The most stunning locations to enjoy the sunset in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland A romantic sunset on the beach or atop a mountain are some of the most wonderful holiday memories. The moment the sun bathes the landscape in soft red is truly a magical experience for anyone seeing it. Your brain releases happiness hormones and you can feel the earth’s energy flowing. Here is a selection of nine different locations across Ticino which are perfect for enjoying nature’s most stunning spectacle. ticino.ch/sunset
Monte Generoso
Sunset apéritif on the Monte Generoso
The Monte Generoso near Mendrisio is one of the most well-known mountain outlooks in Ticino, and its views over the lake scenery, the town of Lugano, the Po Plain and the mountains from the Apennines to the Gotthard Massif and the Bernina Range are second to none. And to enjoy the panorama, a rack railway has been bringing visitors up to the peak at an altitude of 1,704 metres for over 125 years. The station at the summit is also home to the most famous landmark of the Monte Generoso: the Fiore di Pietra (stone flower). The building – designed by star architect Mario Botta – offers a varied programme of events throughout the season, including a Friday night sunset apéro on the huge terrace – a very special experience thanks to the spectacular sunsets atop the Monte Generoso. The price of CHF 29 includes a return trip from Capolago (leaving 18.35; returning 23:00), a risotto tasting and live music.
www.montegeneroso.chMonte Bar
Enjoy the red sunset shine over the mountains
If Lugano and its valleys were an amphitheatre, then the Monte Bar would have to be its exclusive VIP Lounge: from the 1,816-metre-high peak, visitors enjoy panoramic views over the town at their feet, Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountain landscape – especially when the mountains and hills are bathed in the warm, red light of dusk. 200 metres below the summit stands the Capanna Monte Bar, run by Serge Santese and James Mauri. This modern mountain hut is not just a favourite meeting point of locals, but is also a port of call for hikers and MTB fans alike. Thanks to its huge glass façades, visitors can either take in the alpine panorama inside the hut or out on the large terrace as they enjoy their apéritif or evening meal. And if you stay overnight, you can even enjoy the sunrise the next morning too.
www.capannamontebar.chSan Michele Park
Sunset overlooking the Gulf of Lugano
Nestled among Mediterranean vegetation, the Parco San Michele lies on the slopes of the Monte Brè and has a view overlooking Lugano, the lake and the surrounding mountain landscape. The park, with its 12,000 square metres of green space, is a sheer paradise for everyone wanting to experience a truly breathtaking sunset close to the town. Behind the Chapel of San Michele is the park’s main terrace with its views over the entire Gulf of Lugano. Behind it rise the Monte San Salvatore and other Alpine peaks into the heavens, which start to glimmer as the red sky descends upon the town. The smell of wisteria, oleander and laurel together with the peaceful atmosphere make the bustling town fade into a distant memory.
ticino.ch/sanmicheleMalvaglia - Dagro
Romantic dinner in the dusk’s warm glow
The Malvaglia cable car whisks visitors in just eight minutes up to the sun terrace of Dagro. At an altitude of 1,400 m. a.s.l. and right next to the upper terminus of the cable car, Daniela and Icaro Calabresi’s inviting restaurant Sass Malt is open between the beginning of April and 6 January. The view looks all the way over to the historic Blenio Valley and the peaks of the surrounding mountains. On the restaurant terrace, diners can enjoy local dishes and watch the natural wonder of the sun setting. All the products served come from the Blenio Valley and all the dishes are home-made. We particularly recommend the fresh pasta with “sugo di pomodoro ticinese”, after a recipe from Icaro’s grandmother. For any hikers or mountain bikers that want to head out into nature during the day, Dagro is the perfect point of departure for discovering the heavenly Malvaglia Valley. The last cable car down to the valley leaves at 23:00, so there’s plenty of time left over to enjoy an evening meal at the Sass Malt.
www.sassmalt.chLago Maggiore
Say farewell to the setting sun on a stand-up paddle
For those who want a more active way of enjoying the sunset, we recommend a stand-up paddle tour to the mouth of the Maggia where it flows into the waters of Lake Maggiore. Being surrounded by nature and calm, crystal-clear waters is the perfect place to enjoy the setting sun. And with your muscles ensuring you stay balanced and on the board, your soul will enjoy this training session in harmony with the surrounding Mediterranean natural setting. The Wilson SUP Center at the Bagno Pubblico in Locarno rents out a variety of different boards, ranging from the classic all-round board suitable for all skills to the race board for experienced paddleboarders. The young and dynamic team at Wilson SUP Center are also happy to give an introduction to the sport to any guests that have still not had the pleasure
www.wilsonsup.chLido di Melano
Sundowner on Lake Lugano
The pretty little Lido di Melano at the southern end of Lake Lugano opens each year from the beginning of June until the end of October. Located at the foot of the Monte Generoso, it has a view over the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte San Giorgio and the Riva San Vitale and Capolago on the shores of the lake. In addition to its large grass field, it also has a pretty sand beach and beach volleyball pitch. The beach bar – which has a spacious terrace directly on the lake – opens later into the evening, making it the perfect location to enjoy a sundowner as the sun begins to disappear behind the mountains in the west. Grill evenings and live music events round off the lido’s activities.
ticino.ch/lidomelanoLago Maggiore
Caribbean feeling on Shaka Beach
On the eastern shores of Lake Maggiore, the Shaka Beach with its 2,800 square metres of space and lush vegetation offers plenty of room for sun worshippers and picnickers alike. Why not round off the perfect day in the Caribbean-style beach bar with a cocktail in your hand? What could possibly be better for enjoying a romantic sunset on the water? A large shingle beach is also home to a huge “Swing the World” swing where you can dip your toes in the water either alone or in company while enjoying a view of the mountains and Verzasca Dam.
ticino.ch/shakabeach,ticino.ch/swingsticinoMonte Gambarogno
Sunset and starry skies over Lake Maggiore
The Monte Gambarogno is a spectacular place to see the sun-kissed eastern shores of Lake Maggiore at dusk. The mountain enjoys a truly privileged location for visitors to take in a romantic sunset over the lake. And the perfect place to do just that is either “Lüf” or “Falchett”, two new StarsBoxes set up in August 2021 for nature-lovers and romantics to enjoy the night sky. Each one has a comfy bed, window and hinged roof to enjoy the shimmering stars once the lights go out. Located close to the Capanna Gambarögn hut at the peak of the Monte Gambarogno and with a 360° panorama, they are just 45 minutes by foot from the Alpe di Neggia. The StarsBoxes can be reserved until 15 October and then again from March 2022 for CHF 120 per night. They have room for up to two adults and one child.
ticino.ch/starsboxBosco Gurin
Relax in a hammock under the Ticino evening sun
“Ggurijnar Hermi” (relaxation in Bosco Gurin) is the name of a new project running since July 2021 through which you can rent a hammock in the village. Bosco Gurin lies at an altitude of 1,503 m a.s.l., making it the highest permanently inhabited place in the Italian-speaking area of Switzerland. The typical architecture of the mountain village and its people are living testimony to the Alpine “Walser” people who came from Valais and colonised the high mountain valley over 700 years ago. The inhabitants have kept their traditions alive, and the Ggurijnartitsch language is still spoken widely to this day. Hammocks can be rented from places such as the “Guriner Walserhaus” museum or Panetteria Sartori (CHF 15 during the day; CHF 40 for overnight). They come with a map of the very best places to pitch them – perfect for anyone wanting to truly experience the Alpine landscape of Bosco Gurin, feel at one with nature and enjoy the marvellous colour palette of the evening sun in Ticino.