Sights and Things to Do

The Locarno Film Festival is once again attracting arthouse buffs and film industry insiders to the picturesque town in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.

The eclectic lineup of the fest’s 77th edition is chock full of independent films to discover and classics to revisit. And, of course, big film names, from Indian mega-star Shah Rukh Khan and French actress Mélanie Laurent to Erin Brockovich producer Stacey Sher and The Piano and The Power of the Dog director Jane Campion, are among those invited to receive special honors. They will mix with the roughly 16,000 inhabitants, or about 56,000 when including surrounding areas, of Locarno.

For those who need a break from watching all these new movies, discussing industry trends, learning from the pros, or dealmaking or networking, the town has much to offer.

Here is a look at some of the things to do and see in Locarno when not watching film festival movies or attending its broad lineup of events.

Piazza Grande – the heart of the town
Festivalgoers know the square that is the heart of Locarno as the screening location, with 8,000 seats, for some of the most anticipated movies of the fest.

But this is also a place for anyone trying to get in some shopping or refueling with a cup of coffee or other drink and some food.

The Piazza Grande is the site of a weekly market on Thursdays. And anyone visiting Locarno in July, before the August film fest, can also enjoy the annual Moon & Stars festival here, a series of 10 open-air concerts, which turn the square into a giant concert space. Past performers have included the likes of Sting, Bob Dylan, Rita Ora, Jason Derulo, Status Quo, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Christina Aguilera, Joe Cocker, Emeli Sandé, Jamiroquai, and Lenny Kravitz.

Lake Maggiore, promenade, Lido, and islands – water, water, water, anyone?
Locarno is located on the northeastern tip of the shore of Lake Maggiore, which is divided between Switzerland and Italy and adds to the Mediterranean feel of the area. 

It also means you can engage in activities suited to your needs – whether it is a walk along the lake promenade, or boating and sailing, all the way to standup paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and more. There is also the Locarno Lido that includes indoor and outdoor pools, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a thermal pool, a play pool, and four water slides.

Those who like to cross the water to find more land can explore the two Brissago Islands, Switzerland’s only botanical garden located on an island, with subtropical species from around the world.

Mountains and views – when in Switzerland…
If you are thinking Switzerland and not also thinking – no, not cheese! – mountains, you may want to think again. After all, beautiful mountain and lake views are among the things Locarno has a particular reputation for.

The Cardada cable car takes people high up to allow them to enjoy those, including from a panoramic footbridge. From there to Cimetta, the local mountain of Locarno, there is a two-seater chairlift. It’s up to you whether you want to go for a hike, “just” enjoy the panorama, check out the geological observatory in Cimetta, which shows off rock samples from the European and African continental plates – or do all of the above.

“Switzerland’s lowest and highest point at a glance,” the Swiss tourism website summarizes the experience. “Lake Maggiore to the south, the Valais Alps with the Dufourspitze to the west. All just five minutes from the town of Locarno.”

Visconti Castle – to make you feel like a king or queen
Well, they weren’t technically kings, but members of the noble Italian family Visconti were lords and dukes of Milan. After expanding their sphere of influence to Lake Maggiore in the 13th century, the powerful family had this castle built by extending an existing fortress whose origins traced back to 998. 

Nowadays, it houses an archaeological museum with a collection of valuable vases and hand-blown glass goblets.

According to more recent research, a Renaissance fortification adjacent to the castle, known as Rivellino, is believed to have been designed and built by none other than Leonardo da Vinci.

Art museum – if you want to go beyond film art
If you are attending the Locarno Film Festival, you clearly have a taste for the artsier side of life. And if you are not only in arthouse fare, here is another idea for you.

The Casa Rusca Museum is an art museum housed in a restored 18th-century noble residence with a courtyard.

The museum typically hosts temporary exhibitions by Swiss and foreign artists, and it even offers guided tours upon request.

Madonna del Sasso – a sanctuary with a view
If you are looking for even more photo opportunities, you may want to visit this church and shrine in Orselina, above the town of Locarno, known as a destination for pilgrims and, nowadays, likely also Instagram fans.

The sanctuary was founded by the Franciscan friar Bartolomeo de Ivrea who reported witnessed a Marian apparition on in 1480. The church’s interior is highly decorated, and a platform ensures panoramic views of the town.

“The sanctuary can be reached from the heart of the Old Town of Locarno, along two possible paths that start at the foot of the mountain: the road of the chapels, where the church of the Annunciata and the remains of various chapels are located or the Via Crucis with its chapels, in which are depicted the sufferings of Jesus Christ on his way to his crucifixion,” notes the region’s tourism website. If you are concerned about your fitness, it adds: “The funicular train Locarno-Orselina, which runs near the train station, avoids the 20-minute climb on foot.”