Sportive, cultural and fun activities in Locarno and Ticino

Locarno is the ideal destination for families.

Whether it's adventure, hiking, beach fun or relaxation, there are countless ways to experience unforgettable moments together. Nature lovers can explore the Ticino countryside on 1,400 kilometres of hiking trails, while the brave can go on a treasure hunt or seek thrills in the adventure park. Water rats appreciate the fresh water from lakes or rivers. With 2,300 hours of sunshine a year, palm trees, sandy beaches and Mediterranean flair, the region offers the perfect backdrop for fun, relaxation and a variety of activities and excursions. In summer, guests can enjoy various activities in and around Locarno, such as swimming in Lake Maggiore, hiking, mountain biking and water sports. There are also many cultural attractions such as the Madonna del Sasso, the Camellia Park or the Casa Rusca Museum. Activities in summer:

• Sport:

  • Swim in Lake Maggiore or in one of the bathing establishments.

  • Water skiing, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding or other water sports.

  • In Tenero, fun for everyone! Sports activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakefoiling, monoskiing, funtube (inflatable boats), banana boating and a waterwoosh where young and old can have fun in the middle of the lake. On the beach you can also rent canoes, stand up paddles and boats to visit the other shores of Lake Maggiore.

  • Stand UP paddle of various types: it is located in the public baths of Locarno and in the public baths of Ascona, on one of the most beautiful shores of Lake Maggiore, on a beautiful and long beach.

  • Stand UP paddle in different types: you can find them in the public baths of Locarno and Ascona, on one of the most beautiful shores of Lake Maggiore, with a beautiful and long beach.

• Outdoor activities:

  • Excursions on the many hiking trails in the area, such as in the Verzasca Valley. Here is the link to the possible lie: https://www.ascona-locarno.com/de/erleben/outdoor/wandern

  • Mountain biking on Lake Maggiore or in the surrounding mountains.

  • Escalation.

  • Paraglider.

  • By bike through the region, for example with the train tours of the Vigezzina Centovalli. Here is the map: https://www.ascona-locarno.com/de/erleben/outdoor/bike

  • Canyoning in Ticino is a fantastic and invigorating experience. Thanks to its many waterways, Ticino has many gorges and ravines in the middle of unspoiled and wild nature. They are ideal for canyoning, where you can descend on foot into the gorges hollowed out by the water, following the course of the river. The most beautiful canyoning spots in the Ascona-Locarno region. The Vallemaggia has the most spectacular gorges: the Val Grande is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible for most people. The Val di Gei is a bit more challenging, but still suitable for the less experienced. Then there is the Gola del Giumaglio, a very water-rich gorge with beautiful narrowings. The most famous gorge, the Val Corippo, is located in the Verzasca Valley.

• Outdoor activities with children:

  • Llamas know how to make a family trip memorable, because they are in a good mood and incredibly friendly. The woods and sunny pastures of Monte Comino are home to a herd of gentle woolly llamas. Hiking with llamas is not just a walk, but an unforgettable experience. With the cable car 6 minutes from Verdasio at 1200 m above sea level, Monte Comino is kissed by the sun early in the morning. The silence is different from the silence of a Sunday in the city, as the sounds can be heard from the shade of the centuries-old trees.

  • Family trip to Ticino to BoBosco, the life-size marble square. Armed with a wooden ball, families set off and walk to a total of 23 completely different wooden constructions that awaken the joy of experimenting and playing not only in children, but also in adults. And this via two hiking trails between Brione Verzasca and Lavertezzo and Gerra Verzasca and Sonogno. The marble run constructions of the BoBosco project (short for "Boccia al Bosco") consist of a large number of marble runs that surprise again and again.

  • The Brissago Islands invite you to a unique experience where adults and children can discover, play and relax in a dreamlike setting on Lake Maggiore. A simple walk becomes a real adventure thanks to the treasure hunt "In Search of Lost Flowers". It's time to join us and become true explorers! With paper in hand, you're ready to go! Post after post, the scavenger hunt takes you to magical corners of the island, on hidden paths and through breathtaking landscapes.

  • Maggia Horse Experience: Experience the Maggia Valley at the slow pace of nature. Horse and donkey experiences for young and old - in the middle of the unspoilt nature of the Maggia Valley.

  • Splash and Spa Tamaro in Rivera (30 minutes by train from Locarno): an oasis of fun and relaxation. Magic and energy come together to create a unique and unforgettable experience full of fun and entertainment, relaxation and imagination. This is the Splash&SPA Tamaro, the modern water park in Ticino.

• Cultural activities:

  • Visit to the Madonna del Sasso, a famous sanctuary.

  • Discover the Parc des Camélias, a magnificent park with a multitude of plants. Visit the Casa Rusca Museum, a museum located in a historic building. Discover the Ascona-Locarno Culture Pass.

  • Falknerei in Locarno.

  • The Vigezzina-Centovalli railway line.

  • Vallemaggia Magic Blues is a small but incredibly large open-air festival.

  • JazzAscona is one of the most important jazz festivals in Switzerland and is proud to be the only festival outside the United States that is officially supported by the city of New Orleans.

  • The Locarno Film Festival is the most important film festival in Switzerland. It was founded in 1946 after the Second World War and is one of the most prestigious and oldest festivals in Europe, along with the Venice and Cannes Festivals.

  • Strawberry Festival: This magnificent festival in honour of the strawberry is a great success with the public every year. Visitors flock to Piazza Grande to taste the delicious strawberries served in different ways and to enjoy the wide range of stage performances.

  • Street Artists Festival: In the atmospheric setting of Ascona, the artists offer a varied programme: pantomime, theatre, dance, jugglers, tightrope walkers, fire-eaters, musicians, clowns and much more.

• Relaxation:

  • Visit to the Terme Salini & Spa.

  • Lido of Locarno.

  • The new Belvedere Oasis awaits all our internal and external guests with 800 m2 of indoor and 1400 m2 of outdoor facilities for pure well-being.

• Other activities:

  • Kart.

  • Excursion to the Brissago Islands, Botanical Garden.

  • Visit Cardada, a mountain that towers over the area.

  • Innerwalk "Wandering and Sound" Adventure.

  • Founding of the Ghisla Art Collection.

  • Discover the area by train (Ferrovia Vigezzina Centovalli).

  • Treasure hunt in Cardada Cimetta or on the Brissago Islands.

  • Escape Room at the Castello Marcacci or Sato Code locations:

  • https://www.sato-code.com/it/escape-games/escape-room-locarno

  • https://www.sato-code.com/it/escape-games/escape-room-ascona

  • https://www.sato-code.com/it/escape-games/escape-room-bellinzona..