Locarno is a gorgeous small town on the northern shore of Lago Maggiore. Although the area is best explored in the summer when you can go hiking, swim, and enjoy all sorts of summertime activities, there are definitely reasons to visit the quaint town in the winter instead.
Fewer tourists are possibly the main reason why you will enjoy your winter trip to Locarno. The town’s Christmas Market is another one, and if you keep reading you’ll learn about all the others as well!
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Winter Weather in Locarno
Locarno is pretty chilly in the winter, but it’s not as cold as the cities and towns in the north of Switzerland. The temperatures usually remain in the single digits (Celsius), but they often stay above zero, which is a pleasant surprise for a Swiss city. Don’t get me wrong, sub-zero temperatures are still possible, especially at night, but they’re far less likely in Locarno than in Zurich or Bern.
December, January, and February all get approximately five days per month of precipitation, which can be either rain or snow, but it’s usually rain. I would highly recommend bringing a sturdy pair of boots to Locarno because there’s lots of cobblestone, which gets very slippery in wet weather.
What to Do in Locarno in Winter
Embrace The Festive Spirit At Locarno Christmas Market
The Christmas Market in Locarno, Switzerland is small but beautiful. The entire old town is adorned with Christmas decorations, so there are pretty ornaments and lights everywhere.
Head to Piazza Grande to explore all the different Christmas market stalls and shop for delicious treats or just some local souvenirs. There’s also an ice skating rink in the heart of town, which is available to everyone free of charge.
Additionally, the Ascona-Locarno tourism region encompasses quite a few other towns, so you could easily visit other Christmas markets in the area. Minusio and Losone are both very short train rides away from Locarno and host quaint Christmas markets worth checking out for unique local goods.
Ride The Cable Car To Cardada- Cimetta
Cardada-Cimetta is probably the best mountain to visit in the winter. It’s easily accessible by a cable car, and because of its southern orientation, the mountain gets a lot of sunny days year-round. In recent years, the mountain got very little snow, so most of its hiking trails remained accessible even in the winter.
The mountain sits at an elevation of 1,671 meters above sea level. It’s one of Switzerland’s lower mountains, but the views from the summit as absolutely amazing. Cardada-Cimetta features a few different restaurants where you can try traditional Swiss dishes, and dining on the restaurant terrace while enjoying the fabulous views is definitely time well spent in Locarno.
One thing to note is that the views can sometimes be obstructed by fog, so make sure to check the weather forecast before buying cable car tickets.
Visit The Madonna del Sasso Sanctuary
Madonna del Sasso is a pilgrimage site on the foothills above Locarno and you don’t have to be a religious person to appreciate its beauty. Situated just a short funicular ride from Locarno’s historical center, the church and its grounds offer stunning panoramic views of Locarno and Lake Maggiore.
The sanctuary can be accessed by walking paths, although I don’t necessarily recommend hiking in the winter because of slippery trail conditions. Visit the church, and explore the exhibits in the museum connected to the church. There are a few restaurants near the top funicular station so you don’t have to worry about the food, but they’re honestly not the best-rated restaurants in Locarno so you might be better off eating dinner in the town.
Bike Tour Around the Town
If it’s warm enough that you feel like you could spend a couple of hours outside, I highly recommend doing a bike tour around the town. Ride to Lido Locarno, Camellia Park, and Parco della Pace in the southern parts of the town. Pop into Ascona as well – it’s an equally charming little place, and it’s literally minutes away from the heart of Locarno.
Bike sharing is very common in Locarno, and you can rent one from a dozen different spots in town. You will probably need to create an account on the local bike-sharing websites, and then you can choose from several different rental options and find the best tariff for you.
See The Birds At The Falconry
The Falconry in Locarno is one of the best attractions for animal lovers. It’s home to owls, eagles, hawks, and other birds, all of which are absolutely fabulous to observe. Although the falconry is closed for casual visits in the winter, the staff usually organizes shows on certain days of the week.
