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municipality in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland
Europe > Central Europe > Switzerland > Ticino > Locarno

Lake Maggiore, as seen from Locarno

Locarno is a city at the northern end of Lake Maggiore in Switzerland. The city, along with Venice and Cannes, hosts an international film festival, the third oldest important cinema festival in the world.

Understand

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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.

More relevant to travellers today, Locarno has an extremely scenic location, with extraordinary views from the top of Monte Cardada and from Lago Maggiore, and both are easily accessible for most travellers.

Get in

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By car

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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

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  • 1 Locarno railway station. Regular trains link Bellinzona directly to Locarno. You can transfer onto trains from Zurich, Basel, Lucerne and Milan at Bellinzona. The Centovallina train line connects Locarno and the Simplon line (from Geneva or Bern). Locarno railway station (Q686540) on Wikidata Locarno railway station on Wikipedia 

By plane

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Fly to Lugano Airport, then take the bus to Lugano and the train to Locarno.

Get around

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Map
Map of Locarno

By bike

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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

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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

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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. [dead link]

In addition to the places mentioned before, real highlights are to see the view from the top of Monte Cardada or from Lago Maggiore. These are covered in the "Do" section below, because they involve transport.

Sunset on the Locarno Marina
  • Walk the Lago Maggiore promenade
  • Take a boat trip on Lago Maggiore. There is a Swiss ferry that travels between Locarno and several destinations within Switzerland and an Italian ferry that also connects Locarno with places on the Italian side of Lago Maggiore. 
  • 1 Ride a funicular, Viale Balli 2, ☏ +41 91 751 11 23. 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 and then a chair lift to near the top of Monte Cardada and walk a bit further up to get to its summit or walk back down into the town via the monastery and a stone pathway (about 30 minutes to walk down). The views from the summit are extraordinary. Single: Fr. 5.40; Return: Fr. 8.00. (updated Aug 2015)
  • Moon and Stars Music Festival. In July attracts international acts. 
  • 2 Locarno Festival. In the first two weeks of August on Piazza Grande, biggest open air screen in Europe. August. Locarno Film Festival (Q502053) on Wikidata Locarno Festival on Wikipedia 
  • Falconeria Locarno. An interesting show of birds like Peregrine Falcon, American Eagle, White Owls and Vultures. Check the show timing before reaching the place. 
  • Other events. See. (updated Nov 2017)

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 Cittadella (old town). Fish specialties and pizza. 
  • Food Station Locarno, via della Stazione 3a, ☏ +41 91 744 60 60. Daily, 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM. With a name like this, you might not expect much, but then you'd be surprised: they make delicious döner panini, etc. from high-quality ingredients and use an excellent house-made hot sauce. Most items are priced in the teens. (updated Jun 2024)
  • Govinda (old town). Indian vegetarian. 
  • Marnin (old town). Breakfast / tea time. 
  • Osteria Borghese (old town). Traditional. 
  • Pizzeria Primavera (old town). Pizza, icecream. 
  • Ristorante Universo. Pizza, pasta, and more. 
  • Ristorante Vallemaggia (old town). Original, good quality/price ratio, operated by a foundation. 

Drink

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  • Bar Sport. Free entry, house music. 
  • Bar Castello. Free entry. 
  • Bar Pardo. Free entry. 
  • Cantina Canetti. Free entry. 
  • Max's way (old town). Aperitifs lounge music. 
  • Vanilla Club. Disco in Riazzino, expensive, good house music. 

Sleep

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Locarno (right) viewed from across Lago Maggiore

Budget

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Go next

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This city travel guide to Locarno is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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