Jacqueline’s guidebook
Arts and culture
Locarno Film Festival
1 Via Franchino RuscaAn iconic and unique event in the world of cinema
Ghisla Art Collection
3 Via Antonio CiseriPinacoteca Casa Rusca
1 Piazza Sant'Antonio
Percorso museale del Monte Verità
Fondazione Museo Mecri
207 Via MondacceIn addition to excellent art exhibitions, LAC has a majestic music hall, home to the OSI (Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana), as well as a wide arrange of theatre plays. It is a must for art lovers and it's close: you'll reach Lugano in only 23 min by train from the railway station in Tenero.
107 locals recommend
LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura
6 Piazza Bernardino LuiniIn addition to excellent art exhibitions, LAC has a majestic music hall, home to the OSI (Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana), as well as a wide arrange of theatre plays. It is a must for art lovers and it's close: you'll reach Lugano in only 23 min by train from the railway station in Tenero.
Music
JazzAscona
9 Contrada S. PietroA must for Jazz lovers. Watch out for the jam sessions!
Nature and Hiking
Cardada
BoBosco Trail
6634 Via CantonaleLavertezzo
Parco Avventura/Seilpark Gordola
2A Via Tratto di FondoAdventure Park Monte Tamaro
Brissago Islands
Wellbeing
Termali Salini & Spa Locarno
7 Via Gioacchino RespiniLido Locarno
11 Via Gioacchino RespiniSplash e Spa Tamaro
1 Via CampagnoleLido Ascona
82 Via LidoWhere to eat
Grotto Baldoria
9 Via Sant'OmobonoRistorante Osteria Nostrana & Ferienwohnung
Piazza Giuseppe MottaSenza Punti
440 Via ContraOsteria San Martino
2 Via CappellaBlu is a very beautiful place with a stunning terrace above the lake. However, some of my guests have tried it recently and were very unhappy about the food. It might have been an isolated episode related to Covid and lockdowns, but i still feel like advising for caution ;)
32 locals recommend
BLU Restaurant & Lounge
9 Via Gioacchino RespiniBlu is a very beautiful place with a stunning terrace above the lake. However, some of my guests have tried it recently and were very unhappy about the food. It might have been an isolated episode related to Covid and lockdowns, but i still feel like advising for caution ;)
Grotto America
71 Via ai GrottiRistorante Grotto Du Rii
Ristorante Sensi
9 Viale VerbanoOsteria Chiara
1 Vicolo Dei ChiaraRistorante Locanda Locarnese
1 Via BossiLa Trattoria Cibo & Passione
9 Via MarcacciRistorante Pizzeria Al Torchio
15 Viale VerbanoAt a 5 min walking distance from home, this beautiful, typical grotto serves amazing food! It has a huge covered terrace so even if it rains there's no trouble eating outside. I recommend!
Grotto Scalinata
60 Via ContraAt a 5 min walking distance from home, this beautiful, typical grotto serves amazing food! It has a huge covered terrace so even if it rains there's no trouble eating outside. I recommend!
Famous for its excellent tartare but not only, the Gnesa serves the most incredible pizza i ever ate (really!). You must be very hungry to endure it, or share it with your friend (one for two is certainly enough). It is called "Tronchetto", looks a little like a calzone but isn't quite the same, is loaded with delicacies and covered with tasty raw ham. An absolute must!
PS: the pizzaiolo will only prepare it if he isn't too busy, so it's best to call in advance or come a bit later to avoid dinner rush-hour.
Ristorante Gnesa
80 Via S. GottardoFamous for its excellent tartare but not only, the Gnesa serves the most incredible pizza i ever ate (really!). You must be very hungry to endure it, or share it with your friend (one for two is certainly enough). It is called "Tronchetto", looks a little like a calzone but isn't quite the same, is loaded with delicacies and covered with tasty raw ham. An absolute must!
PS: the pizzaiolo will only prepare it if he isn't too busy, so it's best to call in advance or come a bit later to avoid dinner rush-hour.
Inka is a new place on Piazza Grande that, if you love sushi like me, will not leave you hungry. They have an excellent service and a good selection of raw fish dishes – try the pokes and/or the ramen, they are delicious!
Inka Bistrot Bar
13 Piazza grandeInka is a new place on Piazza Grande that, if you love sushi like me, will not leave you hungry. They have an excellent service and a good selection of raw fish dishes – try the pokes and/or the ramen, they are delicious!
Going out
A cute bar that opened recently on Piazza Grande, the Tesoro has a nice outdoor space under the arcades and a tweak: on "disco" nights the music is played in the vault (the space housed a bank formerly).
Tesoro 25 75 14 41
16 Piazza GrandeA cute bar that opened recently on Piazza Grande, the Tesoro has a nice outdoor space under the arcades and a tweak: on "disco" nights the music is played in the vault (the space housed a bank formerly).
The Mono is an uncomplicated place with good beer and music. As a meeting point for late-nighters, it is quite possible that you'll make some funny encounters there. It is one of the few bars in Locarno that stays open until 1 or 2 PM on weekends.
14 locals recommend
Bar Mono
19 Via Antonio CiseriThe Mono is an uncomplicated place with good beer and music. As a meeting point for late-nighters, it is quite possible that you'll make some funny encounters there. It is one of the few bars in Locarno that stays open until 1 or 2 PM on weekends.
The Pardo sits in a very nice location at the end of Piazza Grande. In addition to a good selection of beers i like its cool, relaxed atmosphere.
Pardo Bar
3 Via della MottaThe Pardo sits in a very nice location at the end of Piazza Grande. In addition to a good selection of beers i like its cool, relaxed atmosphere.
It's been a while since i spent my late hours there, but as one of the few party venues in the region it could, if you're lucky with the DJ, offer you quite a memorable night out. It isn't Berlin but, you know, never say never!
7 locals recommend
PIX Club Ascona
3 Via AerodromoIt's been a while since i spent my late hours there, but as one of the few party venues in the region it could, if you're lucky with the DJ, offer you quite a memorable night out. It isn't Berlin but, you know, never say never!