Villas in Astano
Astano suits families of up to six wanting a garden and a small swimming lake in a protected Malcantone village. With under 300 residents and many of them commuting to the Lugano valley, it is very quiet at night and you will want a car.
- Villas
- 5
- From, per week
- £1,335
About Astano
Astano is a village at 631 metres in the middle Malcantone, and since 2025 part of the new municipality of Lema. The whole village is on the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites: the parish church of San Pietro was completed in 1654, and the old centre includes the Ca' da Roma. Gold was mined on Monte Sceree from the early 19th century until after the Second World War. Italian is the main language. The homes are in and around the village, and most have a garden, though check each listing. The village also has the Laghetto di Astano, a small lake with a beach and free swimming. Evenings are about your own terrace.
Is Astano right for you?
- Best for
- Families wanting garden space and lake swimming in quiet hills
- Not for you if
- You want to stroll out to restaurants and lakefront promenades each evening.
Near Astano
Sessa
A neighbouring Malcantone village, also on the Swiss heritage inventory, with the church of San Martino and the old bailiffs' court house.
Museo del Malcantone
A museum in a neighbouring village covering rural life, emigrant trades such as stucco work, and a 16-metre picture timeline of the valley.
Getting to Astano
Fly to Milan Malpensa, which has trains to and from Lugano. Astano has a bus stop in the village, with services running via Ponte Tresa, but a car makes shopping and day trips around the Malcantone much simpler.
When to go to Astano
Come between late spring and early autumn for the lake: the Laghetto di Astano opens from March to October, and may stay shut in bad weather. In winter the lake is closed and the village settles into its everyday rhythm of commuters and residents.
Villas in Astano
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Astano villa holidays: questions answered
Can you swim in the lake at Astano?
Yes, from March to October. The Laghetto di Astano has a beach, and swimming is free but unsupervised. Dogs are allowed on a lead only in the kiosk area, and picnics are not permitted.
Is Astano good for families?
For families who like a slow pace, it works well. Most homes here have a garden (check each listing), and the lake beach is set up for all ages. Older children wanting nightlife will find it too quiet.
Was there really gold mining in Astano?
There was. Gold-bearing rock on Monte Sceree was mined from the early 19th century until after the Second World War, and the neighbouring village of Sessa also had gold and peat mining.
When is the Museo del Malcantone near Astano open?
On Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, from 2pm to 5pm, with visits by appointment at other times. The museum is in a neighbouring village, also now part of Lema, and covers rural life and emigration in the Malcantone.
Nearby towns to Astano
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed November 2026.
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