What lakes are in the Italian part of Switzerland?

A Guide to the Italian Lake District
  • Lake Maggiore. Straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy, Lake Maggiore lies on the southern side of the Alps with an especially scenic backdrop created by the mountains. ...
  • Lake Garda. ...
  • Lake Como. ...
  • Lake Lugano. ...
  • Lake Orta.




The Italian-speaking canton of Ticino is home to two world-famous, high-value lakes: Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore. Lake Lugano is a premier destination known for its dramatic mountain backdrops, including Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, and the elegant, palm-lined promenades of the city of Lugano. Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy, but its northern tip belongs to Switzerland, hosting the sun-drenched resort towns of Ascona and Locarno. These lakes offer a "Mediterranean-meets-Alpine" vibe with subtropical gardens and golden-hour boat tours. For a 2026 traveler, a high-value "pro-tip" is to take the funicular in Locarno to see the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary, which offers a "postcard-perfect" view over the water. While smaller alpine tarns exist in the valleys, these "Big Two" are the definitive hubs for lakeside luxury and "La Dolce Vita" in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

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Lake Lugano (Italian: Lago di Lugano or Ceresio, from Latin: Ceresius lacus; Lombard: Lagh de Lugan) is a glacial lake which is situated on the border between southern Switzerland and northern Italy.

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We were in both Lake Como and Lugano last May and found Lake Como (and the little towns) far more interesting. I've stayed in both and love each. They are different - Como more Italian of course which may make it seem less squeaky-clean than Lugano, an Italian-speaking but thoroughly antiseptic Swiss city.

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Just an hour north of Milan lie the stunning twin alpine lakes of Como (in Italy) and Lugano (across the border in Switzerland).

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It does not have to be expensive, but can be if you want it to be expensive. Typically I pay abot €11 for lunch in a bar and about €15 for dinner in a trattoria for dinner in the evening (both including wine). Restaurants will be more expensive.

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