Ascona Holiday Itinerary

Fly from the UK to Zurich Airport, then continue your journey with a scenic rail trip of around three hours to Ascona (via Locarno). Sit back and relax as breathtaking landscapes unfold outside your window, offering a wonderful introduction to Switzerland’s natural beauty.

On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy your first glimpse of Ascona - an elegant lakeside town brimming with historic charm. Take a seat at one of the inviting waterfront cafés, sip a glass of local wine, and unwind as you watch the sun set over the lake, looking forward to the memorable days ahead. 

Your hotel will give you the Ticino Ticket, with free or discounted travel around the region and discounts for cruises and mountain travel. You can also use the Half Fare Card included with your holiday price, which gives a 50% discount. 

Ascona resort pages & hotels

Ticino excursions

Take a morning bus from Ascona to Locarno, then continue up to Madonna Del Sasso via the funicular, perched above the town in Orselina. Founded in 1480 after a reported apparition of the Virgin Mary, this hilltop sanctuary has been an important pilgrimage site since the 15th century, featuring the Church of the Annunciation, the Via Crucis, Renaissance artworks, wooden statuary, and 17th century stuccoes, with clear views over Lake Maggiore and the surrounding valleys.

Continue up to Cardada by cable car to enjoy fresh alpine air and scenic lake views, stopping for a light refreshment before returning to Locarno. Stroll through the famous Piazza Grande, with its Italian café atmosphere, boutique shops, and lively weekly market, perfect for a coffee and cake stop. From the pier, take a one hour boat ride to the Brissago Islands, originally a residence where painters, sculptors, musicians, and writers could meet. The subtropical gardens, opened to the public in 1950, display azaleas, rhododendrons, palms, camellias, banana trees, cacti, and more across five themed continents. The elegant 1930s neoclassical villa and the pretty terrace and lake view has a Mediterranean style menu using fresh local produce or you can take a picnic from the mainland while enjoying the stunning surroundings before taking the short boat ride directly back to Ascona.

Board the train from Locarno for the spectacular 2 hour journey on the Centovalli Line, one of Switzerland’s most scenic routes. Travelling through the region known as the Hundred Valleys, passing 12 charming towns and villages, with the option to hop off and explore or simply admire dramatic gorges, sparkling rivers, and lush forests from your seat. Crossing into Italy, the line enters the Vigezzo Valley, gateway to Val Grande National Park, a haven for hikers and lovers of unspoilt mountain landscapes.

The train continues through picturesque villages including Santa Maria Maggiore, known for its historical charm and traditional cuisine, before arriving in Domodossola. Here, the restored historic centre and elegant Piazza Mercato with its 15th-century arcades are a delight to explore - especially on Saturdays when the lively weekly market fills the square. The surrounding Ossola Valley in Upper Piedmont is also renowned for its quality wines, so consider booking a tasting at a local historic vineyard to learn about traditional winemaking, sample regional wines with cheeses and cold cuts, and soak up views over the charming town below. Afterwards, relax on the scenic return journey to Locarno, perhaps planning where to dine back in your resort.

Nestled between sparkling waters and mountain peaks, Lugano - the largest city in the Ticino canton - offers the perfect blend of Mediterranean charm and Swiss elegance in just one unforgettable day. Take the train via Locarno to arrive comfortably in Lugano before beginning your morning in lively Piazza Riforma with an espresso, then wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town, browse boutiques along Via Nassa, and visit landmarks such as the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence and Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli - continue with a scenic stroll beside Lake Lugano and relax in the lakeside greenery of Parco Ciani before stopping for lunch at a traditional pizzeria in the Old Town or at a trendy lakeshore spot offering fresh seafood specialties with panoramic views. In the afternoon, explore art and culture at LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura or ride the funicular up Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè for breathtaking panoramic views. As evening falls, return to the waterfront for a sunset aperitivo and finish with a candlelit dinner in the Old Town, where Swiss precision meets Italian passion - the perfect way to experience Lugano in a single, beautiful day.