Locarno
Locarno is a lakeside town in Italian-speaking Ticino, with a large central piazza, a hilltop pilgrimage church and a cable car into the mountains above the lake.
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Locarno is a lakeside town at the north end of Lake Maggiore, in Ticino, the Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland. Its center is the Piazza Grande, a large square lined with cafés and old palazzi, a short walk from the lake. The Madonna del Sasso, a pilgrimage church on a rocky hill above town, is reached by funicular, and the Cardada cable car climbs into the mountains above the lake.
Most sights sit within walking distance of the lakefront, so a base near the piazza keeps the first day simple. Plan one day for the town and lakeside, and another for the hill trips to the church or the Cardada cable car. The Locarno Film Festival screens films on the Piazza Grande each August, so check dates before you book. Day trips from Locarno reach the Brissago Islands, the Centovalli train line and the Verzasca Valley. Late spring to early autumn is the period when lake and mountain outings are easiest to plan.
Locarno in five
- Book early if the Film Festival is your tripTicino tourism lists the 2027 edition as 4 to 14 August, with a nightly screening on the Piazza Grande. Confirm the dates for your year on the festival's own site and reserve rooms well ahead.
- Check the Brissago Islands seasonThe botanical park on the larger island opens 18 March to 8 November in 2026. Boats run from Locarno (40 to 60 minutes), Ascona (15 minutes) and other lake towns, so check the timetable for your day.
- Ride the funicular to Madonna del SassoFrom near the lake the funicular climbs to Orselina and the pilgrimage church. A cable car then continues to Cardada and the Cimetta chairlift, at 1,670 m, with a view toward Switzerland's lowest point, Lake Maggiore at 193 m.
- Take the Centovalli train toward ItalyThe small Centovallina or Vigezzina train winds through the Centovalli, the valley of a hundred valleys, which is also a transit route between Ticino and Italy. Leave a day for the villages along it.
- Arrive by train and walk to the PiazzaLocarno station is a few minutes' walk from Piazza Grande, so luggage is manageable. Drivers from the Gotthard side are told to plan around traffic jams and leave at Bellinzona Sud.
Things to do in Locarno
See all attractions in Locarno
Need to know
- Getting there
- Zurich or Milan, then rail via Bellinzona; station near Piazza Grande
- Getting around
- Walking, Madonna del Sasso funicular, Cardada lift and lake boats
- Best base
- Locarno old town; Ascona for a quieter lake village
- Water
- Lake Maggiore, 193 m above sea level, Switzerland's lowest point
- Time needed
- 2 days; 3–4 with the valleys
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh2°Low-6°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low-4°MildFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchRain12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh6°Low-3°Camellia bloomMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 158 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Camellia bloom
- AprilRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low1°Spring flowersAprilRain
Good
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring flowers
- MayRain21 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Warm, lake daysMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 266 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lake days
- JuneRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low10°Long daysJuneRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 271 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Long days
- JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh22°Low12°Hot, swimmingJulyRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 220 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, swimming
- AugustRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh22°Low12°Film FestivalAugustRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 280 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Film Festival
- SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Warm, calmerSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calmer
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 301 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh6°Low-1°Rain, quietNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 165 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Mild, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Locarno, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jun Ascona Jazz Festival · Jul Ascona Jazz Festival
Right now in Locarno
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Locarno
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°1°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue5°2°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed4°2°25%Wednesday: Rain. High 4°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Thu6°3°25%Thursday: Rain. High 6°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri5°3°39%Friday: Rain. High 5°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sat5°3°48%Saturday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Sun5°2°36%Sunday: Rain. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 36%.
Updated 06:38 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Feb–MarRabadanTicino, a day trip
- MarChalandamarzGraubünden, a day trip
- Jun–JulAscona Jazz FestivalLocarno
- JunGreenfield FestivalInterlaken, a day trip
- Jul–AugVerbier FestivalValais, a day trip
- Jul–SepMenuhin Festival GstaadBernese Oberland, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Brissago Islands40–60 minutes by boatA subtropical botanical park on the larger island, open in a seasonal window each year.
- Centovalli railwayby the Vigezzina trainA scenic border-valley line with villages such as Intragna, home to Ticino's highest bell tower.
- Verzasca Valleyby road from LocarnoEmerald river pools, the Ponte dei Salti at Lavertezzo and the 220 m dam made famous by GoldenEye.
Before you go to Locarno
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Rules for Locarno, checked
- Brissago Islands botanical park: 2026 season 18 March to 8 November; boats from Locarno (40 to 60 minutes) and Ascona (15 minutes).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Locarno Film Festival 2027 is listed by Ticino tourism as 4 to 14 August, with daily evening screenings on the Piazza Grande.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Locarno
Which Ticino lake town fits your trip
Read the guideLuganoTicino's bigger lake city, with two funiculars
Read the guideWhere to stay in LuganoTicino Ticket hotels and lake bases compared
Read the guideLake Maggiore (Italy)The Italian shore, a boat ride from Switzerland
Read the guideSwiss Travel PassWhat it covers on lake boats and trains
Read the guideVisa checkerYour passport's entry rule before a Ticino trip
Read the guideAll of SwitzerlandRegions, rail passes, money and entry rules
Read the guideLocarno FAQ
Is Locarno worth visiting?
Yes, for the lake setting, the Piazza Grande and the hilltop views from Madonna del Sasso and Cardada. It is smaller than Lugano, so two days suit the town and a third opens the valleys.
When is the Locarno Film Festival?
It is traditionally held in August. Ticino tourism lists the 2027 edition as 4 to 14 August, but confirm the dates on the festival's site, and book rooms as soon as they are announced.
How do you get to the Brissago Islands from Locarno?
By lake boat, a crossing of 40 to 60 minutes depending on the timetable. From Ascona it takes about 15 minutes. The 2026 season runs from 18 March to 8 November.
Is Locarno or Lugano better?
Locarno for a smaller lake town with valley excursions and a festival, Lugano for a bigger city with more restaurants and two funicular mountains. They are both in Ticino and can be combined.
Can you swim in Lake Maggiore at Locarno?
Yes, the town has a lido and the lake draws swimmers in summer. Check the lifeguard hours and flags at the beach you choose, as services follow the season.