Villas in Orselina
Orselina suits couples and walkers wanting a hillside spot above Locarno, with the funicular and Cardada cable car on hand. The lanes are steep, and the lake is a funicular ride or a walk below.
- Villas
- 11
- From, per week
- £1,440
About Orselina
Orselina sits on the hill above Locarno, where the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary, founded after a vision reported in 1480, is the town's principal sight. A funicular climbs from central Locarno to Orselina, and at the top it connects with the cable car to Cardada and a chairlift to Cimetta at 1,671 m. Locarno is one of Switzerland's warmest places. The homes sit close together, mostly small, for around four, and most have a garden. Evenings are quiet up here, while the Piazza Grande and the lake are down the hill.
Is Orselina right for you?
- Best for
- Walkers and couples wanting lake views above Locarno
- Not for you if
- You want flat lakeside promenades from your door.
Near Orselina
Madonna del Sasso
The sanctuary above Locarno, reached by funicular from the city centre, founded after a vision reported in 1480.
Cardada and Cimetta
A cable car and chairlift from Orselina; views from Cimetta take in Lake Maggiore and the Monte Rosa massif.
Locarno Piazza Grande
The main square, which hosts open-air screenings during the Locarno Film Festival each August.
Ascona
Across the Maggia on the south-western part of the delta from Locarno; the two formed a single community in the Middle Ages.
Getting to Orselina
Milan Malpensa, about 114 km south of Locarno, is the nearest passenger airport: about 1 hour 20 minutes by road, or around 2 hours 20 minutes by train with a change at Lugano. Locarno's station is in Muralto. The funicular climbs from the centre to Orselina, though homes up the slope are easier with a car.
When to go to Orselina
Locarno is among the warmest places in Switzerland, and Cardada is a starting point for hikes all year round. The Locarno Film Festival runs every August, with open-air screenings in Piazza Grande, so book early for that month. The funicular runs every 15 minutes from April to October and half-hourly the rest of the year.
Villas in Orselina
5-star property
4-star property
2-Bedroom Home, Orselina
Orselina, Ticino, Switzerland
4
2
0
BBQParkingDishwasher+8 more
from£206
per night
5-star property
4-star property
5-star property
5-star property
3-star property
4-star property
Orselina villa holidays: questions answered
How do you get from Orselina to Locarno?
By funicular, which runs from a lower station in central Locarno up to Orselina, stopping at the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary. The track is only 811 m long, and at the top it connects with the cable car to Cardada.
What is above Orselina?
The cable car to Cardada, then a chairlift up to Cimetta at 1,671 m. From there you can see Lake Maggiore, the Magadino plain and, on clear days, the Monte Rosa massif.
Is Orselina busy during the Locarno Film Festival?
The festival takes place every August, with open-air screenings in Piazza Grande. Orselina is on the hill above, so the crowds are a funicular ride away rather than at your door.
Do homes in Orselina have private pools?
Few do. Most have a garden instead, and some have a sauna. If a pool matters, filter for it before you book, as choice with one is very limited.
Nearby towns to Orselina
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
Find Your Perfect Villa in Orselina
Our villa experts are here to help you find the ideal property for your vacation. Contact us for personalized recommendations.