Lugano is a stylish lakeside city in southern Switzerland, with a distinctly Italian feel thanks to its promenades lined with palm trees, piazzas and cafe culture, not to mention its proximity to the border (you can get there in 15 to 20 minutes). It’s a great base for swimming and boating on Lake Lugano, while the surrounding mountains offer scenic hikes and viewpoints. Back in town, there are art museums, elegant shopping streets and lots of good restaurants — all with a lovely Alpine-meets-Mediterranean backdrop.
Centro Storico is the best place to stay for first-time visitors, with Piazza della Riforma, the cathedral, cafes, shops and Lugano’s main museums all close at hand. Paradiso, just south of the centre, is all about the lake and mountains, with the Monte San Salvatore funicular and waterfront walks on your doorstep, as well as several smart lakeside hotels. Across the bay, Cassarate & Castagnola offer a quieter, greener side of Lugano, with the Parco Ciani, Lido and Museo delle Culture within easy reach, plus lovely lake views and walking trails. For something more atmospheric, Gandria is a tiny lakeside village of stone houses and steep lanes, best suited to a peaceful stay with hiking and boat trips rather than nightlife. Pregassona & Viganello are more residential and local, but put you close to the foothills, parks and walking trails, with a wider choice of good-value hotels than the lakefront.
Ideal for: Sightseeing, city breaks, cafe culture, architecture, shopping
Staying in Centro Storico puts Lugano’s historic heart right outside your hotel door. The compact old town is easy to navigate on foot, with the pretty Piazza della Riforma, colourful streets, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and several museums to explore. There are also plenty of cafes, wine bars, restaurants and shops, while the lakeside promenade is just a short stroll away. Accommodation ranges from stylish boutique stays to smart four-star hotels.
Did you know? Lugano’s historic centre is home to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli, which houses one of Switzerland’s most important Renaissance artworks: a huge 16th century fresco of the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ by Bernardino Luini.
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Ideal for: Mountain trips, lake views, boat trips, luxury stays
With a peaceful setting just south of Lugano’s centre, Paradiso is a great base for couples, luxury travellers and anyone looking for lake views. The main attraction is Monte San Salvatore, reached by funicular, for panoramic views and hiking trails, while the waterfront is perfect for swimming, strolling and boat trips. Hotels here tend to be more upscale lakeside properties, many with terraces, pools and views across the water.
Did you know? Paradiso is home to the funicular railway to Monte San Salvatore, which has been carrying visitors up the mountain since 1890.
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Ideal for: Lake swimming, green spaces, art museums, peaceful stays, lakeside walks
Cassarate & Castagnola offer a quieter base, with lake views and plenty of green space just east of central Lugano. Parco Ciani is ideal for lakeside strolls, while the Lido di Lugano is handy for swimming and long summer days spent by the water. Culture lovers can visit the Museo delle Culture, while the hillside paths around Castagnola are great for walks. The area offers smart lakeside hotels as well as more relaxed, family-friendly stays.
Did you know? Castagnola was once a small fishing and farming village before Lugano grew around it. Its hillside location and lake-facing slopes helped make it a popular retreat for wealthy visitors in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Ideal for: Village escapes, hiking, boat trips, lake views, peaceful stays
Did you know? Gandria is so close to the Italian border that the village once had a reputation as a smugglers’ route. Today, you can learn about its border history at the Swiss Customs Museum, reached by boat or along the lakeside path from Gandria.
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Ideal for: Local life, families, parks, hiking
Pregassona & Viganello suit families, longer-stay visitors and travellers looking for a more local side of Lugano, away from the busy lakefront. Viganello has a lively neighbourhood feel, with cafes, shops and everyday restaurants, while Pregassona is greener and closer to walking trails and the foothills. You’re still within easy reach of central Lugano, and hotels here tend to be more affordable, practical options rather than grand lakeside properties.
Did you know? Pregassona was once a small farming village surrounded by vineyards and fields before Lugano expanded outwards.
