Top 3 Itineraries in Lugano

No matter how long you plan to stay, there’s a perfect trip to Lugano.

If you only have a few days, Lugano weekend getaways are the perfect option. A 3 to 5-day stay in Lugano offers just enough time to soak in the highlights

For a balanced mix of sightseeing and relaxation, city breaks in Lugano are ideal. With a few extra days, you can dive deeper into Lugano’s most iconic landmarks, stroll through charming neighborhoods, and savor local cuisine at a leisurely pace.

For those who crave freedom and discovery, road trips through Lugano offer the perfect opportunity to explore beyond the city. With the open road ahead, you’ll uncover Switzerland's most scenic landscapes, visit charming towns, and discover hidden gems along the way.

Explore all the best trips for every travel style below and make your next trip to Lugano truly unforgettable!

If you’re as convinced as we are that Lugano belongs on your bucket list, you're in luck. The best trips to Lugano are just a quick search away.

Enter your dates below to discover the best travel packages in Lugano and start planning your next trip!

Discover the perfect Lugano itinerary with our handpicked list. Each of these 3 itineraries is crafted to match different travel styles. So whether you're in Lugano just for a weekend, or you plan to see more on a longer city break or road trip, there's an itinerary for you!

With detailed routes, top attractions, and insider tips, these itineraries will help you experience the best of Lugano without missing a thing. Dive into our list and learn how to plan the ultimate trip to Lugano!

A scenic 14-day road trip through Bern, Basel, Neuhausen, Genève, and Lausanne is one of the best ways to experience Switzerland. With the freedom to travel at your own pace, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make spontaneous stops between the planned activities on your itinerary.

A 14-day itinerary means that Lugano can easily be combined with other top destinations in Switzerland without stress. While it’s possible to travel between Bern, Basel, Neuhausen, Genève, and Lausanne by public transport, renting a car in Switzerland opens up a whole new level of freedom!

So, with 14 days to spend, all you need is a rental car, some hotel reservations, and this iconic road trip itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Bern

• Arrival city: Bern
• Accommodation: hotel in Bern, e.g., Valley Hostel
• Sightseeing: Bundesplatz

Begin your road trip adventure by picking up your rental car at the airport upon arrival in Bern. Drive to your centrally located hotel, which offers convenient access to local attractions. Spend the day exploring nearby sights, and in the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling regional flavors and soaking up the atmosphere.

Day 2: Explore Bern

• Destinations: Bern
• Driving distance: 4.11 km, approx. 1 hour and 1 minute
• Accommodation: hotel in Bern, e.g., Valley Hostel
• Sightseeing: Bernisches Historisches Museum / Einstein Museum, Rosengarten Bern, Bear Pit, and Museum of Communication
• Recommended tour: Bern Highlights Small-Group Walking Tour with a Local

Set out on a day of discovery and visit Bernisches Historisches Museum / Einstein Museum, Rosengarten Bern, Bear Pit, and Museum of Communication. Take time to enjoy the scenery and local highlights of Bern, with the freedom to stop at whatever sight catches your interest.

Day 3: Discover Bern, Beatenberg, Schattenhalb, Axalp, Harderkulm, and Engelberg

• Destinations: Bern, Beatenberg, Schattenhalb, Axalp, Harderkulm, and Engelberg
• Driving distance: 192.24 km, approx. 3 hours and 52 minutes
• Accommodation: hotel in Bern, e.g., Valley Hostel
• Sightseeing: St. Beatus-Höhlen, Swiss Caves, Harder Kulm, Aare Gorge West Entrance, Giessbach Waterfalls, and Titlis Cliff Walk
• Recommended tour: Exploring Swiss Capital City: Private Walking Tour of Bern

Spend the day exploring St. Beatus-Höhlen, Swiss Caves, Harder Kulm, Aare Gorge West Entrance, Giessbach Waterfalls, and Titlis Cliff Walk. Take scenic drives or walking tours to experience the area’s charm at your own pace. End the day by checking into a new hotel, conveniently located in central Bern.

