Experience Carona

The picturesque town of Carona is in a fantastic location, just 10 minutes by car from Lugano. Nestled between Monte San Salvatore and Monte Arbostora, Carona captivates with its fantastic view of the Ticino mountains and Lake Lugano. The village is also called the "Village of Artists". The village, which was once built and inhabited by many famous artists, now has around 800 inhabitants.

In and around Carona there are endless possibilities to arrange your free time in a very varied way, according to your personal “taste”. Hikers, bikers, athletes, nature and art lovers, families or just those looking for peace and quiet will find what they are looking for in Carona: hiking through chestnut forests, unique mountain bike routes, extensive jogging trails, tennis courts, mini golf, Parco San Grato botanical garden, Carona natural swimming pool, Path of the Six Churches, art, culture and much more offers Carona.

Your physical well-being is also taken care of in Carona. With six different restaurants, from grottoes to culinary restaurants, Carona is sure to offer something for every taste.

The Village of Carona

Carona is one of the most beautiful villages in Ticino. Located at 602 meters above Lake Lugano, the place has always attracted artists, thinkers and romantics. For example, the writer couple Lisa Tetzner and Kurt Held lived here, Hermann Hesse fell in love with Ruth Wenger, his later wife, but also Meret Oppenheim, Maria Braun and, not least, Bertold Brecht belonged to the local artist group. The picturesque village owes its well-preserved town center, which is characterized by narrow romantic alleys, to the families of plasterers, stonemasons, sculptors and architects who once lived here and left their art there in churches and houses.

Not only does Carona offer a lot to culture lovers, but also to friends of physical activity. For example, the artists' village has an idyllic swimming pool with a 50-meter-long main pool and diving platform, with spacious meadows and shady trees, with a beach volleyball field and an attached mini golf course. In Carona there are also tennis courts, jogging trails and many hiking opportunities.

One of the most beautiful hikes in Ticino is the highly recommended route from Carona via Parco San Grato, Alpe Vicania to Morcote. From here, continue by boat or post bus to Paradiso. With the Funicolare Monte San Salvatore you drive up the mountain of the same name with a wonderful view. From here the hike goes down to the starting point Carona.

Detailed description Hiking map

Parco San Grato

Between Monte San Salvatore and Monte Arbostora, at 700 meters, Parco San Grato is a real mecca for plant lovers - and especially in April and May, when the azaleas and rhododendrons smell wonderful. The botanical garden “Parco Botanico di San Grato” is about a 15-minute walk from the center of Carona. The 62'000m2 park is home to the largest collection of azaleas, rhododendrons, and conifers of the region.

Five theme trails lead through the park: The “fairy tale trail” is fabulous in the true sense of the word, allowing children to explore the park in a playful way. Another easy path is the “Relaxation Path”. Along the "Botanical Trail", there are numerous information boards on ornamental plants and the wild vegetation of the park. The "Art Trail" the works of various artists can be seen and the "Panorama Trail" leads to the various vantage points - this path is also suitable for a picnic. A large playground brings delight to children. The park is open all year round and entry is free.

Natural Swimming pool Carona

Swimming with a view of the Alps

Just outside the village, nestled in a hilly, wooded landscape is the outdoor public pool. The well-maintained and clean swimming pool is an ideal place to be active, relax and enjoy the unique panorama of the Alps. Terraced sunbathing areas are next to the 50 m swimming pool, which provide an overview of the entire swimming pool. But also large green areas provide ample space for recreation. Every swimmer is guaranteed to find their favourite spot there. The swimming pool is open in the summer months from the beginning of June to the end of August. Guests of the Casa Calina receive reduced tickets at the reception of the Hotel Villa Carona. For information on group prices, contact the swimming pool directly.

Numerous possibilities in the swimming pool

In addition to the large pool, there are also two children's pools for non-swimmers and for the little ones to splash in. For the very brave, the 10-meter diving tower provides an exciting change. And if you don't want to get wet, a round of mini golf or a match on the beach volleyball court is just the thing. There is also a playground. A bar and restaurant provide culinary refreshments.