Nestling on the northernmost shore of Lake Maggiore is Locarno, a town that is steeped in history and natural beauty. Boasting a warm climate where lemon and palm trees blossom, a fascinating and picturesque Old Town lined with narrow lanes and ancient churches, and a gorgeous hinterland ideally suited to hiking, Locarno bares all the trappings of a fantastic romantic weekend away. Our collection of the best places to stay in Locarno offer something for everyone from chic boutiques to upmarket luxury hotels.

The Old Town is a piece of Mediterranean elegance. The lovely narrow lanes all lead to the heart of Locarno, the magnificent Piazza Grande, where you can find the market and, in the heat of the August sunshine, the annual film festival. On the edge of the piazza stands the Castello Visconteo, a 12th castle doubling up as an archaeological museum, which is worth checking out. Locarno is also renowned for its thriving art scene, with galleries like Casa Rusca and Il Rivellino displaying the best of contemporary art.

The waters of Lake Maggiore, Alpine-fed and crystal clear, are perfectly suited to scuba diving and watersports like wakeboarding and waterskiing; you can also book boat excursions to the nearby Brissago Islands. Afterwards, be sure to head to the Lido Locarno, an excellent wellness complex featuring thermal baths, spa treatments and swimming pools, all against a stunning backdrop of snowcapped Alpine mountains.

Out-of-town, there is much to feast your eyes upon. Looming high above Locarno, saintly and beautiful, stands the Church of Madonna del Sasso, a pilgrimage site where you can get breathtaking views of the town and surrounding hinterland. Stretching further on lies the lush green valleys of Verzasca and Maggia, both of which boast amazing views and hiking paths. Nearby, at the Verzasca Dam, you can go bungee-jumping down a 220m drop, the selfsame drop used in the film GoldenEye.

What not to miss

• Scuba dive in the clear glacier-fed waters of Lake Maggiore.
• Take a boat trip out to the nearby Brissago Islands.
• Go bungee-jumping down the Verzasca Dam.
• Hike through the lush valleys of Maggia and Verzasca.
• Check out the market at Piazza Grande.
• Visit the pilgrimage site above Locarno, the Church of Madonna del Sasso.
• Paraglide from Cinetta to Locarno!

This, unsurprisingly, is a popular spot so to ensure a room at one of the best places to stay in Locarno be sure to plan your trip well in advance.

The best places to stay in Locarno

Chic boutique

• Giardino Lago: offering airy and colourful rooms, marrying chic style with home comforts, this gorgeous hotel stands right on the banks of Lake Maggiore. Offering guests the chance to do a number of watersports, the hotel also boasts a superb restaurant.

Pure luxury

• Villa Orselina: in an utterly romantic spot by Lake Maggiore, this luxury hotel offers 3 restaurants, an extensive and pampering spa, and bright white rooms with top-of-the-range bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Ideal for couples looking to splash out.

For an apartment or villa

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• Locarno has the warmest climate in Switzerland, and also 2,300 hours of sunshine every year. The best time to go is between June and August when the temperature ranges between 16 and 28 degrees.
• Fly to Zurich Airport, get a train to Locarno, changing in Bellinzona. The journey should take around 2 hours.
• If you want to rent a car we recommend contacting our partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include all our properties in Lugano.
• Browse through all our options of the best places to stay in Switzerland.
• Or contact one of our Gurus for advice.