Things To Do In Locarno – Best Tourist Attractions In Locarno

If you are looking for things to do in Locarno, you have come to the right place. Locarno is a beautiful city in Switzerland that offers many attractions for tourists. Whether you are interested in history, culture, nature, or entertainment, you will find something to suit your taste. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best tourist attractions in Locarno that you should not miss. Read on to discover the things to do in Locarno and the best tourist attractions in Locarno.

Looking for things to do in Locarno? Discover the best tourist attractions in Locarno:

1. Falconeria Locarno: A nature and wildlife area where you can watch impressive falconry shows with different birds of prey.
2. Verzasca Dam: A 220-meter-high dam that offers stunning views of the Verzasca Valley and the lake below. It was also featured in the James Bond movie GoldenEye.
3. Lido Locarno: A water park with indoor and outdoor pools, slides, spa, and beach access. It offers a stunning view of Lake Maggiore and the mountains.
4. Piazza Grande: The main square of Locarno, surrounded by arcades and Lombard-style houses. It hosts various events, such as the Locarno Film Festival and the Moon and Stars music festival .
5. Camellia Park: A beautiful park by the lake that showcases 850 varieties of camellias, a flower that symbolizes Locarno. The park is especially colorful in spring and summer .
6. Ghisla Art Collection: A private collection of modern art displayed in a converted building near the ferry terminal. It features works by artists such as Warhol, Lichtenstein, Kandinsky, and more.
7. Pinacoteca Casa Rusca: An art gallery housed in an 18th-century townhouse that focuses on 20th-century paintings, sculptures, and photographs by Swiss and international artists.
8. Chiesa di San Francesco: A 16th-century church that stands on the site of a 13th-century Franciscan monastery. It is adorned with frescoes by Baldassare Orelli and has a beautiful cloister.
9. Cimetta: A mountain peak that can be reached by cable car from Locarno. It offers panoramic views of Lake Maggiore, the Alps, and the Po Valley.
10. Santuario della Madonna del Sasso: A sanctuary that overlooks the town, built after the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared to a monk in 1480. It has a richly decorated interior and a museum.
11. Castello Visconteo: A 15th-century castle that was named after the Visconti clan that ruled Milan. It now houses a museum of archaeology and history, with exhibits from prehistoric to medieval times.
12. Old Town: The historic center of Locarno, where you can feel the Italian influence in the architecture and atmosphere. It has many piazzas, arcades, churches, and shops to explore.
13. Parco Muralto: A scenic lakefront garden that bristles with palms and flowers. It has a playground for children, a mini-golf course, and a fountain show at night.
14. Chiesa Nuova: A baroque church that guards a giant bas-relief of St Christopher with tiny feet. It has cherubs and stucco decorations inside, as well as paintings by local artists.
15. Parco delle Camelie: A park that displays hundreds of camellias in different colors and shapes. It also has a Japanese garden, a pond, and a tea house.
16. Chiesa di Sant’Antonio: A church that is best known for its altar to the Cristo Morto (Dead Christ), a realistic sculpture of Jesus lying on a bed of flowers.
17. Cardada: A mountain resort that can be reached by cable car from Locarno or Orselina. It has hiking trails, ski slopes, restaurants, and an adventure park.
18. Locarno Film Festival: An annual film festival that takes place in August at Piazza Grande and other venues. It showcases independent and international films, as well as concerts and awards ceremonies.
19. Moon and Stars: A music festival that takes place in July at Piazza Grande and other stages. It features performances by famous artists from different genres, such as pop, rock, jazz, and more.
20. Monte Verità: A hill near Ascona that was once a utopian community of artists, writers, anarchists, vegetarians, and spiritualists. It now has a museum, a hotel, a tea plantation, and a park.
21. Brissago Islands: Two islands on Lake Maggiore that can be reached by boat from Locarno or Ascona. The larger island has a botanical garden with plants from around the world, while the smaller island is a nature reserve.
22. Valle Verzasca: A valley that stretches from Locarno to the Verzasca Dam. It has a turquoise river, picturesque villages, stone bridges, and hiking trails.
23. Valle Maggia: A valley that branches off from Lake Maggiore and leads to the Alps. It has a clear river, waterfalls, forests, and charming villages.
24. Centovalli: A valley that connects Locarno with Domodossola in Italy. It can be explored by train, car, or bike, and offers scenic views of mountains, vineyards, chestnut forests, and villages.
25. Ascona: A neighboring town of Locarno that has a charming old town, a lively promenade, a golf course, and a jazz festival.
26. Ronco sopra Ascona: A village above Ascona that has a panoramic view of Lake Maggiore and the Brissago Islands. It has narrow streets, colorful houses, and a church with frescoes.
27. Cannobio: A town on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore that has a medieval center, a waterfront promenade, a market, and a beach.
28. Cannero Riviera: A town on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore that has a mild climate, a sandy beach, and two ruined castles on an island.
29. Luino: A town on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore that has a large market on Wednesdays, a museum of modern art, and a ferry terminal.
30. Laveno-Mombello: A town on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore that has a cable car to the Sasso del Ferro mountain, where you can enjoy panoramic views and paragliding.
31. Stresa: A town on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore that has an elegant promenade, luxury hotels, and access to the Borromean Islands.
32. Borromean Islands: Three islands on Lake Maggiore that belong to the Borromeo family. They are Isola Bella, with a baroque palace and gardens; Isola Madre, with a botanical garden and peacocks; and Isola dei Pescatori, with a fishing village.
33. Villa Taranto: A botanical garden on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore that has thousands of plants from around the world, as well as fountains, ponds, statues, and greenhouses.
34. Mottarone: A mountain that can be reached by cable car from Stresa or by car from Orta San Giulio. It has ski slopes, hiking trails, and views of seven lakes.
35. Orta San Giulio: A town on Lake Orta that has a medieval center, a basilica, and an island with a monastery.
36. Sacro Monte di Orta: A sacred mountain above Orta San Giulio that has 20 chapels dedicated to the life of St Francis of Assisi. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy.
37. Domodossola: A town at the end of the Centovalli railway line that has a historic center with arcades, palaces, churches, and a market.
38. Ossola Valley: A valley that branches off from Domodossola and leads to the Simplon Pass and Switzerland. It has natural parks, alpine lakes, castles, and villages.
39. Simplon Pass: A mountain pass that connects Switzerland and Italy at an altitude of 2005 meters. It has scenic views of glaciers, peaks, and valleys.
40. Sasso del Ferro: A mountain peak that can be reached by cable car from Laveno-Mombello or by hiking from Mottarone. It offers panoramic views of Lake Maggiore, Lake Varese, Lake Lugano, and the Alps.

If you find this Locarno Travel Guide useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends. We would also love to read your comments about Locarno if you have been there.