Ascona is a lakeside town on Lake Maggiore, in the Swiss canton of Ticino, in the sunny south of Switzerland. It is a resort town, and it suits a visitor who wants a slower, more elegant pace by the water.
What to expect
The town has a Mediterranean feel, and many visitors notice it first in the palm-lined promenades along the lakefront. Walking there is an easy way to get a sense of the place, with the lake on one side and the town's streets on the other.
Ascona's piazzas are brightly coloured and make good spots to sit, look around and have a drink or a meal. Alongside them are exclusive boutiques, so shopping here tends toward the refined rather than the mass-market.
Around the town
- Lake Maggiore, for walks and views along the shore
- The piazzas and promenades of the old centre
- Boutiques and cafés for a relaxed afternoon
- A world-class jazz festival, if your visit falls around it
The jazz festival is one of the town's best-known draws, and it brings a lively side to an otherwise calm resort. Check the timing before you plan a trip around it.
Is it for you?
Ascona suits visitors who enjoy lakes, warm weather and unhurried days, and who appreciate a town with a polished, cosmopolitan character. It works well as a base for a quiet stay in Switzerland's southern region, with the lake as the main attraction.