Trip info
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On foot, by public transport
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2-8 hours
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English, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Hindi, Nepali -
Easy
Overview
Your expert local city guide will show you the city’s best parts, including hidden secrets you can’t find easily on your own. On this walking tour will be able to see a lot of sightseeing points within a short timeframe. Apart from explaining the sightseeing points your guide can provide insight into the history and culture of the city and the country in general. The focus of this tour is to see the city like a local. However, this private tour can be customised according to your wishes. Sightseeing points to visit can be agreed upon in advance or discussed when meeting up.
Highlights
- Explore plenty of hidden secrets and feel like a local
- See the main sightseeing places such as the old town and Lake Lugano
- Explore hidden secrets such as San Grato Park
- Tour run by legal tour operator from Switzerland
Itinerary
The old town of Lugano is filled with historical streets, charming squares, and beautiful buildings. It offers a delightful atmosphere for a leisurely stroll, discovering its hidden alleys, local boutiques, and traditional cafes.
Admission: Free
Via Nassa is a historical shopping street in Lugano, renowned for its elegant arcades and a wide array of shops. Here you can find high-end jewellery, souvenirs, clothing, books, antiques, and more, making it a prime destination for shopping and Browse.
Admission: Free
The Cattedrale San Lorenzo is Lugano’s main cathedral, boasting a phenomenal architectural design with its magnificent Renaissance façade. Its intricate details and historical grandeur will make you feel like you have travelled back in time.
Admission: Free
Parco Civico, also known as Ciani Park, is considered the city’s green lung, abundant with lush trees and greenery. This beautiful lakeside park is filled with elegant statues, charming fountains, and vibrant flowerbeds, offering a serene escape and beautiful views of Lake Lugano.
Admission: Free
The Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana (MASI Lugano) is where you can find some of the finest art collections of Lugano, spanning from the 15th to the 20th century. It offers a rich cultural experience with both permanent and temporary exhibitions of regional and international art.
Admission: Ticket required
Monte San Salvatore is a prominent mountain offering stunning panoramic views over Lake Lugano, the city, and the surrounding Alpine landscape. If you are into hiking, there are various trails to follow, or you can opt for a comfortable funicular railway ride to get to the top.
Admission: Funicular ticket required; hiking is free
Monte Brè is known as one of the sunniest mountains in Switzerland, offering breathtaking views of Lake Lugano and the Alps. You can hike up its scenic trails or use the funicular railway to comfortably reach the top, where you’ll find charming villages and viewpoints.
Admission: Funicular ticket required; hiking is free
Swissminiatur is a delightful open-air theme park located on the shores of Lake Lugano in Melide. It is home to highly detailed, true-to-scale models of Switzerland’s various houses, castles, monuments, and transportation systems, offering a miniature journey through the country.
Admission: Ticket required
The Hesse Museum is dedicated to the former German author Hermann Hesse, who spent many years living in Montagnola. His former home was converted into a museum where you can find the author’s typewriter, paintings, books, and photographs, providing insight into his life and work.
Admission: Ticket required
Parco San Grato is a magnificent botanical park, perfect for lovers of plants and botanical gardens. This park features five different themed trails, showcasing a spectacular collection of azaleas and rhododendrons, especially vibrant in spring, along with stunning views of the lake.
Admission: Free
Parco delle Gole della Breggia is a unique geological park featuring unusual geological formations, special plants, and animals, some of which are endangered. It also offers a rich history, with evidence of human presence dating back thousands of years. It’s ideal for a natural and historical exploration.
Admission: Public park, free to visit
Parco Scherrer is known as the “garden of wonders,” a unique botanical garden in Morcote. It features a fascinating blend of subtropical plants, architectural elements from various cultures (such as Thai temples and Arabian houses), and offers an excellent viewpoint onto the Italian side of Lake Lugano.
Admission: Ticket required
Gandria is a picturesque fishing village nestled on the slopes of Monte Brè on the shores of Lake Lugano. It boasts a calm and serene environment, with narrow alleys and traditional houses. One of its main tourist attractions is the Swiss Customs and Smuggler Museum, accessible by boat or a scenic walking path.
Admission: Village is free to visit; museum may have a fee
The Olive Tree Trail is a scenic walking path connecting Gandria to Castagnola, filled with remains of ancient olive trees and newly planted ones. This trail offers a pleasant and informative walk along Lake Lugano, providing beautiful views and insights into the region’s olive cultivation history.
Admission: Public trail, free to visit
The Alprose Chocolate Museum offers you a delightful journey through the history of chocolate, from its origins in ancient civilizations to its present-day production. Located in Caslano, it provides a fascinating insight into chocolate making and includes a factory shop where you can purchase delicious Swiss chocolates.
Admission: Ticket required
Cost
Inclusions
- Local tour guide (Swiss or expat)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Walking tour
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Tickets for public transport or taxi (not necessary as it is a walking tour)
- Tickets for attractions with entry fee such as museums
- Tips
Important information
- Please note that this is a tour with a local person or expat, not with a tour guide that has detailed historical knowledge.
- This tour will take place rain or shine.
- Please note that for very late bookings (1 day before the tour) we can’t always guarantee a tour guide that speaks your chosen language. If a guide in your language is not available we will give you an English-speaking guide instead. If you can’t accept an English speaking guide, please ask us first if a guide that speaks your language is available before you make the payment.
FAQs
Your guide can meet you wherever you need to be picked up. You can request a pickup point during the booking process. We may not be able to meet you at some locations which are far from the sightseeing points. In such a case, we will suggest you a more suitable meeting point.
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