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All Things Swiss

Winter In Lugano: Snowy Viewpoints, Christmas Festivities and Warm Things To Do

Zoe| Ticino

If you are searching for a wintery destination to somewhere less known, Winter in Lugano is the festive place to be this year. Lugano in Winter is a warm, pleasant location that occasionally has a sweet white, snow topped mountains. Something you’d enjoy? Then your reading the right post! We’re sharing our personal recommended things to do, including some snowy mountainous viewpoints and local Christmas events.

Weather In Lugano During Winter?

The weather in Lugano is as expected, cold and possible white, fluffy snow for the winter period. The average temperature is 12°C, so it’s not as cold as a few other Swiss locations.

The average snowfall for Lugano between the end of November to the beginning of March is around 1 inch. But if you wish to visit early January in winter, the average snowfall is then 3 inches. However you never know what to expect for your stay, as you could also be treated with a snowy day vs a sunny day – since the canton of Ticino is where you can find the most sunshine in Switzerland.

Winter In Lugano: Cosy, Warm and Festive Activities

Lugano is a great place for winter, with fun activities as well as many events in the year, with many of these festive events throughout the winter period. If you can, try and visit Lugano during Christmas, but the whole winter period is pretty.

Visit A Local Museum

There are many museums in Lugano that are great to visit. It all depends on your interests, so you need to check each one out. But here’s a list of a few museums to consider:

  • LAC Lugano Arts and Culture
  • Museum of Cultures
  • Cantonal Museum of Natural History
  • MASI Lugano Art museum
  • Customs Museum (great to combine when visiting Gandria)

Visit Monte San Salvatore

Just like Monte Brè in Lugano, you can visit Monte San Salvatore by taking the funicular from the bottom to top. It will take you to the top with gorgeous wintery views looking North towards Monte Brè. During winter times the restaurant is closed at the top, but it’s still worth going up for the view. Keep in mind the funicular has a winter timetable. If its not going when you visit, you can also decided to hike up!

Viewpoint Punto Panoramico

This is pretty view point between the last bus stop (Brè, Paese) to the top of Monte Bré, looking down to the village of Bre. You can get there by car too. From this viewpoint you have a gorgeous wintery view towards the mountains following the lake. It’s spectacular!

Christmas markets

If you are visiting during December of the winter period, Lugano will have all the pretty festive wooden stands for the local Christmas market. It’s lovely to see during this time, where you can buy local goods, souvenirs, warm drinks and of course warm festive food options. There is often also festive music, either from a speaker or lively played. You can find the Lugano Christmas market mainly at Piazza della Riforma.

The Lugano Christmas Tree in the city center

❅ Looking for a pretty Lugano-themed gift? ❅
Check our Etsy shop for our self designed 3D printed decoration!

ESTY SHOP: ZAZOOLKA
Lugano 3D printed skyline

Shop Till You drop

There are some lovely little boutiques in Lugano for some wintery shopping. As well as boutiques, there are also some higher end stores to shop at on the ancient streets of Lugano. Spend time walking along each street and side alleyway to discover something you might be interested in. The city is not that big, so its easy to explore most within a day or less.

Eat The Most Delicious Pizza

Fancy pizza? Well search no further! We can highly recommend stopping at Spaghetti Pomodoro for your mandatory dose of Italian pizza (or pasta if you prefer!). Here they offer so many choices, and each one is cooked to the ultimate perfection. My personal recommendation is the diavola pizza topped with delicious spicy salami.

Walk In The Parco Ciani Gardens

Not far from the city centre (max 10 mins walking) you can enjoy some pretty, romantic gardens. These are located at Parco Ciani, a tranquil place home also to the Library and Lugano Convention Centre. The garden is very well looked after, even during winter in Lugano.

Walk Along To The Beach

Being right on Lake Lugano’s water edge from the gardens, walk further along the pathway of trees and red benches until you end up at the small beach area. Is it close to all the boats docked in the bay. It’s a lovely little spot to stop and enjoy the view of Monte San Salvatore and the city, even in Winter. There are some play areas also for children and a wooden path used often for locals to run along, used mostly in warmer weather.

The Views At Monte Bré

Make your way to the top of Monte Bré, whether by the bus and hiking a little or taking the funicular (also with a Winter timetable). From the top on a clear day you will be pleased to see the most amazing skyline. It’s a great vantage point of seeing Lugano from above. From here you are also looking South towards Monte San Salvatore, Monte San Giorgio and Monte Generoso.

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

Winter In Lugano: Final Thoughts

There are of course many more wintery things to do, special events taking place and delicious restaurants to try during Winter time that we have not highlighted. We will add more to this post once we’ve experienced more ourselves. However if you’ve experienced Winter in Lugano and have some more suggestions, add them in the comments!

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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.

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Swiss Travels!

