Switzerland's Italian speaking region is overlooked by many travellers but this compact region is worth a visit and some people choose to combine a visit to this region with an Italian trip.

Practical Information

Ticino Tourism

Tel (091) 825 7056

Website www.ticino-tourism.ch

Lugano

This small city has a beautiful location in a valley and it is a popular spot with tourists who enjoy relaxing in the Lugano's parks and piazzi. Lugano's atttractions include well-preserved frescos and several rewarding hiking trails.

Practical Information

Lugano Tourism

Palazzo Civico, Riva Albertolli, Lugano

Tel (091) 913 32 32

Website www.lugano-tourism.ch

Coming & Going

Trains to Locarno run every half hour and there are hourly trains to Zurich and Milan. Postbuses run to other destinations including St Moritz. The bus station is on Via Serafino.

Accommodation

Montarina Hotel & Hostel

via Montarina 1, 6900 Lugano
Tel (091) 966 72 72

Youth Hostel Lugano-Savosa TI

Via Cantonale 13, 6942 Savosa
Bus 5 (stop: Crocifisso)
Tel (091) 966 27 28

Sights

Galleria Gottardo

Galleria Gottardo hosts temporary photography and contemporary art exhibits.

Viale S Franscini 12, Lugano

Tel (091) 808 19 88

Admission free

Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm

Museo d'Arte Moderna

This modern art museum features temporary exhibits that have included works by Francis Bacon, Edvard Munch and arc Chagall.

Admission varies but it is often free.

Villa Malpensata, Riva Caccia 5, Lugano

Bus 2

Tel (091) 994 43 70

Website www.museodartemoderna-lugano.ch

Admission SFR 11, students SFR 8

Open Tue-Sun 9am-7pm

Museo Cantonale d'Arte

Lugano's cantonal art museum exhibits local artists as well as temporary exhibitions.

Via Canova 10, Lugano

Tel (091) 910 47 80

Website www.museo-cantonale-arte.ch

Admission SFR 7-10, students SFR 5-7

Open Tue 2pm-5pm, Wed-Sun 10am-5pm

Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale

This natural history museum features a permanent collection that includes botanical, geo-mineral and zoological exhibits.

Viale C Cattaneo 4, Lugano

Tel (091) 911 53 80

Website www.ti.ch/DT/DA/MUSEO/

Admission free

Open Tue-Sat 9am-noon & 2pm-5pm

Museo Civico di Belle Arti Villa Ciani

The city art museum has a good collection of impressionist art as well as works by local artists.

Parco Civico, Lugano

Tel (091) 800 71 16

Website www.lugano.ch/cultura

Admission SFR 5, students SFR 3

Open Tue-Sun 10am-noon & 2pm-6pm

Museo delle Culture Extraeuropea

This museum specialises in non-European culture and features permanent exhibits from Africa, Indonesia and the Pacific region.

Villa Heleneum, Via Cortivo 24, Lugano-Castagnola

Bus 1

Tel (091) 971 73 53

Admission SFR 5

Open Wed-Sun 10am-5pm

Museo del Cioccolato Alprose

This museum provides a much needed break from the countless art museums and churches. Run byt he Alprose chocolate company, the museum traces the history of chocolate and its introduction to Europe and it also has exhibits on the production of chocolate. The most popular aspect of this museum is the free tastings.

Via Rompada, Caslano

Tel (091) 611 88 56

Website www.alprose.ch

Admission SFR 3

Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

Locarno

The main reason people visit Locarno, on Lake Maggiore, is for the Church of Madonna del Sasso. However it is popular mostly with European tourists and not a lot of backpackers come here.

Practical Information

Locarno Tourist Information Centre

Piazza Grande, Locarno

Tel (091) 791 00 91

Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-noon & 1pm-3pm

Accommodation

Youth Hostel Locarno TI

Via Bartolomeo Varenna 18, 6600 Locarno
Bus 31, 36 (stop: Cinque Vie) Train (Centovalli) Sant’Antonio
Tel (091) 756 15 00

Sights

Madonna del Sasso

This church is situated at the top of a hill with excellent views of the town centre and the lake. It is a big attraction with religious tourists and the tacky religious souvenir stalls can be a bit much for some athiests but it is a nice walk up here and there are some nice 15th century paintings inside the church. There is a small museum next door to the church.

Admission SFR 2.50

Grounds open 6.30am-7pm daily; museum open Apr-Oct Mon-Fri 2pm-5pm, Sun 10am-noon & 2pm-5pm

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