Venues to visit in the city of Lugano

The chic Via Nassa. With its boutiques, antiquarian bookshops and jewellers’, it elevates window-shopping to an art form; 270 metres of covered arcades make for a shady, pleasant stroll, even in high summer. Mouth-watering food emporia and popular department stores also add to the appeal of Lugano’s top address.

Most shops on the Via Nassa are open on weekdays to 6.30pm and on Saturdays to 5pm. They are closed on Sundays.

Famous Monte San Salvatore on the shores of Lake Lugano looks similar to Sugarloaf. It is the reason why Lugano is sometimes known as “little Rio”. A guide takes the visitors on the funicular for an excursion to the amazing mountain with the panoramic views.

- Every Wednesday from 10 am to 1pm (12.06.2019 to 23.10.2019

- Price: Adults CHF 15.-, Youth (6-16) CHF 10.-, Kids (0 - 5) free

- Price including funicular and guided tour

- 30% Discount with Holiday Card

This lido on Lake Lugano is ideal for swimmers and sunbathers alike: lakeside swimming, diving board, sun deck, changing rooms, showers and refreshment options. Enjoy a wonderful view of the mountains surrounding the lake from the floating wooden platform.

In 1798, Piazza Grande witnessed a battle between the Cisalpini and the Volontari Luganesi, who won Ticino’s independence from the central government established by Napoleon. One year later, in 1799, Piazza Grande staged another historical event: the massacre of Abbot Vanelli, editor of the Gazzetta di Lugano, a progressive newspaper printed at this square by typographer Agnelli.

Palazzo Civico, the seat of the city hall, was built only later, in the years 1842-1844. Due to its location in Piazza della Riforma, further political events took place here. Around 1870, under the Garini arcades, the conservatives made of the newly opened Caffè Federale their meeting place, where liberals clearly were least welcome.