This beautiful Swiss lakeside city is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe

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Yes, the country is incredibly expensive, and yes, you may want to save some hard-earned dollars if you plan to experience it this way should to do: train rides through glacial landscapes, mountain retreats, raclette with beautiful views of the mountains and all.

When I’m in Switzerland, every “can I get the check” is followed by mild heart palpitations, but it’s not like those stunning panoramas don’t soften the blow.

This lakeside town in the far south of the country is one of those exceptions. If you feel like Zurich’s mid-foods and Geneva’s friendliness aren’t quite worth their high price tags, you might like to have a beautiful little Lugano let your wallet bleed dry this weekend:

The best weekend getaway in Switzerland

Located on Lake Lugano (named after the lake itself), Lugano is probably my favorite Swiss city to relax, breathe the fresh mountain air and enjoy some seriously good food. After all, this is Ticino, or whatever casual travelers like to call it,”Italian Switzerland‘.

Yes, Switzerland is much more diverse than it is given credit for.

Although it do have a German-speaking majority, there are French, Italian and Romansh-speaking communities along its western and southern edges, and Lugano is perhaps the heart of the often overlooked Italian corner.

Not a bad place to land, especially if you’re looking for the perfect compromise between alpine and Mediterranean cultures, and some freshly made pasta after a whole week of unsalted potato pancakes.

A mini-Italy in the Swiss Alps

There’s nothing I love more than getting lost in a beautiful city where every corner looks like a postcard coming to life. Well, I can tell you that Lugano is charming piazzestreets with arcades and the Renaissance era palazzi are exactly that.

I mean, how can you not immediately fall in love when the funicular rides from the train station to the timeless city center? looks like this?

Home to an elegant old town, crisscrossed and dotted with those quintessentially Italian, sleek pastel buildings with green shutters, it’s like a slice of Italy that’s strayed a little too far north of the border.

If you’re in Lugano for a day, a good place to start is Piazza della Riforma, a large public square surrounded by Neoclassical palaces and traditional trattoriaright on the shores of the crystal clear Lake Lugano.

A quick Google search will probably tell you that this is the case Ristorante META you have to book. It is recognized by Michelin, with a luxurious menu that combines Italian culinary traditions with a Swiss touch, and to sum it up: it is a chic, gourmet eatery for those who are not exactly averse to a night out.

I believe that the accommodation alone is expensive enough.

If you’re craving classic Italian dishes and don’t want to break the bank, Ristorante Tango is a prime location, right on the square. Perfect for a casual pizza, or maybe a… risotto alla ticinese combined with some local ones red: the combo that Lugano is very proud of.

Is this the most beautiful Alpine lake in Switzerland?

As delicious as the food is, that’s not the only reason why I think it’s one of the most underrated destinations not only in Switzerland, but also in Europe as a whole.

The city’s surprisingly picturesque surroundings are the stuff of dreams, and I honestly haven’t seen a more beautiful city park than the lakeside Parco Ciani.

I’m talking winding paths flanked by perfectly manicured flower beds and colorful tulip displays, benches along wide avenues lined with knobbly trunks, and ornate gates that open directly onto the water.

There aren’t many things in Switzerland that you can enjoy for free, but… The green lung of Luganowhich runs along the lake for about 1 mile is one of them.

With the exception of Zurich and Geneva, the country’s only two true metropolises, Swiss cities are generally pretty chill, but Lugano is a special kind of chill. It’s the kind of place where you want to lie in the grass and bask in the alpine sun for hours, as if time were just a minor inconvenience.

A beautiful mountain escape within minutes of central Lugano

Of course, no visit to Lugano is complete without a short escape into nature.

Monte San Salvatore iIt is the most tourist-friendly peak to conquer, with the route starting in Paradiso, a short 10 to 15 minute walk from the center of Lugano, and taking around 2 hours to complete. The mountaintop offers 360° views of the surrounding waters, the Swiss Alps and the Po Valley in northern Italy.

From Cassarate you can also take a scenic cable car up to the mountainside of Monte Brè. At the very top you get another epic bird’s eye view:Don’t miss Brè Village itself, a small, traditional Ticinese village with cobbled streets and rustic townhouses.

There are a number of smaller, equally beautiful towns around the lake to explore. Morcote is my all time favorite:

Fairytale lakeside towns abound

It’s called the Pearl of Lake Lugano for a reason, and I could honestly spend hours wandering the cobblestone streets, admiring the flower-filled balconies and taking in the sights at Parco Scherrer: Ciani’s lesser-known sibling, it’s a beautifully landscaped garden dotted with whimsical sculptures.

Gandria is another fairytale town, with stone houses on cliffs, a small main building squareand modest Baroque churches that hide opulent interiors. No lie, the solemn interior and the frescoed chapels of Chiesa di Santa Maria del Sasso are striking in their own quiet, unassuming way.

Fancy a little trip to Italy while you’re at it?

Although Lugano is a Swiss treasure, it shares its waters with Italy: on the south side of the lake, Porlezza is a small town with relaxed promenades, cozy cafes and an authentic Lombard atmosphere… without the bustling hustle and bustle of Como.

It goes without saying that you might want to spend a weekend in Lugano if you plan to go hiking and do a little tour of the area.

Other must-see places in Ticino

Don’t just stop at Lugano! Here are all the other incredible destinations you can visit in Ticino, the wider Italian-speaking canton:

• Villa Fogarazzo Roi: a stately 19th century villa with opulent rooms and lush gardens.
• Castello di Montebello: a UNESCO World Heritage complex and one of the most impressive medieval castles in Ticino, located in the canton’s capital, Bellinzona.
• Swiss miniature: Located in Melide, this open-air miniature park showcases iconic Swiss landmarks in a scaled-down setting.
• Valle Verzasca: a green valley famous for its gently flowing emerald river, ancient stone bridges and moderately challenging walks.
• Curiosities: a sleepy hilltop village about 20 minutes’ drive from Lugano, distinguished by its centuries-old stone buildings and medieval town square.

How to reach Lugano this spring

Lugano does not have its own major airport, but is conveniently located between two of Europe’s busiest transport hubs, Zurich and Milan. You can’t fly there, but you can easy reach it by train:

From Zurich, Switzerland

Scenic drive through the Swiss Alps and the Gotthard Base Tunnel

• Route: Zurich HB (main station) → Lugano (via EuroCity train)
• Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Frequency: About every 1 to 2 hours
• Costs: CHF 45–90 ($59–$117)

From Milan, Italy

You will pass the Italian lakes and the hills of Ticino

• Route: Milan Centrale → Lugano
• Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes (direct EuroCity trains)
• Frequency: Every 1 to 2 hours
• Costs: ~€20–€35 ($24–$42)

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.