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Swiss Customs Museum

The Swiss Customs Museum in Cantine di Gandria on Lake Lugano, directly on the border with Italy, shows the diverse tasks of customs and border guards past and present. The permanent exhibition brings the 1,935-kilometre-long Swiss customs border to life in the museum and addresses smuggling, border surveillance and the role of customs for the economy, security and health. The museum is housed in a former border post and is popularly known as the Smugglers' Museum. Changing exhibitions on current topics complement the permanent exhibitions.

Families and Kids

The customs museum offers interactive experiences and rare exhibits that are also exciting for children. Accompanying material for teaching is provided for schools. The museum is reachable via an almost level footpath along the lakeshore.

Information

  • Visit duration: 90min
  • Barrier free: No
  • For rainy days: Yes
  • Free entrance: Yes
  • Price range: $
  • Topic: History
    • Children experience: Child friendly
    • Children age group: 6-12, 12-18
    • Children activities: Interactive exhibits

Opening hours

Open from April 5 to October 18, Tuesday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 17:00.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
12:00-17:00 (April 5 – October 18)
Wednesday
12:00-17:00 (April 5 – October 18)
Thursday
12:00-17:00 (April 5 – October 18)
Friday
12:00-17:00 (April 5 – October 18)
Saturday
12:00-17:00 (April 5 – October 18)
Sunday
12:00-17:00 (April 5 – October 18)

Admission fees

0 CHF
Adult admission

Contact

Webpage
bazg.admin.ch
Email
zollmuseum@bazg.admin.ch
Address
Cantine di Gandria, 6978 Gandria

Access

Nearby stops

  • Museo doganale svizzero (lago)0 meters walking distance
  • Cantine di Gandria (lago)350 meters walking distance

Travel duration

From
Travel time
Lugano
59m
Bellinzona
1h 27m
Locarno
1h 51m
Zug
2h 42m
Luzern
2h 54m

FAQ

  • How do I reach the customs museum?
    The museum is best reached by boat. The trip across the lake from Lugano (stations Giardino, Centrale or Paradiso) takes about 25 minutes. Some scheduled boats stop directly at the museum (station: Museo doganale), others at Cantine di Gandria, from where the museum is reachable on foot in a few minutes.
  • Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
    The museum is a former border post and, due to the challenging structural conditions, is unfortunately not barrier-free. It can only be reached by boat.
  • Are there dining options at the museum?
    There are various picnic spots in the museum garden, directly on the lake. About 200 m from the museum, in Cantine di Gandria, there are two restaurants (Grotto Descanso and Grotto Teresa).
  • Do groups need to register?
    Yes, groups are asked to register in advance, by email at zollmuseum@bazg.admin.ch or by phone at +41 58 463 49 22. Unfortunately, guided tours cannot currently be offered at the museum.
  • Are there offers for schools?
    Yes, the museum provides accompanying material for teaching.