At First, We Weren’t Sure Either Whether Locarno Was Worth a Visit
Locarno was already a name we kept hearing before we’d even been to Switzerland for long. Friends and family kept telling us we should go, the same way they talked about Ascona. But we didn’t really know what Locarno was like, and to be honest, we weren’t even sure exactly where it was.
Then one weekend, some years ago, we just went. We didn’t regret it. Pretty quickly we understood why so many people had already told us how beautiful it is. And that’s not just true for Locarno. It’s true for the whole Ticino region.
So if you’re asking yourself the same thing we once did – is Locarno worth visiting? – our answer is yes. It’s become one of our favorite places to go back to in Switzerland, and in this guide we’ll cover what it’s actually like, how it compares to Lugano and Ascona, the honest downsides, and who we think should skip it.
Our Top Hotel Picks in Locarno
- Boutique Stay: Hotel La Palma au Lac
- Mid-Range Option: H4 Hotel Arcadia Locarno
- Budget-Friendly Option: EasyRooms dell’Angelo
What Visiting Locarno Is Actually Like
One thing we really like about Locarno is the size. There’s enough to see that you won’t get bored, but not so much that you feel forced to rush around for 16 hours a day trying to tick everything off a list.
That’s actually one of the reasons we keep coming back. We don’t feel the pressure to plan every single hour. We can just walk down to Piazza Grande, sit somewhere with a coffee, and enjoy the vibe without feeling like we’re wasting time.
The atmosphere also feels different from most of the rest of Switzerland. Palm trees along the lake, warm evenings, people out late for aperitivo. It’s easy to forget you’re still in Switzerland and not somewhere further south in Italy.
For us, that’s the whole point of going. It’s not about working through a checklist, but rather about slowing down for a few days and enjoying that feeling.
Locarno vs. Lugano vs. Ascona
It’s honestly hard for us to say which one we like best. It keeps changing depending on when you ask us.
There were times we thought Ascona was the prettiest of the three. Then we went to Lugano and thought, wow, Lugano actually has so much more to offer. And a few weeks later we were back in Locarno thinking, no, this is actually the place to be. It’s just as pretty as Ascona, but there’s more to see and do.
If we have to break it down, Lugano is the biggest and most urban of the three. It has the most going on, the best shopping, and a bit more of a city feel. Ascona is also worth a visit, as it is the smallest and quietest of the three towns. Locarno sits right in the middle. It has the size and energy of a proper town, but it’s still relaxed and easy to enjoy without feeling rushed.
Reasons Locarno Is Worth Visiting
The climate feels like a mini holiday every time
We’ve been to Locarno so many times now, sometimes with friends, sometimes with family, and it never gets old arriving in Ticino. We actually have the luxury of only going when the weather forecast looks good, since it’s just a couple of hours from Zurich. But even with that, the air and the whole climate always feel different the moment we arrive. Warmer, softer, more relaxed.
The lake and mountains together
What we really love about Locarno is that you get Lake Maggiore and the mountains in the same view. We’ve stood at the Cardada viewpoint and looked down at the lake on one side, and the peaks of the Alps on the other, and it’s one of our favorite spots in the whole region. You don’t have to choose between a lake trip or a mountain trip here. You get both in the same afternoon.
Ticino’s nature is right on your doorstep
One of the best things about staying in Locarno is how close the surrounding valleys are. Valle Verzasca, with its turquoise river and the famous stone bridge in Lavertezzo, is about 30 minutes away.
The food is simple, but really good
We always try to eat at a traditional grotto when we’re in the area. These are the old rustic restaurants that started as wine and food cellars, and they usually serve things like polenta, risotto, and local cheeses, along with a glass of Ticino Merlot. It’s not fancy, and that’s exactly why we like it. Sitting outside at a grotto after a day of walking is one of our favorite parts of visiting.
Reasons You Might Want to Skip It
August gets busy and pricey
If you’re planning to visit during the Locarno Film Festival in August, be aware that the whole town changes. Piazza Grande turns into a giant open-air cinema with thousands of seats, and it’s a really cool atmosphere to experience once. But hotels fill up fast, and prices go up during that week. If you’re not specifically there for the festival, we’d recommend either booking well in advance or just visiting a different month if you want a quieter trip.
