Beyond the lake
Lugano and Ticino: Switzerland’s Italian-speaking lakes
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Lugano and Ticino: Switzerland’s Italian-speaking lakes
From Menaggio a road climbs west to Porlezza on Lake Lugano; beyond lies Lugano, in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, and the lakeside village of Morcote. Visitor information from Lugano Region and Ticino Turismo.
Getting there
By road from Menaggio via Porlezza, or by train from Como to Lugano; check the operators’ own timetables.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © JoachimKohler-HB · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsLugano and Morcote
Lugano’s lakefront and old town, and the village of Morcote on the southern shore of the lake; luganoregion.com and ticino.ch.
Lugano is in Switzerland: carry your passport or ID card, and Swiss francs.
Our advice: remember you are crossing a border: take your passport or ID card.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- Lugano and Morcote
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Lugano and Ticino: Switzerland’s Italian-speaking lakes before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Lugano and Ticino: Switzerland’s Italian-speaking lakes are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Villa del Balbianello20 kmCar or taxi 45 min
- Villa Carlotta22 kmCar or taxi 48 min
- Brunate funicular23 kmCar or taxi 52 min
- Villa Melzi gardens23 kmCar or taxi 52 min
- Como Cathedral24 kmCar or taxi 52 min
- Villa Monastero26 kmCar or taxi 57 min
- Malpensa Airport45 kmCar or taxi 95 min
Main railway stations
- Como Lago23 kmCar or taxi 52 min
- Como San Giovanni24 kmCar or taxi 52 min
- Varenna-Esino26 kmCar or taxi 57 min
- Colico36 kmCar or taxi 77 min
- Lecco38 kmCar or taxi 81 min