Locarno is a splendid, relatively large town but still quiet and never chaotic, typical of cities that extend along the lake. Located in the south of Switzerland in the immediate vicinity of Ascona, behind it rise the imposing Lugano Pre-Alps and the Lepontine Alps which create a wonderful setting that is reflected together with the city on Lake Maggiore. Locarno is famous both in Italy and in the rest of Europe for its favorable Mediterranean and temperate microclimate which makes it the sunniest city in Switzerland but also thanks to the particular historical architecture and the international echo of the film festival.
There are many pleasant activities to do in the Ticino town both during the summer for long walks in the historic center or trips to Lake Maggiore and the Brissago islands; or excursions during the winter, on the snow-capped mountains. But let's see in detail some things to do in Locarno. The first that we recommend is undoubtedly a walk in the splendid Piazza Grande, the heart of the city of Locarno where all the streets of the old city converge.
Piazza Grande it is a Renaissance square surrounded by arcades and characteristic pastel-coloured houses, full of trendy shops and boutiques flanked by ancient bars and restaurants where you can spend quiet moments of relaxation. The ancient village that characterizes Locarno is in fact still very active and has managed not only to preserve its own identity but also its many historical and religious monuments of great value.
In fact, each of them preserves works of art, marble altars and baroque statues as in ancient times Church of S. Antonio Abate, precious fresco cycles decorate the Church of S. Maria Assunta and San Francesco. To the Visconteo Castle, built in the 13th century, today you can admire the precious Roman glass used for the Archaeological Museum, or the Casa Rusca, which today houses the Civic Art Gallery. Also interesting is the Casorella, which dates back to the 16th century, while those who prefer contemporary art can opt for a visit to the Ghisla Art Collection.
Obviously also unmissable is the Lake Maggiore and the walks along its banks which offer a beautiful panoramic view immersed in nature, enriched by the surrealist sculptures of the artist Jean Arp, who spent the last years of his life in Locarno and donated nine bronze sculptures to the city. Alternatively or in addition you can visit the Muralto Gardens, a long route that is home to numerous Mediterranean and subtropical species.
Furthermore, from Locarno there are departures for almost all the most famous destinations such as the cities of Arona and Stresa and the villages of Cannero e Cannobio, the latter is very popular for its famous and appreciated Sunday market which takes place along the lake shore; but the real attraction are the islands of Brissago, Sant'Apollinare and San Pancrazio, two splendid jewels that appear on Lake Maggiore. Reachable by boat, with their botanical park which is home mainly to plants of subtropical origin, they offer spectacular natural scenery.
For centuries a place of meditation and pilgrimage, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso di Orsellina is one of the most important in the Switzerland. Situated on a promontory overlooking the city of Locarno, it is thought to have arisen on the exact spot where, way back in 1480, Friar Bartolomeo da Ivrea witnessed a Marian apparition. It can be reached both on foot along the Via Crucis and with the funicular located near the station, which allows you to go up to the Sanctuary approximately every 15/30 minutes during the summer.
Once you arrive you can admire a convent, a small museum and the sanctuary. You can also follow the path that leads to Sacred Mountain. Locarno also offers many outdoor activities especially for lovers of snow sports, thanks to the Cardada-Cimetta mountains which form its backdrop.
Always reachable with Orsellina funicular, this destination is one of the flagships of Locarno, in fact being able to ski admiring the view of the lake will truly leave you speechless. In addition to this, during the summer the renowned town of Cardada is transformed to give space to mountaineers, lovers of trekking and mountain biking as well as daredevil hang-gliders. A valid alternative to the mountains is found at Locarno Lido, a modern and welcoming seaside resort open all year round that offers visitors pleasant moments of relaxation and leisure.
During the winter you can take advantage of the indoor swimming pools, a heated outdoor pool with water jets where you can swim and a brand new Spa that offers wellness programs and thermal baths and much more to help guests relax. In summer it becomes the most important meeting and entertainment place in Locarno. Beautiful days on the beach, swimming pools, slides and many games create an entertainment center suitable for everyone.
Locarno is a city full of events, known mainly for the Film Festival, which is repeated every year in August. The festival had its first edition in 1946 in the park of the Grand Hotel in Muralto, but over time it has carved out a respectable place for itself in the international cinema panorama, becoming a real point of reference for enthusiasts. Furthermore, for over 10 years the Moon and Stars has been staged in the town, a huge musical stage which hosts, in the month of July, the most important pop and rock stars on the international scene.
