Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 4
80 mi2 mi
The Route of Locarno and Lugano
In the fourth day itinerary you will find yourself in the Swiss territories again, to admire the cities of Locarno and Lugano.
Both the districts are in the canton of Ticino in the south of Switzerland, surrounded by the mountains and overlooks on two beautiful lakes, the Lago Mggiore and the Lago di Lugano.
In Locarno you can visit the Sanctuary that overlooks the city from the top of the cliff, the Visconteo Castle and the Piazza Grande, the heart of the city.
Leaving Locarno, on the route home the last stop is Lugano, a chic and cultural destination immersed in the nature of the Alps.
You can visit its historical center, have a walk in the city park located right on the shore of the lake, and dive into the cultural and artistic soul of the city, at the Lac.
Both the districts are in the canton of Ticino in the south of Switzerland, surrounded by the mountains and overlooks on two beautiful lakes, the Lago Mggiore and the Lago di Lugano.
In Locarno you can visit the Sanctuary that overlooks the city from the top of the cliff, the Visconteo Castle and the Piazza Grande, the heart of the city.
Leaving Locarno, on the route home the last stop is Lugano, a chic and cultural destination immersed in the nature of the Alps.
You can visit its historical center, have a walk in the city park located right on the shore of the lake, and dive into the cultural and artistic soul of the city, at the Lac.
0.6 mi
5 min
09:301 hr
Madonna del Sasso
Church
Open Details
This morning the route will lead you to the Madonna del Sasso, a sanctuary that is located on the top of rock spur in Orselina, 2 km from Locarno.
This is an important pilgrimage destination and its history is dated back to the end of the XV century when a Franciscan hermit settled at the bottom of the cliff.
Before entering the Sanctuary there is also a square from where it is possible to enjoy a beautiful view on the valley and the lake. The site is open from 7.30 am to 6 pm.
This is an important pilgrimage destination and its history is dated back to the end of the XV century when a Franciscan hermit settled at the bottom of the cliff.
Before entering the Sanctuary there is also a square from where it is possible to enjoy a beautiful view on the valley and the lake. The site is open from 7.30 am to 6 pm.
2.1 mi
10 min
10:451 hr
Visconteo Castle
Landmark
Open Details
Going down towards the center of Locarno you will encounter the Visconteo Castle, which is located in the very heart of the city.
It is a renaissance structure erected in the 1342 after the conquest of the village by Luchino Visconti. The building was a fortress until the Lombard family left the area, and during the years after it was destroyed and restructured several times.
Today it hosts many frescos of the XV century and it is also the headquarter of the Civic and Archeological Museum of Locarno.
It is possible to visit it from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm. More info you can find here.
It is a renaissance structure erected in the 1342 after the conquest of the village by Luchino Visconti. The building was a fortress until the Lombard family left the area, and during the years after it was destroyed and restructured several times.
Today it hosts many frescos of the XV century and it is also the headquarter of the Civic and Archeological Museum of Locarno.
It is possible to visit it from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm. More info you can find here.
0.3 mi
5 min
11:5045 min
Piazza Grande
Landmark
Open Details
Not far from the castle and the old part of the city, you can find Piazza Grande.
Its origin is dated back to XIX century, when that part of the lake has receded and left space for what it's today the square.
From this point, the alleys branch off towards the old part of the city where it is possible to admire also the ancient buildings.
Piazza Grande is also the set of the Locarno Film Festival, usually held in August.
Its origin is dated back to XIX century, when that part of the lake has receded and left space for what it's today the square.
From this point, the alleys branch off towards the old part of the city where it is possible to admire also the ancient buildings.
Piazza Grande is also the set of the Locarno Film Festival, usually held in August.
0.2 mi
5 min
13:001 hr 30 min
Ristorante Al Tulipano Bianco
Restaurant
Open Details
For lunch break a stop at Altulipanobianco will give you a 360° experience.
This is not just a restaurant, but also a bakery, a boutique and a concept store. The idea is to connect the contemporary aesthetic with the simplicity and quality of the best products.
The place is open everyday from 8 am to midnight, but the opening hours of the restaurant are from 11.30 am to 9.30 pm. You can visit the site to make a reservation.
This is not just a restaurant, but also a bakery, a boutique and a concept store. The idea is to connect the contemporary aesthetic with the simplicity and quality of the best products.
The place is open everyday from 8 am to midnight, but the opening hours of the restaurant are from 11.30 am to 9.30 pm. You can visit the site to make a reservation.
28.3 mi
50 min
15:301 hr 30 min
LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura
Landmark
Open Details
It is a 2500 square meters space where art and culture meet and dialog with the local community.
The LAC, Lugano Art and Culture, is one of the biggest artistic and cultural center of Switzerland, which hosts a museum of modern and contemporary art, a section dedicated to dance and performance, and also a space for the theater and concert season.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm. You can buy your ticket and find information about the exhibitions and the shows on the site.
The LAC, Lugano Art and Culture, is one of the biggest artistic and cultural center of Switzerland, which hosts a museum of modern and contemporary art, a section dedicated to dance and performance, and also a space for the theater and concert season.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm. You can buy your ticket and find information about the exhibitions and the shows on the site.
0.7 mi
15 min
17:2030 min
Cathedral of Saint Lawrence
Landmark
Open Details
The walk around Lugano continues with a visit to the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, which is located on a wide terrace, easily accessible from the streets of the center.
The Cathedral was built on a prior Romanic church and later subject to expansion work between the XVIII and XVI centuries.
The facade is from the Renaissance period and inside it preserves precious frescos, marbles and bronzes.
The Cathedral is open everyday and the entrance is free.
The Cathedral was built on a prior Romanic church and later subject to expansion work between the XVIII and XVI centuries.
The facade is from the Renaissance period and inside it preserves precious frescos, marbles and bronzes.
The Cathedral is open everyday and the entrance is free.
0.7 mi
15 min
18:151 hr
Parco Ciani
Park
Open Details
The beautiful view on the lake from the city's green heart Ciani Park.
In the park you can visit Villa Ciani, the Museum of Natural History and the Library, besides walking through the English lawns, modern artworks and fountains.
You can also reach the mouth of the river Cassarate, where it is possible to restore with a bath.
The parc is open everyday from 6 am to 11 pm in the summer, and until 9 pm in the winter, so it is also possible to have a lovely night walk on the shore of the lake.
In the park you can visit Villa Ciani, the Museum of Natural History and the Library, besides walking through the English lawns, modern artworks and fountains.
You can also reach the mouth of the river Cassarate, where it is possible to restore with a bath.
The parc is open everyday from 6 am to 11 pm in the summer, and until 9 pm in the winter, so it is also possible to have a lovely night walk on the shore of the lake.
0.3 mi
5 min
19:301 hr 30 min
Antica Osteria del Porto
Restaurant
Open Details
The last stop of the day is at Antica Osteria del Porto, a tavern with a view on the lake, not far from the park.
It is a place "in motion", where tradition and innovation, mountains and water meet to offer always new culinary proposition in the menu.
The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm and from 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm; while Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am to 11.30 pm non-stop.
For reservation and to check out the menu you can visit their website.
It is a place "in motion", where tradition and innovation, mountains and water meet to offer always new culinary proposition in the menu.
The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm and from 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm; while Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am to 11.30 pm non-stop.
For reservation and to check out the menu you can visit their website.
49.2 mi
1 hr 30 min
22:30
Milan
And here you are on the way back to Milan, after 4 days of beautiful and new discoveries in and out Switzerland and Italy.