Locarno holidays

© Alessio Pizzicannella

Holidays to Locarno serve up mountain views, a Mediterranean climate and a centuries-old town with history and culture around every corner.

A different side of Switzerland

Built on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, Locarno is a Swiss town with an added dose of la dolce vita. Alpine peaks may hug the horizon, but down in the town parks and promenades dotted with palms and lemon trees give the place a Mediterranean feel. Streets lined with pastel-coloured townhouses fit the look of Florence or Verona, and in the piazzas café culture is front and centre, with coffee spots spilling out onto cobbles. Stop off for your morning espresso and you’ll hear locals chit-chatting in Italian.

Battlements and bell towers

There’s heaps of history on show everywhere you look in Locarno. Follow winding streets and alleyways from the main Piazza Grande to find the historic old town Città Vecchia – a Medieval fortress with its battlements and round tower. Then head to the pilgrim church of Madonna del Sasso for a historical site with some standout views. Built on a rocky outcrop, this lofty lookout is your go-to spot to snap a panoramic pic of the place. Climb tree-shaded steps lined with shrines to reach the summit, or let a train take the strain and hop on the funicular instead.

Gardens and greenery

Averaging over 2,300 hours of sunshine a year, Locarno has the perfect climate for growing everything from palm trees to tropical flowers. The lakeside Camellia Park is filled with fragrance all summer long when over 850 varieties of the colourful plant are in bloom. And for a floral display that ticks off specimens from all over the world, you can take a boat trip to the botanical gardens on the Brissago Islands. Or to see some local flora and fauna instead, hop on the Cardada cable car to explore the network of mountaintop walking trails.

Good to know

Don't forget, with your Half-Fare Travelcard, which is included in your holiday to Locarno, you can explore for less. There is no need to apply before you go and it gives you up to half price on train, bus and boat tickets, as well as some cable car tickets.

Things to do

  • Lakeside promenade
  • Lake bathing
  • Boat trips
  • Local ferries
  • Bike hire
  • Electric bikes
  • Lakeside cycle paths
  • Sailing
  • Guided mountain walks
  • Mountain lifts
  • Mountain railway
  • Nordic walking
  • Guided walking tours
  • Open-air concerts
  • Indoor pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Tennis courts
  • Wine tasting
  • Botanical gardens
  • Castle
  • Museum
  • Paragliding

Popular hotels in Locarno

Top things to see and do in Locarno

Beaches

Locarno’s Lido

Whether you want to recline and unwind or splash in the shallows, Locarno’s lido has you covered. Flick out your towel and feel the grass between your toes down on the beach, where there’s a giant inflatable bobbing off shore and pedalos to hire. Or check out the indoor pool with its four waterslides instead if the weather’s too bracing for lake bathing.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Thursday is market day in Locarno, with stallholders from all around the area setting up shop in Piazza Grande to sell local crafts and farm-fresh produce. Not to worry if you miss it, as there's a market nearby in Ascona on Tuesdays along the lake front.

Mid-range buys

Local crafts are alive and kicking in the area around Locarno, and in town you can browse shops selling everything from knitwear and wooden bowls to sculptures in granite and marble. And just like over the border in Italy, there are plenty of wine shops where you can pick up some local vino.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

A sunset stroll along Locarno’s prom is the perfect way to start a laid-back evening. Afterwards, you can pop into La Fontana Bar for a nightcap with stylish surroundings. Or to add sunset lake views to the mix, check out the Piazza Grande for an aperitivo instead.

Lively evenings

Locarno stays lively ‘til late with bars and a calendar of festivals and live music throughout the summer. For a tipple to get you started, try Gin8 at the end of the prom and take your pick from the impressive cocktail menu. And if you fancy trying your luck later on, how about swinging by the casino?

Food & drink

Eating out

The Ticino region of Switzerland serves up the classic pizza and pasta that you’d expect to find across the border in Italy, as well as a host of local recipes that blend together the flavours of both countries. Look out for stews served over risotto, chunky minestrone soups, rabbit (coniglio) and polenta dished up in all kinds of different ways, from creamy mash to crispy, fried wafers.

Food with flare at La Fontana Ristorante & Bar

La Fontana is all about fine dining and fresh Mediterranean flavours. The restaurant itself is just as stylish as the plates of food served up by kitchen, with its patterned tiles and funky lighting – and there’s even show cooking so you can see the chefs in action. Inside the Hotel Belvedere, it's a fairly steep walk up the hill – but you can take the funicular instead if you're not feeling up to it.

Lake backdrops at BLU Restaurant & Lounge

You’re right on the waterfront here, so book a table on the outdoor terrace to make the most of the views across the lake to the mountains beyond. Things are impressive on the food front too, with stylish plates of grilled seafood, pasta and even sushi all on the menu.

Asian meets Italian at Sensi Restaurant

Just across the road from the lake is this pick that puts a spin on the standard Italian menu serving up things like Thai curries alongside pasta, risotto and seasonal salads. Take a seat under the shade of the chestnut trees out on the terrace to watch the world go by as you eat.

Getting about

Buses

There’s a good local bus service with different lines linking up the nearby towns. Line number 1 is the one which takes you to neighbouring Ascona – hop aboard and you’ll be there in around 20 minutes. Plus, you can catch the bus for free with a Ticino ticket that you can get from your hotel.

Ferries

Taking a ferry is one of the best ways to explore the different spots on the lake. Cast off to cruise over to neighbouring Ascona, call in at the bloom-filled Brissago Islands and even boat hop across the border to Italian villages like Cannobio.

Summer lifts

It’s easy to reach the summits from Locarno without breaking a sweat thanks to the Cardada cable car – just catch the funicular from the town centre to get to the lift itself. At the top, you can take the chairlift to head even higher, and unlike most chairlifts, the seat faces sideways to give you an even better view of the scenery as you go.

Trains

Locarno has its own train station with a regular service to the capital of the Ticino region, Bellinzona, the city of 3 castles, that takes around 40 minutes. And you can also take an international service to get to Domodossola or even Milan in around 2 hours.

On foot

Down by Locarno’s waterfront the land is level and flat, with a shoreline-hugging prom that’s fab for leisurely strolls. Head into the centre, and a network of winding alleys and stairways climbs the lower slopes of the Cardada peak. And up on the mountain itself you’ve got a host of walking trails to explore.

Walking

Walking

The Cardada summit is your spot if you’re eager to lace up your walking boots. There’s everything from all-day hikes to family-friendly loops with playparks, activities and info boards on the way around. And when it’s time to eat, you can call in at one of the nearby mountain huts for a spot of lunch.

Summit circuit from the Cardada cable car

This 7km circuit takes in the viewpoint at the top of the nearby Cimetta peak and has knockout scenery every step of the way. The route starts from the cable car’s mountain station and follows gravel paths up the meadow-covered slopes. You’ll pass a couple of mountain restaurants along the way, and you can hop on the chairlift at the top if you fancy taking a shortcut down from the summit.

Average Weather in Locarno

Facts about Locarno

Currency
Swiss Franc
(CHF)
Language
German, French and Italian
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
1 hour 40 minutes from Gatwick

FAQs

Where can I find the latest travel advice?

All your questions about entry requirements, visas, passports or health information are answered on our Travel Advice page.

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