Ascona lies on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, with the town centre right by the lake. The winding lanes of the old town lead to a car-free lakeside promenade lined with street cafés. The lakeshore and the town’s history shape a stay in different ways: the promenade leads to the water, while museums, a church and Monte Verità offer further ideas for planning your trip.

Lakeside Promenade and Monte Verità

At 321 metres high, Monte Verità offers panoramic views of the village and Lake Maggiore. It can be reached on foot from the centre of Ascona; the actual walking time varies depending on the starting point and conditions. The park on Monte Verità is open to visitors year-round. There is also a museum on the mountain; check its opening hours separately. The mountain is also home to the only tea cultivation in Ticino. If this is a key reason for your visit, we recommend checking its current agricultural status.

Another scenic spot lies within the municipality: to the west, it extends over the wooded mountain and viewpoint of Corona di Pinzha, at 1,293 m above sea level. Thus, within the landscape described here, Lake Maggiore, the view from Monte Verità and a wooded viewpoint to the west are all part of the picture, without requiring a particular route.

Art and History in the Town

The Museo Comunale d’Arte Moderna Ascona is located on Via Borgo in a palazzo dating from the late 16th century. The municipal collection was established in 1922 from works donated by artists who had come to Ascona. It also includes the collection of the Fondazione Marianne Werefkin, with around 90 paintings and 170 sketchbooks. The works may be shown in changing exhibitions.

The Castello San Materno houses a different collection and has been carefully restored. It comprises more than 40 works by artists from the German-speaking world, created from the late 19th century through the period after the First World War. The collection is open to the public; check the opening hours before visiting. The two art venues therefore offer different focuses: the Museo Comunale features, among other things, the municipal collection and Marianne Werefkin, while the Castello San Materno presents works from the German-speaking world.

The parish church of SS. Pietro e Paolo stands in a small square in the old town centre. The 16th-century building occupies the site of a 14th-century oratory. The church has a large altarpiece for the marble altar by Gabriele Longhi, painted by Giovanni Serodine in 1630. On Monte Verità, the Casa Anatta Museum presents Harald Szeemann’s permanent exhibition “MONTE VERITÀ. Le mammelle della verità”, dating from 1978. It is rich in materials on the history of Monte Verità.

Activities on Lake Maggiore

Surfing, sailing and other water sports are offered on Lake Maggiore from Ascona. Operators and seasonal availability may vary. Boat trips are also offered on the lake; timetables and routes are seasonal and should be checked in advance. Water sports and boat trips are different ways to include Lake Maggiore in your trip. When planning, it is worth taking the relevant conditions and schedules into account.

If you choose Ascona as your destination, you can decide whether to focus on the old town and lakeside promenade, art and history, or the landscape and activities on the lake. Visiting conditions vary: the park on Monte Verità is open year-round, while individual venues may have their own opening hours; boat routes and timetables are seasonal. This makes it possible to include the topics you are interested in when planning your trip, without assuming that all offerings are alike or available year-round.

Discover more destinations: Sonogno, Piazzogna, Vogorno, Indemini, Onsernone, Minusio, Brione, Borgnone

For the wider travel overview: Locarno.