Holidays To Ascona - Ticino

One of Ticino's prettiest lakeside towns

Ascona is a quintessential lakeside resort, featuring pretty pastel coloured houses clustered around a tranquil harbour. The balmy climate allows for leisurely strolls along the boardwalk promenade, taking in the stunning lake and mountain views. The old town (Borgo) has at its heart the 16th century church of San Pietro e Paolo, the tall bell tower being the town's central landmark. Branching out from the church is a series of narrow lanes with boutiques, antiques shops and galleries. The Modern Art Museum is housed in a beautiful 16th century building and features works by artists associated with Ascona, including Paul Klee and Alexej von Jawlensky. A jazz festival takes place every summer and a prestigious classical music festival in autumn.

Gastronomy is also one of the main attractions of the town - try a hearty risotto served in one of the traditional grottos. Ascona is surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural sights in Switzerland, with many lakes and mountains visits to enjoy during your stay. The resort can enjoy positively Mediterranean weather in the summer - around 30° - and spring and autumn are great times to visit, with the sun having some genuine warmth not seen in other regions in the country. Hotel guests benefit from the FREE Ticino Ticket, allowing you to hop on and off buses and trains across the region. 

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Contact us to book your holiday

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

Choose from our handpicked Ascona hotels

Albergo Carcani

Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss

Lake Maggiore is a beautiful sight and it is a delight to explore it on a lake cruiser. Your Half Fare Card is valid on the Swiss part of the lake and we highly recommend a cruise - maybe to the glorious, subtropical Brissago Islands or to pretty Ascona for lunch by the water. A full day on the Lago Maggiore Express route into Italy is also recommended (although there isn't a discount). If you enjoy rail travel, you could use your Ticino Ticket for free travel as far as the border on the Centovalli trains, stopping off at little villages for lunch and walks in the beautiful landscape. 

Orselina, just above the centre of Locarno, is home to the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary - take the funicular or walk up the hill. This is also the starting point for a trip to higher mountains, using the cable car to Cardada and then the chairlift to Cimetta. There are wonderful views to be had over the Alps and a variety of walking trails. Thanks to the new Ceneri tunnel you can now travel easily to Lugano and its lake for a day's visit.

Please click here for our summary of the best the region has to offer.

There are two UNESCO sites within easy reach of Ascona. Discover the medieval history of the Castles of Bellinzona and or head down to Monte San Giorgio where you can find dinosaur fossils and delightful walks. Find more Swiss World Heritage Sites here. 

Our holidays include the Half Fare Card, which entitles you to a 50% discount on most rail, mountain railways, cable cars, boats and PostBuses across Switzerland.

If you are planning daily outings, the complimentary Ticino Ticket will also save you a great deal of money - and help you avoid the queues at the ticket office! If you are planning trips further afield, it can be well worth pre-booking the Swiss Travel Pass. We will be delighted to guide you on the pass that's right for you. Call us on 0800 619 1200 for more advice.

Enjoy a fantastic two or multi centre holiday, with a scenic rail journey connecting your resorts.

Take the short transfer to Locarno, the starting point for the Centovalli Line (for Brig) which then connects to the Glacier Express and Lötschberg Regio Express. Locarno is also on the Treno Gottardo route to Lucerne. Or why not travel to Bellinzona to join the Gotthard Panorama Express for Lucerne or Weggis. 

If you prefer to be based solely in Ascona, there are many lakes and mountains journeys to be enjoyed locally. We can tailor make any itinerary you choose, please contact us for details on 0800 619 1200.

Your ticket wallet will contain comprehensive travel instructions to help you reach your destination with ease, including recommended rail connection times and platform numbers. These are the most common routes for your Ascona holiday. 

Fly to Zurich

Flights available from London, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow.

Swiss Railways: Zurich Airport > Bellinzona > Locarno (and a taxi transfer to Ascona) with a transfer time of around 3 hours. 

Fly to Geneva

Not recommended due to a minimum transfer time of 5 and a half hours.

Travel by international rail

Rail from London St. Pancras via Paris to Basel.

Swiss Railways: Basel > Bellinzona > Locarno (and a taxi transfer to Ascona) with a transfer time of around 3 hours 45 minutes. 

Request your holiday quotation

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com