We plan to spend 3-4 days in Lugano. What are the best sights and side-trips? Is a side trip to Lake Como recommended?

I sure would make the twisty, windy 25 mile trip (from Lugano to Menaggio) - - note: you won't do this in 25 minutes!

I would even relocate for one or two of those 3-4 days.

Bellagio is an excellent (nearly) full day experience, and there is hardly any "attraction" more wonderful in all of Europe than Villa Balbianello. Search "Balbianello" here for info on how to get there. Requires reservations.

Best wishes,

Rex

Take the ferry to Morcote for lunch.

and a lakeboat to Gandria. Train to Bellinzona for castles. Ingo recommends a visit to Riva San Vitale, so that's at the top of my list. In Lugano I am drawn to S. Maria degli Angioli like a magnet. J.

And you forgot to mention Carona, jmw (Hi!). Absolutely enchanting village with stunning Baroque church Madonna d'Ongero with stunning views from there(Herrmann Hesse wrote "there is not a more beautiful place on earth&quot.

Fine weather given you should make the ride up to Monte Generoso by cog-railway.

Ingo

Walk up and down the shore, especially east to Gandria. Starts with lush flower gardens, morphs to villas, then you see imposing cliffs with no apparent way to get thru but find the trail is nicely fitted into the cliff, finally thru large olive groves which are educationally signposted in great detail. Gandria is nice but hilly (the trail itself relatively flat), and the ferry can take you back to Lugano or onward to an Italian port worth a visit.

Ask about Val Versasca--stunning.