Switzerland

Holidays by Destination Europe Switzerland Ticino 

Ticino info
Ticino Tourism

The only Swiss canton entirely south of the Alps, and the most Mediterranean in atmosphere, Italian-speaking and particularly warm.

Bellinzona generally bypassed by tourists on their way to the more glamorous south, is another of Switzerland's attractive old towns, which among other attractions includes a modern lift to the castle rock, recessed into the hill. There's another castle on the hill above the town if you have castle fans in the family.

If you want to get away from the crowds, the Alto Ticino, the mountainous part, is the place to do it, with plenty of wild valleys to explore. Val Blenio has some second homes for northern Swiss and plenty of walking.

Locarno is the main Swiss resort on Lago Maggiore, vaunting sub-tropical gardens, cobbled alleys and arcades. It is regarded as chic so makes less of an effort with children than it might. The one-time fishing village of Ascona just outside offers outings by boat to the Isole di Brissago botanic park on the lake, plenty of walking and hiking options, plus rail outings for example on the Centovalli line running west, named after the hundred or so side valleys.

Lugano is more of a city, on the lake where there are plenty of low level, easy walks. The town itself is actually more elegant than Locarno, with smart shops, attractive alleys, cafes to watch the world, plus funiculars on the northern and southern hills up the wooded hills.

The world-class draw here is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection of art, considered the world's second greatest in private hands after the queen's. The Old Masters are on loan to Madrid but there is still excellent 19th and 20th century stuff and the setting in a villa set in waterside gardens is an attraction in itself. Lugano itself offers a Museo Cantonale d'Arte with works ranging from picture of peasant life to Klee and Renoir which the Museo Civici de Belle Arti includes Impressionist and Modernist works plus by Cranach and Henri Rousseau.

Along the lake the Parco degli Ulivi and the south-facing Monte Bre is a protected area of special scientific interest, because of its semi-tropical micro climate.

On the Ceresio peninsula at Melide is Swissminiatur, with around 100 of the country's most famous buildings reproduced on a 1:25 scale.