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All Things Swiss

Verzasca Dam: Here’s Why You Should Visit!

Zoe| Ticino

The Verzasca Dam, originally known as the Contra Dam and Locarno Dam, is a 1960’s built dam in Switzerland. It is the 4th biggest dam in Switzerland and has even been in a famous film. If you are visiting the stunning Ticino canton, here are our reasons why you should consider visiting Verzasca Dam too!

History Of the Verzasca Dam

Constructed in 1961 to 1965, the Verzasca Dam is located in the Ticino canton of Switzerland. Owner Verzasca SA was formed to set up the dam for the Verzasca Hydroelectric Complex.

It took 18 months to pour concrete for the structure ,which was sourced from a nearby gneiss-rock quarry. There are a series of steel pipes that helped the cooling process. There was also a special grout curtain around the dam, preventing any leakage. Since the dam is located at much lower elevation than many other Swiss dams, the work, any checks and construction could be done all year round.

Facts About The Verzacsa Dam

Here are some fun facts about the dam to know before you visit:

  • The dam is based in the Ticino canton, which is the sunniest location in Switzerland!
  • It’s the 4th tallest dam in Switzerland (220 meter high!)
  • The reservoir was filled in September 1965
  • Official name is the Contra Dam
  • The dam is famously known from the 1995 film GoldenEye where James bond ‘jumps’…
  • …and you can now actually bungee jump here yourself for the same experience!

How To Get To the Dam?

There are a few ways visiting the Verzasca Dam, with the easiest being by car. Travelling by car does mean that you may struggle to get a parking spot, since there are around max 20 spots near the dam. You will also need to buy a parking ticket, so bring some cash coins for the parking ticket machine.

If you do not have access of a car, the local public transport is very good and always on time! There is a local bus 321 that you can take from the below three destinations as a direct transport or with a combo or another bus or train. Tickets can be bought at the machines of via their app/website.

Below we’ve highlighted the distances from each location (one way) by car or by public transport:

from Locarno

By Car – 15 minutes

By Bus 321 – 32 minutes

From Lugano

By Car – 1 hour

By Train RE80 and Bus 321 – 1 hour

from Bellinzona

By Car – 35 minutes

By Bus 311 and 321 – 1 hour

What to See At the Verzasca Dam?

The concrete dam is of course the main thing you can see here, which is great to see in person how it’s been built and how tall it is. It is free to visit, so you can walk right on it from one side to the other. On one side is the reservoir full of water, like the photos showing that we took during our visit in Summer. On the other side, it’s the deep drop down to the bottom of the valley and rock floor bed. If you are not scared of heights, dare yourself to look over the edge. There is also little shop here if you wish to visit with some treats and souvenirs.

Bungee Jumping In Ticino

Alternatively, a lively activity for those who class themselves as an adrenaline junkie, is to find yourself getting strapped up safely before jumping off the dam attached to the rope. You can officially bungee jump here for a rush of excitement and fun, which is super scary to watch in my opinion! While visiting the dam, you can of course watch all the daredevils jumping, since it’s part of the dam and open space to the public.

Check all information for bungee jumping here if you dare!

If you have more time in Ticino, combine your visit of the Verzasca Dam with the following local highlights:

  • Lavertezzo – an idyllic, crystal clear water paradise, perfect for a swim or dipping your toes in the cold waters. It is a further up the same valley, with the same bus or driving route north.
  • Ascona – walk the tiny streets and shop in some local boutiques, before sitting at one of the local restaurants on the water’s edge. Perfect for an afternoon with sunshine.
  • Ponte Brolla – enjoy some waterfall fun just a little further than Ascona. It’s easily reachable with a different bus or by car.
  • Bellinzona – visit the capital of Ticino to see the 3 local castles as well as the weekly market for some local treats
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Ciao, I’m Zoe!

Zoe Together In Switzerland

I’m a native Brit-turned-Dutch expat living in Ticino, Switzerland with my boyfriend and kitty cat since 2022.

Our site highlights our most fun adventures and experiences while exploring local life in Switzerland.

Enjoy!

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2022

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  • Zurich – April 2022
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2023

