Things to do in Ascona

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Ascona

Things to Do in Ascona

Explore popular experiences

See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.

Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.

Top Attractions in Ascona

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Learn more about this content
Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • rob48888
    England, UK39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just back from a fortnight in Switzerland - to Lucerne and Ascona. I’ve covered Lucerne on the Lucerne forum.
    Ascona makes me sick and feel very grumpy. I don’t like the people who live there, I mean it’s just not fair, how can some people live in such a beautiful amazing place? Walking through the shopping area and seeing so many lovely shops and alleyways I thought ok this is nice but let’s see what it’s like by the lakeside, maybe it’s like Blackpool with tacky arcades and nasty looking fast food establishments. Wrong! The lakeside Jesus Christ, it’s like Monte Carlo, beautiful buildings and hotels overlooking a magical lake with mountains. Fabulous atmosphere and they even have a open to all jazz festival. There are fabulous homes on the hillside overlooking Ascona, that really made me sick. Lucky so and so’s.
    The walk along the lakeside was really so nice. It cuts back inland past some beautiful hotels and houses, I thought I was walking in a fairy tale. Then you cut through some lovely alleys towards the lido. The Lido was so nice, everyone loving the water and playing games and happy. Then you can walk further past an incredible golf course with more beautiful views out on the lake.
    It was magical. I love it. I love Switzerland, it’s the best country in the whole wide world. Please let me win the lottery so I can move there!
    Written 29 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • solarbowl
    Zurich, Switzerland18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    several lakeside restaurants and cafes with
    awesome views of the lake. many chic shops on
    side streets.
    Written 13 November 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Zaphod
    East Lansing, United States30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Monte Verita is special. It has an eclectic history and character to spare. The rooms in the main "Bauhaus" are rustic, but the view from the balconies is incredible. The huts are one-of-a-kind. We had Casa Marta, which is full of carved furniture, with a little kitchen, two verandas, three beds, living room ... wow. The restaurant is nice, too, but not exactly cheap (but then again, what is in Ascona?). Hiking up the hill with luggage is an ambitious undertaking.
    Written 18 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • r0landbrunner
    Zurich, Switzerland1,848 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    located just at the central bus stop, the Collegio Pontificio Papio and the adjunct church has some nice fresco above the side entrance. worth a short stop when strolling around Ascona.
    Written 4 November 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • oransome
    Zurich, Switzerland1,102 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    There are two locations. You want the one outside the village and at the convention centre. Short, steep walk up the hill - to the right as you look down the lake.

    Wonderful, Japanese-style tea house with a few seats in the sun. Fantastic views over the lake.

    Wonderful choice of teas and lots of knowledgeable service.

    Sandra, who is a friend of ours, helped us with some fab ice tea and special herbal teas. Ask for help!
    Written 12 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • saronic
    Zurich, Switzerland26,274 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not far from the Lungolago is the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo, thus the main church of Ascona and worth visiting. There are several churches in the Ticino dedicated to these two saints, the most famous being the one in Biasca. In Ascona the church has a tall, rectangular stone campanile (16th century), so typical for the Ticino, but a rather incongruent façade and southern part in neo-Gothic style (late 19th c).

    Quite attractive is the interior with three naves, the much larger central one with a wooden ceiling. There are remains of frescoes to be seen. Special attention has to be paid to the 16th c. wooden pulpit and as masterpieces are considered three paintings by Giovanni Serodine from Ascona, who worked in a Caravaggist style and who passed away in 1630 in Rome, aged only thirty.

    There is a brochure available, also in English, about the six 'Churches of Ascona'.
    Written 1 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kevin H
    Tonypandy, UK1,228 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was pouring down so we took shelter in this gallery. The exhibition was set out in various rooms over two floors and was interesting enough to keep us entertained for an hour or so. We actually bought a combined ticket to also view the Castillo museum on the edge of town.
    Written 3 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Manuela L
    Luxembourg City, Luxembourg7,086 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Located on Piazza Del Municipio, this ancient palace is renovated and transformed in a Museum ; merit a visit
    Written 16 November 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ber w
    Zuchwil, Switzerland18 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The small museum shows paintings, mainly by German expressionists and impressionists. The quality of the late impressionistic landscapes was new to me. Most interesting though: the 11th century apse ceiling fresco painting with visible eastern style influences.
    Written 1 April 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ascona


The best outdoor activities in Ascona according to Tripadvisor travellers are: See all outdoor activities in Ascona on Tripadvisor