Lake Lugano: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Milan: Como, Lugano and Bellagio Full-Day Tour

1. From Milan: Como, Lugano and Bellagio Full-Day Tour

Immerse yourself in the best of Swiss and Italian culture on this full-day tour. Departing from Milan, enjoy an informative commentary on the historical landmarks and the spectacular landscape along the way. Firstly you will reach the Swiss town of Lugano where you will have some free time to visit the city center and taste some Swiss Chocolate. Head to the small village of Cadenabbia, where both Queen Victoria of England and Zar Nicholas of Russia were frequent visitors. From there, take a 15 minutes cruise to reach Bellagio, also known as the “Pearl of Lake Como”. Enjoy some free time to soak up the laid-back atmosphere of this idyllic and relaxing place, and you will have time to have lunch. Hop aboard a ferry boat and you have to chance to see this lake Como from a different perspective. During the panoramic cruise, take your time to look around and see the harmony between nature and architecture. Glide past villas with their beauteous gardens and amongst untouched nature. Your last stop will be the picturesque and ever-popular city of Como. Once off the ferry, enjoy a walking tour of the city and reach the gothic cathedral, accompanied by a professional tour leader who will help you to discover the art and history of this charming city.

From Milan: Lake Como, Bellagio, Lugano Day Trip with Cruise

2. From Milan: Lake Como, Bellagio, Lugano Day Trip with Cruise

Escape the hustle and bustle of Milan for a relaxing tour of the countryside of northern Italy and southern Switzerland, traveling in air-conditioned comfort. Relax as you take in Alpine views and see stunning lakes and villas. In less than an hour, you’ll pass the Italian border and arrive in Switzerland and take a scenic drive to the foot of the Alps. The first destination on your great escape is Lugano, featuring breathtaking panoramas and excellent shopping opportunities. If you are craving artistic culture, take a relaxing walk through town to Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto church. For a spot of retail therapy, make your way over to the beautiful downtown shopping area, brimming with inviting shops, rich Swiss chocolate, and fine luxury goods. Next, reach the famous city of Bellagio, the "Pearl of Lake Como.” Once in Bellagio, enjoy free time to explore the town and do some shopping, or relax and eat some local food in the most nostalgic bars and restaurants. After taking some photos and enjoying the town’s charming atmosphere, continue to Lake Como by coach. Upon arrival, enjoy a cruise along the lake for a unique opportunity to admire the breathtaking landscapes and see villas of the rich and famous. Lake Como is a famous holiday destination for stars and celebrities. During the cruise, your guide will point out George Clooney’s villa, plus villas that once hosted Star Wars and James Bond movie sets. After that, the bus will take you back to Milan’s city center in time for dinner.

Lugano: 4.5-Hour Monte Bré Visit w/ Funicular Ride

3. Lugano: 4.5-Hour Monte Bré Visit w/ Funicular Ride

Your guide will lead you through the city, to Cassarate, up to Monte Bré and back down to the bottom of the mountain. Meet your guide at the Lugano Region tourist office in Piazza Riforma. Start at the city’s heart with a boat ride to the little harbor of Cassarate.  Then, after getting on the funicular, enjoy the splendid views of the city center at your feet as you reach Lugano’s most uncontaminated summit. You will also get the chance to admire the fantastic panoramic view, which, on clear days, stretches all the way to Mount Rosa. Take a stroll and explore the small village of Brè, where life runs at a slow pace, while taking a look at the typical Ticinese houses, the church and the works of art.  Explore Monte Bré at your own pace, soak in the stunning views over Lake Lugano, the city and nearby mountain tops. The return ticket on the funicular, to get back down to Cassarate is included in your tour, from there you can arrange your individual return to Lugano.

From Milan: Lake Como, Swiss Alps, and Lugano Group Day Trip

4. From Milan: Lake Como, Swiss Alps, and Lugano Group Day Trip

Jump on the Swiss Express train in Milan and discover the magical atmosphere of Lake Como, the Swiss Alps, and Lake Lugano in just one day without worrying about traffic jams. Your experienced, English-speaking guide will share their extensive knowledge about the areas you visit. Discover why actors and celebrities frequent Lake Como during the summer. See the famous Lake Como villas from the movie "Ocean's Twelve" and luxury wedding venues that attract world superstars. Learn about the history of the Como Lake region dating back to the Roman Empire from an experienced, English-speaking guide. See monuments dedicated to historical celebrities from Como. Admire the majestic beauty of the Swiss Alps. Enjoy the picturesque town of Lugano, located on the Swiss Riviera, with its beautiful lake and charming Swiss atmosphere. Try the taste of the world's best chocolate from Switzerland.

