Ticino, Southern Switzerland, with VIDEOS and WEBCAMS

Welcome to Canton Ticino, the Mediterranean Riviera of Switzerland

Are you in Italy? No, you are in Switzerland, but in Ticino.

Here we speak Italian, we are south of the Alps, cross-border workers come from the Lombardieneighbor, but we are definitely in Switzerland. That is the charm of this canton, as in all the Alpine regions where several influences mix.

If the famous writer Herman Hesse loved this part of Switzerland – and you can visit his house and the museum dedicated to him in Montagnola, on the heights of Lugano – it is for several reasons.

Like him, you love the mild climate. Far from the mists and frosts of the northern Alps, here the sun beats down hard and warms both the landscapes and the characters.

You also appreciate the landscapes, the mountain overlooking magnificent lakes and the palm trees which contrast with the snow-capped peaks.

Finally, the quality of life that can be seen in cities like Locarno or Lugano on the lakeside makes you want to stroll, to take your time to lose yourself in the centre of the small towns, along the quays that border the lakes or in the forests that surround them.

The lakes of Ticino: Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano

The lakes? Yes, there are two.

The north of the lake Major, whose Italian part is better known, is home to two very pretty towns: Locarno and Ascona. Ascona the luxurious seaside resort, and Locarno the little jewel of Ticino, bathed in light and surrounded by mountains. Walks along the lake Majorare very soothing on this palm-lined shore, facing due south and bathed in sunshine all day long. The shimmering of the lake is almost hypnotic and the vastness of the expanse of water transports you into a form of dream. On the peaks surrounding this riviera there are magnificent belvederes whether or not they are occupied by inspiring sanctuaries.

The lake of Lugano offers a completely different setting. Also shared between Switzerland and Italy, Lake Lugano is best known for its Swiss shores, where the main tourist sites are concentrated. The city of Lugano, wealthy and very Swiss in its design and organization, borders the northern shore and offers a breathtaking view of the hilly shores, whose reliefs have the shape of mounds, a bit like Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio – but less spectacular, all the same! It is from Monte Bré, above the city, and accessible by funicular, that you have the most beautiful view of the lake. The tormented geography of this lake which almost meanders allows you to discover a different view at each turn, after each promontory, and it is also a surprise when you come across the village of Morcote, which lines up its colorful houses along the banks under the gaze of an imposing church perched on a hill.

The Ticino lakes are an unmissable destination on a tour that takes you to discover the great lakes of northern Italy, including Lake Comovery close. Above all, don't forget to include them in your itinerary.

Bellinzona, fortified city

You won't forget to taste the authenticity of Ticino by visiting Bellinzona, the capital of this canton. The ramparts of its largest castle (there are three!) will give you access to a beautiful panorama of the surrounding mountains, and the market in the city center will be your chance to find some local specialties to put under your teeth. The stroll through the city along alleys with colorful facades reminds us that Italy is not very far away.

From Bellinzona, there are two routes available to you to cross the Alps and discover other Swiss regions.

The Ticino Alps

Going up the Ticino valley – it is this river which crosses the canton which gave it its name – you will arrive after Airolo on the outskirts of the Gotthard, this linguistic and historical demarcation line. In winter you will have no choice but to take the tunnel, in summer you can go through the pass. A little further west, still from Airolo, you cross the Nufenenpass to enter the Valaisadmiring the glaciers at 4000m the Oberlandnear.

Going up from Bellinzona towards the San Bernardino Pass we reach the canton of Grisons and its beautiful mountains. We then cross another Italian-speaking valley, the Mesolcina Valley which already belongs to the canton of Grisons.

And the mountains of Ticino? The Swiss know them very well. Foreigners go there less often and yet they are worth a visit, or even a stay.

Let's start with Maggia Valley. The blue waters of the torrents and the narrowness of the valley make this valley wild and remote. However, the villages are very pretty and well maintained and the landscapes give an impression of high mountains while the altitudes are relatively modest. The Valle Maggia is accessed via Ascona and it ends up widening upstream into several small independent valleys: Valle di Campo, Valle di Bosco Gurin, Val Bavona, Val Lavizzara and Valle di Peccia. So many invitations to hiking and Nordic activities in winter. Alpine skiing is limited to two very small resorts, Mogno and Bosco Gurin.

From Locarno, you can easily reach Verzasca Valley, a long and narrow valley whose last village Sonongno surprises with the facade of its large church which appears oversized compared to the size of the habitat. The villages are located at relatively low altitudes, below 1000 meters and the narrowness of the valley, associated with the typology of the villages gives it a very Mediterranean appearance. One has the impression of being in the Alpes Maritimes.

Finally, the region of centovalli, in the west of Ticino, accessible from Ascona, is the Swiss counterpart of the beautiful Italian valley of Val Vigezzo. Known for the autumnal colour of its flamboyant trees, it is crossed at this time by a pretty tourist train.

Ticino is an Alpine region of contrasts. People from the north come here to find the sun and the Mediterranean atmosphere. Italians come here to experience luxury on the lakes. Hikers come here to discover valleys that are still wild.

What if you found your happiness there?

Activities not to be missed in Ticino

The lakeside of Lugano, very chic
The funicular of the Mount Bré
The village of Morcote. , even better if the arrival is by boat
Le center ville de Locarno
La Riviera from Ascona
The castles of Bellinzona
reassemble the Val Maggia to Val Lavizzara
Feel the adrenaline on a ride canyoning in the Verzasca Valley
Marvel like a child before Swissminiatur, on the shores of Lake Lugano

Discovering Ticino on video

The best webcams in Ticino

(click on the name of the village)

Ascona: the most beautiful view of the city on the lakeside
Lugano: the edge of the lake
Mount Bré: above Lugano, a magnificent view of the lake, towards Italy.
Lugano: general view of the city with the Ticino mountains in the background.
Vernate: Lake Lugano from the heights of Vernate.
Lugano: the view from Monte Paradiso
Bellinzona: the city center