth mentioning too, especially if you prefer a quieter area.

Lugano-Paradiso

You’ll find Lugano-Paradiso 1.5 km south of the city center. Part of it is located on the slope of Mount San Salvatore. Accommodation here offers a different view than from the city: you can look upon the city from here, as well as the lake. Lugano-Paradiso can be reached by trains, buses, boats and by car.

Cassarate, Castagnola and Ruvigliana

Cassarate, Castagnola and Ruvigliana are basically one area at about 2 km east of the city center. The area is located at the base and on the slopes of Monte Brè.

Depending on your exact location you can see the city, the lake and Lugano-Paradiso from here. The district can be reached by bus and by car.

Lugano FAQ

Is Lugano in Italy or in Switzerland?

The city of Lugano is located in Switzerland, in the southern canton of Ticino. The large Lake Lugano is partially in Switzerland, and partially in northern Italy.
Is it worth visiting Lugano?

Yes, Lugano is definitely worth your time. The town center is appealing. The hilly districts at the foot of the Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè mountains are attractive too: they offer great city and lake views.

The large Lake Lugano and its steep green hills make for impressive scenery.

You can make lots of varied day trips in Lugano and in the nearby towns of Locarno and Bellinzona.
How many days to spend in Lugano?

Visit the city for at least 1 full day. You can then explore the town on foot and add another activity, such as a boat trip on the lake and a visit to either Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè.

Spend at least 3 days in Lugano if you want to explore the lake area more thoroughly. This allows you to add excursions a bit further away, such as a trip to Monte Generoso.
Lugano or Geneva: which is better?

Visit Lugano if you prefer an Italian and Mediterranean atmosphere. It’s a good base town if you’re traveling to or from Italy, or if you’re planning a trip by Gotthard Panorama Express or Bernina Express. Also choose Lugano if you appreciate a variety of nearby boat and mountain excursions.

Choose Geneva if you prefer an international touch, if you’re coming from or traveling to France, and if you don’t mind traveling a bit to reach the Swiss mountains.
Lugano or Montreux: where to stay?

Lugano is a better option if you travel from or to Italy, or if you plan to travel by Gotthard Panorama Express from/to Lucerne or the Bernina Express from/to St. Moritz.

Montreux on Lake Geneva is a more obvious choice if you’re traveling to or from France. It’s also a better base town if you want to ride the GoldenPass train to the Bernese Oberland and Lucerne.
Lugano versus Lucerne: where to stay?

Lugano is a better choice if you value a Mediterranean feel, and if you like warm and sunny weather. It’s also recommended if you’re coming from, or traveling to, Italy. Lugano is a sensible base town if you’re traveling by Bernina Express.

Choose Lucerne if you appreciate the cooler climate and typical architecture of northern Switzerland. It’s a good base to reach cities like Zurich, Bern and Interlaken. Lucerne is also the more obvious option if you’re traveling to/from Germany or Austria.

Lugano and Lucerne are just a 1h40-train ride away from one another. So you can even make a day trip from one town to the other.
Which airports are near Lugano?

The larger airport closest to Lugano is Milan-Malpensa Airport in Italy, at a 1h45-train journey.

The closest larger Swiss airport is Zurich Airport, at a 2h15-train ride from the city.

There’s also a small airport just west of Lugano, at a 20-minute train or bus ride from the town center. It’s not used much for international flights though.