Lugano travel guide

Photo of Lugano, Switzerland by Hans Braxmeier
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Introduction to Lugano

Lugano, known for its incredible Parco Ciani, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, and Parco San Grato, is a travel destination everyone should visit once in their lifetime. This city in Ticino, Switzerland, has plenty of experiences to offer curious travelers. Home to a variety of natural beauty and architecture, a unique historical background, and a culture as rich as its population of more than 63.2 thousand people, Lugano is truly one of the main highlights of Switzerland.

Travelers looking to experience the best of Switzerland often choose to stay in Lugano.

Get ready to explore and learn more about the city of Lugano below!

Top services in Lugano

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Lugano, Switzerland. Browse the 31 top-rated tours available to you in Lugano. Compare the rates and services of the 5 types of places to stay in Lugano and the 4 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Lugano.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Lugano, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Lugano on your vacation in Switzerland.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Lugano from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Lugano!

Learn more about Switzerland

There are many reasons to visit the city of Lugano, but a trip to Switzerland needs no explanation.

Exploring Switzerland, which spans 41,285 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Switzerland offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular Parco Ciani, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, and the Parco San Grato, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in Switzerland.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about Switzerland.

What to see in Lugano

Photo of Lugano, Switzerland by Hans Braxmeier

Lugano has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the city.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the city of Lugano.

Top attractions in Lugano

Home to plenty of top attractions, Lugano is more than just a wonderful city in Switzerland. Lugano is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Switzerland.

One fascinating sight in Lugano is the unforgettable Parco Ciani. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Lugano. This remarkable attraction is located at 6900 Lugano, Switzerland and is open for visitors Monday - Sunday, between 06:00-23:00.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Switzerland, check out our list of top attractions in Lugano below. Discover the best places to visit in Lugano, including the fascinating Parco Ciani, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Parco San Grato, Monte San Salvatore, and Cathedral of Saint Lawrence.

Map of attractions

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Lugano.

Things to do in Lugano

Photo of Lugano, Switzerland by adege

Enrich your travel experience in Lugano by joining tours and activities. Lugano offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the city.

Discover the most popular experiences in Lugano below.

Most popular experiences in Lugano

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the city of Lugano.

Lugano offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Walking Tours, Historical Tours, and Half-day Tours are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in Switzerland.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Lugano by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Top tours & tickets starting in Lugano

Travelers in Lugano can choose from 16 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. If you're curious about what the most frequently recommended experiences in the city are, Tours by vehicle is the answer.

The most popular tour in Lugano is the fantastic Monte Brè Tour from Lugano by funicular . By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Lugano one of the best travel destinations in Switzerland.

Lugano also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Guided Walk from Lugano to Gandria promoted by Lugano Region - return by boat is the cheapest tour in the city, and is a popular Half-day Tour. This experience costs around 16 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Lugano. This Half-day Tour is available in 4 languages: German, English, Italian, and French. Around 10 travelers have given this activity an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Lugano and book a top-rated tour in the city. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Lugano below.

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Search for things to do in Lugano

Discover the best things to do in Lugano. Choose from 31 fantastic tours and activities available in the city.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Lugano. Click the green button to view your options.

Vacation packages in Lugano

Photo of Lugano, Switzerland by Makalu

The best and easiest way to visit Lugano is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Switzerland.

Booking a vacation package to Lugano means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Lugano to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Lugano is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find unique vacation packages to Lugano, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the city of Lugano.

Popular types of vacations in Lugano

The most popular way to experience Lugano is by visiting the city as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in Switzerland. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Lugano on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in Switzerland, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across Switzerland, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Lugano, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Lugano below.

Top vacation packages in Lugano

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Switzerland.

Get more Lugano vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Switzerland that match your needs and budget.

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Find vacation packages in Lugano

Discover and compare vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Lugano.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Lugano get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Switzerland. Your customized holiday package to Lugano is only a few clicks away!

How to get to Lugano

To get to the city of Lugano the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Switzerland can travel by plane. Go to this page to compare all flights to Lugano.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Lugano, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you.

Find cheap flights to Lugano

Photo of Lugano, Switzerland by Jonathan Reichel

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Lugano, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Switzerland.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Switzerland and the city of Lugano from your city of departure.

Where to stay in Lugano

Photo of Lugano Switzerland, by Makalu-italy

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Lugano is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Lugano usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Lugano offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Lugano and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Lugano planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Lugano, you'll find 5 different types of places to stay catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Switzerland can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Lugano. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Lugano.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Lugano in the next sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Lugano

A trip to the fascinating Lugano, Switzerland, means opportunities to relax at any of the 5 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 145 vacation rental apartments, 102 hotels, 9 cottages, 1 guesthouse and 1 bed & breakfast. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Lugano provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Hotel Lugano Dante is one of the top picks of travelers in Lugano.

The hotel is located at Piazza Cioccaro 5 and boasts many great utilities, including 24-hour front desk, Air conditioning, and Bar.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Lugano. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Lugano, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Montarina Hotel & Hostel. For approximately 45 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 5 different types of places to stay in Lugano. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Top hotels in Lugano

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Lugano for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 258 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Lugano provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Lugano are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Lugano.

Hotel Splendide Royal offers the most luxurious rooms and is perfect for travelers looking for the ultimate 5-star hotel experience in Lugano. If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Hotel Lugano Dante, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Lugano, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, Hotel Nassa Garni, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Lugano. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

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Search for accommodation in Lugano

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Lugano on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Lugano that match the information provided.

Car rental in Lugano

Photo of Lugano, Switzerland by Javier Torres Madrigal

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Lugano. Lugano has 4 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Lugano start from 62.35 EUR per day or 436.45 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a Seat Leon.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Lugano, starting from 53.58 EUR per day or 375.08 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Peugeot 208.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Lugano, Switzerland, below.

Popular types of car rental in Lugano

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Lugano to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Lugano can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Switzerland at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Lugano is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Lugano is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Lugano.

Check out all options available in Lugano and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Switzerland below.

Search for car rental in Lugano

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Lugano. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Lugano, Switzerland, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Lugano

Photo of Lugano, Switzerland by Marlon Trottmann

The city of Lugano is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Switzerland. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Switzerland has it all.

Switzerland is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Switzerland that are as magical as the city of Lugano. The most popular travel destinations in Switzerland are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Switzerland

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Switzerland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Lugano

Photo of Lugano, Switzerland by Monika Baechler

A taste of Switzerland through a visit to Lugano can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Lugano to another remarkable destination in Switzerland.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the city of Lugano to other spectacular locations in Switzerland, jump to the last section of this travel guide.

Search domestic flights from Lugano

Traveling to another city or region in Switzerland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Lugano to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Switzerland on the selected dates.

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