Tourist Guide

Where to go & What to see

Valle Verzasca & Dam

The magical jade green waters of the Verzasca river flow peacefully over smooth polished rocks, passing under the picturesque double arches of the Ponte dei Salti in Lavertezzo. Follow the river down the valley and you will find wonderful worn rock shapes and natural jacuzzis, and the trail to Brione is home to 17 works of art. Don’t resist it – jump in! The Verzasca dam on the Lago di Vogorno at the entrance to the valley is where James Bond once jumped 220m attached to no more than a rubber rope. For once, copying can be recommended! The “007 Bungee Jump”- lasts exactly 7.5 seconds – take longer to enjoy your well-earned dip in Lake Maggiore. Source – Read more

Images and Instagram provided by: Alessandro Cipriano

Verzasca Dam, Ticino
Valle Verzasca, Ticino
Verzasca Dam, Ticino
 
 
 
 
 
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Tourist Information & Downloads

Under these links you can download various flyers with travel tips in Ticino.
In this day and age you are connected online and you have faster the information you are looking for.

Ticino.ch
Ascona-Locarno
Bellinzona Region
Lugano Region

Guest Card
At check in you will receive a Guest Card, valid for the whole family
or your friends.

Discounts and benefits in and around Bellinzona

Shopping
Centro Sant Antonino
Stores in Centro Sant Antonino
Lidl Sant Antonino
Coop Riazzino

 
 
 
 
 
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Restaurants, our recommendation

Distances-by car

Tenuta Casa Cima-Locarno                     15.8km            17 Min.

Tenuta Casa Cima-Ascona                      16.0km            16 Min.

Tenuta Casa Cima-Bellinzona                  7.7km              13 Min.

Tenuta Casa Cima-Verzasca Dam           10.1km            16 Min.

Tenuta Casa Cima-Valle Maggia            30.9km            37 Min.

Tenuta Casa Cima-Ponte Brolla             19.5km            23 Min.

Tenuta Casa Cima-Lugano                      33.0km            35 Min.

Tenuta Casa Cima-Milano                       106km             1 hr 32 Min.

More

Interesting Places

Valle Maggia, Ponte Brolla

A region of extraordinary beauty that from Lake Maggiore (Ascona, Locarno) weaves its way through the Alps. A valley where nature, culture, emotion and taste come together perfectly: Vallemaggia, the magic valley. Here you can go hiking, swimming in the Maggia, an adventurous experience. Read More

Ride the Funicular up Monte Brè

Monte Brè, whose distinctive cone rises at the north end of Lugano, can be reached by a narrow road, walking trails, or by a funicular to its 933-meter-high summit. Along with a scenic terrace, you’ll find two restaurants. On the eastern slope is the village of Brè, a tiny settlement of traditional Ticino-style houses that’s a favorite of artists. Read More

Shopping? FoxTown Factory Stores

The temple of elegance and luxury with 160 shops at prices discounted from 30 to 70% all year round is located in Mendrisio, just 50 km from Milan. Visit Website!

Mendrisiotto

The Southern-most region of Switzerland awaits you with its gentle hills dotted with vineyards and its characteristic Old-Town centres, all waiting to be discovered. Visit Website!

Morocote

The former fishing village of Morcote lies on the shores of Lake Lugano and is undoubtedly one of the most photographed places in Ticino. Not for nothing was the picturesque Morcote voted Switzerland’s most beautiful village in 2016. A visit to the church of Santa Maria del Sasso, Palazzo Paleari, Parco Scherrer, the harbour of Morcote or the castle of Morocote lies at 475 m above sea level on the slopes of Monte Arbostora. A visit is definitely worthwhile. In the evening, enjoy a dinner directly on the lake, see here  a list of various restaurants.

Monte Salvatore-Lugano

Monte San Salvatore not only offers a magnificent panoramic view, but also numerous hiking routes. Lugano’s local mountain – the striking San Salvatore sugar loaf in the south of the city offers a varied 360° view over the lake, far to the south and to the high Alps in the west. The funicular to Lugano’s symbolic mountain starts in Lugano-Paradiso. See it on the webcam!

