Lugano is the most popular day trip from Lake Como, a Swiss lakeside city on its own mountain-framed lake about an hour or so away. It has an Italian feel with Swiss order, with arcaded streets around Piazza della Riforma, a long lakeside promenade, parks that run down to the water and two steep mountains, Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore, that rise straight from the shore. The tour we link to starts from Como and combines Lugano with Bellagio and a boat cruise, so you cross a border, change country and see two of the region’s best-known places in a single day. It is an easy introduction to how close northern Italy and southern Switzerland sit, and it works well for visitors who want variety, with a lake village on the Italian side and a small city on the Swiss side.
What the tour is
A day trip from Como that includes Lugano, Bellagio and a boat cruise. The operator sets the departure time, the length of free time at each stop, the transport on land and how the boat leg runs, so read the details when you book. Expect a full day, with a morning start in Como and an evening return, and enough time in each place for a walk and lunch rather than a deep visit.
Lugano
The old centre is compact and walkable. Piazza della Riforma is the main square and the best place for a coffee, and the lakefront promenade leads to the parks at the water’s edge, the Parco Ciani and its lakeside lawns. The cathedral of San Lorenzo stands above the centre, and the church of Santa Maria degli Angioli is known for its Renaissance frescoes.
A funicular climbs Monte San Salvatore, and a cable car and funicular combination reaches Monte Brè, both with wide views, but these are extras that need extra time and are best on clear days.
Crossing the border
Switzerland is outside the European Union, although it is part of the Schengen area, so border checks are light but you should always carry a passport or identity card. Prices in Lugano are noticeably higher than in Italy, and the local currency is the Swiss franc, though cards are widely accepted. Eat lunch with that in mind: a simple meal in a side street is cheaper than the lakefront.
Bellagio on the way
The boat leg links the Swiss side of the day with the pearl of Lake Como, and the old town’s stepped lanes and lakefront are covered in the free Bellagio walk elsewhere in this guide. If you would rather not go on a combined tour, you can reach Lugano independently by train from Como or by bus from Menaggio, and then spend more time on the Swiss side of the border. Either way, bring layers, because the lake is cooler than the town and the mountains are colder still.
Planning the day
Decide before you go whether you want Lugano to be a sightseeing stop or a slow lunch with a view, because there is not time for both and a deep visit. A good plan is a morning walk through the centre and the park, a simple lunch away from the promenade, and a short stroll or a funicular ride before you head back.
Morning departures give the clearest views, and on a rainy day the arcades and the cathedral give you shelter. If you travel with children, the parks by the water and the boat leg are the easiest wins, and if you are watching your budget, a picnic from a Swiss supermarket is a cheap way to enjoy the lakeside.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day trip from Como to Lugano and Bellagio, with a boat cruise and free time in each place.
Best time
A clear day in spring or autumn, when the mountains above Lugano are visible and the crowds are lighter than in summer.
How long
A full day, with a morning start in Como and an evening return.
Tips
Carry a passport or identity card, bring a little cash or a card that works in Swiss francs and have lunch away from the lakefront to save money.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want to see two places and two countries in one easy day.
- Families
- A good family day because the walking is gentle and the boat leg keeps children interested.
- Couples
- A lakeside lunch in Lugano and a boat ride back to the Italian shore is a pleasant shared day.
- Pair with
- Pair it with a slower day in Como town or Varenna the next morning.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
Do I need a passport for the Lugano trip?+
Yes, carry a passport or identity card, because Lugano is in Switzerland, which is outside the European Union.
Can I visit Lugano without a tour?+
Yes, trains run from Como to Lugano and a bus links Menaggio with Lugano via Porlezza, so an independent day is easy to plan.
What currency do I need in Lugano?+
The Swiss franc, though many shops, restaurants and ticket machines accept cards.
What is there to see in Lugano?+
Piazza della Riforma, the lakeside promenade and parks, the cathedral of San Lorenzo, the church of Santa Maria degli Angioli and cable-car and funicular rides up Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore.
Is Lugano more expensive than Como?+
Yes, prices in Switzerland are higher, so many visitors eat a simple lunch in a side street rather than on the lakefront.
