Ascona holidays

There's lots going on at the fun-for-all lakeside lido, so you might fancy paying a touch extra to spend one of your days here. As well as the beautiful sandy beach where time can really fly swimming or diving off the short diving board, there’s also a beach volleyball court and you can even try your hand at water skiing or wakeboarding. For refreshments, eat your fill at the self-service restaurant, clink beers at the sports bar, or kick back with a colourful cocktail at the Seven Senses Beach Club & Restaurant.

If you're looking for a sandy beach which is free to visit, you can't go wrong with this popular spot. There’s a restaurant-bar here serving up drinks, ice cream and hot food – and don't forget your flip-flops.

On Tuesdays, be sure to have a look round the market which takes place at the Piazza G. Motta midway down the promenade. There are all sorts of typical Ticino food, ingredients, crafts and souvenirs here – as well as the buzz of local life.

On the lanes that snake off the promenade you’ll find a range of galleries, gift shops and clothing stores. Dip in and out to find that special something to remember the holiday by. They’re good places to pick up some local know-how from shopkeepers too.

If you’re shopping for watches, jewellery and some of the finer things in life, then along Via Borgo you’ll also find some fashionable boutiques and designer brands.

For a low-key evening, it’s hard to beat simply watching the sun drop and the colours shimmer and change on the water, while sipping your choice of tipple at one of the terrace bars. The place takes on a different aura when the lights come on and illuminate the colourful buildings, the palm trees and the harbour deck – a pretty sight for sure.

Head to the waterfront to seek out the late night hot spots – such as the Sea Lounge or Delta Beach Lounge, where you can enjoy cocktails, live music and DJ sets. There's also concerts organised by the Jazz Cat Club in May, and a Jazz Festival in June.

Being such close neighbours with Italy, you can definitely sense the Italian influence on the food culture in Ascona. From fresh pasta and seafood to irresistible gelato, fan favourites are at their very best here. And with a range of places from traditional, family-run spots to restaurants with multiple Michelin stars, there's something for everyone.

The two Michelin stars means that dining at La Brezza isn’t just a meal, but a whole experience. The gourmet menu mixes Italian and International fare inspired by the seasons and the local landscape, and sourcing food sustainably is a real focus. With divine views across the lake through floor-to-ceiling windows, this restaurant has it all.

This rustic grotto has only one menu, so take a seat and wait for delicious plates of simple, regional food to arrive on your table – such as salamis, salads, pasta, polenta and cheeses. For those who love to try the local delights, this spot's one not to miss.

Bang in the middle of the promenade with plenty of outside seating, this is the place to sip a nice white and indulge your love of all things fish and seafood. From the likes of deep-fried octopus sandwiches, traditional fish soups to a-bit-of-everything platters, the menu here feels like it leaves little out. Wanting something special? Go for the catch of the day.

The 1, 5, 7, 8 and 314 buses all cross the bridge over the River Maggia into Locarno – an option if you want to visit the town but don’t fancy the ferry. You can also take the bus to visit other nearby towns around the lake.

Boat hopping is a brill way to see more of the lake – whether it’s a trip to the nearby Brissago islands, or heading further south to the Italian side for lunch and a gander round another attractive lakeside village, like Cannobio. Closer to home is neighbouring town Locarno, which you get to by circling round Ascona's outcrop of shoreline.

If you want to climb the hillsides without the sweat, pop over to Locarno and from the town centre you can ride a funicular which takes you to the bottom of the Cardada cable car. After enjoying the amazing scenery on your way up, you can then take a 2-person chairlift up to 1,670m above sea level. There’s an observation deck here where you can marvel at a view which takes in both the lowest and highest points of Switzerland – Lake Maggiore, and the Dufour peak of the Monte Rosa.

Ascona’s a lovely place to get around on foot. Wide and flat, the lakeside prom is perfect for a leisurely leg-stretch on a warm summer’s day. The streets that lead into the town are narrower, cobbled and have a gentle incline. If you’re wanting to go further afield, head for the hills - there are plenty of hiking routes where you'll get top notch views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Whether it’s strolling lakeside paths or venturing to higher ground on the mountainside, there’s a decent walk in Ascona for all feet and fitness levels.

Skirt round the edge of the golf course on this pleasant path which hugs the Maggiore shoreline, and you’ll get to the serene harbour of Ascona’s boat club. It shouldn't take you longer than an hour from the prom, even with a casual stroll. It might be an idea to pack your swim stuff too as you’ll pass parts of the lake which are ideal for a refreshing dip.

Known as the 'balcony over Lake Maggiore', this is a fairly easy 5km hillside trail which has great views of the lake and the Brissago Islands. It starts from Monte Verità, a spot above Ascona known for its natural beauty, where a colony of artists, thinkers, writers and celebrities gathered in the early 20th century. Once you reach the nearby town of Ronco you can choose to return the same way, or a nice option is to take the 800 steps back down to the lake and hop on the ferry back to Ascona.