Swissminiature

Swissminiatur is Switzerland’s largest open-air miniature museum.
Located in Melide, on the shores of Lake Lugano, the park is surrounded by majestic mountains including Monte Generoso, San Salvatore and also San Giorgio, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Relax and unwind in a tranquil natural setting. Welcome!

Splash & Spa, Fun and Relax

Splash & Spa, the aquatic park in Rivera with an elegant Spa. It covers a surface of about 14 thousand square meters, is open 365 days a year (11am – 9 pm) and is easily accessible, both by car and by train. The structure, developed with awareness of the environmental impact, is valorised by chromatic simulations and virtual projections that create a highly staged impact, especially at night. The innovative centre is set out in two areas, dedicated respectively to leisure, entertainment and wellness. Open 7 days a week. Admission prices and website!

Monte Carasso – Curzútt – Mornera

Not far from Gudo, an insider tip in Bellinzonese is the small aerial cableway from Monte Carasso up into the chestnut woods via Curzútt and Pientina to the Monti di Mornera. Unexpectedly, the view south to the Po Valley and, on a clear day, as far as the mountains in the Ligurian Apennines near Genoa. Let’s go!

Monte Bré

They say that the Monte Brè area above Lugano is Switzerland’s sunniest. It offers a wonderful scenic view of the Alps and the Monte Rosa, fading then into the Lugano Bay, dominated by Monte San Salvatore. The summit of Monte Brè (933 meters) is accessible by the funicular railway leaving from Lugano-Cassarate and is the ideal place for an excursion amongst art and nature. The charming village of Brè, 15-20 minutes walk from the funicular’s arrival station, has in fact been the residence of numerous artists who left an interesting heritage.
Source! Ticino top ten

Il Mercato di Luino

One of the main attractions in Luino is its weekly market, held every Wednesday from morning until late afternoon, internationally renowned and the most important in the Lake Maggiore area.
Source!  | Official Website

Market day is Wednesday, open every week from 08.30 am/ 17.00 pm, it is worth to visit. Google Maps GPS

Beaches in Ticino

Ticino offers numerous sandy beaches and idyllic swimming spots perfect for relaxation. Some of the most beautiful include Arbedo Beach, Lido di Ascona, the picturesque Avegno Beach, the popular Lido di Lugano, and Lido di Melano Beach. Each location provides a perfect blend of nature and tranquility. Choose your favorite beach and enjoy the Mediterranean climate of Ticino. Discover more and find the perfect spot to unwind!

Santa Maria degli Angioli

The church of a former convent, Santa Maria degli Angioli faces the lake at the end of Lugano’s most fashionable shopping street. Inside is one of Ticino’s most impressive art treasures, a full wall covered by a single fresco, the early 16th-century masterpiece of Bernardino Luini depicting the Passion and Crucifixion. Read More

The Bellinzona Castles

Bellinzona’s three castles are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are well worth exploring. Bellinzona was an important stronghold as the meeting point of three important north-south routes over the alpine passes of St. Gotthard, San Bernardino, and Lucomagno. All three could, in the past, be closed by a barrier across the road at Bellinzona, giving it a strategic position for centuries. Read More

The Bellinzona Old Town

Bellinzona’s old town, one of the most authentic in Ticino, and the 15th-century church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which preserves a magnificent Renaissance fresco that stretches over an entire wall, are always worth a visit. The best time to visit is on Saturday morning, when the lively and famous weekly market takes place, offering the best selection of Ticino gastronomic products. Immerse yourself in the culture of Ticino and indulge your palate with local delicacies.

The Brissago Islands – Botanical garden

The Brissago Islands are the Canton Ticino’s botanical park. The little island (Isola Piccola or St. Apollinaire) is covered with spontaneous vegetation, mostly from the Insubrica region, kept in its natural state. On the big island (Isola Grande or St. Pancrazio), which was opened to the public in 1950, mostly subtropical plants with origins from the northern and southern hemisphere are grown. Read More

A trip by cable car to Monte Tamaro, a unique experience.

