Pearls of the south

If you want to explore the region beyond your Sunstar shell, you’ll find numerous ways to indulge in the Ticino mindset. It doesn’t take long to get the holiday feeling in the south of Switzerland. With more than 2300 hours of sunshine per year, spring comes earlier here and summer stays for longer. Brissago is just 197 m above sea level and enjoys the mildest climate in Switzerland. All the colourful flowers alone will put you in a good mood from the moment you arrive.

Explore the lakeside promenade, stroll round the Italian markets just over the border or try a traditional Ticino wine grotto during a hike. An excursion into the remote and romantic Verzasca or Maggia valleys will leave a lasting impression. And nearby towns such as Locarno and Ascona offer a range of exciting events, inviting you to spend some time there, simply wandering around. Just a stone’s throw away are the Brissago Islands. After a short boat ride, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the over 1500 species of plants and flowers in the famous Botanical Gardens.

And you definitely mustn’t miss out on a delicious Italian ice cream from a traditional gelateria!

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Culture and history

If you are not in the mood for feasting, window shopping or swimming, Ticino also offers a wide range of cultural activities. Be it museums with ancient cultural treasures or human works of art such as the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli on Monte Tamaro or the Battista San Giovanni in Mogno – both designed by probably the most famous Swiss architect, Mario Botta.

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Ticino Ticket

From the Gotthard massif to the rolling hills of the Mendrisiotto – with the Ticino Ticket, no corner of Switzerland's southernmost canton remains undiscovered.

Guests staying at the Sunstar Hotel Brissago receive the Ticino Ticket when they check in for just one night, giving them the opportunity to use public transport in Ticino free of charge. They also benefit from attractive discounts on journeys on various mountain railways, boat trips and tourist attractions.

Ticino Ticket

Cities in Ticino

Ascona nestles idyllically on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore. The mild climate, the beautiful old town with its winding alleyways and the many inviting street cafés on the lakeside promenade make Ascona popular far beyond the country's borders.

Locarno, situated on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, is the warmest city in Switzerland and, with over 2,300 hours of sunshine, the ideal place for sun-seekers. Here you will find palm trees and lemon trees in the middle of the city, and the lakeside promenade is lined with colourful flowers and benches that invite you to linger.

Lugano, the largest city in Ticino, is not only the third most important financial centre in Switzerland with its congress, banking and business centres, but also impresses with its many parks, elegant villas and religious buildings. A ‘city of the world’ that has nevertheless retained the charm of a small town with a southern ambience.