Things to Do in Locarno

A waterfront promenade with a series of large, colourful murals painted by local and international artists along the retaining wall. Free to walk and photograph.

🕐 Open 24/7

💡 Start at the far end near the marriage registry and walk south. Best light for photos is late afternoon.

A lakeside botanical garden dedicated to camellias, with hundreds of varieties on display. Paths are well-kept and views of Lake Maggiore and the mountains are clear.

🕐 Daily, dawn to dusk

💡 Visit in March or April when the camellias bloom in force. Weekday mornings are quietest.

Locarno's main square, paved and surrounded by historic arcaded buildings. It's a working square with cafes and shops, not a museum piece.

🕐 Open 24/7

💡 Go early in the morning before the crowds arrive. The weekly market sets up here on Saturdays.

A hilltop sanctuary and pilgrimage site with a series of 15 chapels along a steep cobbled path. The church and grounds have good views.

🕐 Daily 07:00-19:00

💡 Take the funicular from the station (4 CHF one way) if the uphill walk sounds like work. The chapels close at dusk.

A 15th-century castle with a small archaeological museum and a tower you can climb. The castle grounds are free to walk through.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 (closed Mon)

💡 Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month. The tower climb costs 5 CHF and gives sharp views of the old town.