2022

  • Basel – April 2022
  • Zurich – April 2022
  • Chiasso – September 2022
  • Zermatt – November 2022
  • Zurich – December 2022

 

2023

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Let's start the Weeeeeekend ♡ We have no plans Let's start the Weeeeeekend ♡ 
We have no plans yet, but a boat ride is always a lovely idea ☀️
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano #montesansalvatore #summerinlugano #summervibesonly #sᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ2023
All aboard! Exploring the world, one train ride at All aboard! Exploring the world, one train ride at a time... 🚂
We notice how much more touristic Lugano is becoming in the last few weeks, with the local tourist trains looking packed every time we see it!! 😬
We've not been on it ourselves, but it does seem like an easy, fun way to see the city while visiting for a day or weekend 🇨🇭
Have you been on it while visiting? ✌️
📍 Lugano, Switzerland 
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano  #summerinlugano #summervibesonly #summer2023☀️
Our month of May in 18 shots ❤️ We did so mu Our month of May in 18 shots ❤️ 
We did so much in May that I don't know how we did it 😅
To sum it up we...
- picked up our new car 🚗
- stayed in a wooden tiny home 
- visited 2 car shows (one in 🇩🇪 and one in 🇮🇹)
- explored Viamala gorge 🌿
- drove 3 scenic Switzerland passes
- saw a huge rainbow 🌈
- dipped our toes in the lake
- explored new Ticino locations (Sonogno!) 🏠
- drank too many Aperol spritz to remember 🍹
- visited 3 waterfalls 💦
So grateful for living in Switzerland ❤️🇨🇭
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.#ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #swissexplorers #switzerlandcolors #switzerlandtourism #myswitzerland🇨🇭 #switzerlandmylove #visitswitzerland
Last night was quite a storm! 🌹 We're not used Last night was quite a storm! 🌹
We're not used to every day being more than 20°c with storms in the evenings! ⚡
A good sign that hot summer days are coming! 
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A few moments of zen 🙏 . . . . . . . . . .#luga A few moments of zen 🙏
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano #montesansalvatore #summerinlugano #summervibesonly #summer2023☀️ #luganobeach
Varenna 🇮🇹 A pretty little pitstop on Lake C Varenna 🇮🇹 A pretty little pitstop on Lake Como! 
We stopped here for a walk and lunch one day, which was already touristic for May, but still lovely. 
Restaurant tip: Albergo del Sole Ristorante Pizzeria 🍕
We went by car to Monza first for a car event. Then we drove back via Varenna and took the boat. It was very convenient back to Menaggio and then a 40minute drive back to Lugano. 🚘
We'll definitely return one day as you can visit the botanical gardens at Villa Monastero 🦋🌿
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#lakecomoitaly🇮🇹 #varennaitaly #varennalakecomo #lakecomolife #lakecomophotographer #lakecomoholidays #italia_super_pics #comolaketoday #togetherinswitzerland #varennaturismo #roadtripcouple #italyroadtrip #lakecomotravel
Today went like sunny > cloudy > sunny > extra sun Today went like sunny > cloudy > sunny > extra sunny > rainy > rainbow > sunset 🌈☀️
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano #montebre #hikinginswitzerland
Let's start the Weeeeeekend ♡ We have no plans Let's start the Weeeeeekend ♡ 
We have no plans yet, but a boat ride is always a lovely idea ☀️
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.#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #lakelugano #montesansalvatore #summerinlugano #summervibesonly #sᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ2023
Our month of May in 18 shots ❤️ We did so mu Our month of May in 18 shots ❤️ 
We did so much in May that I don't know how we did it 😅
To sum it up we...
- picked up our new car 🚗
- stayed in a wooden tiny home 
- visited 2 car shows (one in 🇩🇪 and one in 🇮🇹)
- explored Viamala gorge 🌿
- drove 3 scenic Switzerland passes
- saw a huge rainbow 🌈
- dipped our toes in the lake
- explored new Ticino locations (Sonogno!) 🏠
- drank too many Aperol spritz to remember 🍹
- visited 3 waterfalls 💦
So grateful for living in Switzerland ❤️🇨🇭
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.#ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #swissexplorers #switzerlandcolors #switzerlandtourism #myswitzerland🇨🇭 #switzerlandmylove #visitswitzerland
Rainy azalea flowers at Parco Ciani 🌸 📍 Lug Rainy azalea flowers at Parco Ciani 🌸
📍 Lugano, Switzerland 
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #azaleas #azaleasinbloom #parcociani #parcocianilugano
Varenna 🇮🇹 A pretty little pitstop on Lake C Varenna 🇮🇹 A pretty little pitstop on Lake Como! 
We stopped here for a walk and lunch one day, which was already touristic for May, but still lovely. 
Restaurant tip: Albergo del Sole Ristorante Pizzeria 🍕
We went by car to Monza first for a car event. Then we drove back via Varenna and took the boat. It was very convenient back to Menaggio and then a 40minute drive back to Lugano. 🚘
We'll definitely return one day as you can visit the botanical gardens at Villa Monastero 🦋🌿
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#lakecomoitaly🇮🇹 #varennaitaly #varennalakecomo #lakecomolife #lakecomophotographer #lakecomoholidays #italia_super_pics #comolaketoday #togetherinswitzerland #varennaturismo #roadtripcouple #italyroadtrip #lakecomotravel
Walk with me in the rain 🌧️ . . . . . . . . . Walk with me in the rain 🌧️
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #rainymood☔️
Happy Sunday! 🌸 . . . . . .. .. . . #luganoswit Happy Sunday! 🌸
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
Buongiorno Lugano 🇨🇭! We're excited to wor Buongiorno Lugano 🇨🇭! 
We're excited to work less this week, with a long weekend ahead for a road trip! 🚘
I'll also be editing lots of our recent photos and videos, writing new blogposts and at one point probably eating pizza! 
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#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganoregion #luganomycity  #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino  #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin

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