Ticino is rich in places waiting to be explored. Where else can you spend the morning walking at alpine altitudes or in tranquil valleys, and the afternoon relaxing under a palm by a lake? Even remote areas can be discovered by bus, railway and cableway – perfect for visiting places you have never been. The Ticino Ticket offers visitors free use of the canton’s public transport network, so why not explore Ticino on foot? There’s no better way to get close to nature. Boasting 4000 kilometres of footpaths and trails, the canton’s mountains and valleys are a nature lover’s paradise. 

The diverse landscapes and mild climate in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland has numerous magical spots which keep attracting visitors year after year. Nature parks, water springs, waterfalls, forests and ravines – are a source of energetic forces that both inspire and relax.

Water plays a huge role in Ticino. Two lakes with over 160 km of coastline, breathtaking waterfalls and idyllic mountain lakes shape the landscape of the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland and give Ticino its natural charm. Crystal-clear water finds its way from the source of the spring in the mountains through the eroded rocky landscape of the unspoilt valleys and is particularly inviting on hot summer days. The Maggia and Verzasca are the most well-known for their bathing spots, but also small watercourses are dotted with lots of hidden bathing areas and numerous natural water pools and small beach areas with the very finest sand, which invite for a cooling dip. 

Cycle sport in Ticino is booming. Yet this isn’t just because the MTB World Championships were held in 2003 at Monte Tamaro – it’s because Ticino is perfectly suited to cycling holidays. Many professional cyclists call Ticino their home, as the Alps protect the region from northerly climatic influences, the lakes favour a Mediterranean climate and the region offers a wide range of training possibilities. 

Read even more about Ticino’s Outdoor Paradise