Ascona suits couples and small families who want a Lake Maggiore promenade, an old town and boat trips to the Brissago Islands. Most homes are one-bedroom apartments for four or fewer, and some have a pool. It is a lake town at 196 metres, so there are no mountains on the doorstep.
Ascona is a town of about five and a half thousand people on the right bank of the Maggia delta, on the shore of Lake Maggiore. Until the beginning of the twentieth century its economy depended mostly on crops, livestock and fishing; tourism took over as the century went on. The lakeside promenade, lined with cafés and restaurants, is the meeting point, and Piazza Motta sits among the old town's winding alleys. Our homes are tightly grouped around the town, mostly one-bedroom apartments, and some have air conditioning. Monte Verità, the hill just north-west of the town where a colony of artists and anarchists gathered early last century, makes a short excursion.
About 15 minutes away, with the 12,000 square metre Piazza Grande, the August film festival, a Thursday market and the Madonna del Sasso pilgrimage church.
Botanical gardens reached by boat from Ascona; the village of Brissago is also recommended, with boats from Locarno.
A hill excursion northwest of the town with a museum complex, restaurant and hotel, once home to a colony that drew Hermann Hesse and Carl Jung.
A valley suggested for hiking from Ascona, with the well-known Ponte dei Salti bridge at Lavertezzo.
Milan Malpensa, about 37 miles away, is around two hours forty by train; Zurich is about three hours by train, and Lugano airport is closer on the map. The Ticino Ticket, which gives free public transport across Ticino, is listed for hotel, campsite and youth hostel guests.
JazzAscona runs from 24 June to 3 July in 2027, and Locarno's Piazza Grande hosts Moon & Stars concerts in July. Autumn keeps a programme going: classicAscona to 10 October in 2026, the Chestnut Festival on 10 October, then the Ascona Music Festival from 20 October to 20 December. The Locarno Film Festival takes over Piazza Grande in August.
It depends on what you want close by. Ascona has the lakeside promenade and the old-town alleys around Piazza Motta, while Locarno, about 15 minutes away, has the Piazza Grande, the Thursday market, the Madonna del Sasso and the summer festivals.
Not a sea beach, but there is lake swimming. The bathing options listed locally include Lido Ascona, Lido Locarno and freely accessible bathing areas on Lake Maggiore.
By boat. Boats run from Ascona to the Brissago Islands, which have botanical gardens, and from Ascona or Locarno to the village of Brissago. Ticket prices change, so check the current boat timetable and fare before you go.
The next edition listed is 24 June to 3 July 2027. It is held along the lakeside promenade and is billed as one of the largest jazz festivals in Europe, so book accommodation early.
Milan Malpensa, about 37 miles away, is reached in around two hours forty by train; Zurich is about three hours by train. Lugano airport is closer on the map, at about 12 miles.
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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