Philippe’s parents have a beautiful apartment in Locarno with an awesome terrace overlooking Lago Maggiore, so popping down to Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, has become a regular mini-vacay for us. Locarno seems sleepy at first, maybe it is, but the town itself is only one reason to visit. The main attraction for me is enjoying the surrounding region in Ticino and Italy. Just a few hours south of Bern and the weather is warmer, there’s palm trees, Italian cuisine, and kilometers of hiking trails - the life!
If you want some more details about things to do in Locarno, see my article and podcast on WRS, 24 hours in Locarno.
Things to do
Swim in Lago Maggiore
Luxuriate in Termali Salini & Spa
Locarno funicular to Madonna del Sasso, then gondola to Cardada and chairlift to Cimetta
In Cardada: check out the panorama viewpoint and have lunch at Albergo Colmanicchio
Coffee or apéro at Casa Borgo
Dinner at tiny Osteria Borghese
Lakeside pasta at Trattoria del Lago di Manuela Buetti
Pizza and gelati in the piazza
Bike ride along the lake to Ascona and eat at Cortile dei Beati
Take the boat to the botanical garden on Brissago Island
Outings in the region
Cannobio sunday market with a must stop at Casa del Pane
Walk ponte dei salti in Lavertezzo, followed by lunch at Ristorante della Posta
Hike to almost abandoned Corippo
Watch the bungee jumping at Verzasca Dam
Hike Monte Gambarogno
Visit the old smugglers village Indemini
Dinner on Lago di Lugano in magical Gandria
Creepy but cool natural springs Bagni di Craveggia
Hike from Verdasio in the Centovalli
Hike to the Tibetan bridge “Carasc”
Mario Botta’s incredible church in Mogno
Explore the charming stone villages of the Bavona Valley with lunch at La Froda Osteria next to the waterfall in Foroglio
Walk the castle walls in Bellinzona
Events
Moon & Stars music festival
Tips
Download the Hike Ticino app