The weather can turn on you fast
We’ve had to cancel or reschedule Locarno plans more than once because of sudden thunderstorms. According to MeteoSwiss, southern Ticino has the highest thunderstorm frequency in the whole country. So even if the forecast in Zurich looks perfectly sunny, that doesn’t mean it will be sunny in Locarno. We’ve learned to check the local forecast separately before heading down, and to build in some flexibility rather than planning a tightly packed day.
It’s small, and that’s not for everyone
We already mentioned how much we like the size of Locarno, but it’s worth being honest here too. If you’re someone who wants a big city with nonstop nightlife, shopping, and a packed calendar of things to do, Locarno might feel too quiet after a day or two. It’s really a place for slowing down, not for people chasing constant stimulation.
Don’t expect Italian prices
Even though Locarno feels close to Italy and has that Mediterranean atmosphere, the prices are still Swiss. We’ve heard people expect a bit of a discount compared to the rest of Switzerland just because of the location, and that’s not really the case. Food, hotels, and drinks are priced the same as you’d expect anywhere else in the country.
If you’re trying to work out your overall budget, we’ve broken down what a Switzerland trip actually costs, including accommodation, food, transport, and activities.
Who Should Visit, and Who Should Skip It
If you like the idea of slowing down, sitting by a lake with a coffee, and having mountains and water within easy reach, Locarno is a great fit.
It also works well if you want a base for exploring the rest of Ticino, since places like Valle Verzasca, Ascona, and even Lugano are all close by.
If that sounds like your kind of trip, our guide to where to stay in Locarno compares the most practical areas and hotel options.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a big city experience with nightlife, shopping, and something happening every hour, Locarno probably isn’t the right choice.
It’s also not the place to go if you’re hoping to save money just because it’s near the Italian border. You’ll get more out of Locarno if you’re happy with a relaxed, slower kind of trip rather than a packed one.
A Few Things Worth Doing While You’re There
We won’t go through the full list here since we already wrote a separate guide to the best things to do in Locarno. But a few highlights are worth mentioning.
Piazza Grande is where most of our days in Locarno start and end. It’s the main square, surrounded by cafés and colorful old buildings, and it’s a great spot just to sit and watch the town go by.
Madonna del Sasso is a small church up on the hillside, and you can either take the funicular or walk up. We walked it once and really enjoyed it, even though it’s a bit of a climb.
From there, the cable car up to Cardada and Cimetta takes you even higher, with views over the lake on one side and the Alps on the other.
And if you have a bit more time, a boat trip on Lake Maggiore or a short visit to the Brissago Islands is a nice way to spend an afternoon away from the town itself.
FAQ About Visiting Locarno
Is Locarno worth visiting if you only have one day?
Yes, even a single day is worthwhile. You can walk around Piazza Grande, spend some time along the lake promenade, and take the funicular up to Madonna del Sasso for the view. It won’t feel rushed, but staying two or three days gives you time to also get out to Valle Verzasca or Ascona.
If you have three days for the region, our 3-day Ticino itinerary shows how we’d combine Locarno, Ascona, Valle Verzasca, and Lugano without trying to cram everything into one day.
Is Locarno expensive?
It isn’t cheap, but it’s manageable if you plan. A lot of what we enjoy most in Locarno, like walking along the lake or through the old town, doesn’t cost anything. Just don’t expect Italian prices because of the location, since it’s still Switzerland.
Is Locarno or Lugano better?
It really depends on what you’re after. Lugano is bigger and feels more urban, while Locarno is smaller and more relaxed. We go back and forth on which one we prefer depending on the trip.
Should you avoid Locarno during the Film Festival?
Not necessarily, but you should know what you’re walking into. The town gets much busier in August, hotel prices go up, and you’ll want to book well in advance. If you’d rather have a quieter trip, we’d suggest visiting outside festival week.
Do you need a car to visit Locarno?
No. The town itself is easy to explore on foot, and public transport covers the surrounding valleys and villages well. We’ve done trips both with and without a car, and a car is only really useful if you want more flexibility for exploring Valle Verzasca or Valle Maggia at your own pace.
So, Is Locarno Worth Visiting?
For us, the answer is still the same yes we landed on that first weekend we went, not really knowing what to expect. We didn’t know exactly where Locarno was or what it would feel like, and it ended up becoming one of the places we keep going back to.
If you’re happy with a slower pace, a mix of lake and mountains, and a couple of relaxed days rather than a packed itinerary, we think Locarno is absolutely worth the trip. Let us know in the comments if you’ve been, we’d love to hear what stood out to you for you.