From Milan:Day Trip to Lugano & Bellagio Private Boat Cruise

5. From Milan:Day Trip to Lugano & Bellagio Private Boat Cruise

Discover two countries in one day on a scenic day trip from Milan. Admire panoramic views of Lake Como and stroll around its medieval streets. Take a boat trip to explore the charming shops of Bellagio and visit the quaint town of Lugano in Switzerland. Jump aboard a bus in Milan and drive toward Lake Como. Wander around medieval alleys on a guided walking tour and see the old villas. Discover the art, history, and local traditions of the area before seeing the impressive Gothic Cathedral. Hop back on the bus to make your way to Switzerland. Admire impressive views of The Alps as you drive by, then enjoy free time in Lugano to walk around and explore. Stop by Lake Lugano to take in its majesty. After your break, begin your drive to the small village of Cadenabbia. Board your ferry to Bellagio, where you can explore and shop at your own pace. Continue toward Mount Ghisallo and see the Sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Finally, ride the bus back to Milan.

From Milan: Como, Bellagio & Lugano Tour with Lake Cruise

6. From Milan: Como, Bellagio & Lugano Tour with Lake Cruise

PASSPORT IS REQUIRED The charming town of Como is steeped in history and offers winding alleys and magnificent architecture to explore. Board a luxurious cruise to soak up the crystal-clear lake's stunning views and admire the magnificent villas on its steep banks. Bellagio, a picturesque village, is another must-visit on this day trip. Stroll along the alleys, take in the breathtaking views, and feel the noble atmosphere of ancient splendor. This experience promises to be unforgettable and leave you with cherished memories. Lugano is a haven for lovers of culture, art, and cuisine. Explore the city's historic center and discover its rich history and fascinating architecture. Indulge in the local cuisine at one of Lugano's many restaurants or relax and soak up the laid-back atmosphere. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover this enchanting city and all that it has to offer. Take in the scenic promenade and admire the stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Express Walk of Lugano with a Local

7. Express Walk of Lugano with a Local

Fall in love with Lugano in just 1-hour on this express guided tour. After meeting your guide in front of the Museo Delle Culture, embark on a journey through the history, the local lifestyle, and the contemporary transformation of the city.  As you stroll through this Swiss city's picturesque streets, discover its parks, monuments, and historical architecture. Get the opportunity to get insider tips about the best cafes, restaurants, and bars to visit during your time in Lugano in order to make the most out of your visit.  Don't miss the opportunity to see Lugano through the eyes of a local, discover what daily life looks and soak up some of the city's characteristic ambience. This is the perfect experience for both those visiting for the first time and those returning to Lugano who wish to rediscover the city.

Lugano: Guided Tour with Lunch

8. Lugano: Guided Tour with Lunch

After meeting your guide at your hotel, you’ll start the day with a walk through the historic centre of Lugano. Here, you’ll see the new conference centre, stroll through Lugano’s main shopping district, and see locals enjoying themselves in the many outdoor restaurants. A highlight will be going inside of the 15th-century church which is simply called "the church". Inside, you’ll see impressive mural paintings made by the Italian artist Bernardino Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s disciples.   You’ll then take a bus to the start of the Gandria Olive Trail footpath where you’ll enjoy a leisurely one-hour walk on the paved historic “Olive Trail” along the lakeside. You’ll eventually reach the romantic village of Gandria, which is nestled along the banks of Lake Lugano.   Afterwards, you’ll board a public boat and cruise to your lunch stop at one of Lugano’s most scenic areas, where you’ll experience an outdoor grotto lunch of risotto. Local Ticino white or red wine will be served so you can focus on your lunch, and al the while, you’ll be overlooking beautiful Lake Lugano with its surrounding mountains and villages. Your stand-by chefs will help you with your risotto to make sure you enjoy an excellent tasting grotto lunch. Following your lunch experience, your boat will return you to the city.

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What people are saying about Lake Lugano

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 707 reviews

The tour was well organised and the guide- Olga was very informative and professional. We were 14 guests in the group, the van was clean and comfortable and the driver Constantine was very good. Despite the cold and foggy conditions I still enjoyed the experience and the scenery. I realise that in the summer everything would have had a different perspective but I still thoroughly enjoyed the commentary and the history of the places we visited.

Our guide Valentino was very insightful and funny. Thoroughly enjoyed this trip! There was sufficient time to walk around Lugano, Bellagio and Como. She even gave us recommendations to dine at!! (The food places she recommended were all really good!!!!) she was very funny and it made this trip really enjoyable. Thumbs up for the driver who drove us around and also our amazing guide.

Lugano was beautiful. Lake como was nice but I wished we had a little more time to explore the place. Logistics was well planned. Guide was extremely knowledgeable. Enjoyed her sharing who owned which villa along the lake!

Valentina was a excellent tour guide! Very knowledgeable and friendly! Worth every penny!

This was a wonderful tour. We loved each stop. Do buy some chocolate from Laderach.