Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano
4.5
About
Lake Lugano is a scenic lake that stretches across Switzerland and Northern Italy. The best way to fully appreciate its stunning views is by taking a boat cruise, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. A popular excursion is a boat ride to Morcote or Gandria, two quaint fishing villages along the lake. For a bird's-eye view, hop on the funicular from Lugano City. During the summer, you can even rent a paddle boat or go windsurfing. Alternatively, take a leisure stroll along the tree-lined promenade that runs alongside the lake. – Tripadvisor
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  • Alessandro F
    Milan, Italy26,346 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lacus Ceresium
    The ancient Latin name of this lake derives from the Celtic Keresium which means branched. In fact seen on the map it is a very branched lake. Of its 48 square km , 18 are in Italian territory. Here in the city, that gives it its actual name , it is very well kept, tidy as the Swiss like it. Ordered and faithful to the rules at home, when they come to Italy they left off steam……
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written April 1, 2023
  • holidayhoney65
    Chessington, United Kingdom1,192 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely beautiful
    We where staying in Cademario and took a trip down to the city to visit the lake and do a boat trip. The lake is HUGE we had no idea how big until be did a bit of research, our boat trip took us a very small but beautiful part of the lake for around an hour and a half. The boat stops at several location and if we had more time we would have stopped of at one of the lovely restaurants we docked at to let people on and off the boat. We were so lucky with the weather during our stay and the sun shone for us making the lake look even more stunning. While there we visited the park right next to the lake with a so pretty and worth a wander round. So worth doing.
    Visited May 2023
    Written May 21, 2023
  • Mariya Petrova
    287 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lugano Lake the pearl of the lakes
    The charm of the lake is not only in the nature, but also the atmosphere of relax and joy. Be advised the on Sunday shops are closed, only restaurants, coffee shops and some lake attractions are open. The public garden is must visit, the stroll on the lake alley cannot be missed and you will see the swans, the beautiful flowers, try the ice cream it is delicious and of course buy yourself the famous chocolate. Give yourself a time to walk up to the church and to check the small charming streets.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written July 6, 2023
  • Tatyana M
    Minsk, Belarus141 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful!
    The lake itself and everything around, of course, are just designed to make you feep relaxed. Of course, it is Switzeland so everything is a bit pricy But unexpectedly enough even in the country like Switzeland there are some issues that might ve improved. Close to the boat rental place i slipped down close and fell in the water - there were no signs like "don't walk", "slippery entrance", etc. Please be careful with this
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 16, 2023
  • M09_S11_M18
    Zurich, Switzerland601 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Heavenly place on Earth!
    A heavenly place where one can relax forever, if possible. A place where someone can live on the lake side to enjoy the stunning view. However, one must not to forget that it is Switzerland, so you must expect it is expensive. It short, Quality has a Price!
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 13, 2023
  • Phillip L
    Melbourne, Australia364 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lakes Zurich, Lucerne and then there's Lake Lugano
    Breathtakingly beautiful. Yes, go for another cruise, but drive around this lake - as we did on the Bernina Express Bus to Tirano - which is nestled between Lake Como and Lake Maggiore and ask yourself, is this one of the most beautiful spots in the world. My answer is yes. The mountains, the water, the villages - so photogenic. It's just glorious. There's plenty of boating activity on the lake at the town end and plenty of cafes or bars to sit there and admire it.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 19, 2023
  • Herbert C
    891 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Spectacularly picturesque
    What more can be said about a glacial lake nestled amidst the Swiss Alps. Surrounded by mountains mirrored on the crystal clear lake and dotted by small towns on the lake shore and mountain cliffs, with the quiet serenity occasionally pierced by the sounds of seagulls and boats cruising the lake. Straddling the border of Switzerland and Italy, the lake is best explored from its namesake town, Lugano, where you can cruise the lake or simply take a glacial stroll along the shores. Absolutely picturesque!
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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SNeudoerfer
Frankfurt, Germany96 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Friends
Lugano offers many choices to spend a lovely time there. Rent a motor boat and spend a few hours on the lake (at least 2 hours as time flies), relax at a small beach location (lido di lugano), or go dining and sometimes enjoy life music, or a club at night...
Better than Locarno, which is much smaller, but still nice.
Written September 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

