Locarno

Day Trips

Start your day with a cappuccino at a lakeside café overlooking Piazza Grande. Wander through the cobblestone alleys of the historic center and admire the pastel facades. Browse artisan boutiques and pick up locally made souvenirs.

Visit Castello Visconteo and explore its medieval towers and frescoed halls. Learn about the region’s history in the onsite museum and enjoy panoramic views over Lake Maggiore. Pause for gelato at a nearby parlour before continuing your tour.

Dine at a traditional Ticinese osteria on the square while people-watching under the fairy-lit arcades. Sample local specialties such as polenta and luganighe sausage paired with a glass of Merlot. End the night with a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore promenade.

Head to Lido Locarno for a refreshing dip in the pool or the crystal-clear waters of Lake Maggiore. Relax on sun loungers and soak up the alpine sun with panoramic mountain vistas. Grab a smoothie at the poolside bar to energize your day.

Rent a paddleboat or stand-up paddleboard and explore the tranquil bays and inlets around Locarno. Stop at floating platforms to dive or sunbathe at your leisure. Treat yourself to a light lakeside lunch at the Lido’s restaurant terrace.

Return to town for aperitivo at a trendy bar near the Piazza Grande. Sip a spritz while watching the sun set behind the Brissago Islands. Enjoy a casual dinner of fresh seafood pasta on a terrace overlooking the water.

Take the scenic cable car from Orselina up to Cardada and admire sweeping vistas of the lake and Alps. Breathe the crisp mountain air and snap photos of the dramatic ridge lines. Pick a trailhead for a gentle hike toward Cimetta summit.

Continue your hike along panoramic paths that traverse alpine meadows and rocky outcrops. Pause at a mountain hut for a hearty plate of risotto or polenta with local cheese. Keep an eye out for marmots and eagles soaring overhead.

Descend back to Locarno and freshen up at your hotel. Enjoy an intimate dinner at a rustic mountain inn serving Ticino specialties. Cap off the evening with a relaxing hot chocolate or herbal tea by a crackling fireplace.

Ride the funicular from Locarno up to Orselina and continue to the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary. Marvel at the Baroque church perched on a rocky outcrop with sweeping valley views. Light a candle inside and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

Explore the on-site museum to learn about centuries of pilgrimage and local traditions. Walk the stations of the cross along the rocky terraces that overlook the Maggia valley. Enjoy a panoramic picnic with cheese, cured meats, and fresh bread.

Return to the lakeside via funicular and take a sunset stroll along the waterfront. Dine at a family-run restaurant serving homemade risotto and garden-fresh salads. Finish the night with gelato from a shop in the old town.

Catch a local train or boat to Ascona and wander its charming medieval streets. Browse the boutique shops and art galleries that line the lakefront promenade. Stop for an espresso at a café overlooking the marina.

Hike or take a shuttle up to Monte Verità and visit the historic Hüsli, the museum dedicated to revolutionary artists and thinkers. Stroll through the botanical gardens and admire century-old trees. Enjoy lunch at the hilltop café with sweeping views over Lake Maggiore.

Descend to Ascona for an aperitivo by the water’s edge. Sip on a locally produced grappa or a crisp white wine. Indulge in a lakeside dinner of fresh fish with lemon and herbs.

Travel to Melide and explore Swissminiatur, the open-air park featuring miniature models of Switzerland’s landmarks. Take your time photographing detailed replicas of castles, trains, and alpine villages. Learn about Swiss architecture and engineering on interactive displays.

Board a ferry to the secluded village of Gandria and wander its steep, narrow lanes. Stop at a family-run grotto for a plate of polenta and luganighe. Explore the lakeside trail that connects Gandria with nearby olive groves.

Return to Locarno for an elegant dinner at a fine-dining restaurant. Try a tasting menu that showcases seasonal Ticino produce and creative takes on Swiss classics. Conclude your meal with a decadent chocolate dessert.

Drive or take a bus to the Verzasca Valley and start at the iconic Ponte dei Salti in Lavertezzo. Admire the twin arches of this ancient stone bridge spanning emerald-green waters. Enjoy a morning dip in the crystal-clear river pools.

Hike upstream along forested trails and discover hidden waterfalls and natural plunge pools. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the riverbank amid dramatic rock formations. Keep an eye out for local trout and alpine flora.

Return to Locarno and unwind at a local spa or wellness center. Indulge in a sauna session followed by a gentle massage. Finish the evening with light canapés and herbal tea in the relaxation lounge.

Catch the scenic train or drive into Valle Maggia and visit the historic village of Maggia. Meander past stone houses and stop at a bakery for fresh bread and pastries. Continue on to Ponte dei Salti for breathtaking river views.

Hike along the Maggia River’s edge to discover natural swimming holes and miniature waterfalls. Lay out a towel on sun-warmed rocks and cool off with a refreshing swim. Enjoy a riverside picnic of local cheese, cured meats, and seasonal fruit.

Head back to Locarno for an al fresco dinner at a trattoria serving Ticinese polenta. Pair your meal with a glass of Merlot produced in nearby vineyards. Conclude the night with a gelato as you stroll the moonlit lakeshore.

Take a ferry to the Brissago Islands and wander the tropical botanical gardens. Admire exotic palms, hibiscus blooms, and rare succulents in this Mediterranean oasis. Learn about the islands’ cultivation history in the visitor center.

Enjoy a lakeside lunch at the island café featuring fresh salads and homemade ice tea. Swim in the clear waters around the main island before boarding the ferry back to Locarno. Relax on deck and admire the surrounding mountain reflections.

Return to town for dinner at a waterfront restaurant specializing in seafood risotto. Toast your final evening with a glass of bubbly Prosecco at sunset. Take a leisurely twilight walk along the lake before heading back to your accommodation.

Visit the Locarno farmers market and sample fresh produce, cheeses, and cured meats from local vendors. Chat with artisans making artisanal honey and jams. Stock up on regional specialties to take home as souvenirs.

Join a chocolate-making workshop or book a winery tour in the hills above Locarno. Learn about Ticino’s unique wine varieties such as Merlot and Bondola. Savor guided tastings paired with homemade focaccia and olive oil.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at a panoramic hilltop restaurant overlooking the lake. Indulge in a multi-course menu that highlights seasonal ingredients and creative Swiss-Italian fusion. Celebrate the end of your trip with a final stroll through the illuminated Piazza Grande.