Weekend Getaway To Locarno
We went on a wonderful weekend getaway to Locarno as our last holiday away before our baby arrives. Located in the beautiful Italian speaking canton of Ticino, Locarno is a perfect family friendly destination. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, as we have come to expect from Ticino. The girls were able to swim in late September at the amazing Lido Locarno. I would highly recommend the Lido when visiting Locarno as a family. We also saw the highest and lowest points of Switzerland from a mountaintop above Locarno at Cardada.
How We Got There
The gorgeous and sunny town of Locarno is an easy 2 1/2 hour train ride from Zürich. We left on a Friday afternoon and arrived in time for a delicious dinner at our hotel. The train ride is so easy and we didn’t have to worry about getting stuck in the car needing the bathroom at the Gotthard Tunnel. Plus, with kids, the train is so convenient with food and a bathroom and the kids can stretch or move around as needed.
Where we stayed
We loved our hotel as our room had an incredible view of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains. The funicular that goes up to Cimetta makes a stop at our hotel. The girls loved the indoor/outdoor pool, chess set, and beach volleyball court. We had dinner the first night at our hotel and the food and service were both great (I had pumpkin ravioli as pumpkin is in season and all the rage here, my husband got ossobuco, and the girls got pasta with Bolognese which they didn’t leave a drop in their bowl. The kids had kid menus which included gelato which they loved) We stayed at Hotel Belvedere Locarno.
Where we Ate
Before we swam at the Lido Locarno, we ate at their Blu Restaurant for lunch. A great point of difference at this restaurant was the glass enclosed children’s play area, which our girls loved. And this place is nice, so nice, there was a wedding going on. Can you imagine a nice public swimming pool nice enough to have a restaurant on site that would have a gorgeous wedding reception? We had a great breakfast every morning at our hotel as well as a wonderful dinner the first night.
Where we Played
Lido Locarno
We are amazed at the fantastic Lido Locarno facilities. There are so many pools to choose from, a huge slide, wonderful places to eat, a gym, and a long stretch of lakefront for a picnic or to just rest and relax. There is a thermal spa as well, but we didn’t go with the kids. Maybe an idea for next time with a babysitter or group of friends.
Cardada
We went to the top of Cardada to the incredible mountaintop view at Cimetta. Starting at the center of Locarno, take the funicular, gondola, and chair lift to the top for an amazing view of the highest and lowest points in Switzerland. The highest point in Switzerland is Monte Rosa and the lowest point is Lake Maggiore. Both points can be seen from an amazing view-point bridge when getting off the gondola and before the chair lift. The path between the gondola and chair lift has a wonderful playground, chess set, the view-point, and a nice walking trail. The chair lift, which goes sideways up the mountain to the top, has a great view-point from the top of the Cimetta.
Where to go in Ticino and the Italian Lakes
Ticino is an absolutely amazing place to visit in Switzerland. A short 2 1/2 hour train ride to the Italian area of Switzerland with the gorgeous Italian lakes, warm Mediterranean climate, Italian hospitality and food, and amazing attention to detail with the fantastic lidos in the area.
Here is my post on our day trip to Locarno over Easter Sunday this year.
In Lake Lugano on the Italian side we loved staying here a few weeks ago and back in May and can’t wait to visit again.
On Lake Como we stayed here a few weeks ago and here a couple years ago.
Have you been to Ticino?