George
Zurich, Switzerland9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
We spent a time in Swiss and in Italy by different lakes. It is really nice to visit places on the coast of the lakes and enjoy its' nature. We were driving around with a private car which makes it much easier to stop, take pictures and decide in which place would you like to spend more time at.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jean-Sébastien V
Lugano, Switzerland6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
Italian speaking town in Switzerland. Beautiful lakeside views, you can walk along the lake from Paradiso, stop at the LAC (Lugano Arte e Cultura) to see interesting art expos and concerts and eat a delicious ice cream at the entrance of beautiful Parco Ciani.
In summer have breakfast by the beach at the Lido, and you will feel as if you were on holiday much further south. Continue walking east towards Italy along the lake (first a road and then a pedestrian path to Gandria a pittoresque and well preserved village.
You can then return to Lugano by boat or bus.
Also visit the Monte San Salvatore for stunning views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding moutains.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jean-Pierre C
Basel, Switzerland333 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Family
The lake is beautiful and ideal for a walk along the shore. There are many places for an ice cream or a drink. You can discover the lake by renting a pedalo and take the opportunity to jump in the water. The only downside is that you have no public beach in Lugano where you can have a nice swim. You will need to go to a Lido to do so or take a pedalo of course.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CheshireNess
Oxfordshire, UK11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We enjoyed exploring Lake Lugano by various means of transport. It was wonderful to see the villages around the lake by boat and we stopped off in Morcote for two hours - so worth seeing. We also took the funicular up Monte San Salavatore for spectacular 360 degree views. Electric bikes were also a wonderful way to explore Lugano town, head around the shore to Gandria and explore the villages uphill from Paradiso.
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The Weak Knee Traveler
Singapore, Singapore11,769 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Came here just when the sun is starting to set and it wasn't that crowded during winter so was nice to take a Leisurely stroll. Loved how the setting sun reflected a golden hue on the mountains/hills around the lake. Really beautiful and quaint.
Written October 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ludgehri
Capriasca, Switzerland165 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Solo
Definitely not a Swiss city!
Badly maintained, suffocated by asphalt, concrete and unmanaged traffic.

Squared insignificant modern buildings replaced nice liberty houses and villas.

Public administration willingly responsible for a congested viability in a city that has barely 6 main streets only.

Soooo… better to talk about ‘Lake Ceresio’ and invite the people to visit other nicer cities like Melide, Maroggia, Paradiso, Vico Morcote,.. and forget Lugano.
Written March 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The Swiss Nomad
Lugano, Switzerland3,144 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
I'm from here and in generally I prefer the sea, but I must say Lugano's lake is really wonderful, clear, offers a lot of activities, such as paddle boarding, boat tours, boat rentals, or you can just walk around the quai.
The water is mostly crystal-clear, gets very warm during the summer and you can access the lake from several spots.
If you come to Lugano, take your swimsuit, a hat, sunglasses and a sun lotion and enjoy our lake as much as you can.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tatyana M
Minsk, Belarus141 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
The lake itself and everything around, of course, are just designed to make you feep relaxed. Of course, it is Switzeland so everything is a bit pricy

But unexpectedly enough even in the country like Switzeland there are some issues that might ve improved. Close to the boat rental place i slipped down close and fell in the water - there were no signs like "don't walk", "slippery entrance", etc. Please be careful with this
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

holidayhoney65
Chessington, UK1,192 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
We where staying in Cademario and took a trip down to the city to visit the lake and do a boat trip. The lake is HUGE we had no idea how big until be did a bit of research, our boat trip took us a very small but beautiful part of the lake for around an hour and a half. The boat stops at several location and if we had more time we would have stopped of at one of the lovely restaurants we docked at to let people on and off the boat. We were so lucky with the weather during our stay and the sun shone for us making the lake look even more stunning. While there we visited the park right next to the lake with a so pretty and worth a wander round. So worth doing.
Written May 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Lake Lugano - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Lugano