Hemmed in by mountains whose forests tumble all the way down to the water's edge, Lake Lugano possesses a wilder, more intimate beauty than its neighbour Lake Maggiore. The dramatic panoramas enchanted travellers of the Grand Tour, for whom a boat excursion on these deep blue waters was an essential rite of passage. The first steamer to cross the lake was the "Ticino" in 1848. Today, a modern fleet -- including the Ceresio 1931, Switzerland's first fully electric fast-charging motorboat -- offers a wide choice of cruises, providing lakeside access to the region's finest attractions: the fishing village of Gandria, the hillside jewel of Morcote, Swissminiatur, and the San Salvatore funicular.
Lake Lugano (also known as Lake Ceresio) covers 50 square kilometres, of which 63% lies in Switzerland and 37% in Italy. Deceptively narrow at an average width of just 1 kilometre, it plunges to depths of 288 metres. Much of its shoreline remains inaccessible by car, and for centuries villages like the picturesque Gandria and Morcote could be reached only by boat -- a history that lends each lakeside stop an air of discovery.
Cruises and excursions
The Societa Navigazione del Lago di Lugano offers a rich programme of excursions to savour the Ceresio from the water. From April to October, options include the "classic tour" and the "scenic tour," which navigate the northern arm between Lugano, Gandria, and Porlezza; the "magic tour," linking the main attractions around the lake; and an evening cruise (May-August) that delivers you to a traditional grotto at the lakeside in Gandria or Caprino for dinner, with the landscape unfolding in the enchanting light of dusk.
Beyond sightseeing, the boat serves as a practical and scenic means of transport to some of the Lugano region's most captivating destinations. Combine a cruise with the Sentiero di Gandria (Gandria Trail), the itinerary of the Caprino cellars, walks around Monte Caslano, or the descent from San Salvatore through Carona to Morcote. A boat excursion also pairs beautifully with a visit to the charming village of Morcote and its Scherrer Park, or the beloved Swissminiatur in Melide.
