Lakefront arcade
Stone arches.
Domenico Convertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Domenico Convertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Domenico Convertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Domenico Convertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Pmau — CC BY-SA 4.0
Morcote is a small village on the southern shore of Lake Lugano in the canton of Ticino, southern Switzerland, about 9 km in a straight line south of the city of Lugano. Its colourful Lombard-style houses climb the steep slope of Monte Arbostora straight above the water. The village was first mentioned in 926, and its name comes from the Latin for «head of the hill». Until the mid-19th century it was the largest port on the lake, handling goods from northern Italy, and the ruins of its old castle still stand on the hill. In 2016 it was voted the most beautiful village in Switzerland in a national poll. An arcade of stone arches runs along the waterfront beneath old palazzi, and from there long stone stairways climb through narrow lanes to the top of the village, with wide views over the lake and mountains. The village also has the Scherrer Park, a hillside garden with plants from around the world. Exploring the village is free, and the park charges entry. Visitors arrive from Lugano by bus or, in season, by lake boat, which is the most beautiful way to get there.
Stone arches.
Lake views.
Plants from around the world.
Morcote, Ticino, Switzerland
By bus or boat from Lugano.
Yes; the park is paid.