About Morcote
Available: All year by bus/train; Apr-Oct by boat
Example travel costs - book locally
All prices are per person, in 2nd class (where relevant)
Swiss Travel Pass: FREE
Ticino Ticket: FREE by bus/train; 23 Sfr return by boat from Lugano
Half Fare Card: 5 Sfr return from Lugano by bus/train; 14 Sfr return by boat from Lugano
The charming village of Morcote sits on a narrow peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Lugano. Once a fishing settlement, it grew into an elegant lakeside village with ornate architecture, terraced gardens and winding lanes climbing the hillside. Today it is listed among the 'Most Beautiful Villages of Switzerland'. The village is best known for its arcaded waterfront, the impressive church of Santa Maria del Sasso perched high above the lake, and Parco Scherrer, a romantic garden filled with exotic plants and sculptures.
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Highlights
Lakeside promenade and cobbled hillside lanes
Morcote’s lakeside promenade is one of the most enchanting in Ticino, a graceful curve of arcaded houses set directly on the water’s edge. Warm terracotta façades, stone arches and flower-filled balconies create a distinctly Mediterranean atmosphere, while small cafés and wine bars spill out beneath the arcades. As you stroll along the waterfront, you’ll pass quiet jetties, bobbing boats and shaded benches with uninterrupted views across Lake Lugano.
Behind the promenade, Morcote rises steeply in a maze of narrow cobbled lanes and ancient arcaded walkways. These atmospheric passages were built long before cars and still retain their original character. As you wander uphill, you’ll discover stone houses with carved doorways, tiny courtyards scented with jasmine, and old fountains fed by natural springs. The lanes twist between terraces and viewpoints, occasionally opening onto small squares with beautiful glimpses of the lake below.
Santa Maria del Sasso church
Reached by a long, monumental staircase that winds up through cypress trees and terraced stone walls, Santa Maria del Sasso is one of Morcote’s most iconic landmarks. The climb is steady but rewarding, with viewpoints appearing at each turn as the village and lake gradually unfold beneath you. Dating back to the 15th century, the church combines Renaissance and Baroque elements, with a beautifully decorated interior featuring frescoes, carved altars and a serene, contemplative atmosphere. At the top, the wide terrace offers one of the finest panoramas in the region: a sweeping view over Lake Lugano, the curve of Morcote’s peninsula and the forested hills stretching into Italy.
Romantic Parco Scherrer
Parco Scherrer is a romantic hillside garden created by the art collector Hermann Arthur Scherrer, who transformed the terraces above Morcote into an enchanting world of exotic plants and architectural curiosities. As you wander through the park, you’ll encounter palms, bamboo, camellias and fragrant magnolias, all arranged to evoke the lushness of far-off landscapes. Hidden among the greenery are sculptures, pavilions and decorative elements inspired by Mediterranean villas, Asian temples and Middle Eastern courtyards, giving the garden a dreamlike, almost theatrical atmosphere. Winding paths lead you through shaded corners, sunlit terraces and quiet viewpoints overlooking the lake. Each level of the garden reveals something new - a carved statue, a tiled fountain, or a small pavilion framed by cypress trees.
Walk from San Salvatore to Morcote
For walkers, a rewarding and scenic route leads from Monte San Salvatore down to Morcote. After taking the funicular from Lugano-Paradiso to the summit, the trail begins with wide panoramic views over the lake and surrounding mountains. The path then descends through peaceful forests, passing rocky viewpoints, small chapels and terraced slopes dotted with chestnut trees. The trail is well signposted and varies between gentle woodland tracks and steeper stone steps as you approach the village. As you descend, glimpses of Morcote’s church tower and arcaded houses appear below, making the final stretch especially beautiful and inviting.
You should allow around 3 - 3½ hours for this walk.
Directions
From Lugano, you can take a bus or train and bus to Morcote in under than an hour. A delightful way to travel is by boat, with a spring, summer and autumn timetable.
Please check before travel for maintenance closures.
Request your holiday quotation
Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com