Picturesque Lugano, with a population of about 53,000, is located in Italian-speaking Canton Ticino – Switzerland’s so-called sunny veranda. Situated on a lovely lake, surrounded by majestic mountains and with a mild sunny climate, it is not surprising that tourism developed here as early as the mid-nineteenth century. But the financial and banking sector is also of major importance to Lugano’s economy and the town has been an important trading centre since the Middle Ages, owing to its location on the north-south trading routes.
Easily reached by air, rail or road and just an hour away from Milan, Lugano offers visitors a vast variety of excursions, superb scenery and sport galore. And for a quick trip through the whole of Switzerland, at a scale of 1:25, just visit the open-air 'Swissminiature’ exhibition in nearby Melide.

more Lugano pictures