You can get information on upcoming shows on their website and social media pages, and if you’re lucky enough to be in town when there is one, don’t miss it. It’s wonderful to observe and it might just be the highlight of your trip to this lovely Swiss town.
Relax In The Thermal Baths
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Termali Salini & Spa Locarno is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to deal with the cold by spending a day swimming in thermal pools. The thermal baths are on the Locarno Lido, which is easily accessible by a short walk from the historic center of the town.
The complex includes natural saltwater baths, herbal steam baths, a sauna, and even private spa suites for ultimate relaxation. The place also offers many different treatments, including hot stone massages, detox treatments, and bamboo massages, among others.
Lake Maggiore Boat Cruise
A boat cruise on Lago Maggiore is a must-do in Locarno in any season. Sure, it’s much easier to enjoy being on a boat if it’s hot outside, but cold weather shouldn’t spoil the experience that much. You’ll need to put on a warm winter jacket and some gloves to handle the chilly breeze, but all the best sights are exactly as they are in the summer.
Unfortunately, there’s no point in trying to visit the Brissago Islands since the botanical garden and the hotel close their doors to visitors in the winter season. I see this as an excuse to come back to the Ascona-Locarno region in warmer weather because the botanical garden with palm trees and guava is absolutely worth it.
Try Panettone Sweet Bread
Panettone is an Italian dessert typically found at the Christmas market stalls in Locarno. If you haven’t had it before, this is the perfect opportunity! It’s a type of sweet bread, and there are loads of different versions of it.
The most common type of Panettone is with dried fruit, but I’m personally not a huge fan of fruitcake so I haven’t actually tried traditional Panettone yet. I have devoured pounds of Stracciatella Panettone though, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes chocolate and despises raisins.
Day Trips
Locarno is a very small town in Switzerland and most of its top attractions can be discovered in 2-3 days. If you’ve booked a longer vacation, consider it the perfect opportunity to go on day trips and explore more of Switzerland.
Vigezzina – Centovalli Railway
The Vigezzina – Centovalli Railway is known for the Centovalli Express Train, which is one of Switzerland’s iconic panoramic trains. The train route is Locarno – Domossodola, and it’s one of the shorter panoramic train routes in Switzerland.
The upside of this journey is that it’s affordable. Return tickets are around 40 Euros, and the entire journey takes approximately four hours. Grab a seat on the left side of the train when departing from Locarno for the best views along the journey.
Bosco-Gurin
Bosco-Gurin is a ski resort about an hour and a half from Locarno, and a great place to visit if you want to partake in some traditional winter sports. Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding are all available in the area, with options for anyone’s skill level. The ski resort features easy, medium, and challenging pistes, and rental of ski equipment is possible on the spot.
Vallemaggia
Vallemaggia is an Alpine valley north of Locarno. It is easily accessible by car and bus (line 315 towards Cvaergno) in under 30 minutes. The valley offers countless hiking and cycling trails, pastures, waterfalls, and historic landmarks.
Valle Verzasca
The Verzasca Valley is famous for quite a few things, the most notable one being the Verzasca Dam which was prominently featured in the James Bond Goldeneye movie. The opening scene in which Pierce Brosnan jumps off the dam has become so iconic that there’s now an entire company that organizes bungee jumping at the dam.
What to Pack for Locarno in Winter
A warm winter jacket and comfortable, insulated boots should be at the top of your packing list for Locarno. It’s best to bring waterproof outer layers so that you can still go out and enjoy yourself in wet weather, which is prevalent in Locarno in winter.
For the middle layers, pack t-shirts, long-sleeve tops, shirts, thin sweaters, and hoodies. You’ll want to layer up for walks through the town, but still be able to strip down to a t-shirt at a restaurant or a museum, which are much warmer than the outdoor temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Locarno have snow?
Locarno rarely has snow due to the Mediterranean climate in the area. However, the surrounding mountains often have a dusting of snow in winter.
Is Locarno worth seeing in winter?
Locarno is worth seeing in the winter, mostly because of its charming Christmas market. The town is close to many other gorgeous villages and towns in southern Switzerland, so it’s a great base for day trips.
