[Mkoll]

19 April 2022 at 0:07:18 #826919

We will be staying in the Ticino region for a week in June. We enjoy a quiet environment, we don’t go to bars, and want a good view of the lake and access to great restaurants. We also plan to hike a lot, we will have a car. Which is the better choice, Ascona or Locarno, or? Thank you in advance for any input. We are looking forward to exploring this region.

Marilyn

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[Anna]

19 April 2022 at 13:30:59 #940778

Hi Mkoll,

Locarno and Ascona are located just next to each other and both offer great views of Lake Maggiore and access to some great restaurants. However Locarno is a bigger town, slightly busier and has a train station, so is better connected to other places in Ticino and beyond. Ascona doesn’t have a train station and to get there by public transport, you have to take a bus from Locarno or Losone. So if you’re travelling primarily with public transport, I think Locarno would be the best option. But if you are travelling with a car, I don’t think there is any clear advantage between the two. They’re both great places for a holiday.

Hotels options in Locarno: http://www.myswissalps.com/locarno/hotels

Regards,

Anna

[Mark]

19 April 2022 at 16:37:20 #940779

Hi Mkoll

We stayed at Villa Orselina which is just above the town of Locarno and is listed on the link Anna provided. Beautiful views of Lake Maggiore and a very nice restaurant terrace overlooking the town and lake that you can enjoy. An easy tram ride down into Locarno to catch a bus or train adjacent to the tram station. Also very convenient to the Gondola going up the mountain for hiking. There is road access to Villa Orselina so you can drive to the Hotel. You will get a free regional bus pass at the hotel to visit Ascona (approximately a 30 min ride through town. Ascona’ s old town is well worth the visit as we did not see anything comparable in Locarno proper. The free pass is also valid on train rides in the close proximity to Locarno but useful to get to many nearby hikes.

Mark