Reaching Lugano, with its beautiful lake and the dramatic backdrop of mountains blanketed in lush, colorful vegetation, is easier than you might think. Located in the Canton Ticino of Switzerland, where Italian is the official language, this city is a highly sought-after travel destination.
The entire area is captivating, both for its natural landscapes and rich traditions. Italians—especially those from Lombardy—love coming to Lugano for a Sunday trip: they stroll past vibrant shop windows, soak up the atmosphere of the old and new neighborhoods, enjoy romantic boat rides, or take the funicular up to Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè, both offering breathtaking views.
1 What to See in Lugano
A walk through the old town reveals the 13th-century Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, which underwent several renovations between the 13th and 15th centuries (for instance, its façade is in Lombard Renaissance style), and Piazza della Riforma—two of the city’s focal points. Nearby is Piazza Rezzonico, which opens graciously toward the lake, right opposite the ferry dock, and is dominated by the 19th-century Palazzo del Municipio. Continue along the famous via Nassa, a street lined with arcades and set parallel to the lakeside; here, lovers of watches, jewelry, and luxury shopping will find plenty to admire—and to tempt their wallets. Via Nassa leads to Piazza Luini, home to the 16th-century Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli with its soaring Romanesque bell tower and renowned interior frescoes by Bernardino Luini, a disciple of Leonardo.
2 Lugano and the Arts
Art lovers shouldn’t miss the 18th-century Palazzo Riva, home to the Museo Cantonale d’Arte, featuring works by artists from Ticino, elsewhere in Switzerland, and around the world (including Renoir, Carrà, Pissarro, Klee, Kandinsky, Degas, and Sironi). Another must-see is Villa Favorita in Castagnola, where the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection is displayed. Lugano is also the city of Mario Botta; the renowned architect has left several works here, the most famous being the Banca del Gottardo building, which also houses an art gallery.
3 Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè
In Lugano, a city of just over 50,000 people, there’s plenty to explore. Don’t miss a trip to Monte San Salvatore, which, together with its twin peak Monte Brè, frames the gulf of Lugano. Both are fantastic viewpoints and offer rich hiking opportunities and unique histories. For example, at the summit of San Salvatore, you’ll find a church dating back to the early 1200s, when the Bishop of Como sold his land here to the Capitolo di Lugano.
Back then, a small shrine stood at the summit; this humble chapel was eventually expanded into a small church, complete with a bell tower and a red portico. Soon, it became a popular pilgrimage site—particularly for Ascension and Pentecost—with hundreds of faithful making processions to the peak. Those arriving from afar would stay overnight near the church. In 1703, the original church was demolished to make way (two years later) for a new one, built thanks to volunteers from the nearby villages of Pazzallo and Carabbia who carried up the necessary materials.
Monte San Salvatore’s story is full of fascinating episodes. For example, after pilgrimages, local villagers would often stop at the Sant’Antonio college in Lugano, where they enjoyed complimentary wine—a custom that sometimes led to night-time antics.
Monte San Salvatore was also once a center for smuggling, until the Austrian authorities cracked down in the 19th century. In 1859, after several violent storms, Lugano installed its first lightning rod on the mountain, followed by renovations to the church and the building of a shelter for pilgrims. For a time, management was entrusted to a Florentine named Siccoli, who even envisioned a hotel here, inspired by those on Monte Generoso.
