Sightseeing in Ticino - what to see. Complete travel guide

The special charm of Ticino province is due to its unique nature; quiet valleys, lush southern gardens, lakes and quiet towns don’t know the rush of big cities. Ticino is often called ‘the sunny side of Switzerland’ for its mild climate. The real warm spring here begins in March, while sunny days last until the end of November.

The largest city of the province is Lugano, the picturesque city situated on the shore of the bay of the same name. Travelers say that it resembles a miniature Naples. Among attractions of the resort, Equi San Lorenzo, Cantonal Museum of Art, the main park, Villa Ciani and Villa Favorita are worth mentioning. No less popular is the resort town of Locarno; it’s better to start a tour around its attraction with Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso. There is a large observation deck on the hill with the view of the city and the coast.

Excellent places for hiking and camping would be found at foothill regions. They feature alpine pastures, wooded hills and lakes, so you just won’t find more quiet and secluded places to stay. Fans of fishing will be interested to visit the surroundings of Lugano with its cozy fishing villages. Locals are happy to provide tourists all the necessary equipment for fishing; there are plenty of fish places here. Boat trips on local lakes are very popular; it is another exciting way to get acquainted with representatives of the local flora and fauna. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A lot of interesting excursions and activities are offered by Ascona. The town has several large pedestrian areas; there are parks, museums, theaters and entertainment venues in it. At the daytime most of the tourists go to the waterfront, where they can relax in one of the outdoor cafes or go out by boat. Shoppers can find small luxury boutiques throughout the city, as well as souvenir and antique shops and colorful markets. Anyone can take an excursion to the Brissago Islands. There is a superb botanical garden with a rich collection of tropical plants. These are just some of the places in Ticino, which will be interesting for curious travelers.

Ticino is a perfect recreation place for fans of extreme entertainments. In the immediate surroundings of Locarno, there is the steel viaduct that is over 75 m high. Since 1993, it has been attracting fans of Bungee jumping. You can use the bridge for this entertainment in a warm period. The bridge passes over the Isorno river gorge. These places are very picturesque and attract fans of hiking tourism too.

Near it, there is the beautiful village of Intragna. It is considered as the highest settlement in Ticino. The village is interesting with its old preserved construction. There is the incredibly beautiful church built in 1775. On the outskirts of the village, there is a medieval bridge that will let you reach the village of Rasa. It is one of the most isolated settlements not only in the region, but also in the country. Very few experienced tourists know about the village. This village attracts with its incredibly unusual atmosphere. Here, you can admire the historical attraction and ride on the ropeway.

In the warm period, one of the main entertainments in Ticino is hiking tours, during which you can visit a lot of picturesque villages and see unique nature attractions. In the very beautiful district, there is the village of Ponte Brolla. There is the beautiful gorge near it. When walking here, you can see the junction of Melezza and Maja rivers. The village of Forollo has its own unusual symbols. There is the incredibly beautiful waterfall near it. It reaches its maximum magnificence in the spring.

It is also interesting to visit Ticino in winter. On its territory, there are several actively developed ski resorts. One of the most attractive winter resorts is San Carlo that will impress even those who are only mastering the skiing. This resort is located in the submontane district of Robjey that is also distinguished by amazing landscapes. No matter when you want to vacation in Ticino, you should combine excursions and hiking tour with the visiting of local restaurants. Very interesting dishes with some “Italian tinge” are served here. You will not taste these dishes in other regions of Switzerland. There are very attractive national restaurants even in small towns and villages.