Things to do in Ascona
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Top 10 attractions in Ascona
Old Town Lugano
Old Town Lugano is located in the Canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland, nestled on the shores of Lake Lugano and bordering Italy. Palm trees and outdoor cafes can be seen on the streets, and the Mediterranean-style laid-back atmosphere makes it stand out at the foot of the Alps. Piazza Riforma is surrounded by cafes and restaurants and is a gathering hub for locals. Turning from here into Via Nassa, the old arcades are lined with watch shops, jewelry stores, and boutiques, where you can admire the historic buildings along the street while shopping. The steps of the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence are a great spot to overlook the lake, while the Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli houses large frescoes by Renaissance painter Bernardino Luini. Parco Ciani by the lake was originally a 19th-century private estate. Today, it is surrounded by greenery with neat flower beds and is a place for locals to go for morning jogs and picnics. The lakeside promenade connects to the pier, where you can take a boat to tour the lake during the day and visit the small stone-house fishing villages on the opposite shore. If you want to enjoy the view from above, take a cable car up to Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè, where you can take in the lake scenery, the ridges of the Alps, and the valleys toward Italy. On summer evenings, the lakeside is exceptionally comfortable with a gentle breeze, the outdoor cafes are bustling, and street performances often light up the night, creating a perfect vacation atmosphere.Lugano · 21.7 km from Ascona
Piazza Grande
Piazza Grande is located in the town center of Locarno, Switzerland, and serves as the starting point for visiting other attractions. Built in the Middle Ages, the square is paved with cobblestones and lined with century-old buildings, making a stroll through it feel like stepping back in time. During the film festival, a giant screen is hung in the square to show open-air movies, creating a lively atmosphere.Locarno · 2 km from Ascona
Castel Grande
Castel Grande is a World Heritage site in Bellinzona, the capital of the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland. This site is not a single castle, but a defensive system composed of three medieval fortresses: Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro, along with extensive defensive walls and the old town ramparts. Bellinzona guards the Ticino Valley, where routes crossing the Alps, such as the St. Gotthard and San Bernardino passes, converge. In the 15th century, the Duke of Milan built long walls to block the valley entrance, enclosing the entire medieval town within a defensive perimeter. This layout, which integrates multiple castles with defensive walls, is rare in the Alpine region and remains remarkably well-preserved.Bellinzona · 19.3 km from Ascona
Lake Lugano
This is a beautiful lake located in the Swiss region. With many pretty villages along its banks, it is one of the favorite holiday destinations for locals and tourists alike. On sunny days, the calm and inviting waters offer swimming, boating and fishing.Lugano · 24.1 km from Ascona
Lake Como
Lake Como is a lake carved by glacial movement, covering an area of 146 square kilometers and shaped like an inverted Y. The lake reaches depths of over 400 m, making it one of the deepest lakes in Europe. Surrounded on three sides by thefoothills of the Alps, the shoreline is long and winding, and the mild microclimate regulated by the lake allows Mediterranean plants like olives and citrus to grow along the shores, creating a distinct transition from the alpine vegetation on the hillsides. For centuries, the scenery of Lake Como has attracted numerous artists. French novelist Flaubert, and composers Rossini, Verdi, and Bellini have all drawn inspiration here. The eastern shore also features hiking trails restored from ancient paths, where you can climb to enjoy a panoramic view of the confluence of the lake's two branches and take in the beautiful scenery.Menaggio · 40.2 km from Ascona
Ponte dei Salti
The Roman Arch Bridge of Salty, located next to the village of Lavertezzo in Switzerland, is one of the most famous cultural landscapes in the Verzasca Valley. The arch bridge has a beautiful and surprising shape and has a long history, dating back to the 17th century. The arch bridge was rebuilt in 1960.Lavertezzo · 12.3 km from Ascona
Sacromonte e Santuario Madonna del Sasso
Orselina · 2.4 km from Ascona
Falconeria Locarno
Locarno · 1.3 km from Ascona
Lido Locarno
The venue is built by the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the lake and surrounding mountains, and is suitable for swimming, family entertainment, and summer vacations. It usually features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, standard lanes, children's splash areas, diving facilities, and water slides, with some pools open year-round. In summer, there is also a lawn sunbathing area, and designated areas provide direct access to the lake. The park generally offers changing rooms, lockers, showers, dining facilities, and sports grounds, making it suitable for half-day or full-day visits.Locarno · 2.1 km from Ascona
Ascona lakeside
Ascona · 761m from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Ascona
Featured Cultural experiences in Ascona
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Featured Day tours in Ascona
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1-day tour to Lake Como + Bellagio + Lugano, Switzerland from Milan round-trip with ferry experience
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Free things to do in Ascona
Old Town Lugano
Lugano · 21.7 km from AsconaPiazza Grande
Locarno · 2 km from AsconaLake Lugano
Lugano · 24.1 km from AsconaLake Como
Menaggio · 40.2 km from AsconaPonte dei Salti
Lavertezzo · 12.3 km from Ascona
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
Fieschertal · 75.4 km from Ascona
Piazza del Duomo
Milan · 83.4 km from Ascona
Verzasca Dam
Tenero-Contra · 7 km from Ascona
First
Grindelwald · 78.8 km from Ascona
Santa Maria delle Grazie
Milan · 82.7 km from Ascona
What travellers say about Ascona
浪子ppbJanuary 2, 2021
5.0
The old town is very charming. Walking in the old streets is like going back to the old days. Walking by the lake and basking in the sun, and then going to the LV store to buy a bag, there are few people and the goods are in good condition. It is still very pleasant. I hope time can stop.
Old Town Lugano
吃苹果的麻雀呀July 30, 2023
5.0
The Castelgrande of Bellinzona is a fortification built by the Duke of Milan in the 15th century to prevent the attack of the Swiss Confederation. In 1500, the fortification of Bellinzona was finally transferred to the Swiss Confederation in the form of a contract (exchange of mercenary services). The fortress is well preserved today and is an important witness to the medieval defense system in the Alps.
Castel Grande
TRAVEL DEVILNovember 29, 2023
5.0
The lake view of Lugano is so breathtaking! Can’t wait to go back again!
Lake Lugano
Hafs94January 6, 2024
5.0
visited lake como in November 2023, I wouldn’t recommend going at that time of the year as we experienced a lot of rain, nonetheless it was still a beautiful place, with lots to do! We went to Bellagio and Varenna by ferry, which was super easy to use and both places were breathtaking
Lake Como
