Travel Reference
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Lugano (Switzerland)
POP 60,815
The largest city in Switzerland's Ticino canton (but not its capital), Lugano squeezes itself
around the heights that close in Lake Lugano at its northern end. Switzerland's third-
biggest banking centre (after Geneva and Zürich), Lugano is an elegant, prosperous city
chosen by a not insignificant number of Milanese as their main residence. Lugano offers a
pretty, if small, old centre and a handful of churches and museums to visit but, above all,
it has a splendid natural setting to explore, starting with funicular rides up to steep hills to
enjoy marvellous views. Somewhat somnolent in winter, it sparkles to life in summer,
when its piazzas, cafes, bars and restaurants fill to bursting with a Mediterranean-style
joie de vivre
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Lugano (Switzerland)
