Lugano

Tours

Escape the hustle and bustle of Milan for a relaxing tour of the countryside of northern Italy and southern Switzerland, traveling in air-conditioned comfort. Relax as you take in Alpine views and see stunning lakes and villas. In less than an hour, you’ll pass the Italian border and arrive in Switzerland and take a scenic drive to the foot of the Alps. The first destination on your great escape is Lugano, featuring breathtaking panoramas and excellent shopping opportunities. If you are craving artistic culture, take a relaxing walk through town to Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto church. For a spot of retail therapy, make your way over to the beautiful downtown shopping area, brimming with inviting shops, rich Swiss chocolate, and fine luxury goods. Next, reach the famous city of Bellagio, the "Pearl of Lake Como.” Once in Bellagio, enjoy free time to explore the town and do some shopping, or relax and eat some local food in the most nostalgic bars and restaurants. After taking some photos and enjoying the town’s charming atmosphere, continue to Lake Como by coach. Upon arrival, enjoy a 2-hour boat cruise along the lake for a unique opportunity to admire the breathtaking landscapes and see villas of the rich and famous. Lake Como is a famous holiday destination for stars and celebrities. During the cruise, your guide will point out George Clooney’s villa, plus villas that once hosted Star Wars and James Bond movie sets. After that, the bus will take you back to Milan’s city center in time for dinner.

Discover two countries in one day on this unforgettable tour. See Lake Como and enjoy the scenic views. Explore Bellagio, known as the Pearl of Lake Como, and visit the town of Lugano. Start your trip from Milan, jump aboard a bus and drive to Lake Como. Stroll along the medieval alleys on this guided walking tour and see the old villas. Discover the art, history, and local traditions before seeing the impressive Gothic Cathedral. Next, go back on the bus and head to Switzerland. First, admire the views of The Alps as you drive by. Enjoy free time in Lugano to walk around and explore. Visit Lake Lugano and relax with a picnic by the lake. Afterward, drive to the small village of Cadenabbia. Then board a ferry to Bellagio. Once in Bellagio, you can walk around or go shopping, if you like. Continue to Mount Ghisallo and see the Sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Return to Milan by bus.

Your guided excursion begins on the lakeshore, where you can take a look at some cultural and artistic sites, such as the LAC Lugano Arte Cultura and the Santa Maria degli Angeli Church. Then, make your way toward the funicular. The Gulf of Lugano is special for having 2 mountains that demarcate its borders: Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore.  After reaching the top with the funicular, take in the breathtaking views. Enjoy some free time to explore and have a picnic before it’s time to ride the cable car back down, concluding the tour. During your time on the mountain, benefit from a discount at the panoramic restaurant and check out all of Monte San Salvatore's activities, sure to please gourmets, sports enthusiasts, and lovers of culture and nature. Head off on a variety of hiking trails, which provide the opportunity to discover truly unspoiled nature, or try your hand at climbing on the “Via Ferrata”. On Monte San Salvatore, there is even space for culture; the Museum San Salvatore is home to a precious collection of rare religious art. It also features an exhibition dedicated to rocks, minerals, and fossils, in addition to rooms that illustrate the history of the confraternity over centuries and the history of the lightning-research center, which sheds light on the historical significance of storms for the region.

Let yourself be enchanted by a wonderful panorama as you visit two countries and two lakes during this day trip experience from Como to Lugano, Cadenabbia, and Bellagio. Enjoy informative commentary and a cruise on Lake Como. Take a bus from Como and, after about a 1-hour drive, reach Lugano. Enjoy free time to visit the delightful city center and enjoy a romantic walk on the lake's shore. Transfer by bus to Cadenabbia, a small village on Lake Como’s shore and a popular holiday destination for many aristocrats such as Queen Victoria of England and Zar Nicholas of Russia. From Cadenabbia, board a cruise to reach the Bellagio, also known as the pearl of Lake Como. Spend some free time in this picturesque village. Later, marvel at the amazing landscape from the water as you take another boat ride on the lake. Admire the fascinating villas with their wonderful gardens as you head back to Como.

Your guide will lead you through the city, to Cassarate, up to Monte Bré and back down to the bottom of the mountain. Meet your guide at the Lugano Region tourist office in Piazza Riforma. Start at the city’s heart with a boat ride to the little harbor of Cassarate.  Then, after getting on the funicular, enjoy the splendid views of the city center at your feet as you reach Lugano’s most uncontaminated summit. You will also get the chance to admire the fantastic panoramic view, which, on clear days, stretches all the way to Mount Rosa. Take a stroll and explore the small village of Brè, where life runs at a slow pace, while taking a look at the typical Ticinese houses, the church and the works of art.  Explore Monte Bré at your own pace, soak in the stunning views over Lake Lugano, the city and nearby mountain tops. The return ticket on the funicular, to get back down to Cassarate is included in your tour, from there you can arrange your individual return to Lugano.

