Border Italy/Switzerland, Como

  Bellinzona
by MalenaN
 
  • Bellinzona
      Bellinzona
    by MalenaN
  • Lugano
      Lugano
    by MalenaN
  • Bellinzona
      Bellinzona
    by MalenaN
  • Lugano
      Lugano
    by MalenaN
  • Bellinzona
      Bellinzona
    by MalenaN
 

5 Reviews of Border Italy/Switzerland

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

Write a Review
Daytrip to Switzerland - Lugano/Bellinzona
MalenaN profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

MalenaN 4272 reviews
Bellinzona
4 more images

From Como it is easy to take the train to either Lugano or Bellinzona in Switzerland. They are both beautiful places and worth a visit.

Bellinzona
Since 2000 the three castles, Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbarco, have been an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bellinzona has a beautiful location. It is situated by Ticino River in Ticino Valley and has a strategic position along the route over the Alpine passes. A fortress was built already in Roman times, it was later added to by the Bishop of Como. When Bellinzona was under the control of the Dukes of Milan two more castles were built and they had, not only a good defence, but also control over the passing traffic and trade.
Below Castelgrande is the Old Town of Bellinzona with narrow cobbled streets, some squares and fine buildings, like the Town Hall with a courtyard with Renaissance arcades around.
I visited Bellinzona on a sunny day in February and I enjoyed my stay very much. I walked around in the Old Town, ate at a café and visited all three castles by foot.

Lugano
Lugano is a town with 57 000 inhabitants in southern Switzerland. It is a popular tourist destination in summer and that is easy to understand. The landscape around is beautiful with the Lake Lugano and the mountains. There are good opportunities for outdoor activities in the surroundings and in the city there are some museums, parks and an Old Town.
I visited Lugano a sunny day in February (on a daytrip from Italy). When I arrived in the morning there was a haze and the mountains on the opposite side of the lake could not be seen. When I came back in late afternoon it was clear and the landscape looked totally different.

Updated Apr 4, 2009

Website: www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm

Was this review helpful?

See Switzerland
Aurorae profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Aurorae 1743 reviews
Como by Jelena

From the lighthouse and the plateaus around you can see Switzerland, first of all the border and Chiasso, the first Swiss town after crossing the border. From up there it looks as one town, and practically it is merged to Italy, it is funny how borders don't exist in the air. :-)
Also, the plateaus near the lighthouse are very suitable for relaxing and play (I guess that's why there are so many kids). There are also lovely hikes.

Written May 13, 2005

Was this review helpful?

Balcone d'Italia
Aurorae profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Aurorae 1743 reviews
Balcone d'Italia by Jelena

Easily reachable from Como is another interesting point above lake Lugano, it is so called Balcone d'Italia (the balcony of Italy), near Lanzo d'Intelvi. It's a wonderful viewpoint at over 1300m overlooking the valley of Lugano, and entire Lugano lake, the Swiss Alps, and it's the last piece of soil of Italy, under the balcony there is Switzerlnd already! :)
The view from there and the sunsets are stunning.
There is a nice bar/restaurant, so go in the afternoon, enjoy the day light view and stay for the sunset, taking something in the bar, or even having a dinner.
The mountain you can see in the back as a sort of a "hunch" is Monte Rosa, over 4000m high!!!

Updated Feb 3, 2005

Was this review helpful?

Lugano
Aurorae profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Aurorae 1743 reviews
Lugano by Jelena

Lugano is veeeeeeery near Como, I'm not sure exactly (you can check that out), but definitely between 15 and 25km away, not more! However, you'll have to cross the border, since Switzerland is not in the EU. If you have an adequate passport, you might not even need it, only an ID card, like Italians for instance. My minority needs not only the passport, but a Swiss visa as well.
Lugano is on the namesake lake, Lago di Lugano, that is shared between Switzerland and Italy.

Written Feb 3, 2005

Was this review helpful?

departure by car
d_d profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

d_d 303 reviews
Italy-Switzerland boder

Leaving Como by car, travelling towards north, you'll meet Italy-Switzerland border.
The first Swiss city is Chiasso, the last Como neighborhood is Ponte Chiasso.
Rememeber: fuel your car in Switzerland!

Updated Feb 15, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Top 3 Hotels in Como

Hotel Metropole e Suisse  Como

 4 Reviews and 167 Opinions  We had a very small room, but has a balcony overlooking the lake. The shower stall does not have a... 

 Hotels in Como

Plinius  Como

 1 Review and 16 Opinions  I had booked a single room for one night through Booking.com at Hotel Posta. Hotel Posta was the... 

 Hotels in Como

Best Western Continental  Como

 2 Reviews and 56 Opinions  The front of the hotel is rather plain and drab, inside is "posh", the public rooms are very... 

 Hotels in Como

The Place

Border Italy/Switzerland

Border Italy/Switzerland tips and photos posted by real travelers and Como locals.

  Write a Review  
Experience Como
 

The People

41 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 Leaving Como by car, travelling towards north, you'll meet Italy-Switzerland border.The first Swiss city is Chiasso, the last Como neighborhood is Ponte... 

41 members live in Como

 

Questions and Answers

AllieK profile photo

Q:  How would I get to Lauterbrunnen from Como/ how much would it cost roughly? Thankyou! 

papito1981 profile photo

A: Hi there, the best way woulb be to rent a car: it's not so far from Como. Otherwise you have to take the train to Luzern and from there down to... 

Read 4 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Como Writers

1

C O M O

Aurorae profile photo

  Como is a beautiful town on its namesake lake - Lago di Como, at the very "bottom" of the lake, and just a step away from Swiss border. It has a lovely historic downtown and a magnificant... 

2

COMO - Central jewel in the crown of Lago di Como

icunme profile photo

 The cathedral ws completed in the 18th century with the dome of Filippo Juvarra and is rich in paintings and scultures. The facade is dated 1455. Style - transitional Gothic Interior - late... 

3

Como, by the lake

MalenaN profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Como. I'd love to share with you the 22 tips I've written, the 115 photos uploaded, and 6 travelogues I've created. 

4

Como

croisbeauty profile photo

 In case you are passionate traveller, one of those whos major interest are important historical sights, the town of Como will be disappoined experience. It is very old town, founded by the Romans, and... 

5

My birthplace

d_d profile photo

 Como is a very nice city located on a lake (the deeper of Italy) named Lario. Como is only 50 km from Milan and about 40 minutes by car from Malpensa airport. Moreover, Como is very closed to... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Como page

Travel Editors for Como

icunme profile photo