A Romantic Escape to Ascona, Switzerland: 5 Top Things to Do
Ascona is definitely the most romantic spot in Switzerland. It is famous for its mild climate, swaying palm trees, pastel-colored lakefront promenade, and historic Old Town. Ascona was even voted the Swiss village of the year 2025, and it is easy to see why. Are you ready for a romantic getaway?
Last updated: 13 July 2026
📍Ascona, Lake Maggiore
Things to Do in Ascona
Discover the Top 5 Things to Do in Ascona. Having lived in Zurich since August 2022, I’ve visited Ascona twice and checked off everything on this list except number five (which is next on our bucket list). Questions? Drop a comment below!
A note from Joyce: This post includes a mix of affiliate links, where I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and independent recommendations, where I earn nothing.
A map of Ascona & Locarno
Ascona is located in Ticino, the sunny southern region of Switzerland. The picture-perfect town sits right on the shore of Lake Maggiore.
To help you plan, we put together a map featuring all the spots mentioned here, including restaurant recommendations and day trips like hiking the Verzasca Valley.
1. Stroll along the lakeside promenade
One of the best things you can do in Ascona is wander along the beautiful waterfront. It is incredibly romantic to stroll past the vibrant, colourful houses together. When you want to slow down, grab a coffee or an Aperol Spritz at a lakeside café, soak up the sun and enjoy the magnificent views over Lake Maggiore.
Afterwards, you can get lost in the charming, car-free alleys of the old town to truly experience "la dolce vita". Take your romantic weekend to the next level by heading back to the lakeside at sunset when the sky turns golden over Lake Maggiore.
Where to stay in Ascona?
We kept coming back to the promenade throughout the day, whether for morning coffee and photos, an afternoon stroll, or an evening drink. I highly recommend staying close to the promenade for convenience.
During our 3 days in Ascona, we stayed in an apartment that overlooked Lake Maggiore, just a few minutes away from both the Old Town and the promenade. The apartment where we stayed is not available anymore, but check out this Lakeview apartment.
2. Enjoy a lakeside dinner date
Ascona is famous for its "dolce vita" lifestyle, and nothing captures that better than a slow, candlelit dinner right on Lake Maggiore. The promenade is packed with excellent restaurants serving fresh local fish, homemade pasta, and risotto.
Just a few steps back in the old town, you will also find wonderful restaurants with a cozy, romantic atmosphere.
Lago Bar, a nice place for a coffee or Aperol Spritz!
Ascona restaurants
Here are the places we tried and highly recommend:
Lago Bar (pictured above): One of our favourite spots for drinks. It is a lively, scenic spot right on the piazza, making it ideal for a sunset Aperol Spritz or a morning coffee with a panoramic view of Lake Maggiore.
Osteria Nostrana: Located right on the waterfront, this restaurant is quite popular, and we waited about 10 to 15 minutes to get a table. The food and wine were good, though nothing out of the ordinary.
Antico Ristorante Borromeo: Tucked away in the old town, we had a truly romantic evening here. This spot offers a beautiful, historic, and intimate setting with excellent food. In my opinion, it was the best place we ate during our trip.
3. Cycle along the lake to Locarno
We have visited Ascona and Locarno twice now, and renting bicycles remains one of my absolute favourite things we did. It is a wonderful, easy, and affordable way to see more of the stunning Lake Maggiore and explore the neighbouring town of Locarno.
A flat, dedicated cycling path runs right along the edge of the water from Ascona to neighbouring Locarno. It takes about twenty minutes each way.
Locarno highlights
If you want to turn this bike ride into a full day trip, make sure to visit these top highlights in Locarno:
Piazza Grande:
Stroll through this beautiful square where you will find colourful buildings and lively outdoor cafés.Lungolago Giuseppe Motta:
Take a walk along this stunning promenade lined with palm trees, offering you views over Lake Maggiore.The Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso:
Perched high on a rock above the city, this church offers spectacular views over the lake and mountains. You can easily reach it by taking the funicular railway from the town centre.
Are you short on time? With this guided tour you will see all the highlights in Locarno and Ascona.
Restaurant in Locarno
As I mentioned, we have visited Locarno and Ascona twice now and ate at: Osteria Borghese both times. It is a wonderfully romantic restaurant, but you should definitely make a reservation ahead of time because it is popular.
4. Hike through the breathtaking Verzasca Valley
📍 Brione Piee -> Lavertezzo • 📊 Moderate • ⏰ 1.5-2 h • 🥾 5.3 km
This hike has been on my radar for a long time, so when we planned our Ascona trip, we added an extra day just to do it. You have likely seen the Verzasca Valley, especially the iconic Ponte dei Salti bridge in Lavertezzo, all over social media. It is incredibly hyped up.
So does it live up to the hype? Absolutely. Hiking along the Verzasca River is stunning, with its crystal-clear emerald water and smooth rock formations.
Protect our natural landscapes for future generations. Keep nature pristine by packing out what you bring, staying on designated trails, and respecting wildlife. Learn more about: The 7 principles of Leave No Trace.
Plan your hike well
Unfortunately, our timing was completely off. Visiting in March, we forgot how quickly the mountains swallow the sun, arriving in Lavertezzo with no light left (as you can see in the pictures above). As a newbie photographer, this was a tiny letdown.
Having said that, I really enjoyed the hike. It is an easy, romantic riverside walk under ancient trees, just learn from our amateur mistake and chase the sun! Here are 2 pictures that show the Ponte dei Salti bridge and Lavertezzo when the sun is there. How gorgeous 😍.
Go for the highlights only
If you don’t feel like hiking the full trail, you can easily drive or take the bus straight to Lavertezzo to admire the scenery. It is the perfect spot to marvel at the double-arched Ponte dei Salti bridge, photograph the charming stone rustico houses, and sit by the turquoise banks of the Verzasca River.
5. Take a boat trip to the Brissago Islands
Taking a boat from Ascona to the Brissago Islands on Lake Maggiore makes for a unique and relaxing day trip. The scenic journey takes only about 20 minutes, and the flexible ferry schedule allows you to hop off and easily catch a later vessel back.
Unfortunately, we did not go here, but maybe you could!
Taking a boat from Ascona to the Brissago Islands on Lake Maggiore makes for a unique and relaxing day trip.
Botanical gardens
The main draw is the island's famous botanical garden. Thanks to a mild microclimate, you can wander past exotic plants from all over the world, including giant eucalyptus trees and colorful lotus flowers. It is an easy, romantic escape from the mainland, offering peaceful walking paths and gorgeous lake views at every turn.
How to get to Brissago Islands?
Visiting the islands is incredibly easy to do yourself. Simply catch the public shuttle boat right from the Ascona pier. You can purchase your combined ferry and botanical garden entry tickets together directly at the waterfront or online through the official Ascona-Locarno tourism website.
Which of these five romantic activities would you try first? I would love to hear from you, so drop a comment below and let me know!
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