Stunning Spring Gardens In Ticino

For beautiful Spring activities, it is a must to visit one of these stunning Spring Gardens in Ticino. Since Ticino is known for its warm temperatures and abundant sunshine, Ticino is the perfect location for garden enthusiasts and nature lovers. Each location listed below are all reachable by car or by public transport, and suitable for those walking to visit with their children or dogs (on leashes).

This list is based on parks and gardens we have visited, and will be adding more to the list throughout Spring time!

A yellow and orange flower during spring in Locarno

Spring Gardens In Ticino

Gambarogno Botanical Park

Located in the village of Gambarogno, this botanical park is a delight to explore during Spring. With multiple pathways and the most beautiful camellias and magnolias throughout, its worth everyones time.

Here’s our full Gambarogno Botanical Park post for those interested.

Facts About the Gambarogno Botanical Park

It’s covered over 17,000 square meters of land
Originally started in 1955 by Otto Eisenhut who founded a gardening business
There are around 950 varieties of camellias and 450 of magnolias to see here!
There are several themed gardens within the park, including a Japanese garden, a medicinal plant garden, and a rose garden.
Gambarogno is a municipality in the district of Locarno

How To Visit

The park is open from April to October each year, with guided tours available for those who want to learn more about the history and specific plants located there.

Driving: From Bellinzona it is 33 minutes by car. From Lugano it’s 51 minutes driving. There is a small parking area at the park for around 8 cars, so keep this in mind if visiting on a busy Spring weekend.

Public transport: From Bellinzona, it takes 54 minutes with 1 train and 1 bus. From Lugano, it takes 1 hour 8 minutes with also 1 train and 1 bus.

Address: Gambarogno Botanical Park, 6575 Vairano

red and pink flowers in the Gambarogno Botanical Park Ticino

Lugano Cherry Blossoms

When the time is right, the yard area of the police commune building has the most beautiful cherry blossom trees to walk under, enjoy and photograph. This is purely for cherry blossoms and not so much Spring Gardens in Ticino, but it’s still a must to visit!

I didn’t count, but I would guess there are about 40 trees in total for viewing. They are surrounded by the local Police community building, hidden behind in the courtyard. You can walk through the alleyways to get inside and then stay and enjoy the blossom for as long as you wish. There are also a few benches if you wish to sit here with a book or some snacks.

Keep in mind these are only in full bloom for about 1 week during Spring, so it’s best to follow some social media hashtags for Lugano to see when everyone starts visiting and sharing. Then you’ll know to visit at the right time! For 2023, this was already in early March.

How To Visit

It is best to visit by foot, especially in good Spring weather, since the location is not far away from the centre of Lugano. It will take only 20 minutes.

Alternatively, there are a few options of public transport with a few buses stopping nearby. Else with a car, you will need to find suitable parking in the side streets nearby.

From Bellinzona, it is 36 minutes by train or around 35 minutes by car.

Address: Behind the Police community building at Via Beltramina 20B, 6900 Lugano

We have a fully-loaded, high content Ticino Guide listing local things to see, do and explore with each season: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Click here

Parco San Grato

Parco San Grato is a beautiful, green park area not far from the village of Carona. Here you can spot all the local flowers, such as magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas and a range of colourful camellias. The park was originally created in the 1970s by a group of local residents who wanted to transform an abandoned olive grove into a public park.

Dogs are allowed to also be taken here, as long as they are on a leash.

If you around the highest point of the park, you will also discover one of the Swing The World locations in Ticino. This is a fun wooden seat that allows you to enjoy the view while swinging!

Facts About Parco San Grato

The park is more than 200,000 square meters
Has the largest collection of azaleas and rhododendrons
There are a few themed trails to follow, such as the Panoramic trail, Relaxation path, Artistic Trail and Botanical trail.
A sensory journey path was created for the 60th anniversary of the park

How To Visit

The park is open all year round and admission is free. You can park your car near the entrance at the address mentioned below, which is close to the village of Carona.

If visiting by public transport, there is a bus from Lugano to Carona which takes 25 minutes.

Address: Via S. Grato, 6914 Lugano

Parco delle Camelie Locarno

The name gives the park away as the place-to-be for camellia flowers. These stunning flowers are something you will spot everywhere in Ticino during Spring, but this park has the most! From all the colours and combinations you can think of, you’ll see them here. If you are limited for time in Ticino, make sure this Spring Gardens in Ticino is the top one to visit.

For those who really love and want to support the park, Parco Delle Camelie also has a gift shop where visitors can purchase camellia-related products.

We have yet to visit ourselves, but we do plan on visiting before the end of May!

Facts About Parco Delle Camelie

Villa Taranto, a beautiful mansion in the park, dates back to the 19th century
The park is part of the “Gardens of Switzerland” circuit
It’s over 10,000 square meters of land full of flowers
There are more than 900 different species of camellias here
The park has a “Garden of excellence” brand awarded by the International Camellia Society

How To Visit

The park is open from from mid-March to mid-May, perfect for the Spring season specifically.

From Bellinzona, it is 41 minutes by train or around 30 minutes by car. From Lugano, you can reach the park with only 54 minutes with a direct train or 53 minutes by car.

Entrance fees:

Adults: 10.- CHF
Seniors – Students: 8.- CHF
Children up to 16 years: free

Address: Via Gioacchino Respini 17, 6600 Locarno

Parco Ciani Lugano

In the heart of the Lugano city centre is Parco Ciani. Located right on the edge of Lake Lugano, the park is a short walk from the Piazza della Riforma.

It’s a great spot to visit when visiting the city and wanting to sit in the nature. You can bring a picnic on warmer Spring days as well as use the free public restrooms. Dogs are allowed on a leash too.

Make sure to head to the very end of the park near the beach for spotting some local swans and wildlife. There you can also swim if you want a refreshing dip in the water during Spring.

Here is our full post about Parco Ciani if interested.

Facts About Parco Ciani

The park was named after Stefano Franscini Ciani, a prominent politician and scientist who was born in Lugano in 1812.
The park is around 63,000 square meters
It’s the largest and most popular greenery park in Lugano
There are a variety of trees and plants, including magnolias, camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons, as well as a number of sculptures and fountains.

How To Visit

It’s best to visit by foot, since it’s within a short walking distance from the city centre.

From Bellinzona, it is 36 minutes by train or around 35 minutes by car.

Address: Parco Ciani, 6900 Lugano

Villa Heleneum Park Lugano

If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable Spring experience close to the city of Lugano, then Villa Heleneum should definitely be on your list to visit. It can be reached on a wonderful walk between Gandria and Lugano, where you can find yourself exploring the gardens and historical stoned furnishings.

Facts About Parco Ciani

The villa was connected to Hélène Biber, a modern ballet dancer from Paris
The park has a wide range of rich Mediterranean vegetation
It has the prettiest purple wisteria flowers along the lakeside here
The furnishings of the park, such as the stairs, the columns, the tuff stone cave, are all original from 1931.