The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Canton of Ticino, Swiss Alps

September 1, 2021 Alida England

This Italian-speaking region in Southern Switzerland is on the border with Italy. Bellinzona is the capital, and Lugano is the most important city in the canton, known for its beautiful waterfront, steep hillsides and gorgeous lake views. Castelgrande is a lovely medieval castle overlooking the city that has recently been restored. The Centovalli Railway is a scenic train that operates between Locarno, Switzerland and Domodossola, Italy, traveling through the breathtaking "Hundred Valleys." Lake Como is nearby, the home of People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” George Clooney.
Restaurants in Canton of Ticino

1. Valle Verzasca

Lavertezzo 6632 Switzerland
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 552 reviews

Valle Verzasca

Reviewed By WeakKneeTraveler - Singapore, Singapore

Came here as a day trip from Zurich. This little place is absolutely gorgeous. You can go across the old stone bridge to the opposite side too. The drive up to this spot was really scenic too. Recommended.

2. Castelgrande

Salita Castelgrande, Bellinzona 6500 Switzerland +41 91 825 81 45 [email protected] https://www.ticino.ch/it/commons/details/Castelgrande/2793.html
Excellent
56%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 501 reviews

Castelgrande

This beautiful medieval castle overlooking the city has been recently restored.

Reviewed By WeakKneeTraveler - Singapore, Singapore

This is a really beautiful medieval castle which was built in the 13th century. Loved the long stretch of walls lining the rocky hill as well as the views of the township and other castles around it. Great views.

3. Monte San Giorgio

Brusino Arsizio 6866 Switzerland +41 91 640 00 80 http://www.montesangiorgio.org
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Monte San Giorgio

4. Lago Maggiore

Switzerland http://www.ascona-locarno.com
Excellent
72%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Lago Maggiore

5. Ferrovia Monte Generoso

via Fam. Carlo Scacchi 6, Capolago 6825 Switzerland +41 91 630 51 11 [email protected] http://www.montegeneroso.ch
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 298 reviews

Ferrovia Monte Generoso

Monte Generoso is situated in the heart of a nature park known beyond Switzerland’s borders. Standing majestically on the mountain’s rugged plateau is the new “Fiore di pietra“ (stone flower). The building was created by the famous architect Mario Botta and features picture windows that frame the breathtaking panorama. Two restaurants flooded with light and a conference room with magnificent mountain views provide the ideal setting for fine dining, unforgettable family celebrations and exceptional corporate events. The “Fiore di pietra” is designed so that a partition wall can section off a separate room for up to thirty guests. Since 1890, a rack railway has provided transport along a picturesque nine-kilometre stretch of mountain scenery carrying passengers from Capolago on Lake Lugano to the mountain summit at 1704 m altitude. Monte Generoso offers visitors plenty of opportunities for relaxing strolls, more demanding hikes and for delving into history.

Reviewed By D3215SBjohnm

There are numerous well-marked trails from the summit, some of which extend down old smuggling routes into Italy. We hiked from the trailhead in Orimento, Italy, about 6 kilometers to the summit. The trail winds uphill through active grazing land (some inhabited by a herd of wild horses), through abandoned ancient villages, and across high pastues with beautiful views. A constant sound along the trail is the clang of cow bells used by local farmers to locate their animals. As you near the summit, you can catch glimpses of both Lake Como and Lake Lugano if the weather is clear. Once on top, there is a cafeteria and full service restaurant with full bar service with an outdoor deck in an ultra modern structure that is reminiscent of a James Bond villian's hideout. The summit is serviced by the Monte Generoso cog railway that carries passengers to and from Capolago at the base of the mountain on the Swiss side.

6. Verzasca Dam

Via Valle Verzasca, Gordola, Locarno 6596 Switzerland
Excellent
51%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 389 reviews

Verzasca Dam

Reviewed By marinao121 - Lucerne, Switzerland

This is definitely one of the most picturesque hiking trails in Switzerland, Lavertezzo - Dam Verzasca (Verzasca Valley), takes around 4 hours, easy hiking. You could go down from Dam Verzasca to Tenero, it will take ca. 1 hour more

7. Monte Bre

Monte Bre, Lugano 6979 Switzerland +41 91 971 31 71 [email protected] http://www.montebre.ch/
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 868 reviews

Monte Bre

Reviewed By MandyAndMark_13 - Adelaide, Australia

We caught the funicular railway to the top - amazing views. Had a coffee there at one of the cafes and just took in the views. We then walked to Bre village (about 2km) and had lunch at a restaurant there - it was well sign posted and a fairly easy walk. We caught no.12 bus back to Lugano. Great day out and the weather was perfect.

8. Castello di Montebello

via Artore 4, Bellinzona 6500 Switzerland +41 91 825 13 42 [email protected] https://www.ticino.ch/it/commons/details/Castello-di-Montebello/2796.html
Excellent
59%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 306 reviews

Castello di Montebello

Reviewed By jmplagman

We were looking for a nice place to go in Switzerland that will only be a few hours travel from Como and this popped up in our search. It only took us almost 2.5 hour to reach the Castle and it did not dissapoint. IThe place was beautiful and it has a perfect view of the other castles surrounding it.

9. Church of S. Maria degli Angioli

piazza Bernardino Luini 6, Lugano 6900 Switzerland +41 91 922 01 12 http://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/Church-of-S-Maria-degli-Angioli-Lugano/2682.html
Excellent
66%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 551 reviews

Church of S. Maria degli Angioli

Reviewed By petecmalta - Island of Malta, Malta

Walking along the beautiful lakeside, we decided to cross the road and visit this small church. Upon entering, we were quite surprised to see a beautiful fresco depicting the 'Passion and Crucifixion of Christ' covering the whole wall of the nave. As it turns out, this Renaissance fresco defined by its expressiveness and vividness is Switzerland's most famous.

10. Waterfall of Foroglio

Foroglio 6690 Switzerland https://www.ticinotopten.ch/en/water/foroglio-waterfall
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Waterfall of Foroglio

Reviewed By sersto - Bulle, Switzerland

A great and high waterfall (+100m). You can walk along (5min from a parking) or a bit more if you want to see it from a sort of natural balcony. The village has a restaurant and a small typical shop. Really nice place and the valley is great. That takes a day to visit it.

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