Lugano
From World travel guide
Lugano is a lake-side city in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of southern Switzerland. Part of a temperate micro-climate, Lugano offers palm-trees, picturesque boulevards, stunning views of the lake and Alps, and plenty of opportunity of outdoor and indoor activities. Lugano also makes a good base for visiting other cities and sites in the area.
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Get in
By plane
Lugano has a small international airport with flights arriving from many European cities especially Italy, England, France and Germany. Milan's airports are 1 1/2 hours away by bus or train and are served by easyJet and Ryanair. Swiss International Airline, Flybaboo and Darwin Airline offer discount web special prices to Lugano from many parts of Europe.
By train
Trains leave for Zurich (3hr) and Milan (40min-1hour) as well as Geneva (via Zurich or Locarno-Domodossola: 5h30' with 1 or 2 train-change, 6h30' via Milan with 1 train-change). Note that getting to Geneva or points west it is faster to go via Zurich or Locarno as the trains are more frequent and faster.
By car
By bus
By boat
Note that a small part of the lake is actually in Italy so bring your passport if you plan on exploring by ferry.
Get around
Lugano is small enough to get around on foot, and many of the streets are pedestrian-only, but the hills above the lakefront are very steep so the bus might be a better option on the way up to the train station if you have a lot of bags. Taxis can be found on the main roads. Ferries and Funiculars are great options for seeing the views.
For more information:
- Funicolare Lugano Citta - Stazione, telephone +41 91 800 72 28/29. This funicular links the old center of the town on the lake shore to the railway station higher up the hill.
- Funicolare Lugano Paradiso - Monte San Salvatore, telephone +41 91 985 28 28. A funicular which runs from Lugano to the top of the Monte San Salvatore, with spectacular views of the Lake of Lugano, the isthmus of Mélide, the Monte Generoso and the Italian enclave of Campione on the other side of the lake. http://www.montesansalvatore.ch/
See
Do
- Swimming
- Boating
- Hiking
Learn
Buy
All the major labels and designer boutiques can be found here, as well as the usual Swiss and Italian knick-knacks.
Eat
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
In the summer your best bet is just to wander along the lakeside promenade and open air bar/cafes. Check local listings for clubs and shows as venues come and go with the seasons.
Sleep
There are a wide range of hotel options right in town, from atmospheric B&Bs to posh four stars to comfy and communal hostels. Be sure to book ahead in the summer, but the rest of the year it's possible to just show up and find something as long as your budget is flexible.
Budget
- Youth Hostel Lugano, Via Cantonale 13, (91) 966 27 28 (lugano@youthhostel.ch).
- Hotel Pestalozzi, Piazza Indipendenza 9, +41 (91) 921 46 46. (fax: +41 91 922 20 45. A very clean and livable family-run hotel with some en-suite rooms and some not. English (and German) are spoken. Single rooms start at 62 Chf. without shower or toilet. http://www.attuale.com/pestalozzi.html
- Backpackers Montarina, Via Montarina 1, Lugano, +41 (0) 91 966 72 72. (fax: +41 (0) 91 966 00 17). http://www.montarina.ch/
Mid-range
Splurge
Contact
There are a few internet cafes in town, try near the train station.
Stay safe
Lugano is as safe as most cities in Switzerland, but the density of expensive purses, watches, and sunglasses may make pick-pockets more of a problem. The usual cautions apply to walking alone late a night, especially after bars and clubs close before dawn.
Get out
Trains leave hourly for Milan and Zurich where you can transfer to any destination in Europe.
External links
- http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/
- http://www.lugano.ch/
- http://www.lugano-airport.ch/
- http://www.aiti.ch/
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