Day 4: Experience Luzern

• Destinations: Luzern
• Driving distance: 59.33 km, approx. 1 hour and 36 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Zurich, e.g., Motel One Zürich
• Sightseeing: Museggmauer, Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Swiss Museum of Transport, and Spreuerbrücke
• Recommended tour: Swiss Alps Grindelwald Lauterbrunnen Interlaken and Lungern

Continue your journey through Luzern, where you can explore Museggmauer, Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Swiss Museum of Transport, and Spreuerbrücke. Make time for a break at a cozy café or scenic picnic spot. Wrap up the day by checking in at a hotel in the heart of Zurich.

Day 5: Enjoy Sightseeing in Zürich and Goldau

• Destinations: Zürich and Goldau
• Driving distance: 114.53 km, approx. 1 hour and 52 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Zurich, e.g., Motel One Zürich
• Sightseeing: Zürich Opera House, Zoo Zürich, Chinagarten Zürich, and Nature and Animal Park Goldau
• Recommended tour: Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride

Drive through Zürich and Goldau, stopping to visit Zürich Opera House, Zoo Zürich, Chinagarten Zürich, and Nature and Animal Park Goldau. Embrace the opportunity to explore smaller towns and hidden gems off the beaten path.

Day 6: Embrace the Spirit of Zürich

• Destinations: Zürich
• Driving distance: 3.43 km, approx. 45 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Zurich, e.g., Motel One Zürich
• Sightseeing: Swiss National Museum, Lindenhof, Kunsthaus Zürich, and Grossmünster
• Recommended tour: Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich

Spend time discovering Swiss National Museum, Lindenhof, Kunsthaus Zürich, and Grossmünster, with plenty of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities or enjoy local culture.

Day 7: Spend Time in Neuhausen, Siblingen, Zürich, Sellenbüren, and Winterthur

• Destinations: Neuhausen, Siblingen, Zürich, Sellenbüren, and Winterthur
• Driving distance: 205.14 km, approx. 3 hours and 28 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Zurich, e.g., Motel One Zürich
• Sightseeing: Rhine Falls, Aussichtsturm Uetliberg - Top of Zurich, Siblinger Randenturm, Swiss Science Center Technorama, and Uetliberg
• Recommended tour: Top of Europe Adventure: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch From Zurich, Switzerland

Explore Rhine Falls, Aussichtsturm Uetliberg - Top of Zurich, Siblinger Randenturm, Swiss Science Center Technorama, and Uetliberg at a relaxed pace. Make spontaneous stops for sightseeing, photography, or lunch at a family-run restaurant. Finish the day by checking into another comfortable hotel in the center of Zurich.

Day 8: Explore Basel

• Destinations: Basel
• Driving distance: 5.28 km, approx. 41 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Lugano, e.g., Hotel Lugano Dante
• Sightseeing: Mittlere Brücke, Tinguely Fountain, Zoo Basel, and Basler Münster
• Recommended tour: Lugano & Morcote, Lake Lugano, private guided tour, from Lugano

Continue your road trip through Basel, enjoying the flexibility to explore Mittlere Brücke, Tinguely Fountain, Zoo Basel, and Basler Münster and nearby points of interest.

Day 9: Wander Through Basel and Lausanne

• Destinations: Basel and Lausanne
• Driving distance: 294.86 km, approx. 3 hours and 51 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Sion, e.g., Alpen Resort & Spa
• Sightseeing: AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium, Chillon Castle, and The Olympic Museum

Visit AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium, Chillon Castle, and The Olympic Museum as you navigate scenic routes. Take time to enjoy local markets, trails, or viewpoints that catch your eye. At the end of the day, check-in at a comfortable hotel in central Sion.