A trip to Locarno in Switzerland, walks around the lake and in the mountains, and city festivals. Let's find out what you can do and see in this well-kept city
Locarno is a splendid, relatively large town but still quiet and never chaotic, typical of cities that extend along the lake. Located in the south of Switzerland in the immediate vicinity of Ascona, behind it rise the imposing Lugano Pre-Alps and the Lepontine Alps which create a wonderful setting that is reflected together with the city on Lake Maggiore. Locarno is famous both in Italy and in the rest of Europe for its favorable Mediterranean and temperate microclimate which makes it the sunniest city in Switzerland but also thanks to the particular historical architecture and the international echo of the film festival.
There are many pleasant activities to do in the Ticino town both during the summer for long walks in the historic center or trips to Lake Maggiore and the Brissago islands; or excursions during the winter, on the snow-capped mountains. But let's see in detail some things to do in Locarno. The first that we recommend is undoubtedly a walk in the splendid Piazza Grande, the heart of the city of Locarno where all the streets of the old city converge.
Piazza Grande it is a Renaissance square surrounded by arcades and characteristic pastel-coloured houses, full of trendy shops and boutiques flanked by ancient bars and restaurants where you can spend quiet moments of relaxation. The ancient village that characterizes Locarno is in fact still very active and has managed not only to preserve its own identity but also its many historical and religious monuments of great value.
In fact, each of them preserves works of art, marble altars and baroque statues as in ancient times Church of S. Antonio Abate, precious fresco cycles decorate the Church of S. Maria Assunta and San Francesco. To the Visconteo Castle, built in the 13th century, today you can admire the precious Roman glass used for the Archaeological Museum, or the Casa Rusca, which today houses the Civic Art Gallery. Also interesting is the Casorella, which dates back to the 16th century, while those who prefer contemporary art can opt for a visit to the Ghisla Art Collection.
Obviously also unmissable is the Lake Maggiore and the walks along its banks which offer a beautiful panoramic view immersed in nature, enriched by the surrealist sculptures of the artist Jean Arp, who spent the last years of his life in Locarno and donated nine bronze sculptures to the city. Alternatively or in addition you can visit the Muralto Gardens, a long route that is home to numerous Mediterranean and subtropical species.
Furthermore, from Locarno there are departures for almost all the most famous destinations such as the cities of Arona and Stresa and the villages of Cannero e Cannobio, the latter is very popular for its famous and appreciated Sunday market which takes place along the lake shore; but the real attraction are the islands of Brissago, Sant'Apollinare and San Pancrazio, two splendid jewels that appear on Lake Maggiore. Reachable by boat, with their botanical park which is home mainly to plants of subtropical origin, they offer spectacular natural scenery.
For centuries a place of meditation and pilgrimage, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso di Orsellina is one of the most important in the Switzerland. Situated on a promontory overlooking the city of Locarno, it is thought to have arisen on the exact spot where, way back in 1480, Friar Bartolomeo da Ivrea witnessed a Marian apparition. It can be reached both on foot along the Via Crucis and with the funicular located near the station, which allows you to go up to the Sanctuary approximately every 15/30 minutes during the summer.
Once you arrive you can admire a convent, a small museum and the sanctuary. You can also follow the path that leads to Sacred Mountain. Locarno also offers many outdoor activities especially for lovers of snow sports, thanks to the Cardada-Cimetta mountains which form its backdrop.
Always reachable with Orsellina funicular, this destination is one of the flagships of Locarno, in fact being able to ski admiring the view of the lake will truly leave you speechless. In addition to this, during the summer the renowned town of Cardada is transformed to give space to mountaineers, lovers of trekking and mountain biking as well as daredevil hang-gliders. A valid alternative to the mountains is found at Locarno Lido, a modern and welcoming seaside resort open all year round that offers visitors pleasant moments of relaxation and leisure.
During the winter you can take advantage of the indoor swimming pools, a heated outdoor pool with water jets where you can swim and a brand new Spa that offers wellness programs and thermal baths and much more to help guests relax. In summer it becomes the most important meeting and entertainment place in Locarno. Beautiful days on the beach, swimming pools, slides and many games create an entertainment center suitable for everyone.
Locarno is a city full of events, known mainly for the Film Festival, which is repeated every year in August. The festival had its first edition in 1946 in the park of the Grand Hotel in Muralto, but over time it has carved out a respectable place for itself in the international cinema panorama, becoming a real point of reference for enthusiasts. Furthermore, for over 10 years the Moon and Stars has been staged in the town, a huge musical stage which hosts, in the month of July, the most important pop and rock stars on the international scene.