  • Vaud – January 2023
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Spring view from Paradiso 💜 . . . . . . #lugano Spring view from Paradiso 💜
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Cloudy today, but don't let that stop you explorin Cloudy today, but don't let that stop you exploring > Here's a photo from Gandria from the boat! 🇨🇭
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Happy Thursday 🌹 We are counting down to the we Happy Thursday 🌹 We are counting down to the weekend for some hiking! 
On 1st April, many places are reopening, such as Monte Tamaro, Monte Lema and already Monte Generoso! ⛰️
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I love how we see helicopters every week flying ar I love how we see helicopters every week flying around Lugano 🚁😍 
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel  #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #swisshelicopter #swisshelicopters #swisshelicoptersphotography
♡ / Celebrating 8 wonderful months in Switzerlan ♡ / Celebrating 8 wonderful months in Switzerland 🇨🇭
Wow time flies when your having fun! 
We've explored already so much of our home canton of Ticino as well as visited the cantons of Vaud, Valais, Zurich, Luzern, Basel, Bern and Zug. ☀️
We've been in the snowy mountains to the summery waterfalls, with lots of beautiful memories made. 🌴🏔️
Bring on the next few exciting months until our 1 year swiss expat anniversary! 🎉
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#swisslife #swisslifestyle #swissexpat #expatsexploreswitzerland #togetherinswitzerland #swisslocal #ticinomoments #ticinoturismo #tessin #zermat #mygornergratmoment #gornergrat #asconalocarno #ascona #asconaswitzerland #ascona_locarno #luganoswitzerland #luganoregion #brienzswitzerland #brienz #switzerlandtravel #switzerlandphotos #switzerlandtourism #luganophotographer #cantonticino
Buon martedì a tutti 🌿 . . . . . . . .. . . .# Buon martedì a tutti 🌿
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Did you know there are more than 200 species of ca Did you know there are more than 200 species of camellias? 🌺 We've already spotted a few blooming in Lugano, and look forward to seeing a lot more! 
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #camellias  #camelliaflower
One boat ticket to Paradise please 🇨🇭 The @ One boat ticket to Paradise please 🇨🇭
The @lakelugano journey on Lake Lugano is a lovely activity for all ages. Whether you want to take just one stop to Gandria, Melide or Morcote, or for a round trip in the sunshine. 
I was last on the boat from Morcote back to Lugano Paradiso. The staff were so welcoming and friendly! 
I had met a little old German lady sat by herself with an Aperol spritz. So I got one too and joined her. She didn't speak a word of English but we communicated by raising our glasses with a "cheers" while relaxing in the sunshine 🥂☀️
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
Flower power at Gambarogno Botanical Park 🌸 If Flower power at Gambarogno Botanical Park 🌸
If you are looking for somewhere in Ticino to visit with lots of flowers in bloom, the Gambarogno Botanical Park is already worth it! 
We visited today, in the 18°c sunshine. There must have been only 4 other people there so it seemed like we had the whole gardens to ourselves ☀️
Afterwards, you can also buy some plants from their shop on site! So if your local, check it out! 💐
📍 Gambarogno, Ticino Switzerland 
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#parcobotanicodelgambarogno #parcobotanico #gambarogno #gambarognoturismo  #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo  #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #camellias  #camelliaflower
Sunshine above the clouds ♡ in Lugano 🇨🇭 Sunshine above the clouds ♡ in Lugano 🇨🇭
Taken this morning 25.02.2023, the clouds are floating below Monte Bré ⛅ 
The best way to see the sunshine and low clouds is on one of the many Ticino peaks, such as;
- Monte Bré
- Monte San Salvatore (in images opposite)
- Monte Tamaro
- Cimetta 
- Monte Generoso 
📍 Lugano, Switzerland 
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #srfmeteo
Buongiorno Lugano 🦢 My Italian language skill Buongiorno Lugano 🦢 
My Italian language skills is slowly, and I do mean slowly, improving. For today, a swan is cigno 😅
It's a cloudy day ahead so we'll be likely staying in, working first, then relaxing and a possible new blogpost on the site! 
Link is always in my bio! 💻
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #cignobianco #cigno
Fun throwback: I took this selfie in November 2021 Fun throwback: I took this selfie in November 2021 when we were visiting Ticino as tourists. I fell in love instantly as it was my first time! ❤️
Little did we know at that time, that we'd actually be moving to Switzerland only 8 months later!!
📍 Bré, Switzerland
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
They are magnolias, right?! 🏔️🌸 . . . . . They are magnolias, right?! 🏔️🌸
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.#tessin #ticinomoments #ticinoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #tessintourismus #ticinonline #srfmeteo #asconalocarno #asconaswitzerland #ascona #lugano #magnolia #magnoliaflower #magnoliaflowers #sweetmagnolias #snowmountains #mountainslovers❤️ #cimetta #cima #switzerlandtravel #togetherinswitzerland #switzerlandpictures #swissphoto #swissphotographer
Venus & Jupiter floating above Lugano last night 🪐
As of Match 3rd last night, Venus is moving away from Jupiter, as the altitude of the gas giant begins to decrease in the evening sky. 📷
Jupiter will sink into the Sun’s glare before reaching solar conjunction (on the opposite side of the Sun to the Earth) on 11 April 2023. ⭐
I personally don't do much night photography, but I'm glad to have captured both planets! ❤️
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #jupiterandvenus #srfmeteo #nighttimelapse #venusandjupiter #conjunction

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