Pincered between the snow-capped peaks of Monte Bré and Monte San Salvatore, the glittering glacial waters and mountain setting of Lake Lugano makes it one of the prettiest lakes in Europe - and is well worth adding to your European bucket list in 2024.
On the banks of the lake is Lugano, the small but perfectly formed main city in Switzerland's Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. Thanks to its glamorous waterfront setting, ritzy casinos and loyal celebrity following – George Clooney is often spotted riding his Harley around Lugano – it's known as the Monte Carlo of Switzerland.
Sandwiched between the two, Lugano is less than hour from both Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, making it the perfect day trip (or longer) on your next Italian lakes holiday.
One of Lugano's main claims to fame is that it hosted the first ever Eurovision Song Contest back in 1956. Inspired by the Italian Sanremo Festival, the inspiring new pan-European song competition was hosted in Lugano primarily as a radio show – although there were some cameras there to capture the event for those with TVs. Just seven countries took part, and Switzerland's Lys Assia, won with the song Refrain.
A seamless blend of Swiss efficiency and Italian charm, Lugano feels quite unlike anywhere else in Europe. Its narrow, cobbled streets and pastel-hued neoclassical mansions, artisan chocolatiers and expensive watch shops all scream Switzerland, while the upmarket wine bars, stylish restaurants and elegant 19th-century coffee houses which spill out onto Piazza della Riforma, the town's main square, all bring a fashionable Italian vibe.
What to do in Lake Lugano
Visit the museums
Despite its compact size, Lugano is certainly not short of culture. At its heart is the Lugano Arte e Cultura Center, a stark, modernist building on the waterfront which reminds us of a giant cuboid shark. Housing the Museo d'arte della Svizzera Italian (MASI), one of the most popular art museums in Switzerland, it features a wealth of Ticino art from the 19th century until today. Overlooking the lake, the modern cultural centre also has a thousand-seat concert hall which hosts classical and contemporary concerts and shows.
Take in the best views of the Alps
Lugano's also famous for its funiculars. One of three in the city, the cherry-red funicular trundles between the business district and the city's Old Town as efficiently as a cuckoo clock. For the best views across the Alps and the lake, take one of the two mountain funiculars which climb up to the summits of Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore.
See the sights by water
Of course, the best way to really experience the beauty of Lake Lugano is from the water. You'll feel as glamorous as Amal Clooney as you hop on the polished teak cruiser and buzz around the lake to the tiny hamlet of Caprino for lunch. Lake Lugano is dotted with tiny grottoes – the tiny lakeside taverns, usually built around caves and shaded by trees.
Grotto San Rocco is one of the best. Sit on a red-checked table overlooking the lake, and the charming chef-proprietor, Michel will serve you dish upon dish of local treats like polenta and gorgonzola, barbecued lake fish and strozzapreti, the 'strangled priest' pasta with Ticino sausage and red wine.
Visit Bellinzona's 13th-century castles
One of Switzerland's key Unesco World Heritage sites, Bellinzona's trio of 13th-century castles is a must-visit on any Lake Lugano holiday. A short hop on the train from Lugano, it's easy to wander between Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro Castles and explore their ramparts, towers and lawned gardens. Do try the area’s famous Ticinella salami, which is cured in the cool cellars of Montebello Castle.
Go for a hike
If you're staying on the southern shores of Lake Lugano, you can take the century-old mountain railway from Capolago up to Monte Generoso for an afternoon of hiking. After lunch, take the Panorama Trail, a circular loop which lines the ridge for incredible views over the range. And, don't miss a peek into Grotto dell'Orso, the excavated remains of an ancient bears' cave.
People watch in the Old Town
The real beauty of a holiday to Lugano is that it's easy to do very little and just enjoy the vibe. At its heart is Piazza della Riforma, the city's neoclassical main square lined with dusky pastel mansions and pavement cafes, making it the perfect spot to sit with an espresso or a spritz and watch the world whirl by.
How to reach Lake Lugano
You can reach Lake Lugano by flying into Milan Malpensa Airport, where it's little over an hour's drive to the lakeside city. You can also fly into Zurich and transfer to Lugano by a scenic train ride through the Swiss Alps. Opened in 2016, the Gotthard Base Tunnel cores 35 miles through the Alps making it the longest railway tunnel in the world. It shaves almost 60 minutes off the journey between Zurich and Lugano making the lakes easily accessible in under two hours.
You can visit Lake Lugano as part of a seven-night no-fly trip to the Italian lakes in 2024. For more information, visit our holiday website and see all the details in our exclusive Good Housekeeping tour.
