sights and places to visit around Locarno Switzerland
 

W will be in Locarno for the nearby jazz festival , beginning of July. Would like to see some (can't do all!) of the wonderful vistas and scenery there. I'm thinking of the arched bridge and the Visconti Castle nearby. Does anyone have any other ideas. l love to photograph beautiful areas, and I know there are many there, but if anyone know of their favorites, I'd love to know, thanks for all the help. By the way, has anyone stayed at La Rotonda? There were no other available rooms.

Take a ride on the FART - the official name of the little Centovalli scenic train that trundles between Locarno and Domodossola, Italy and back - Centovalli = 100 valleys and the scenery is bucolic - pre-Alps dotted with Italianesque church steeples and pastel villages

There are numerous places to hike or walk in conjunction with the train.

Centovalli Train - Swiss Travel System
The Centovalli Train has several schedules runs a day in both directions. Travel time approx. 2 hours. Be sure to present valid entry documents when ...
http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/c...tovalli-train/

Palenque has mentioned the Centovalli train ride. Other daytrips/excursions:

- From adjacent to the Locarno train station you can take a 3-leg trip up the mountain. You start with a funicular that goes up to the Madonna del Sasso church, then switch to a gondola and finally a chairlift up to the Cimetta ski area. Magnificent views of Lago Maggiore and the Alps all the way up.

- There are boats directly to the Borromean Islands from Locarno. Google images of the Borromean islands; you'll be sold.

- Lugano's only about an hour away by train if you feel like a bigger city on a different lake.

- You could dip into Italy, which encompasses the southern part of Lago Maggiore. Stresa is not very far from Locarno.

- We took a comfortable Swiss postal bus into the Valle Verzasca. My memory's a bit dim here. We got off in a kind of valley that had a number of restaurants (grottos). On the way back we stopped off in the little preserved town of Corippo.

Well, that should get you started.

We love the Val Versasca--unique place to take some shots.

the Borromean Islands IMO are well worth the journey - as is lovely Lake Maggiore (a k a Lake Stresa i think).

I love these ideas! We will have a 9 yr. old boy who will really enjoy the Centovalli. Do we need to make reservations for that train or can we just get on in Locarno or Gordola? We're planning a day trip on the train and in Domosdossola and back. We're also planning to see the Visconti castle and the arched bridge at Lavertezzo. Since we will also be driving, would anyone know the best viewing spots for the bridge and river and for photography? Also liked the idea of Corippo. Thanks to all the contributors.

Ascona is gorgeous and very close to Locarno.

If you have a car, a trip to Bosco Gurin is also very interesting.

The Island of Brissago is always worth a trip too and very easy to get to with the ferry.

Wow.. I love all of these suggestions. DH and I have been to Locarno numerous times, usually for only a day or two in between other more business-like stops in Switzerland. Thanks everyone for all the ideas. I love Locarno, but have never ventured much beyond it, although we did go over to Ascona once. We always have a car.