Visiting Lugano, Switzerland: Top Sights on Foot

If you are looking for things to do in Lugano, this Swiss lakeside city blends rich cultural history, striking architecture, and scenic alpine views. Explore historic religious landmarks, fascinating niche museums, and the lakeside spots that shaped European pop culture. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Lugano with 71 narrated places to help you discover the city at your own pace.

What to See in Lugano

Cathedral of Saint Lawrence

Perched on a hill overlooking both the city and Lake Lugano, the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence is the main religious building in the city and the seat of the Diocese of Lugano. Classified as a site of national cultural interest, the cathedral dates back to the High Middle Ages and was largely rebuilt in the late fifteenth century, with its façade completed in 1517. It features a rare blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance artistic styles.

Sant’Antonio Abate Church

Located on Piazza Dante in the heart of the city, Sant’Antonio Abate is one of Lugano’s most striking baroque churches. Construction began in 1633, and the interior is covered in rich stucco work completed by artists Luca Corbellini, G.B. Bellotto, and G. Rossi. Between 1796 and 1798, the famous Italian poet Alessandro Manzoni studied here when the building was part of a college run by the Somaschi fathers.

Museum of Cultures (MUSEC)

Housed in the historic Villa Malpensata directly on the lungolago, MUSEC is a dynamic cultural center dedicated to ethnic and oriental arts, photography, and modern and contemporary art. Founded in 1989 to preserve the collection of Swiss artist and collector Serge Brignoni, the museum has grown to encompass prestigious collections of applied art and serves as a research center for the anthropology of art and intercultural museology.

Teatro Kursaal

The historic Teatro Kursaal holds a unique place in television history as the birthplace of the Eurovision Song Contest. On May 24, 1956, this theater hosted the inaugural edition of the competition, organized by the European Broadcasting Union and the Swiss broadcaster RSI. Seven countries participated in this first event, and the host country Switzerland won with the song “Refrain,” performed by Lys Assia.

Swiss Customs Museum

Tucked away on the border between Switzerland and Italy on the shores of Lake Lugano, this museum occupies a former border post. Run by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security and the Swiss National Museum, it features objects and documents detailing the history of border guards and the colorful smuggling activities that flourished in the mountain valleys of Ticino and Graubünden during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Madonna d’Ongero Church

Located in Carona, a charming quarter of Lugano, this beautiful baroque church offers a peaceful atmosphere and intricate period architecture just outside the city center.

Specialized Museums

Art and culture enthusiasts can also explore the Museo Mario Bernasconi for the works of the local artist, the Museo Wilhelm Schmid for a quiet look at the local art scene, the Memorial Room Clay Regazzoni dedicated to the Swiss racing driver, the Museo della Tipografia Renato Fontana focused on traditional printing crafts, and the Museo Rainis e Aspazija, dedicated to two celebrated Latvian literary figures.

Explore Lugano with Neywo

To make the most of your visit, download Neywo and explore with a free audio guide that tells the story of each place as you reach it. Enjoy your walk at your own pace with no group and no schedule. The app includes 4 walking tours and 1 bus route:

• From the Cathedral Hill to the Lakeshore: A 2.93 km walk taking about 100 minutes across 11 stops, including the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence and the Museum of Cultures (MUSEC).
• Palazzi, Convents and Quiet Churches of Centro: A 3.8 km walk taking about 99 minutes across 9 stops through the historic center.
• Castagnola, Bre and the Eastern Shore: A 5.2 km walk lasting about 94 minutes across 4 stops.
• West Lugano: Loreto to Breganzona: A 2.82 km walk taking about 60 minutes across 4 stops.
• Bus 434: Lugano Lakefront to the Hill Village of Carona: A 9.2 km bus route lasting about 39 minutes across 8 stops.

Continue your journey through Switzerland by discovering nearby destinations like Ascona, Locarno, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Interlaken, Gruyères, and Appenzell.