Switzerland · LUGANO TOURS
South of the Gotthard the palm trees start and the menus turn Italian. These 8 cover the lake boats, the Monte Brè and San Salvatore funiculars and the runs over to Como, priced and timed.
Spend three to five hours at Falconeria Locarno, where a one-hour bird-of-prey show runs at 11am and 3pm. Watch eagles, hawks, owls, and vultures fly close over the 600-seat tribune, then explore the green park, picnic areas, restaurant, and animal grounds.
“Very well organized, professional show, clean facilities, friendly staff. Always in Italian and German.Auto-translated”
Start in central Lugano at 10am with a guide, visit Piazza della Riforma, Santa Maria degli Angeli, and LAC, then ride the funicular to Monte San Salvatore. The three-hour outing ends at 1pm in Paradiso, with time to stay for lunch or a picnic.
“Meet inside the information center & know there are no restrooms in the office. Really enjoyed the tour. Got some history of Lugano & Switzerland before going on the funicular to get fantastic 360 views of the surrounding areas.”
Travel from your Milan hotel with a private guide, often Giorgio Ghidotti, to the Swiss mountain villages of Sonogno and Ascona. Walk to Cascata La Froda, cross Ponte dei Salti, and enjoy a flexible eight-hour day with round-trip vehicle transport.
“I loved this tour. The beauty of this area was simply magnificent. I enjoyed every moment of the natural beauty around us; as well as seeing the quaint stone-roof homes in the villages. I would love to go back and spend more time there!”
Spend about four hours with a private guide in Lugano and Morcote. Walk through Lugano’s old center, see remarkable church art, then ride by car to Morcote for lake views, historic churches, and optional Parco Scherrer. Giorgio is especially noted for his humor and local knowledge.
“Giorgio Ghidotti gave us a wonderful guided tour of Lugano, Morcote, and Parco Scherrer. He was very knowledgable of the area, explained the many things we saw in Lugano, and afterwards took us for a comfortable ride down to the extremely picturesque town of Morcote. This town was named one of the most beautiful in Switzerland in 2016. And the highlight of Morcote was visiting Parco Scherrer. Textile merchant and art amateur Hermann Arthur Scherrer purchased the house and a hectare of land on a hill in Morcote. Following years of work, the hillside and terraces were slowly covered in cypresses, camellias, camphor tress, eucalyptuses, cedars, palm trees and bamboo…”
Start at Lugano station and follow a puzzle trail toward the city center. You will hunt for a green chest, save knights, decode old characters, follow blood traces, and tackle hands-on posts. Expect steep walking, scenic viewpoints, and route changes that may affect the funicular and final puzzle.
“The Foxtrail was disappointing compared to other cities. Walk to the puzzles was ok, so were the puzzles themselves. But too expensive for what was offered. No public transport, only 2 items that need "maintenance". We like to do another Foxtrail but not in Lugano. There are other offers for less money. Too badAuto-translated”
Meet guide Violetta at Lugano’s Palazzo Civico for a private two-hour walk through the city’s old town, lakeside sights, churches, cultural center, and Ciani Park. Expect history, architecture, Swiss and Italian culture, photo stops, and practical tips for the rest of your stay.
“Violetta has excellent knowledge of the area and its history as well as good tips for the rest of your stay if you need them!”
Take on *The Duke of Marengo*, a phone-based escape game through Lugano’s old town, shops, parks, and waterfront. You’ll solve about a dozen clues as a team, with each player using the Sato Code App. Bring charged smartphones, mobile internet, and comfortable shoes.
“Sato Code is a definitely for me: that of spending time outdoors and around the city looking for clues and finding solutions. After Como I faced Lugano and we have no no intention of stopping! Experience recommended for everyone: groups of friends, families and more generally to anyone who wants to get involved! I'm sure you will be thrilled :)”
Sato Code turns Locarno’s old town into a one-hour escape room. Work in teams of at least two, using one charged, internet-connected phone per person to find clues in shops and streets from Piazza Grande to Visconteo Castle. Expect tricky puzzles, local sights, and a GPS backup plan.
“Erg leuke manier om de stad te ontdekken. Jammer dat de GPS vaak uitviel en we daardoor een tijd niet meer verder konden.”
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