One day last year, my boys upped their random questions game asking me “where exactly is the lowest place in Switzerland?”
After lots of umming and ahhing trying to mentally envisage Switzerland’s topography, google revealed, incredibly, it was Brissago, the very place we had booked for a summer holiday just a few short weeks later!
Brissago (at 197m above sea level in case you were wondering!) is a small lakeside town in the canton of Ticino, situated on the western shore of the stunning Lake Maggiore.
Just 2km from the Italian border this unbelievably picturesque holiday destination is oozing with Italiano vibes. Pizza, pasta and gelato are waiting for you around every corner. And with an average of 2300 hours of warm sunshine a year, it is a firm favourite amongst both the Swiss and overseas visitors alike.
We wanted this particular family summer vacation to be a mix of relaxation and adventure and luckily Brisaggo didn’t disappoint on either front. Here is what we got up to:
Where to stay in Brissago
We based ourselves at the Parkhotel Brenscino – a beautiful hotel perched up high above the town that offers uninterrupted views of the lake and mountain scenery.
They boast that all 83 rooms have a balcony so there is no need to worry about not being able to enjoy the panorama.
During our time there, we splashed and relaxed at the pool, battled fiendishly competitive rounds of mini-golf and tennis and enjoyed their delicious and varied food both in the hotel’s main restaurant and the pop-up Thai eatery, The Greenhouse.
Their virtual concierge contacted via WhatsApp was a very convenient and easy way to request/book things without having to queue at reception.
This hotel really ticked all the boxes for us. In fact, it would have been very easy to not leave their confines at all, but we wanted to discover and explore the surrounding area. An area that has a lot to offer.
The town of Brissago
Most days we would head down the 586 steps (yes, we counted them!) from our hotel to the town centre for a walk or to find some food. Our favourite restaurant by far was the Ristorante Pizzeria Gabietta, situated right on the promenade. The food was excellent and the service even better. And thanks to its proximity to a small playground, we even enjoyed some child-free conversation and an extra glass of wine while the kids burnt off that last bit of energy. We did however have to make sure they had enough left to walk back up those 586 steps!
The village has a small selection of shops, a tourist information centre as well as a lido where we spent a fun morning. You will need to get there early to get a spot but with some slides, a variety of pools (some heated) and a place to swim in the lake, this very reasonably priced attraction was a winner.
Day trips Lago Maggorie: Isole di Brissago
The islands of Brissago are visible from the town and are very easy to reach by boat. Just a short 10-minute ride from Brisaggo and about an hour from Locarno.
Due to the warm and unique climate in this part of Switzerland, subtropical plants grow easily here. In fact, the island houses a rich botanical garden, home to around 1700 species. We decided to explore the island by letting the boys take the lead following the kids’ treasure hunt. Much fun was had navigating the island map (available at the entrance) and, of course, learning a little along the way. The treasure came in the form of a packet of plant seeds which we potted at home as a reminder of this fun part of our holiday.
Hiking and running
As anyone that has read my articles before will know, it is quite customary for my trail runner husband to find the highest peak he can in any location we find ourselves in and then take off on a run to the top. And this vacation was no different.
As the boys and I lounged by the hotel pool eating more gelato, he disappeared for a few hours and followed the trail up to 2000m, the summit of The Gridone (or Monte Limidario in Italian) where he was rewarded with unrivalled views across the lake and beyond.
Whilst debriefing me later, he mentioned that he saw many hikers up there enjoying different parts of the trail and some enjoying breakfast at the Rifugio capanna Al Legn – a mountain refuge where you can stay for 25chf per night with optional half board food and drink. Next time…
Not sure what to wear? Our complete Switzerland summer packing guide has
you covered.
Visit Locarno from Brissago
Just 9km from Brisaggo at the northern end of the lake you will find Locarno. A larger town of around 15,000 residents and home to many hotels and leisure activities. Its architecturally beautiful old town known as Città Vecchia is full of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and churches, all connected by a maze of narrow alleys and cobbled streets.
When you are finished wandering, why not head up to Cimetta via cable car and chair lift for lunch with a view. From the top, it is actually possible to see Switzerland’s highest point (the Dufour peak of the mighty Monte Rosa) and the lowest point (Brissago!) at the same time!
For those of you that prefer to take things a little easier, Locarno also boasts a lido like no other! This super modern and clean facility offers a variety of indoor and outdoor pools, a lakeside beach and a full spa complete with natural salt baths and private spa areas where you can book massages and treatments. Truly something for everyone!
For us, Brisaggo really was the perfect place to base ourselves. When we left we all agreed that we wished we could have stayed a few more days. That winning formula of lake and mountain never disappoints. Throw in some laid back Swiss Italian hospitality and food and it really is a winning combination. Let me know if you make it there this summer. There is already talk in this house of ‘Brissago: Part 2’ so maybe see you there!
