Locarno sits on the northern tip of Lake Maggiore in the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino, and its mild, almost Mediterranean microclimate sets it apart from the alpine image most travelers have of Switzerland; palm trees line parts of the lakefront, and the town has a genuinely southern feel despite being firmly Swiss. Locarno is best known internationally for the Locarno Film Festival, held every summer on the vast open-air screen in Piazza Grande, one of the most respected festivals in world cinema and the single biggest reason the town appears on many travelers' radar.
Book an airport transfer to Locarno
Fixed-price private transfers with English-speaking drivers. Meet-and-greet included.
Getting to and around Locarno
The station code ZJI belongs to Locarno's railway station, not an airport; the town has no commercial air service of its own, and the honest gateway for most travelers is either Zurich, connected by a scenic direct train through the Alps, or Milan's airports, roughly two hours away by a mix of train and road depending on the route taken. Once in Locarno, Piazza Grande itself is worth a visit outside festival season too, framed by arcaded buildings typical of the region. A funicular climbs to Madonna del Sasso, a hillside sanctuary with sweeping views back down over the lake and town, and the Brissago Islands, reachable by boat from the lakefront, hold a well-regarded botanical garden set on their own small landmass.
Things to see & do in Locarno
Locarno's old town is compact and easily walked, and the lakefront promenade connects most of the sights a typical visitor would want without needing a car; boats run along Lake Maggiore to nearby towns on both the Swiss and Italian shores. The mild climate means Locarno is genuinely pleasant across a longer season than most Swiss destinations, with spring and early autumn offering comfortable temperatures without the summer festival crowds, while the film festival period itself, in early August, brings the busiest and liveliest atmosphere of the year.
Tours & experiences
Top tours & experiences in Locarno
Browse Viator’s catalogue of Locarno tours, day trips, and experiences. Most include free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity.
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