Locarno and Ascona are twin towns on the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore. They’re so close together, in fact, that you can walk from one to the other. So if you’re looking for a lakeside getaway, staying in Locarno or Ascona is a good idea. But which is the better of the two? The short answer is, it depends on the kind of traveler you are and how you want to spend your holiday, but I’ll break down some of the major differences.
Ascona vs. Locarno: the vibe
Ascona is the smaller of the two, making up about a fourth of Locarno’s size. So while Locarno has the vibe of a small city that happens to be on a lake, Ascona is more like a luxury lakeside resort where life largely revolves around the lake. Locarno is slightly busier and livelier, with a surprising number of young people while still maintaining beautiful traditional architecture.
Both have beaches where you can enjoy some fun in the sun during the summer months, but Locarno is the only one with mountain access. If having an active vacation is more your style, then you’ll want to stay in Locarno, where you can get up to the peaks at Cardada and Cimetta by cable car or hike to the Madonna del Sasso, which overlooks the lake. If your travel style is slow and bougie, then stay in Ascona, where you’ll fit right in in the sidewalk cafes along the promenade.
Is Locarno cheaper than Ascona?
If budget is a concern, the more budget-friendly option is undoubtedly Locarno, which has a greater availability of accommodations. An average nightly stay in Locarno can be around $160-180, though prices spike during peak season. However, if you want to stay in Ascona, you’re looking at prices that start at $200-250 a night. Dining in Ascona also tends to be on the higher end. You’re certainly paying a premium for the views and exclusivity. However, the quality of the food is not necessarily better than the food in Locarno, which is slightly more affordable and has greater variety. If you’re staying for a longer stretch, you’ll certainly have more options in Locarno. However, if you’re only stopping by and you want to splurge, you’re guaranteed to find excellent dining in Ascona.
Which is more accessible: Locarno or Ascona?
Locarno is definitely the more accessible of the two. It is connected by Switzerland’s rail network to Zurich and even Milan in Italy. This makes it the more convenient option if you don’t have a car. Ascona doesn’t have its own train station, so to reach it, you would have to arrive in Locarno and take a bus or a taxi there. If you do have a car, Locarno is still slightly more convenient because parking in Ascona is harder to come by, especially during peak season. Locarno is easier to drive in and has better access to the main roads in the area. They both have ferry terminals, so you can enjoy boat tours or get around to other lakeside cities from either of them. You can even stay in one and visit the other by ferry.
Which has more to do?
Owing to its size, you’ll find more action in Locarno. There are more museums and other attractions, plenty of options for hikes around the area, and it’s ideally situated to take a day trip to Verzasca Valley. Ascona is more secluded in addition to being smaller, which is not necessarily a bad thing if all you want to do is enjoy long lunches and people-watch on lakeside terraces. Not every vacation has to be an active vacation. There are also some major festivals that draw crowds to the region like the Locarno Film Festival or the open-air jazz festival JazzAscona, so that could be a reason to stay in one particular place… or avoid it.
If you’re someone who enjoys a lot of nightlife when they travel… well, let’s face it, neither of these towns is Ibiza. But you’ll find more nightlife spots in Locarno including bars and dance clubs. Ascona is better for lakeside cocktails and aperitifs in posh lounges, though they do have one club called Club Seventy7. Both towns wind down at night between midnight and 2 am, 1 am on weeknights.
Why we chose Locarno but why I would choose Ascona
For us, budget was a huge consideration, which naturally led us to stay in Locarno. The fact that we were traveling with the dog was the second reason; we wanted a home base that would have a lot of access to parks and hiking trails with fewer people, something that is harder to come by in Ascona.
When we visited Ascona for the day, however, I was immediately blown away by just how adorable it is. The food was excellent, and the village felt luxurious yet friendly. If we were to return as a couple without the dog and without budget constraints, I would absolutely prefer the polished chic atmosphere of Ascona – something above my pay grade to aspire to!
That being said, Locarno was lovely. The food was incredible, the dog enjoyed the green spaces, and at the end of the day, we still got to visit both. It’s relatively easy to get from Locarno to Ascona and vice versa. You can even do it on foot, so you can enjoy both even if you are based out of one. Alternatively, you can split your time and spend a couple of nights in each city on your visit to the canton of Ticino.
Hopefully, this gives you some clarity on what you can expect when you stay in Ascona and Locarno. Ultimately, the only one who can answer whether Ascona or Locarno is better is you.
Need more inspiration?
Read more about what to do in Ascona and what to do in Locarno.
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