PYRTPlan Your Road Trips
Create TripMy TripsCommunityMerchandise
PYRTPlan Your Road Trips
Create TripMy TripsCommunityMerchandise
L
Destinations
Home›Destinations›Locarno
EuropeSwitzerlandTicino

Locarno

Ticino, Switzerland · Europe

About Locarno

Locarno works well as a base: 10 minutes from Magadino, 22km from Lake Lugano (Swiss side).

Locarno is a town located in Ticino, Switzerland. With a population of 15,824, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Locarno sits in Switzerland, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Zurich time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Locarno to your route.

About Locarno

Locarno (Italian: [loˈkarno]; German: [loˈkaʁno] ; Ticinese: Locarno [loˈkɑːrno]; formerly in German: Luggarus [luˈɡaːrʊs]) is a southern Swiss town and municipality in the district Locarno (of which it is the capital), located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore at its northeastern tip in the canton of Ticino at

Read more the southern foot of the Swiss Alps. It has a population of about 16,000 (proper), and about 56,000 for the agglomeration of the same name including Ascona besides other municipalities. The town of Locarno is located on the northeastern part of the river Maggia's delta; across the river lies the town of Ascona on the southwestern part of the delta. Locarno is the 74th largest city in Switzerland by population and the third largest in the Ticino canton, after Lugano and Bellinzona. The official language of Locarno is Italian. The town is known for hosting the Locarno International Film Festival which takes place every year in August and involves open-air screenings at the main square, the Piazza Grande. It is also known for the Locarno Treaties, a series of European territorial agreements negotiated here in October 1925.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Locarno

Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.

Filter presets

Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.

Booking.comExpediaTripAdvisorHotels.comAgodaAirbnb

Compare before you book!

Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Locarno.

Explore the Area

Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Locarno.

Loading map...
Open in Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Locarno?

Locarno offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Locarno?

Plan your road trip to Locarno with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Locarno as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Locarno located?

Locarno is located in Ticino, Switzerland, Europe. The coordinates are 46.1709 latitude, 8.7995 longitude.

What is the population of Locarno?

Locarno has a population of approximately 15,824 people, making it a town in Switzerland.

Plan a Road Trip

Add to your itinerary

Start planning your road trip with Locarno as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Start Road Trip

What's Nearby?

Discover destinations like Tinder

Swipe through stunning destinations near Locarno. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.

Explore now

Quick Information

Population
15,824
Continent
Europe
Country
Switzerland
Region
Ticino
Timezone
Europe/Zurich
Coordinates
46.1709, 8.7995

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Switzerland

Police
117
Ambulance
144
Fire
118
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

Motorway vignette (toll sticker) required: buy at the border or online. Roadside assistance (TCS): 140.

Full driving guide for Switzerland

Tags

EuropeSwitzerlandTicinoTown

Worth the detour from Locarno

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Contra Dam (Verzasca)

The 220 m arch dam of GoldenEye's opening leap, voted the greatest movie stunt of all time: where the Val Verzasca road crosses the crest and a commercial 007 bungee jump operates in season.

5 km · about 10 min drive

photogenic

Ponte dei Salti

A 17th-century double-arch stone bridge over the Verzasca's emerald pools at Lavertezzo; cliff-jumpers and photographers share granite slabs polished smooth by impossibly clear green water.

10 km · about 20 min drive

natural wonder

Lake Lugano (Swiss side)

A Mediterranean-flavoured lake straddling Switzerland and Italy, framed by steep mountains and the charming Italian-speaking town of Lugano.

22 km · about 25 min drive

landmark

Morcote

Former fishing village stacked against the hillside at Lake Lugano's southern tip: arcaded lanes, palm-lined quays and the 400-step climb to Santa Maria del Sasso; voted Switzerland's most beautiful village in 2016.

29 km · about 35 min drive

landmark

Isola Bella

A tiny island in Lake Maggiore transformed into an extravagant Baroque palace and garden by the Borromeo family.

36 km · about 40 min drive

landmark

Stresa

An elegant resort town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore offering panoramic views of the Borromean Islands.

38 km · about 45 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Stresa & Borromean Islands

An elegant belle-époque resort on Lake Maggiore, gateway to the palatial Borromean Islands and their baroque gardens.

38 km · about 45 min drive

landmark

Villa del Balbianello

A stunning 18th-century lakeside villa on a wooded promontory of Lake Como, famous as a film location for Star Wars and James Bond.

39 km · about 45 min drive

Driving roads near Locarno

  • 38 kmStresa & Borromean IslandsAn elegant belle-époque resort on Lake Maggiore, gateway to the palatial Borromean Islands and their baroque gardens.
  • 40 kmLake Como Shore RoadA winding lakeside road hugging Lake Como's western shore with tunnels, villa gates, and views of snow-capped Alps reflected in deep blue water.
  • 44 kmLukmanier PassThe lowest of the major Swiss Alpine passes, offering a gentler but beautifully scenic route from Graubünden to Ticino through open meadows.
  • 45 kmBrunate Funicular ViewpointA historic funicular climbs from Como city to Brunate for a sweeping balcony view over the lake and Alps.
  • 46 kmSan Bernardino PassA scenic Swiss Alpine pass at 2,065 meters linking the German-speaking and Italian-speaking regions of Graubünden.
  • 47 kmGotthard PassHistoric Swiss pass with cobblestone sections and modern tunnel

Driving in Switzerland

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.82/litre
Motorway tolls
None
Vignette
Required, around €42 for a short-stay sticker

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Locarno.

Muralto

🇨🇭 Switzerland

0 km awayPop. 2,818

Minusio

🇨🇭 Switzerland

1 km awayPop. 6,653

Ascona

🇨🇭 Switzerland

3 km awayPop. 5,084

Losone

🇨🇭 Switzerland

3 km awayPop. 6,070

Magadino

🇨🇭 Switzerland

5 km awayPop. 1,538

Gordola

🇨🇭 Switzerland

5 km awayPop. 3,974

Verscio

🇨🇭 Switzerland

5 km awayPop. 1,009

Riviera

🇨🇭 Switzerland

8 km awayPop. 4,262

Plan a trip around Locarno

Switzerland road trip planner

Plan a Road Trip from Locarno

Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.

Start Planning
PYRT

The ultimate road trip planning platform. Discover 150,000+ destinations worldwide, plan scenic routes, and create unforgettable adventures.

Inspiration

  • Discover Trips
  • Travel Guides
  • Community

The Product

  • Calendar Planner
  • Integrations
  • How It Works
  • Collaboration Mode
  • Get the App
  • Merchandise: PYRT Supply Co.
  • Become a Creator
  • Trip Marketplace

Plan Your Trip

  • Road Trip Planner
  • Famous Routes
  • Planners by Country
  • Best Road Trip Planner App
  • Discover Road Trips
  • Events
  • Travel Guides
  • How It Works
  • My Trips
  • Community Groups

Company

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Support
  • Contact Us
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

© 2026 Plan Your Road Trips. All rights reserved.

•[email protected]
Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence