Locarno
Locarno is a town in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland, set on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore at the foot of the surrounding mountains. It is the urban heart of the Ascona-Locarno tourism region, a lively lakeside city known as the city of film, with a historic old town, the famous Piazza Grande and the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary above it. The region blends a Mediterranean, almost subtropical climate with Alpine peaks, and is dominated by the lake and its emerald-green rivers and valleys. Locarno is the central hub of the region, an ideal base for excursions into the Centovalli, Vallemaggia, Valle Verzasca and other valleys, while the surrounding area offers abundant nature, hiking trails and water sports. The city is culturally vibrant, hosting the renowned Locarno Film Festival and the Moon+Stars concerts, alongside museums, art galleries and gardens.
Summer activities
Summer in Locarno and the surrounding Ascona-Locarno region is defined by Lake Maggiore, with over 2,300 hours of sunshine a year, palm-lined lakeshores, sandy beaches and lidos for swimming and water sports such as sailing. The emerald-green rivers of the valleys, notably the Verzasca and Maggia, offer refreshing bathing spots. Hikers can explore more than 1,400 km of trails, while the cable car from Orselina to Cardada Cimetta lifts visitors to 1,670 m for panoramic views over the lake and Alps. Mountain biking, trail running, climbing and bouldering are also well developed across the region.
Winter activities
Winter in the Locarno region is milder than in most of Switzerland, but the surrounding valleys offer winter sports. Bosco Gurin, the highest inhabited village in Ticino at 1,504 m, is a popular ski destination in winter, while the Valle di Campo is a destination for snowshoeing and ski touring. The region also offers snowshoe experiences and the Winterland ice rink with bar igloos in the middle of Locarno's city centre.
Culture and entertainment
Locarno is the cultural capital of the region, internationally renowned for the Locarno Film Festival, one of the most important cultural events in Europe, whose evening screenings take place on the Piazza Grande. The city also hosts the Moon+Stars concerts and the Winterland ice rink, while the nearby village of Ascona is home to the JazzAscona festival. The region is rich in museums, art galleries and cultural institutions, including the Ghisla Art Collection in Locarno and the Monte Verità hill above Ascona, which attracted artists and free thinkers in the early 20th century. Sacred mounts, historic buildings and a lively calendar of festivals and markets round out the cultural offering.