Monte Tamaro, alpine emotions only a few minutes away from the city. A wonderful panorama at 1530 meters: the Prealpine hills, sparkling lakes, Alpine summits covered with snow. Read More

Madonna del Sasso, Sanctuary

Not far from the centre of Locarno, you will find the Madonna del Sasso. The sacred mountain of the Madonna del Sasso Orselina is one of the most important religious and historical places in the canton of Ticino. It is said that Bartolomeo, a Franciscan friar of the monastery of Locarno, wanted to create a place of devotion to honour the Virgin Mary on Locarno’s “rock”. Today, the Church of the Annunciation at the foot of the mountain, the Via Crucis and the Sanctuary still exist. The sacred mountain is home to a treasure trove of art, history and spirituality. Have a look!

Centovalli Railway

The Centovalli Railway (also known as the “Centovallina” or “Vigezzina” in Italy) connects Locarno wth Domodossola and is interestingly placed, being the most direct connection between the rail lines of the Gottard and the Simplon. It represents the most attractive route between Lake Maggiore, the French part of Switzerland and the Swiss capital, Bern.

Thanks to the marvellous scenery of the Centovalli and the Valle Vigezzo in which is operates, it serves not only transit traffic but also tourism. The landscape is further enriched by the wealth of tourist facilities in Locarno – located in the Italian part of Switzerland to the south of the Alps and on the south side of Lake Maggiore – and Domodossola, in Piedmont (northern Italy) at the foot of the Simplon Pass. Get on board!

Gandria

Gandria is an unspoiled, picturesque lakeside village at the foot of Monte Brè.

Perched on the steep mountainside it is a community of narrow streets, inaccessible to cars, with a delightful surprise round every corner.  Many tourists and locals enjoy the boat trip from Lugano and the walk back to Castagnola on the Olive Path along the lake shore. At Castagnola there’s the possibility of visiting the Museum of Cultures or simply proceeding on foot to Lugano. Read more!

Excursions in Ticino

Between Spring and Autumn in Ticino, enjoy one of the many relaxing lakeside walks, the most challenging alpine treks, artistic and cultural itineraries and gastronomic excursions through vineyards and alpages. Choose a tour!

Ponte Tibetano Carasc

The 270 m long Tibetan bridge built by the Foundation Curzútt-S. Barnard allows the passage of the rugged valley that separates the communities of Sementina and Monte Carasso, two towns located in front of Bellinzona. The bridge joins the stone made village of Curzútt to the hiking path of “Via delle Vigne”, allowing you to make excursions in an area characterized by a landscape rich in cultural heritages. Let’sgo!

 

Cannobio Italy

Cannobbio is a picturesque town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore in Italy. It offers a charming combination of historic buildings, narrow streets, and a beautiful lakeside promenade. A trip to Cannobbio allows you to explore the well-preserved old town, relax in cozy cafés, and savor the local cuisine. The Santuario della Santissima Pietà church, with its stunning frescoes, is particularly worth a visit. A walk along the lakeside promenade provides breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. For nature lovers, a hike in the nearby Valle Cannobina is a great way to enjoy the pristine natural beauty. Cannobbio is a perfect destination for a relaxing and rejuvenating outing. GPS Google
 

Ticino & Art

Find out the places and events all about ART in the Ticino. Concerts, Exhibitions, Cinema or the Filmfestival Locarno this year from August 7-17 2024. Throughout its 73-year history, the Locarno Film Festival has occupied a unique position in the landscape of the major film festivals. Every August, for eleven days the Swiss-Italian town of Locarno, right in the heart of Europe, becomes the world capital of auteur cinema. (Image-Sculpture by Bruno Catalano)  in Courtesy of S.K. Zürich. Thank you.

Bruno Catalano, Sculptures