From the east, take highway A2 Basel to Chiasso, exit at Bellinzona South, direction Locarno. After the Magadino airport, take the A13 highway,direction Locarno. After the tunnel, the first exit will bring you in the center of Locarno. Parking available in the new Piazza Castello parking.
From the west, take the road coasting the lake Maggiore, from Verbania trough Cannobio and the Brissago customs. Then take the A13 highway, direction Locarno. An alternative, from Simplon and Domodossola, is the Valle Vigezzo and Centovalli road, direction Locarno.
Regular trains link Locarno directly with Zurich, Basel, Lucerne, Milan and Bellinzona. The Centovallina train line connects Locarno and the Simplon line (from Geneva or Bern).
Most Of the city of Locarno can be explored on foot. The Main Square Piazza Grande is walking distance from Main Railway station. Old Town of Locarno is behind Piazza Grande.
With this card you get access to all major touristic attractions in Ticino canton including unlimited travel on Public transport, Cable cars, Furniculars and Museums. Price of the card is 87 CHF. People holding Swiss GA Travel card or Half fare card get 10 CHF discount. Card is valid for 3 days. A real good deal to discover Ticino and is available at mjor Hotels, hostels, Train station and Tourist Office. [ http://www.cartaturisticaticino.ch]
Ride the Funicular Take the funicular railway up to the old monastery and cable car station, from where you can take the cable car to approx 1,600m above the town, or walk back down into the town via the monastery and a stone pathway, approx 30 minute walk down.
Moon and Stars Music Festival[2] in July attracts international acts.
Locarno International Film Festival (Festival del Film internazionale) [3] in the first two weeks of August on Piazza Grande, biggest open air screen in Europe. Date for 2009: August 5-15.
Falconeria Locarno An interesting show of Birds like Peregrine Falcon, American Eagle, White Owls and Vultures. Check the show timing before reaching the place. [4]
Most of shopping areas are located on the arcades of Piazza Grande or in the Old Town.
You can find out very interesting boutiques, sport shop, handmade jewels and many kinds of particular store offering specialities in old town of Locarno.
Hotel Casa DaVinci, Via Bartolomeo Rusca 6 (in the old town of Locarno), ☎ +41 91 751 30 64 (info@casa-davinci.ch), [6]. Are you looking for a small, cosy hotel in the hearth of the Old Town of Locarno? Here it is: only a stone’s throw away from the Piazza Grande you will find in a beautiful historical building the Hotel Casa DaVinci. From double rooms to 6 bed flats, well suited for families. Lift, free WLAN, bike rental outlet are all there. Everybody will find his right mix of espresso – hiking – joy of life – reading – walking - ...edit
YHA Locarno, Palagiovani, Via Varenna 18 (15 minutes walk from the central station), ☎ +41 91 756 15 00. Budget travellers hostel, single and multi person rooms, clean and modern. many families as well as younger travellers were stayingedit
Ramada Hotel Arcadia, Lungolago G. Motta, ☎ +41 91 756 18 18, [7]. This hotel offers children's programsedit
Hotel du Lac, Via Ramogna 3 (Near the shore of Lake Maggiore), [8]. edit
Hotel Dell'angelo, Piazza Grande (Located in main square of Locarno). Great location, although some travellers complain of the noise at nightedit
Hotel Gottardo Garni, Via San Gottardo 18. checkin: http://www.hotel-gottardo.ch/. edit
Garni Fiorentina, Via St.Antonio 10 (Close to the main square, Piazza Grande), [9]. edit
Castello Schloss-Hotel, Via B. Rusca 9 / S. Francesco 7a, [10]. (min. 3 nights). edit
Villa India, Via ai Monti 62, ☎ +41 91 751 32 73. Hotel closed and for saleedit
Pensione Olanda, Via ai Monti 139a, [12]. Charming bed-and-breakfast-style pensione; beautiful breakfast terrace with views of Locarno and the lake; wonderful innkeeper Irmgard Balbina, very helpful.edit
Kon Tiki B&B, Via Fiorina 1 (Two minutes walk from Piazza Grande), ☎ +41 79 325 55 46 (info@kon-tiki.ch), [13]. 49CHF per person. edit
Hotel Alexandra, Via San Gottardo 43 (In the neighboring suburb of Muralto a few minutes walk from Locarno station), ☎ +41 91 743 25 23 (hotel.alexandra@bluewin.ch), [14]. 150 CHF for a room without shower. edit
Campsite Lago Maggiore, Via Lido 4 (In the neighboring village of Tenero), ☎ +41 91 745 18 48 (info@clm.ch), [15]. Family-friendly campsite at the shore of Lake Maggiore. Reservation possibleedit
Mirafiori, Via al Parco 25 , CH-6644, (info@mirafiori.ch, fax: +41 (0)91 743 77 39). The three star superior hotel is a member of Swiss Quality Hotels International. Small, romantic and charming, located on the south hill of Locarno, 2km from the city center and from the railway station. Double room from 240CHF (season of april 2009). www.mirafiori.ch www.SwissQualityHotels.comedit
CITTÀ VECCHIA LOCARNO (old side of locarno), Città Vecchia Locarno, [16]. The right web site portal where you can find many informations about the old side of locarno city base in south Switzerland. Hotel, restaurant, boutique and many more.edit
