Locarno

Locarno was a spot for the rich and famous to meet and cure (real or supposed) ailments due to its climate and clean air. It was here that foreign minister Stresemann of The German Weimar Republic managed to negotiate a rapprochement with Britain and France that earned Germany re-admittance into the League of Nations and him the Nobel Peace Prize. However, as Stresemann died in 1929, the peace he helped build ultimately did not last.

By car

From the east, take highway A2 Basel to Chiasso, exit at Bellinzona South, direction Locarno. After the Magadino airport, take the A13 highway, direction Locarno. After the tunnel, the first exit will take you to the center of Locarno. Parking available in the new Piazza Castello parking.
From the west, take the road along the coast of Lake Maggiore from Verbania through Cannobio and the Brissago customs. Then take the A13 highway, direction Locarno. An alternative, from Simplon and Domodossola, is the Valle Vigezzo and Centovalli road, direction Locarno.

By train

• Locarno railway stationRegular trains link Locarno directly with Bellinzona from where you can transfer onto trains to Zurich, Basel, Lucerne, Milan. The Centovallina train line connects Locarno and the Simplon line (from Geneva or Bern).

By plane

Lugano airport. Then take the bus to Lugano and the train to Locarno.

By bike

Bike rental can be found at the train station (Piazza Stazione, Tel. +41 91 7436564). Rental fee: Fr. 30/day (08:00–19:00).

On foot

Most of the city can be explored on foot. The Main Square Piazza Grande is walking distance from Main Railway station. Old Town of Locarno is behind Piazza Grande.

Ticino Discovery Card

With this card you get access to all major tourist attractions in Ticino canton including unlimited travel on public transport, cable cars, furniculars and museums. Price of the card is Fr. 87. People holding Swiss GA Travel card or Half fare card get Fr. 10 discount. Card is valid for 3 days. A real good deal to discover Ticino and is available at major hotels, hostels, train station and Tourist Offices.

• Piazza GrandeA heart of the city centre and the major shopping area.

• Città Vecchia

• Santuario della Madonna del Sasso

  phone: +41 848 091 091
  address: Largo Zorzi 1

• Castello Visconteo

  phone: +41 91 756 31 70
  address: Piazza Castello 2
  A castle which today serves as Municipal and Archaeological Museum.

• Pinacoteca Casa Rusca

  phone: +41 91 756 31 85
  address: Piazza S. Antonio

• Walk the Lake Maggiore promenade

• Take a boat trip on Lake Maggiore

• Ride a funicular

  phone: +41 91 751 11 23
  address: Viale Balli 2
  Take a historical funicular up to the old monastery of the Santuario della Madonna del Sasso and cable car station, from where you can take the cable car above the town to approx 1,600 m, or walk back down into the town via the monastery and a stone pathway, approx 30 minute walk down.

• Moon and Stars Music FestivalIn July attracts international acts.

• Locarno FestivalIn the first two weeks of August on Piazza Grande, biggest open air screen in Europe. August.

• Falconeria LocarnoAn interesting show of birds like Peregrine Falcon, American Eagle, White Owls and Vultures. Check the show timing before reaching the place.

• Other eventsSee.

Most of shopping areas are in the arcades of Piazza Grande or in the Old Town.
You can find out very interesting boutiques, sport shop, handmade jewels and many kinds of particular store offering specialities in old town of Locarno.

• Albergo Ristorante CittadellaFish specialties and pizza.

• Osteria BorgheseTraditional.

• Pizzeria PrimaveraPizza, icecream.

• Ristorante UniversoPizza, pasta, and more.

• Ristorante VallemaggiaOriginal, good quality/price ratio, operated by a foundation.

• GovindaIndian vegetarian.

• MarninBreakfast / tea time.

• Bar SportFree entry, house music.

• Bar CastelloFree entry.

• Bar PardoFree entry.

• Cantina CanettiFree entry.

• Max's wayAperitifs lounge music.

• Vanilla ClubDisco in Riazzino, expensive, good house music.

Budget

• Campsite Lago Maggiore

  phone: +41 91 745 18 48
  address: Via Lido 4
  Family-friendly campsite at the shore of Lake Maggiore. Reservation possible.

• YHA Locarno

  phone: +41 91 756 15 00
  address: Palagiovani, Via Varenna 18
  Budget travellers hostel, single and multi person rooms, clean and modern.

• Pensione Olanda

  address: Via ai Monti 139a
  Bed-and-breakfast-style pensione; beautiful breakfast terrace with views of the lake; wonderful innkeeper Irmgard Balbina, very helpful.

• Kon Tiki B&B

  phone: +41 79 325 55 46
  address: Via Fiorina 1

• Hotel Casa DaVinci

  phone: +41 91 751 30 64
  address: Via Bartolomeo Rusca 6
  Beautiful historical building. From double rooms to 6 bed flats, well suited for families. Lift, free WLAN, bike rental outlet are all there.

• Ramada Hotel Arcadia

  phone: +41 91 756 18 18
  address: Lungolago G. Motta
  This hotel offers children programs.

• Hotel du Lac

  address: Via Ramogna 3

• Hotel Dell'angelo

  address: Piazza Grande
  Great location, although some travellers complain of the noise at night.

• Hotel Gottardo Garni

  address: Via San Gottardo 18

• Castello Schloss-Hotel

  address: Via B. Rusca 9 / S. Francesco 7a

• Hotel Belvédère Locarno

  phone: +41 91 751 03 63
  address: Via ai Monti 44

• Hotel Alexandra

  phone: +41 917 432 523
  address: Via San Gottardo 43, 6602 Muralto

• Mirafiori

  address: Via al Parco 25
  Three star hotel. Small, on the south hill of Locarno, 2km from the city center and from the railway station. Double room from Fr. 240 (season of April 2009).

• Ascona
• Verzasca Valley
• Bellinzona
• Lugano