Locarno is a splendid, relatively large town but still quiet and never chaotic, typical of cities that extend along the lake. Located in the south of Switzerland in the immediate vicinity of Ascona, behind it rise the imposing Lugano Pre-Alps and the Lepontine Alps which create a wonderful setting that is reflected together with the city on Lake Maggiore. Locarno is famous both in Italy and in the rest of Europe for its favorable Mediterranean and temperate microclimate which makes it the sunniest city in Switzerland but also thanks to the particular historical architecture and the international echo of the film festival.
There are many pleasant activities to do in the Ticino town both during the summer for long walks in the historic center or trips to Lake Maggiore and the Brissago islands; or excursions during the winter, on the snow-capped mountains. But let's see in detail some things to do in Locarno. The first that we recommend is undoubtedly a walk in the splendid Piazza Grande, the heart of the city of Locarno where all the streets of the old city converge.
Piazza Grande it is a Renaissance square surrounded by arcades and characteristic pastel-coloured houses, full of trendy shops and boutiques flanked by ancient bars and restaurants where you can spend quiet moments of relaxation. The ancient village that characterizes Locarno is in fact still very active and has managed not only to preserve its own identity but also its many historical and religious monuments of great value.
In fact, each of them preserves works of art, marble altars and baroque statues as in ancient times Church of S. Antonio Abate, precious fresco cycles decorate the Church of S. Maria Assunta and San Francesco. To the Visconteo Castle, built in the 13th century, today you can admire the precious Roman glass used for the Archaeological Museum, or the Casa Rusca, which today houses the Civic Art Gallery. Also interesting is the Casorella, which dates back to the 16th century, while those who prefer contemporary art can opt for a visit to the Ghisla Art Collection.
Obviously also unmissable is the Lake Maggiore and the walks along its banks which offer a beautiful panoramic view immersed in nature, enriched by the surrealist sculptures of the artist Jean Arp, who spent the last years of his life in Locarno and donated nine bronze sculptures to the city. Alternatively or in addition you can visit the Muralto Gardens, a long route that is home to numerous Mediterranean and subtropical species.
Furthermore, from Locarno there are departures for almost all the most famous destinations such as the cities of Arona and Stresa and the villages of Cannero e Cannobio, the latter is very popular for its famous and appreciated Sunday market which takes place along the lake shore; but the real attraction are the islands of Brissago, Sant'Apollinare and San Pancrazio, two splendid jewels that appear on Lake Maggiore. Reachable by boat, with their botanical park which is home mainly to plants of subtropical origin, they offer spectacular natural scenery.
For centuries a place of meditation and pilgrimage, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso di Orsellina is one of the most important in the Switzerland. Situated on a promontory overlooking the city of Locarno, it is thought to have arisen on the exact spot where, way back in 1480, Friar Bartolomeo da Ivrea witnessed a Marian apparition. It can be reached both on foot along the Via Crucis and with the funicular located near the station, which allows you to go up to the Sanctuary approximately every 15/30 minutes during the summer.
Once you arrive you can admire a convent, a small museum and the sanctuary. You can also follow the path that leads to Sacred Mountain. Locarno also offers many outdoor activities especially for lovers of snow sports, thanks to the Cardada-Cimetta mountains which form its backdrop.
Always reachable with Orsellina funicular, this destination is one of the flagships of Locarno, in fact being able to ski admiring the view of the lake will truly leave you speechless. In addition to this, during the summer the renowned town of Cardada is transformed to give space to mountaineers, lovers of trekking and mountain biking as well as daredevil hang-gliders. A valid alternative to the mountains is found at Locarno Lido, a modern and welcoming seaside resort open all year round that offers visitors pleasant moments of relaxation and leisure.
During the winter you can take advantage of the indoor swimming pools, a heated outdoor pool with water jets where you can swim and a brand new Spa that offers wellness programs and thermal baths and much more to help guests relax. In summer it becomes the most important meeting and entertainment place in Locarno. Beautiful days on the beach, swimming pools, slides and many games create an entertainment center suitable for everyone.
Locarno is a city full of events, known mainly for the Film Festival, which is repeated every year in August. The festival had its first edition in 1946 in the park of the Grand Hotel in Muralto, but over time it has carved out a respectable place for itself in the international cinema panorama, becoming a real point of reference for enthusiasts. Furthermore, for over 10 years the Moon and Stars has been staged in the town, a huge musical stage which hosts, in the month of July, the most important pop and rock stars on the international scene.
