With Lake Lugano’s waters lapping onshore and the snowcapped Alps in the distance, there is certainly something delightful about Paradiso. Visit this municipality adjacent to the much larger city of Lugano in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland.
Immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings with a walk along the Lakeshore Promenade. This waterfront walkway continues into Lugano. Stop at a restaurant or café along the way. Most of them have outdoor seating so you can savour your meal while enjoying the view.
Halfway along the promenade, stop at Belvedere Sculpture Garden. Modern art and nature mesh seamlessly here, with sculptures nestled among blooming flowers and trees. Most of the artists whose work is displayed, such as Max Bill and Remo Rossi, hail from Ticino. Plantings change throughout the year to reflect the season.
The church of Santa Maria degli Angioli has looked over Lake Lugano since its construction in 1499. Peruse the Renaissance art treasures displayed inside.
Monte San Salvatore looms majestically behind Paradiso. Take the funicular to the mountaintop for panoramic views across Lake Lugano, the Lombardy plains and the Swiss Alps.
Downtown Lugano is just 2 miles (3 kilometres) away and easily reachable by car, bus or on foot. Enjoy this cultural hub of the lake with its variety of theatres, museums and restaurants. Lugano attracts more tourists than Paradiso, which has become more of a residential retreat.
For easy access from Paradiso to the rest of the country, go to the Paradiso Railway Station. Regular trains operate between here and Bellinzona, Chiasso and Lugano. Some continue to Milan. One of the most memorable ways to explore the area is by boat. Catch a cruise from Paradiso’s main dock and discover the many treasures waiting for you around Lake Lugano.