Start the day with a comfortable bus trip from Milan taking you directly to Lugano. Explore the historic center on a guided walking tur and see the famous Via Nassa with its luxury shop windows. Continue by bus along the panoramic road that runs along Lake Lugano to Tremezzo on Lake Como. There hop on a private boat that will transfer you directly to Bellagio where you can enjoy some free time for lunch and exploration of its elegant streets. Then set sail on a relaxing cruise on the lake. Surrounded by great landscapes, admire beautiful villas and gardens such as Villa Melzi d'Eril, Villa del Balbianello, and Villa Carlotta. Relax on the scenic drive along Lake Como that takes you back to Milan by bus before dinner time.

Join your guide to discover the city of Lugano through your camera lens. Enjoy a short city walk which will provide you the unique opportunity to get to know the city from an insider’s point of view. Your walk will take you from LAC to the university, and as you use your camera to capture the beauty of Lugano you will also get to discover local spots and hidden gems that your typical tourist tour won’t show you. Prepare to discover an alternative side of Lugano which is full of history and unique beauty. Don't forget to book the experience at a suitable time to ensure the best light possible for the pictures. You simply cannot leave the city before taking a stroll on the shores of the lake and getting to know more about the history of Ticino.

Discover the local cuisine of Lugano in your own way with this self-guided tour. Immerse yourself in Lugano and visit some locations off the beaten track. Start your day at Grand Café Al Porto, which has been a local hub in the heart of the city since 1803. Choose a pastry creation to try along with a hot or cold drink. Stroll on to the next stop, Bernasconi Gastronomia, one of the milestones for gourmet lovers in Lugano and a 100-year-old establishment that continuously adapts itself to the wants and needs of an increasingly dynamic clientele. Try a traditional aperitif with local finger food accompanied by a glass of local prosecco. Next, taste a glass of local wine with local cheeses at your third stop, Bottegone del Vino. Soak in the ambiance of this friendly wine bar-restaurant situated in a buzzing pedestrian district is a small wine-restaurant in the center of Lugano's pedestrian area. Experience the grotto atmosphere of the Ticinese valleys captured in the city center at your fourth stop, Ristorante La Tinera. Taste truly authentic Ticinese cuisine by having a traditional hot dish accompanied by a tazzin (cup) of local red wine. Finish up your culinary journey at the final stop, Vanini, one of the city’s oldest cafes and located in Lugano’s famous Piazza Riforma. Continue exploring the city into the afternoon or evening, taking an ice cream for the road.

Discover the best of 2 cultures on this tour of Lugano, a Swiss city located on the Italian border. Immerse yourself in Lugano's booming creative and cultural scene on this private tour with a local guide and learn why thousands of art lovers from across the globe flock to the city each year. This tour is perfect for both first-time visitors to Lugano and returning tourists who want to go beneath the surface of the city. As you wander around the picturesque streets, admire impressive street art and learn more about the city’s many galleries and museums as well as hearing about several local artists such as Giuseppe Antonio Petrini. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the most significant cultural and historical details of this multi-faceted Swiss city while diving into its art and culture from a local perspective. At the end of the tour, you will understand why Lugano is the cultural capital of Ticino.

After meeting your guide at your hotel, you’ll start the day with a walk through the historic centre of Lugano. Here, you’ll see the new conference centre, stroll through Lugano’s main shopping district, and see locals enjoying themselves in the many outdoor restaurants. A highlight will be going inside of the 15th-century church which is simply called "the church". Inside, you’ll see impressive mural paintings made by the Italian artist Bernardino Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s disciples.   You’ll then take a bus to the start of the Gandria Olive Trail footpath where you’ll enjoy a leisurely one-hour walk on the paved historic “Olive Trail” along the lakeside. You’ll eventually reach the romantic village of Gandria, which is nestled along the banks of Lake Lugano.   Afterwards, you’ll board a public boat and cruise to your lunch stop at one of Lugano’s most scenic areas, where you’ll experience an outdoor grotto lunch of risotto. Local Ticino white or red wine will be served so you can focus on your lunch, and al the while, you’ll be overlooking beautiful Lake Lugano with its surrounding mountains and villages. Your stand-by chefs will help you with your risotto to make sure you enjoy an excellent tasting grotto lunch. Following your lunch experience, your boat will return you to the city.