TL;DR: For those seeking the beauty of the Italian Lakes without the peak-season crowds of Bellagio, Lake Lugano offers a refined, “quiet luxury” alternative just 30 minutes away by train.
Why we pivoted to Switzerland for our “Italy” trip
We originally planned our Italian escape for May 2020, but like many, we had to wait until 2022 to finally make it a reality. When we went to rebook for June, the height of prime travel season, we found our first-choice hotels on Lake Como were completely full.
We landed on staying on Lake Lugano, which borders Italy and offers that same breathtaking Mediterranean feel with a refined Swiss quiet. It was the perfect start to our trip before we eventually headed south to Florence.
How to Get to Lake Lugano from Milan by Train
We flew into Milan and did one night there, which is the easiest gateway to Lake Lugano. The day we headed to Lugano we did a morning guided walking tour of Milan and then from Milano Centrale, we took the train directly to Lugano.
- The Journey: It is a beautiful, scenic ride that takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- The Cost: In 2022, we paid roughly $22 (approx. €20) per person for this leg. In 2026, you can still find these fares starting around $25 if you book in advance. We booked directly through Trenitalia.com. It’s the most reliable way to get the best fares and manage your tickets digitally.
- Watching the landscape shift from the city into the steep, green mountains of the Alps is one of the best parts of the trip. It’s incredibly easy to navigate, we just caught the train after our morning in Milan and were at our hotel by the afternoon.
Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola Review: A 5-Star Stay in Lugano
We stayed at Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola, a historic 5-star villa in the quiet village of Castagnola. It’s an old-world estate that feels like a private residence.
- The Atmosphere: One of my favorite memories was lounging in the hotel bar at night with a live pianist playing. It was so refreshing to have such a calm, refined space to end the day.
- The Private Lido: Right across the street is the hotel’s private dock. We spent our afternoons there swimming in the lake and kayaking. The hotel also offers paddleboarding. Being able to actually get in the water in a private setting is a huge advantage over the more “public” feel of Como.
How to do a Lake Como day trip from Lugano
One of the best parts about Lugano is the efficiency. You can reach Lake Como in just 30 minutes by train, making it the perfect home base for a day trip. Even though we stayed in Lugano, we still wanted the iconic Lake Como experience.
- We booked a private 4-hour boat tour on Lake Como to see the celebrity villas and famous shorelines from the water. We got to see a good amount of the lake on this excursion, and we also stopped to swim at one point. It included a stop in Bellagio for lunch, and while beautiful, the crowds confirmed that we made the right choice by staying on the Swiss side.
- The boating company we used was ComoLake Chauffeur – for four hours it was €700 Euro, for 6 it was €1,000. We chose the 4 hour trip and this felt like just the right amount of time. We had a positive experience, so I do recommend that tour operator!
- Tip: If you’re traveling in June (or peak summer season), book your private boat tour at least 3 months in advance. I had reached out to some and they were already booked.
Things to Do in Lake Lugano: The Monte Brè Funicular
If you’re looking for a great day excursion within walking distance of the hotel, take the Monte Brè funicular. It’s essentially a historic “hilltop elevator” that takes you to the summit of the sunniest mountain in Switzerland.
At the top, there is a restaurant (Ristorante Vetta) with unparalleled views of the lake. It’s a beautiful spot to hike, walk around, or just have a drink and take in the scale of the Alps. It felt like the perfect amount of “activity” for a two-night stay.
Dining in Lugano: A review of Michelin restaurant Galleria Arté al Lago
For a memorable meal, we walked just a few steps to the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Galleria Arté al Lago. It’s uniquely housed inside an art gallery overlooking the water. We overlooked the lake while eating our dinner and it was exactly the kind of slow, high-end experience we were looking for.
How to Get from Lake Lugano to Florence by Train
After two nights, we felt fully recharged. To continue our trip into Italy, we took the train from Lugano back to Milan, and from there caught the high-speed connection to Florence.
- The Route: Lugano to Milan is about 75 minutes, and then the high-speed Frecciarossa to Florence is another 2 hours.
- The Cost: Again, book this as a single journey or separate legs through Trenitalia.com. Our high-speed tickets from Milan to Florence were roughly $89 per person. For 2026 travelers, I recommend booking these “Frecce” (high-speed) trains at least 4 weeks out, as prices can jump from $50 to $130 if you wait until the last minute.
- The Verdict: Two nights in Lugano was the perfect amount of time to start the trip. It gave us the “lake life” we wanted without the burnout of the peak-season crowds.
Final Verdict: Is Lake Lugano Worth It?
Depending on your itinerary, I highly recommend stopping in Lugano. Two nights in Lake Lugano was the perfect amount of time for us to start our trip. We were able to get that “lake life” feeling without the crowds of Lake Como, and we even got to experience Como more comfortably by using Switzerland as our home base. It’s a beautiful way to see Switzerland and combine it with your Italian vacation.
