Lugano to Bellinzona and Locarno: Private day trip

The ancient Romans saw the defensive advantage the natural landscape in this valley provided and erected a frontier post, which was later expanded by the Lombards, and ultimately made into a heavily fortified Milanese town, controlling access to the Alps from the South. The heavy Italian influence has left its mark on the city, such as the neo-Classical theatre. The picturesque streets and squares are filled with decadent patrician homes and beautiful churches. Yet it is the city’s triple fortifications that are the most arresting. One of only 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Switzerland, they are some of the best preserved fortifications in the country. The Castelgrande is the oldest and mightiest, and offers breathtaking views of the Old Town and surrounding area, as well as a museum covering the history of Bellinzona.

Situated on a river delta and sheltered by the Alps, Locarno has been a holiday destination since the days of the Roman Empire. In the early 1900s, beautiful belle epoch hotels were built to accommodate the new influx of tourism. However, what brought the city to the world stage was the signing of the so-called "Locarno Treaty" in 1925, which Locarno the nickname the "Town of Peace". Just off the palm-lined lakefront, the "Piazza Grande" is lined with charming old houses, cafes and restaurants, and is transformed into an open air cinema every August for the International Film Festival. The Renaissance-era Old Town fans out from the square, culminating in the 13th century Castello Visconteo, which houses the Municipal and Archeological Museum. High above the city, the 15th century Santuario della Madonna del Sasso offers superb views and a richly decorated interior.