Lago di Lugano

Lugano by Lago di Lugano, in the canton of Ticino, is one of my favorite places in Switzerland. After shopping at Salita Mario e Antonio Chiattone and Piazza Dante, we continued to admire the view from the lake shore promenade, starting at Piazza Manzoni near Riva Giocondo Albertolli.

An elderly man turned to me. He pointed to the other side of the lake; “Non è esso bello, la signora?” As I knew “bello” meant beautiful, I nodded and said “sì”, the only Italian I knew.

After a stroll along Lago di Lugano we returned to the old town and Via nassa, a long pedestrian street lined with fashion shops. Via Nassa begins at Piazza della Reforma in the center of the old town and continues parallel with the lake.

If you visit Lugano during the warmer months, consider the public bathing beach or the Lido of Lugano at Via Castagnola 6. The restaurant by the beach is, apart from the view, worth a visit because of its cozy terrace with comfortable armchairs under large white parasols.