Day 10: Uncover Genève

• Destinations: Genève
• Driving distance: 12.36 km, approx. 1 hour and 17 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Geneva, e.g., B&b Hotel Geneva Airport
• Sightseeing: Parc Mon Repos, Conservatory and Botanical garden Geneva, Broken Chair, Palais des Nations, and Bains des Pâquis
• Recommended tour: Chamonix and Mont Blanc Day Trip from Geneva

Continue your exploration of Parc Mon Repos, Conservatory and Botanical garden Geneva, Broken Chair, Palais des Nations, and Bains des Pâquis, taking your time to enjoy scenic drives or leisurely strolls that add to the adventure.

Day 11: Journey Through Genève

• Destinations: Genève
• Driving distance: 6.58 km, approx. 51 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Geneva, e.g., B&b Hotel Geneva Airport
• Sightseeing: Parc de La Grange, The Flower Clock, St Pierre Cathedral, Jardin Anglais, and The Geneva Water Fountain
• Recommended tour: Chamonix Mont-Blanc Full Day Guided Tour

Take in the highlights of Parc de La Grange, The Flower Clock, St Pierre Cathedral, Jardin Anglais, and The Geneva Water Fountain, with plenty of opportunities to pause for a break in charming villages or serene natural settings.

Day 12: Travel Through Genève, Sion, Montreux, Corsier, and Vevey

• Destinations: Genève, Sion, Montreux, Corsier, and Vevey
• Driving distance: 175.17 km, approx. 2 hours and 36 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in Lausanne, e.g., Royal Savoy Lausanne
• Sightseeing: Chaplin's World, Freddie Mercury statue, Domaine des Iles, Golden Pass Railway, and Jardin Doret
• Recommended tour: Vine Stories: Lavaux & Lutry wine walk

Take the opportunity to explore Chaplin's World, Freddie Mercury statue, Domaine des Iles, Golden Pass Railway, and Jardin Doret, some of the top attractions in the area. Discover the surroundings by taking detours through charming villages and serene nature. After a day of adventures, check into another conveniently located hotel in Lausanne.

Day 13: Enjoy the Best of Sion, Gruyères, Pringy, Lavey-les-Bains, and Ormont-Dessus

• Destinations: Sion, Gruyères, Pringy, Lavey-les-Bains, and Ormont-Dessus
• Driving distance: 205.9 km, approx. 3 hours and 24 minutes
• Accommodation: hotel in Bern, e.g., Valley Hostel
• Sightseeing: Château de Gruyères, Glacier 3000, La Maison du Gruyère, and Les Bains de Lavey
• Recommended tour: Guided Walking Tour in Bern

Explore Château de Gruyères, Glacier 3000, La Maison du Gruyère, and Les Bains de Lavey as you near the end of your road trip. Take advantage of the opportunity to delve into local culture, whether through a museum visit or a tasting experience. Wrap up the day by settling into a new hotel in central Bern.

Day 14: Maximize the Last Day in Sion, Gruyères, Pringy, Lavey-les-Bains, and Ormont-Dessus

• Destinations: Bern
• Sightseeing: UNESCO - Bern Old Town

Enjoy your last full day on the road, visiting UNESCO - Bern Old Town and making time for spontaneous detours or local events. Return to Bern for your final night.

Day 14: Bid Farewell to Bern

• Departure city: Bern
• Driving distance: 435 metres, approx. 5 minutes
• Sightseeing: UNESCO - Bern Old Town

Savor an hour or two for souvenir shopping or revisiting a favorite spot before it’s time to say goodbye to Bern. Drop off your rental car at the airport a couple of hours before departure for a seamless end to your trip.

The estimated cost for a rental car and accommodations for each night along the route is around 2848 EUR for two people, providing a value-for-money way to experience what's beyond Lugano. So, if you’re ready to explore iconic landmarks, scenic routes, and charming towns at your own pace, this 14-day road trip itinerary through Bern, Basel, Neuhausen, Genève, and Lausanne is an excellent choice.

Looking for something different? Explore more road trips with a stop in Lugano for alternative itineraries, routes, and durations.

