Ascona or Locarno which one is more famous or more beautiful? This is a difficult question to answer because both cities are irresistible and only devided by the river Maggia.

While Locarno is the point of departure to many excursions, from Mt. Cardada with a stunning view over the lake Maggiore, Maggia Valley with Bogno famous Church designed by Mario Botta the same architect of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or Bosco Gurin the Walser village. But most important for the gay community the unoficially gay beach at Ponte Brolla in the Maggia river.

Ascona is open to the lake a fantastic view down the lake with the Brissago Islands home of a botanic garden with unique collection of plants and flowers. Indeed Ascona and Brissago are the lowest point of Switzerland. A walk on the promenade is a must do for everyone visiting the region.

Interesting to learn that the hippy movement started here on the Monte Verità (True Mount). Since the beginning of 1900 a group of healthy and wealthy people from abroad started a way of life designed to be more in tune with nature and the cosmo.

With the treat of the Nazi regime around Europe, most escape from persecution including in the San Francisco area were years later the hippy movement became a magnitude.

Today Locarno and Ascona are easy to reach by car or train.

For more information about Locarno and Ascona tourism please click here.

For more information about Mount Cardada please click here.

For more information about Monte Verità please click here.

For more information about Brissago Islands please click here.