Five reasons to spend your holiday in Locarno

It's only natural to associate Locarno with holidays and hospitality. Your holiday takes you to a beautiful Alpine region. Set right on Lake Maggiore, the town welcomes you at any time of year with unrivalled warmth.

Looking for an exciting holiday destination? Already know Locarno and want to discover something new? Here are five good reasons to holiday in Locarno.

1. The idyllic setting on Lake Maggiore

A holiday in Locarno promises beautiful landscapes, mountains, sunshine and the Italian way of life. The town lies right on Lake Maggiore, which is itself crossed by the border between Switzerland and Italy. Locarno is the third-largest town in the Swiss canton of Ticino, with around 15,000 inhabitants.

More than 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, 4,000 kilometres of hiking trails and over 130 lakes in the region speak for themselves. And it's not only hikers who are in their element here: fishing, golf, canyoning, paragliding and much more are all possible against a wild and romantic backdrop.

Switzerland and Italy – both cultures are strongly present in Locarno. Ticino is a very special region that has been delighting holidaymakers for decades, with the Alps and Lake Maggiore as the main draws for leisure activities. Ticino is so wonderfully diverse that there really is something for every taste and every budget. Let Ticino win you over!

2. The glorious weather

A holiday in Locarno comes with a wonderfully pleasant climate. Locarno is one of the warmest towns in Switzerland. The Italian spring makes its first appearance as early as March. In the summer months the thermometer often climbs to around 30 degrees, and there is sunshine in abundance. From April at the latest, hiking and mountain bike tours are accompanied by pleasant warmth.

Yet the region benefits not only from its sunny location, but also from the rain, which ensures that even in summer Locarno enjoys a great diversity of plants and thriving agriculture. Locarno's location is blessed with favourable climatic conditions. Oleanders, palm trees and lavishly flowering bougainvillea are a feast for the eyes.

If you come to Locarno for a summer holiday, there is no need to fear oppressive heat. The Tramontana, blowing from the north, and the Inverna from the south bring pleasant, gentle breezes. So nothing stands in the way of a drive with the top down or a delicious meal on one of the countless sun terraces.

3. Hearty, savoury and irresistibly sweet: the fine cuisine

It is quite impossible to list all of Ticino's delicacies. The region's dishes are simply too varied, too full of flavour, too unique. Gourmets are spoilt just as much as fans of street food and simple traditional fare.

It all starts with delicious starters and soups. Minestrone alla ticinese, for example, is made with vegetables from the region. Hearty and wholesome, it tastes incomparably of sunshine and indulgence. Lake Maggiore itself supplies Locarno's restaurants with freshly caught fish, served for example as a beautifully presented fritto misto di lago.

Prefer something vegetarian? With smeazza, Ticino outdoes itself. This hearty vegetable and cheese tart is made from regional produce. A true revelation for the taste buds, this traditional dish is quite literally on everyone's lips. And of course, no meal is complete without something sweet to finish. Crema di castagne, a delectable chestnut dessert, is legendary.

Salami, polenta, chestnuts and fish are everywhere in Ticino cuisine. Cooks simply use what has traditionally been grown in the region. Yet Ticino moves with the times: tradition is given a modern twist, and light cuisine goes hand in hand with hearty home cooking.

Ticino has nothing to hide as a wine-growing region either. Merlot dominates, but other Ticino wines are also winning fans around the world.

4. Wonderful festivals and top-class events

The region offers a wide range of festivals, museums, theatres and exhibitions, so culture lovers are in their element all year round. Examples include:

• Locarno Film Festival: a world-renowned festival of cinematic art
• Moon and Stars: a music festival set against the backdrop of the Piazza Grande
• Winterland: ice rink, concerts and Christmas market in the heart of Locarno
• Locarno Folk: folk music at its finest

Ticino is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites and a living tradition recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage:

• The three castles of Bellinzona (World Heritage)
• The Holy Week processions in Mendrisio (Intangible Cultural Heritage)
• Monte San Giorgio near Meride (World Heritage)
• The primeval beech forests of the Valle Maggia, including the Valle di Lodano (World Heritage)

Museums, sporting events, culinary events and film festivals round out a list that could go on and on. Boredom on holiday in Locarno? Not a chance! And if it does creep in, blame it on the famous dolce vita, which is wonderful to celebrate on holiday.

5. Hospitality and warmth

What would Locarno be without the people who make it such a vibrant town? Warmth and hospitality have shaped Ticino since time immemorial. Its prominent location once made it a hub for trade by land and water, and the comings and goings in the town remain an enduring part of Locarno's culture.

Openness to the world combined with close ties to regional tradition – that is what sets Locarno apart. This is reflected not least in the variety of events and festivals, organised here with great attention to detail. And a good glass of nocino is the perfect way to toast friendship.

What makes a holiday in Locarno so special?

Would you like to discover Locarno's charm and find out what makes a holiday in this welcoming little town so special? Take plenty of time for the highlights Ticino has to offer! In the end, though, it is probably the combination of many different things that makes a holiday in Locarno so special.

Sporting activities for every taste, art and culture, relaxation and delicious food win over holidaymakers from all over the world. Ticino presents itself as progressive and modern, while lovingly preserving its traditions.

What is there to do on holiday in Locarno?

The list of activities around Locarno is a long one. How about an excursion to the Brissago Islands, home to Ticino's botanical garden? Or a hike to one of the countless mountain huts, where hikers are welcomed with legendary hospitality?

The mountains are a must on any holiday in Locarno. Monte Comino, for example, can be explored on spectacular hiking trails or reached in comfort by cable car. Either way, the view from the top fascinates young and old alike.

Your Locarno holiday at La Palma au Lac Hotel: we look forward to welcoming you!

Feel like discovering Locarno on holiday? La Palma au Lac Hotel looks forward to welcoming you to Locarno! We are happy to help with any questions or planning regarding your journey and stay.

Would you like to surprise a loved one with a holiday in Locarno? We recommend our gift voucher, which we will send to you quickly and easily.

Get in touch with us today and look forward to our holiday paradise in Ticino!