Ascona
Canton Ticino

Ascona is Switzerland's lowest lying town. It is located at 196 meters above sea level on the northern shore of Lago Maggiore, also called Lake Langen. Ascona is famous for its mild climate, its Old Town and a lake promenade which is dotted with street cafés and boasts a Latin ambience.

About Ascona

The church of San Pietro e Paolo, which is located in Ascona's old center of town, Borgo, is well worth a visit. The church is a basilica dating back to the 16th century. The interior of the basilica is defined by columns. Its high bell tower is the landmark of the vacation destination of Ascona. The branching lanes of the Old Town lead to the car-free zone of the Lake Promenade with its charming street cafés.

The Monte Verità, the Mountain of Truth, lies above Ascona. People who subscribed to philosophies off the beaten track established a colony here at the beginning of the 20th century. The colony attracted celebrities from all over the world. Today the mountain is a place where the universities of Lucerne and Zurich hold seminars, and a museum showcases the history of the alternative colony and its founders.

Summer

Nowadays, the resort of Ascona, which is very close to Locarno, boasts a beautiful 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, elegant boutiques for shopping excursions, a large open-air swimming pool, smart hotels and many excellent restaurants, lovely walks in parkland, surfing, sailing and other water sports, not to mention boat trips on Lake Maggiore. There are many opportunities for excursions, hiking and biking in the beautifully wild scenery of the nearby side valleys of the Tessin such as the Maggiatal and Centovalli.

Our personal highlights

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Preferred hotels

Browse Suisse Selection’s favored luxury hotels, carefully chosen for their unmatched excellence in architecture, service, gastronomy, and comfort.

Castello del Sole

Castello del Sole is surrounded by a 14-hectare private park in Ascona. The rooms and suites at the hotel come equipped with Wi-Fi, TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-bars. The resort features restaurants, a swimming pool, spa, gym, wellness centre, and private beach. Guests may spend the day exploring the islands of Lake Maggiore, or go waterskiing, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Giardino Ascona

The Giardino Ascona offers guests a carefree retreat by the shores of Lago Maggiore, surrounded by a Mediterranean park. The modern rooms have a Mediterranean feel and include balconies or patios, TVs and Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included in the rate, and for later meals and drinks, the hotel features two elegant on-site restaurants and bars. Guests have access to a pool with sun loungers and day beds, as well as a lush garden with fruit trees and fragrant herbs. The hotel also offers an on-site spa, as well as the use of bicycles to explore the area.

Hotel Eden Roc

The Hotel Eden Roc has a 2000 square meter spa offering a combined in and outdoor swimming pool, hydro massage showers, an ice fountain and seven treatment rooms. The two buildings are connected by a walkway overlooking Lake Maggiore, the activities hub of the town. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s private beach, enormous sunbathing lawn and water sports center. The hotel’s four fantastic restaurants range from gourmet Mediterranean cuisine at La Brezza, to light local fare at the La Casetta lakeside restaurant and classic or spa cuisine at restaurant Eden Roc. The Eden Roc Marina adds sixteen contemporary rooms to the existing hotel as well as three meeting spaces and the al fresco Marina restaurant, which is ideal for celebrations and afternoon cocktails.

Hotel Villa Orselina

Perched above Locarno, with panoramic views over Lake Maggiore and the Ticino mountains lies Hotel Villa Orselina; an elegant five-star boutique hotel. Set within the small village of Orselina, the hotel is nearby the Madonna del Sasso church, the cable car to Cardada-Cimetta and the funicular that connects Orselina to Locarno.

The resort boasts 28 spacious rooms and suites, all with direct lake views and elegant interiors. Facilities include a Nespresso coffee machine, flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, and minibar. Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining and drinking, as the hotel boasts the Il Ristorante di Villa Orselina, La Pergola Restaurant and the Panoramic Lounge & Bar, as well as the Cantina wine cellar. Additional facilities include a swimming pool, a spa, and a tennis court.

Hotel Giardino Lago

Hotel Giardino Lago is ideally situated between Lake Maggiore and Monte Cardada in Locarno, Switzerland. The hotel boasts a total of 14 rooms and suites. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, DVD and CD players, radios, iPod docking stations, wireless LAN, safes, hairdryers, dipiù cosmetics and personal care products. Guests can enjoy Tomahawk beef or Chateaubriand dry-aged meats at Restaurant Lago. Other amenities include a spa and a rooftop lounge.

Unique experiences

Discover Suisse Selection’s once-in-a-lifetime activities, to be included in your personal itinerary.

Monte Tamaro – Monte Lema

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When to go

Switzerland has a moderate climate and four distinct seasons, making it an attractive year-round travel destination.