A Day in Lugano

Finding summer just two hours by train from Zurich.

I am so happy that you can reach the south side of the Alps in just under two hours by train from Zurich. When the North is still prone to cold and rainy weather, Lugano and the rest of the Ticino tend to greet you with blue skies, lakes, lots of sunshine, and immediate holiday vibes. Yes, Lugano is a very touristy place, but it is still absolutely worth the trip. Especially when you leave the town itself to explore the lakeside and its surrounding villages.

A Boat Ride

You can take several boat tours on Lake Lugano and hop on and off on all sorts of stops to visit a restaurant or go for hikes. I went for a 45-minute ride along the northern shores from Lugano to Gandria.

A Picnic in Gandria

My boat ride ended on the shores of Gandria, a small town perched on the hills above Lake Lugano. As I was not the only one leaving the boat, it suddenly got very crowded. But fortunately, people quickly dispersed into the village’s alleyways and restaurants. I roamed around a little bit, bought some beer and a very delicious panini at a kiosk down by the landing, and opted for a little picnic on a small hidden ponton far from the other tourists.

A (Short) Hike Back to Lugano

I hiked back from Gandria back to Lugano along the “Sentiero dell’ Olivio”. I came past Castagnola with its grand villas and eventually found myself are back at Lugano’s sea-front. On the way, I passed some cute places that offered refreshments, the views were just incredible and there were some spots for swimming as well. I also went on a stroll in the park of Villa Heleneum, which felt like trespassing into a private garden since there was no one else around apart from some gardeners.

Summer Found

Mission accomplished. Summer was found, including beers in a tacky “beach bar” and All Saints’ Pure Shores on the stereo.