Piazza Riforma: Our most recommended tours and activities

Lugano: 3-Hour Monte San Salvatore Tour with Funicular Ride

1. Lugano: 3-Hour Monte San Salvatore Tour with Funicular Ride

Your guided excursion begins on the lakeshore, where you can take a look at some cultural and artistic sites, such as the LAC Lugano Arte Cultura and the Santa Maria degli Angeli Church. Then, make your way toward the funicular. The Gulf of Lugano is special for having 2 mountains that demarcate its borders: Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore.  After reaching the top with the funicular, take in the breathtaking views. Enjoy some free time to explore and have a picnic before it’s time to ride the cable car back down, concluding the tour. During your time on the mountain, benefit from a discount at the panoramic restaurant and check out all of Monte San Salvatore's activities, sure to please gourmets, sports enthusiasts, and lovers of culture and nature. Head off on a variety of hiking trails, which provide the opportunity to discover truly unspoiled nature, or try your hand at climbing on the “Via Ferrata”. On Monte San Salvatore, there is even space for culture; the Museum San Salvatore is home to a precious collection of rare religious art. It also features an exhibition dedicated to rocks, minerals, and fossils, in addition to rooms that illustrate the history of the confraternity over centuries and the history of the lightning-research center, which sheds light on the historical significance of storms for the region.

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

2. 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.

Escape Room across Lugano

3. Escape Room across Lugano

Try our new escape room experience, a city-wide adventure! You will embark on a quest to uncover clues and solve puzzles as you explore the beautiful city of Lugano. You might find a message in an art piece or a secret symbol in a record store. The clues are placed across the city. Your team will follow the storyline and be the heroes, just like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft. This is not a usual escape game – it's an interactive adventure like no other. In Sato Code, the challenges become increasingly difficult. But the reward for your efforts is a chance to uncover the hidden gems of Lugano. The Sato Code game designers have spent months crafting a story that perfectly captures the essence of Lugano. All installations are hand-made in our studio in Ticino. Each piece is uniquely designed. Step beyond the usual touristic hotspots and discover Lugano in the most exciting way. Don't settle for a usual tourist outing – try Sato Code!

Capture the most Photogenic Spots of Lugano with a Local

4. Capture the most Photogenic Spots of Lugano with a Local

Join your guide to discover the city of Lugano through your camera lens. Enjoy a short city walk which will provide you the unique opportunity to get to know the city from an insider’s point of view. Your walk will take us from Parco Ciani to LAC and beyond. While you use your camera to capture the beauty of Lugano you will also discover local spots and hidden gems that your typical tourist tour won’t show you. Prepare to discover an alternative side of Lugano which is full of history and unique beauty. Don't forget to book the experience at a suitable time to ensure the best light possible for the pictures. You simply cannot leave the city before taking a stroll on the shores of the lake and getting to know more about the history of Ticino.

Lugano: Exclusive Private History Tour with a Local

5. Lugano: Exclusive Private History Tour with a Local

Discover the historical side of Lugano with a passionate local who wants to share all the best kept secrets of Lugano with you. Your excursion will start in front of the building of Museo delle Culture. There you will learn about the various architectural styles from different time periods, and will also find out how the city has changed over time. From visiting churches to discovering the history behind the Statua Carlo Battaglini or the church Santa Maria Immacolata, you will encounter unique sites that an ordinary tour won’t show you. Your guide knows that traveling is the best way of learning, and having a knowledgeable local by your side to give you insider tips and share local secrets is even better. Of course, if you wish to learn about something in particular or have a special interest, just let your guide know and they can tailor the itinerary to you.

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What people are saying about Piazza Riforma

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 64 reviews

Thank you for a wonderful trip to our lovely guide, Mr Jaime. I am very glad I was so inspired to book this tour on our first day in Lugano, and Mr Jaime was our first point of contact with the beauties of this city. Mr Jaime was kind enough to offer a bilingual experience. That was very well received by my parents, who looked forward to the Italian version, and I think the bilingual option also gives the elderly people in the group a bit more time to rest, and to an admirer of languages such as myself, an extended piece of melody to listen to. I loved everything about this tour. Best wishes, Ana-Maria

Our guide, Garine, was outstanding!! She took us to beautiful places, Gave us time to view, take pictures, and provide a strong historical narrative. She provided very specific information that helped us get around Lugano for the remainder of our trip.

Suggestion for improvement: After the Parco Ciani, the walk led along the main road for a long time, which I didn't particularly like. You could maybe do this part by bus. Otherwise it was a really great trip.

The tour was very worth it with amazing views and nice tour leader.

Great guided tour. Very knowledgeable guide and great route.