Switzerland Ticino

Lugano is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland. The city is home to a number of historic buildings and museums, whilst the surrounding area has many natural sights. Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains provide a wide variety of outdoor activities. The area surrounding Lugano is home to mountain biking trails. The city of Lugano, the villages of Barbengo, Bre, Gandria and Biogno, and the sites of Cantine di Gandria and Castagnola are all part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The heritage sites of national significance includes libraries, churches, museums, a cemetery complex, and notable houses throughout the city.

The town lies east of the Ticino river, at the foot of the Alps. It stretches along the river valley, surrounded by the southern ranges of the Lepontine Alps to the east and west, and by the Lugano Prealps to the south. The city is known for its carnival Rabadan, which has taken place for over 150 years. Bellinzona is home to twelve sites that are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance. Additionally, it is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Three Castles of Bellinzona. Finally, entire old city of Bellinzona is listed on the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Ascona is a municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland on the shore of Lake Maggiore. The town is a popular tourist destination, and holds a yearly jazz festival, the Ascona Jazz Festival. There are eleven Swiss heritage site of national significance in Ascona including churches, historic houses, a prehistoric and medieval settlement as well as the Albergo, a park, complex of houses and the Monte Verità Museum, museums, and a theater. The entire town of Ascona is listed on the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Locarno is the capital of the Locarno district, located on the northern tip of Lake Maggiore in the Swiss canton of Ticino, close to Ascona at the foot of the Alps. There are nine Swiss heritage site of national significance in Locarno. Three of the sites are churches, two are schools, with the Pinacoteca comunale Casa Rusca at piazza Sant’Antonio and the Casorella at Via Bartolomeo Rusca 5, making up the rest of the list. The entire city of Locarno is listed on the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites Locarno has a number of interesting sights that draw tourists year-round, including Astrovia Locarno, Astrovia Locarno, and Castello Visconteo.

The historically protected center of the village of Gandria, which is also not accessible by car, attracts visitors from all over the world. Whilst roads now reach the outskirts of the village, many of these visitors arrive by boat services on the lake. It is also possible to walk from Lugano to Gandria to Lugano via a footpath, now branded the Olive path, which passes plantations of olive trees and offers views of the Lake of Lugano. The important sites of Gandria include the Church of Saint Vigilio, which was completed in 1463, and the Swiss Customs Museum. Today, Gandria is a mix of tradition and modernity.

Morcote is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Ticino situated about 10 kilometres from Lugano in the district of Lugano on the shore of Lake Lugano. With its characteristic small alleys, the arcades of old Patrician homes, valuable architectural monuments and its natural beauty, the lakefront position, Morcote is considered "the Pearl of Ceresio". The Chapel of S. Antonio Abate with its monumental staircase, the Parish Church of S. Maria del Sasso with Oratory, the Cimitero monumentale (Cemetery) and Scherrer Park are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire village of Morcote is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.