Locarno holidays
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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
Shopping
Nightlife
Food & drink
Getting about
Walking
Average Weather in Locarno
Top Hotels in Locarno
Popular holidays
Facts about Locarno
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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