Locarno
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Tips
10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Arcaded cobbled square, home of the Locarno Film Festival's open-air screenings.
3 tips
- Film festival takes over in August
- Thursday market on the square
- Cafes under the arcades
📷 Photos
- 2
Golden-yellow sanctuary perched on a rock above the town and lake.
3 tips
- Take the funicular or walk the Via Crucis
- Free entry
- Terrace view over Lake Maggiore
📷 Photos
- 3
Mountain above Locarno reached by cable car, with a viewing walkway.
3 tips
- Cable car from Orselina
- Chairlift continues to Cimetta
- Bring a jacket, it's cooler up top
📷 Photos
- 4
Medieval castle housing the town's archaeological museum.
3 tips
- See the Roman glass collection
- Closed in winter
- Small and quick to visit
📷 Photos
- 5
Double-arched stone bridge over the emerald Verzasca river at Lavertezzo.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Postbus from Locarno station
- Water is very cold and currents strong
📷 Photos
- 6
Lakeside promenade with palm trees and a small sculpture garden.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- See Jean Arp sculptures for free
- Watch boats leave for the islands
- Lovely for sunset strolls
📷 Photos
- 7
Island botanical garden on Lake Maggiore reached by boat.
3 tips
- Boats from Locarno and Ascona
- Open late March to October
- Allow half a day
📷 Photos
- 8
Chic neighbouring lakeside town with a colourful promenade.
3 tips
- Bus or bike ride from Locarno
- Stroll the Piazza Motta
- Boats to the Brissago Islands
📷 Photos
- 9
Municipal art gallery in an 18th-century townhouse.
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Collection includes Jean Arp works
- Check current exhibitions
📷 Photos
- 10
Lakeside garden with around 1,000 camellia varieties.
3 tips
- Peak bloom March to April
- Free entry
- Combine with the Lido
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Locarno tips
Transportation
- Use the Ticino Ticket: Hotel guests in Ticino receive a free pass for regional trains and buses during their stay, which covers trips from Locarno to Bellinzona and the valleys.
- Ride the Centovalli Railway: The narrow-gauge line from Locarno to Domodossola crosses gorges and viaducts through the Centovalli, one of the most scenic rides in Switzerland.
- Take a Lake Maggiore boat: Ferries from the Locarno pier sail to Ascona, the Brissago Islands and Italian lakeside towns; check the timetable as service is reduced in winter.
Security
- Respect the Verzasca River: The clear green water is cold and has strong, sudden currents; drownings happen, so swim only in calm pools and never jump from bridges.
- Watch mountain weather above Cardada: Storms can build quickly over the peaks in summer; check forecasts before hiking from Cardada or Cimetta.
- Follow Swiss rules: Fines for littering, jaywalking or riding trains without a ticket are strict; keep tickets and passes ready for inspections.
Saving
- Eat at a grotto: Rustic grotti in the hills and valleys around Locarno serve polenta, cured meats and local wine at lower prices than lakeside restaurants.
- Shop at Coop and Migros: Switzerland is expensive, so supermarkets near the Piazza Grande are the best bet for picnic supplies by the lake.
- Walk up to Madonna del Sasso: A path climbs from the old town to the sanctuary for free, saving the funicular fare while offering views over the lake.
Weather/Clothing
- Enjoy the sunniest Swiss city: Locarno has a mild, sunny climate with palm trees and camellias; spring and autumn are ideal for walking.
- Pack for hot summers: July and August are hot and humid by Swiss standards, with evening thunderstorms; bring light clothes and a rain jacket.
- Bring warm layers for the mountains: Even in summer, Cardada and Cimetta are much cooler than the lakeside; carry a fleece for the cable car trip.
Cultural
- Attend the Locarno Film Festival: Each August films are screened on a giant outdoor screen in the Piazza Grande; book accommodation well in advance.
- Speak a little Italian: Ticino is Italian-speaking; greet with buongiorno and grazie, even though many people also speak German and English.
- Taste Ticino Merlot: The canton is known for Merlot wines; pair a glass with risotto or polenta in a local osteria.
Local Hacks
- Visit the Ponte dei Salti: The double-arched stone bridge at Lavertezzo in the Verzasca Valley is stunning; go early before crowds arrive.
- Ride the cable car to Cardada: From Orselina the cable car climbs to Cardada, then a chairlift continues to Cimetta for panoramic views of Lake Maggiore.
- Explore the Brissago Islands: The botanical garden on Isola Grande has plants from around the world; reach it by boat from Locarno.
1-day itineraries in Locarno
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.