Enjoy a 4-day city break in Lugano with the perfect itinerary, designed to showcase the city’s top sights, local flavors, and hidden corners.

No need to stress over the details – we’ve curated the perfect 4-day itinerary to give you a seamless outline for your trip. Use this itinerary to capture the best of Lugano without the hassle of planning.

Day 1: Begin Your Journey in Lugano

Arrive in Lugano and start your trip with a relaxing walk through town, discovering highlights like Lugano Marittima.

Take in the local charm as you wander the streets, and as evening approaches, indulge in a delicious dinner at Ristorante feta, a top local restaurant—the ideal way to kick off your getaway!

Day 2: Discover Nearby Attractions and Iconic Landmarks

Enjoy your first full day in Lugano by heading out for some must-see sightseeing. Explore around town and visit popular attractions like the iconic Cornèr Arena, Sentiero dell'olivo, Piazza della Riforma, Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, and Skatepark di Lugano.

One of the best ways to quickly learn how to navigate the city is to join one of the many great city sightseeing tours in Lugano. Choose a walking tour to embrace a relaxed exploration. Alternatively, go for a tour by bus or bike to cover a larger part of Lugano in the same amount of time.

In the evening, head out for another lovely dinner and raise a glass to a fantastic day of exploring!

A 4-day weekend getaway in Lugano offers the perfect break from the hustle of daily life.

However, with a well-planned Lugano itinerary, you can effortlessly experience the best of the town in just a few days. Picture yourself exploring iconic landmarks, savoring local cuisine, and wandering charming neighborhoods—it's all within reach as long as you know how to plan your trip properly.

With 4 days to spend, this is the perfect Lugano weekend itinerary for your trip:

Day 1 - Arrive in Lugano

Arrive in Lugano around noon and head to your hotel for an early check-in.

• Morning: Take some time to relax and refresh after your journey, or get a head start by visiting a nearby landmark.
• Afternoon: Ease into your trip with some sightseeing, for example, visiting Lugano Marittima, and soak in the surroundings.
• Evening: Dine at a popular restaurant and celebrate the start of the vacation with some drinks.

Day 2 - Discover Lugano’s Famous Sights

Maximize your first full day in Lugano with sightseeing, food, and drinks.

• Morning: Visit Cornèr Arena early to avoid crowds and enjoy the views.
• Afternoon: Continue to Piazza della Riforma, stopping by Sentiero dell'olivo for a break and some photos.
• Evening: Dine at a popular restaurant and cap off the day at a local bar.
• Tip: Use part of the morning to join one of the many city sightseeing tours in Lugano and get a guided journey through the top attractions in the city.

Day 3 - Immerse in the Local Culture of Lugano

No itinerary in Lugano is complete without trying the city's top local delicacies and experiencing the culture.

• Morning: Start with a traditional breakfast to fuel up for the day and then head to Parco del Tassino.
• Afternoon: Explore LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura and Parco Panoramico Paradiso, stopping at markets, boutiques, museums, or exhibitions along the way.
• Evening: Enjoy a dinner featuring regional specialties and finish with a night tour of the city’s illuminated landmarks.

Day 4 - Depart from Lugano

Make the most of your last few hours in Lugano before your departure.

• Morning: Grab a light breakfast at a local bakery or café and take a final stroll nearby.
• Afternoon: If you have time, do some last-minute sightseeing.

For more ideas, explore our complete selection of weekend trips to Lugano. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or want to extend the weekend, these trips all come with pre-planned but customizable Lugano itineraries, ensuring an effortless travel experience.

As you explore Lugano, you’ll find countless layers of history, art, and local charm waiting to be uncovered.

Finding the right place to stay is essential for a comfortable trip. This is why we've also gathered our top recommendations for the best places to stay in Lugano for you.

Wherever your journey takes you, we’re here to make every step memorable. From expert tips to local insights, count on us to help you experience Lugano in a way that feels truly unforgettable!