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Lugano Travel Guide: 390 reviews and 1,036 photos
LUGANO, Switzerland --
I needed a cup of good strong coffee . . .and I go to my favorite coffee bar( Il Canape), to enjoy the warm lake breezes -- sweetened by a blend of mimosa, oleander, magnolias, figs, lemons, persimmons, and even palms -- that come wafting through the arcade.
Unlike the rest of Switzerland, the atmosphere here is mainly Mediterranean. Trust me when I say that the Ticino, Switzerland's only Italian-speaking canton, is where the country comes alive. It's Italian lifestyle with Swiss efficiency . . . the best of both worlds.
Lugano is for anyone who wants to be spoiled
with what I value most: peace & privacy.
It's a marvelous walking city dotted with palm trees, flowers, parks, and museums. You can stream across its sun-streaked lake or stroll for hours through gardens that border it, sit high above the lake on the terrace of a restaurant, sip an espresso or cappuccino at an outdoor cafe, or take a funicular to the tops of Monte Bre or Monte San Salvatore.
Ticino gastronomy is greatly influenced by the cuisine of Lombardy, Piemonte, Tuscany, and the Alps. It is pasta, polenta, risotto con funghi, sausages, osso bucco, crusty bread, and formaggini (the local goat cheese topped with coarse black pepper and olive oil). Food shopping is very basic in Switzerland. There is not much that is interesting in stores like Manor, Migros and Coop. My advice is to take the train to Pointe Tressa, Italy and shop there. Everything is better and prices are lower.
My heart has been won by this beautiful, tranquil spot from nature's best garden. For me it is a perfect place to live life. I was very happy to spend some of my time in the treasure city of Lugano.
I do not yet speak much Italian, and the people in this area rarely speak any English. However, I can speak French which they understand.
There is a lot of wealth and banks here.
All that wealth finds an outlet on Via Nassa, the Fifth Avenue of Lugano. It's a cobbled, pedestrian-only street lined with the glittering nameplates of Versace, Gucci, Rolex and Patek Phillipe. Price tags in the windows range from expensive to surely-you-must-be-joking. If you're looking to spend the price of a used Volvo on a wristwatch, you'll have no trouble doing it here.
Links
GALLERIA BAUMGARTNER
http://www.gb-trains.ch
GLOBAL VAT REFUND
http://www.globalrefund.com
CARDADA IMPIANTI TURISTICI
http://www.cardada.ch
MONTE GENEROSO
http://www.montegeneroso.ch
MONTE TAMARO
http://www.montetamaro.ch
11 Favorite Restaurants:
Principe Leopoldo International
Ristorante al Portone German/Austrian
Ristorante Santabbondio Mediterranean
Locanda del Boschetto German/Austrian
Grotto dei Pescatori Italian
Osteria Ticinese da Raffaele German/Austrian/Swiss
Motto del Gallo Mediterranean Nearby
La Tinera German/Austrian/Swiss
Movenpick Ristorante Parco Ciani
Ristorante Orologio Italian
Antica Osteria Italian
It is impossible to express how wonderful it feels to be alive in a clean, safe, prosperous jewel like Lugano.
- Pros:Swiss efficiency yet all for you in Italian!
- Cons:Count your change. Small cheating goes on here.
- In a nutshell:Mediterranian climate, acceptable food, lake activities and lots of fun walking
Reviews (51)
WI-FI costs lots 198 CH weekly
Hotels
(5)
We enjoyed Villa Sassa, but the WI-FI costs 198 CH weekly. It is a rip-off, but we needed it for business. The gym made... more travel advice
A residence hotel
Hotels
(5)
It was a lovely apartment in a beautiful setting. The gym made this a great place to work and stay. more travel advice
Tom at the top of the mountain
Things to Do
(8)
Go up the mountain to the top to see this view. more travel advice
Looking to buy an apartment
Things to Do
(8)
The real estate here is very nice and people spend lots of time looking at other people's houses. more travel advice
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Business Travel
Spa and Resort
Museum VisitsLatest Lugano hotel reviews
- Hotel Belvedere
- 38 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 16, 2013 - Hotel Montarina & Backpackers Hostel
- 69 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 13, 2013 - Hotel Walter Au Lac
- 94 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 24, 2013 - Villa Sassa Hotel & Residence
- 55 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 6, 2013 - Residence Principe Leopoldo
- 80 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 12, 2013 - Lugano Dante Center Swiss Quality Hotel
- 553 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013 - Hotel Ceresio
- 4 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2011 - Hotel Villa Marita
- 7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 17, 2011 - Hotel Villa Selva
- 13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Aug 31, 2012 - Calipso Hotel
- 24 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013 - Albergo Pestalozzi
- 31 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 31, 2012 - Wellnesshotel Kurhaus Cademario
- 2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013 - Villa Margherita Hotel
- 2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Sep 22, 2007 - Albergo Acquarello
- 69 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 2, 2013 - Hotel Lido Seegarten
- 36 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2013
Comments (53)
Grazie for lovely photos & detail. I cooled off a bit on your tour as I am an Italian-American fritta here in Roma! Ciao, Carol
After numerous visits to Switz I loved my first visit to the 'Italian part of Switz' last year!!and seeing yr lovely main pic here Im wishing I could be there again now!
I enjoyed your insider take on this place. The scenery is beautiful and it looks like a great place for a home exchange.
Great page. Greetings from Poland.
I have to confess I was somewhat surprised at the lack of erudition on your pages. Loved the sentiments though!
Oh, what a fascinating place to visit! I think I felt the atmosphere of tranquility and warmth there... It would be an amazing trip over there...
My favorite place, thank you, how I wished to meet you there, but couldn't, still searching for the book you advoced and didn't find yet, I hope all is going great with you my great friend...Bless you
Was in Lugano in 1971 while in service. Loved the area. Stayed with the Rundel Family who had their own salon and hair product line. Almost went AWOL w/ 2 buddies! Thanks for the memories!
I took a break from my book that takes place in Lugano to look at your wonderful pages and tips. Thanks to you I even found a virtual tour of the Casino in Campione! Grazie!
Happy Birthday to one of the most uniquely interesting people I know. May you be blessed with many more happy birthdays and travels and adventures galore. Fondly, Wayne