This Gorgeous Swiss Lake Town Is One Of The Most Underrated Destinations In Europe

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Yes, the country’s freaking expensive, and yes, you might want to save up some hard-earned dollars if you intend on experiencing it the way it should be done: train rides across glacial landscapes, mountain retreats, raclette with sweeping mountain views and all.

When I’m in Switzerland, every ‘can I get the check’ is followed by mild heart palpitations, but it’s not like those mind-blowing panoramas don’t soften the blow.

This lake town in the very south of the country is one of those exceptions. If you feel Zurich’s mid food, and Geneva‘s peer-pressure politeness aren’t quite worth their hefty price tags, you just might gladly let a gorgeous little Lugano bleed your wallet dry for the weekend:

The Best Weekend Break In Switzerland

Straddling Lake Lugano, Lugano (named after the lake itself) is probably my favourite Swiss town for unwinding, breathing in that crisp mountain air, and gorging on some seriously good food. This is Ticino, after all, or how casual travelers like to call it, ‘Italian Switzerland‘.

Yep, Switzerland is far more diverse than it gets credit for.

Although it does have a German-speaking majority, there are pockets of French, Italian, and Romansh-speaking communities along its western and southern fringes, and Lugano might just be the heart of its much-overlooked Italian corner.

Not a bad place to land, especially if you’re looking for the perfect compromise between alpine and Mediterranean cultures, and some freshly-made pasta after a whole week of undersalted potato pancakes.

A Mini Italy In The Swiss Alps

There’s nothing I love more than getting lost in a picture-perfect city where every corner looks like a postcard come to life. Well, let me tell you Lugano’s charming piazze, arcaded streets, and Renaissance-era palazzi are exactly that.

I mean, how can you not instantly fall in love when the funicular ride from the train station, down to the timeless city center, looks like this?

Home to an elegant Old Town criss-crossed and dotted with those typically Italian, slender pastel-coloured buildings with green shutters, it’s like a slice of Italy that wandered a tad too far north of the border.

If you’re out in Lugano for the day, a good place to start is Piazza della Riforma, a large public square surrounded by Neoclassical palaces and traditional trattorie, right on the banks of the crystalline Lake Lugano.

A quick Google search will probably tell you it’s Ristorante META you should book. It’s Michelin-recognised, with a high-end menu blending Italian culinary traditions with a Swiss twist, and to sum it up, it’s that dressy, fine dining eatery catering to those who are not exactly averse to splurging on a night out.

I’m of the opinion that accommodation alone is pricey enough already.

If you’re craving classic Italian fare and don’t want to break the bank, Ristorante Tango is a prime spot, right on the square. Perfect for a casual pizza, or maybe a risotto alla ticinese paired with some local rosso: the combo that’s very much Lugano’s pride and joy.

Is This Switzerland’s Most Beautiful Alpine Lake?

Tasty as the food may be, that’s not the only reason I reckon it’s one of the most underrated destinations, not just in Switzerland, but Europe as a whole.

The town’s surprisingly quaint setting is the stuff of dreams, and I truly haven’t seen a more beautiful urban park than the lakeside Parco Ciani.

I’m talking winding pathways flanked by perfectly manicured flowerbeds and colourful tulip displays, benches set along wide avenues lined with knobby-trunk trees, and ornate gates opening straight onto the water.

There aren’t that many things in Switzerland that are free to enjoy, but Lugano’s green lung, running for about 0.6 miles along the lake, is one of them.

With the exception of Zurich and Geneva, the country’s only two real metropolises, Swiss cities are generally pretty chill, but Lugano is a particular kind of chill. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to lie on the grass and bask in the alpine sun for hours, like time is just a minor inconvenience.

A Gorgeous Mountain Escape Within Minutes Of Central Lugano

Of course, no visit to Lugano is complete without a little escape into nature.

Monte San Salvatore is the most tourist-friendly peak to conquer, with the trail starting in Paradiso, a short 10 to 15 min walk from downtown Lugano, and taking around 2 hours to complete. The mountaintop offers 360° views of the surrounding waters, the Swiss Alps, and the Po Plain over in Northern Italy.

From Cassarate, you can also take a scenic funicular up the Monte Brè mountainside. From the very top, you’ll get another epic bird’s-eye view—don’t miss Brè Village itself, a tiny, traditional Ticinese village with cobbled streets and rustic townhouses.

There are a number of smaller, equally beautiful towns around the lake to explore. Morcote is my all-time favourite:

Fairytale Lake Towns Galore

It’s called the Pearl of Lake Lugano for a reason, and I could honestly spend hours just wandering its stone-paved streets, admiring the flowered balconies, and taking in the sights in Parco Scherrer: Ciani’s less-famous sibling, it’s a marvellous landscaped garden sprinkled with whimsical sculptures.

Gandria is yet another fairytale town, with stone houses perched on cliffs, a tiny main piazza, and unassuming Baroque churches hiding lavish interiors. No lie, the solemn interior and frescoed chapels of Chiesa di Santa Maria del Sasso are striking in their own quiet, modest way.

Fancy a little side trip to Italy while you’re at it?

Though Lugano is a Swiss treasure, it shares its waters with Italy: on the southern side of the lake, Porlezza is a small town offering relaxed promenades, cozy cafés, and an authentic Lombardian vibe… without the buzzing Como crowds.

Needless to say, you might want to stay for the weekend in Lugano if you’re planning on hiking and taking a little loop drive around the area.

Other Must-See Spots In Ticino

Don’t stop at just Lugano! Here are all the other incredible destinations you can hit up in Ticino, the wider Italian-speaking canton:

• Villa Fogarazzo Roi: a stately 19th-century villa with opulent chambers and lush gardens.
• Castello di Montebello: a UNESCO World Heritage complex, and one of the most impressive medieval castles in Ticino, located in the canton’s capital of Bellinzona.
• Swissminiatur: located in Melide, this open-air miniature park showcases iconic Swiss landmarks in a scaled-down setting.
• Valle Verzasca: a verdant valley famous for its gentle-flowing emerald river, old stone bridges, and moderately challenging hikes.
• Curio: a sleepy hilltop village roughly 20 minutes’ drive from Lugano, distinguished by its centuries-old stone buildings and medieval town square.

How To Reach Lugano This Spring

Lugano doesn’t have its own major airport, but it is conveniently located between two of Europe’s busiest transport hubs, Zurich and Milan. You can’t fly there, but you can easily reach it by train:

From Zurich, Switzerland

Scenic ride through the Swiss Alps and the Gotthard Base Tunnel

• Route: Zürich HB (main station) → Lugano (via EuroCity train)
• Duration: 2 hr 40 min
• Frequency: About every 1–2 hours
• Cost: CHF 45–90 ($59–$117)

From Milan, Italy

Passing the Italian Lakes and the Ticino hills

• Route: Milano Centrale → Lugano
• Duration: 1 hr 10 min (direct EuroCity trains)
• Frequency: Every 1–2 hours
• Cost: ~€20–€35 ($24–$42)

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.