Start your day off in Lugano with a cappuccino and a bite to eat before heading off to a busy day. You’ll find no shortage of cafes in the Manzoni Square, however, one of my favorites for a prime view of the beautiful town is Tango!

After a lovely breakfast, it’s time to head off to the most exciting part of the day…Monte Tamaro! Just a 25 minute drive from Lugano, this mountain is a playground for adults and kids alike. A terrain perfect for hiking and mountain biking, this place will keep you busy for hours! At the top you’ll find a mountain coaster and zip line with incredible landscape views, truly an experience unlike any other! There are several look out points perfect for admiring nature and of course a fantastic photo op. There’s also a chalet style cafe to grab lunch (or a beer) during your excursions. You can either opt for a hike up the mountain if you’re feeling adventurous (approximately 2 hours one way), or you can take a cable car and get panoramic mountain views.

After spending several hours exploring Monte Tamaro, head back over to Lugano for some shopping. Here, you will find no shortage of luxury stores including Swarovski, Hermes, and Cartier, however, there are plenty of boutique storefronts that line the town as well. You’ll also find plenty of fresh produce, meats, and cheeses while you wander the picture perfect streets.

Once you’ve finished exploring the shops and the town square, head over to the lake for a relaxing afternoon on the water. There are many options to navigating the water, including kayaking, boat rentals, and pedal boats. You’ll find red pedal boats lining the piers and are of the most affordable options, priced at 16 CHF for 1 hour. This is a great way to see the town from a different vantage as well as enjoy the beautiful lake!

After you head back to your hotel and get changed after an exciting day exploring the town, make your way back over to Manzoni Square for aperitivo and dinner. I recommend Tango for a pre dinner drink and La Tinera for a traditional Swiss meal with fantastic risotto!

After you’ve stuffed yourself with risotto and aperol spritz, walk around the town of Lugano one last time before saying goodnight. The small town is quite lively and the streets sparkle a little bit extra under the moonlight.