Lugano – the Italian side of Switzerland you never planned to fall for
Esimfly · 25 April 2025
When I told friends I was flying to Switzerland, everyone immediately started talking about Zurich, Lucerne, maybe Bern.
When I said "Lugano" – eyebrows went up.
"Where's that?" they asked.
"In Switzerland… but it feels like Italy," I answered.
And they didn't get it.
Then again, neither did I – until I stood in front of Lake Lugano, ringed by green mountains, an Italian coffee in one hand and a Swiss view in my eyes. My heart worked it out on its own.
Lugano is a surprise.
It isn't the first destination that comes to mind when you think of a trip to Switzerland – but maybe that's exactly why it moves you more.
It's gentle, calm, elegant and indulgent – everything Switzerland does so well.
Only with an Italian soul: warm and alive.
Landing smart, connecting smart
I landed in Milan.
Yes, not in Switzerland – in Italy.
Why? Because the closest airport to Lugano is Malpensa, only about an hour and a half away.
And the moment I landed – I was online.
No physical SIM, no searching around – just an eSIM I had installed back home.
From the second I boarded the train from Milan to Lugano I was already navigating, arranging check-in and hunting for somewhere to have a glass of wine that evening.
Everything worked without a hitch, without wandering around looking for Wi-Fi.
If there's one thing I've learned in recent years, it's that before every trip the most important thing I do is choose a reliable eSIM data plan.
And in this case – one built for a trip to Switzerland.
A SIM for abroad stopped being an upgrade long ago – it's a must.
Especially in a country like Switzerland, where every minute is planned and everything is expensive: you need instant access to every detail.
Where to stay in Lugano?
Lugano isn't a big city, and that's part of its charm.
I chose a small apartment with a lake view in Paradiso – right at the southern edge of town, with a breathtaking outlook and a train station just around the corner.
My first morning started with a strong coffee on the balcony, blue-green scenery in every direction – and total serenity.
The central area around Piazza della Riforma suits anyone who wants to be in the thick of things – restaurants, shops, easy access to buses and ferries.
But if you're after quiet and views, Paradiso or Castagnola is the place.
And since I did all my searching on the move, being connected with an eSIM for travel let me pick and book on the spot, purely on instinct.
Lake Lugano – the reason to stay
I'll admit it: I hadn't planned to spend so much time at the lake.
I thought I'd arrive, take a look and move on.
But the moment I sat down facing it – time stopped.
Between the high mountains and the clear water, you get a view that's hard to look away from.
I walked the promenade, past modern sculptures and manicured gardens, stopped for something cold, listened to music drifting out of some little bar – and simply didn't want to move.
Another day I took a ferry around the lake, stopping in the small towns that ring it, like Gandria and Morcote, each one a painting in itself.
And all the while – connected.
Checking timetables, buying digital tickets, comparing restaurants – with a data plan for abroad that never glitched, even on a boat in the middle of the lake.
Climbing the peaks – Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore
Lugano is surrounded by hills and mountains, each offering a different view.
I took the funicular up Monte Brè – a relatively easy walking route with a breathtaking panorama over the whole city.
Up there, in a small restaurant overlooking the valley, I ate parmesan risotto and drank a glass of local white – it felt like a film.
Monte San Salvatore is the other side – a steeper climb, though you can also take the rack railway.
At the top there's a viewpoint that makes you stop and think about how beautiful the world is.
And then pull out your phone and share it.
An eSIM for Switzerland gives you the freedom to do that from anywhere – at 900 metres up, in the middle of a mountain trail.
No glitches, no lost signal, no hunting for free Wi-Fi.
Food – Switzerland, with an Italian wink
The food in Lugano is not what I imagined "Swiss cuisine" to be.
Here the Italian influence is in every bite – and it's wonderful.
Fresh pasta, gnocchi, risotto, fish straight from the lake, and for dessert – proper gelato.
My favourite restaurant? Ristorante Grand Café al Porto – a classic Lugano institution with excellent service and simple food done exactly right.
Every time I picked a place to eat I leaned on live reviews, on-the-ground recommendations and the option to book or read a menu online.
Without that, I'd have walked straight into tourist traps.
But with a SIM for abroad or a data plan while travelling, everything is available, convenient and accurate.
A day in Zurich, a night in Lugano
Lugano is superbly connected to the rest of Switzerland – fast trains, buses, even cycling routes.
After three days in town I took the train to Zurich – two hours of shifting scenery, and suddenly you're in a completely different big city.
I came back in the evening full of photos and experiences, and never once had to wonder whether I had signal or a connection.
A good eSIM for abroad or solid travel data plans make that transition seamless – you move, work, share and reply without feeling dependent on anyone.
What to do if you stay longer
- Visit the LAC art museum – an impressive cultural centre with contemporary exhibitions.
- Take a wine-tasting tour in Ticino – the whole region is full of vineyards.
- Walk the Sentiero di Gandria – a beautiful footpath between villages.
- Head to Locarno or Ascona – towns of quiet and nature.
Everything is a short ride away – and everything is one tap away, thanks to data plans for abroad that give you genuinely free movement.
When should you go?
- Spring (April–June): pleasant weather, fewer tourists, gorgeous blossom
- Summer (July–August): more tourism, more events – but also more heat
- Autumn (September–October): falling leaves, warm colours, perfect weather
- Winter: quiet and wintry, with easy access to nearby ski resorts
I went in mid-June – and the city felt like a perfect bubble of sunshine, colour and ease.
Even at the peak of the day it never felt crowded.
Getting around town – all very simple
Lugano itself is compact and pleasant to walk, with an efficient public transport system: buses, rack railways, ferries.
You can buy tickets in an app or from machines – and again, all of that is easy when you're connected.
No internet? You're relying on luck.
With an eSIM for Switzerland – all the information is right in front of you.
I checked train times, compared prices and booked a restaurant table, all in real time.
In summary – Lugano is Switzerland's Italian heart
This isn't a wild destination.
It's a city you fall for quietly.
It doesn't come to impress – it comes to stay.
Lugano is exactly the place where you understand the difference between "seeing Switzerland" and "feeling Switzerland".
It's relaxed and elegant, but easy to navigate.
And that's precisely what I want when I set off on a trip.
If you're heading to Lugano – come prepared.
Not just with a comfortable bag and good shoes, but with an eSIM for Switzerland that lets you enjoy the city without getting stuck.
A quality data plan for abroad changes the whole game.
It makes freedom genuinely free.
Looking for more tips on travelling smart with fast internet?
Planning the trip? Order your Switzerland eSIM before you fly — the QR code arrives by email within minutes.