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!

Our Events & Culinary Moments

Culinary experiences, tastings and live music at Sunstar Hotel Brissago

At Sunstar Hotel Brissago, indulgence becomes an experience. Whether culinary highlights, tastings or atmospheric live music – at Caesar’s Restaurant, you can look forward to special event moments right by Lake Maggiore.

From filet & tartare experiences and exclusive beer and gin tastings to Mediterranean evenings in the lounge: discover events that combine flavour, atmosphere and conviviality in the most enjoyable way.

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Summer Nights and Events 2026

That’s the sound of summer in Ticino!

This year, the popular summer events return once again to Lake Maggiore. Mild Ticino nights are made for unforgettable open-air festivals. Combine your event visit with an overnight stay at the Sunstar Hotel Brissago. With the Ticino Ticket, you can easily and freely return to Brissago by bus even after the festivals. If you prefer a stylish ride over the water, be sure to book a taxi boat to the hotel in advance.

Brissago in Festa

18 July 2026

Celebrate an unforgettable summer evening on the lakeside of Brissago! From 5:00 pm, enjoy live music with the CaMai group, a colourful entertainment programme for children with dinghies, bubbles and a magic show, as well as circus juggling and fire-eating for those who love a spectacle.

To mark the 2026 Football World Cup, the lakeside promenade transforms into a culinary journey around the world: sample specialities from Brazil, Spain, Italy, the USA, Asia, France, Germany and Switzerland – plus a complimentary boat trip on the lake.

The evening culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Maggiore at 10:30 pm.

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Moon & Stars Locarno

9 to 19 July 2026

Those who have experienced it know: the atmosphere on Piazza Grande is unforgettable. Every year, international top acts attract music lovers from around the world to Locarno.

Look forward to unforgettable concert evenings under the open sky – right in the heart of the city.

Secure your tickets now and enjoy your stay in the region.

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Locarno Film Festival

5 to 15 August 2026

During these days, Piazza Grande in Locarno transforms into one of the most impressive open-air cinemas in the world. Producers, directors and actors walk the red carpet and present their latest films.

In addition to the screenings on Piazza Grande, numerous other showings take place in various cinemas and venues throughout the city.

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classicAscona

18 September – 10 October 2026

2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter for the historic Settimane Musicali Ascona. From September, the festival will appear under the name classicAscona. With a new name, a new structure and a sharpened artistic profile, it combines its history of over 80 years with a contemporary festival concept. Continuity and renewal stand side by side on equal terms.

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Couple strolling hand in hand through a cobbled alleyway in Brissago with green shutters and Mediterranean architecture on Lake Maggiore.

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.

Evening atmosphere on the shores of Lake Maggiore at the JazzAscona Festival in Ascona – audience on the lakeside terrace with illuminated festival grounds and mountain panorama in the background.

Aerial view of the Locarno Film Festival at night – packed Piazza Grande with colourful stage lighting, festival tents and crowds of visitors in Locarno on Lake Maggiore.

Couple strolling hand in hand through a narrow alleyway in Ascona with Mediterranean architecture, colourful building facades and small shops on Lake Maggiore.

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.

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