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Old Town Lugano
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Collina d'Oro

Old Town Lugano

6.2
4.6/5
39 reviews
Old Town Lugano is located in the Canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland, nestled on the shores of Lake Lugano and bordering Italy. Palm trees and outdoor cafes can be seen on the streets, and the Mediterranean-style laid-back atmosphere makes it stand out at the foot of the Alps. Piazza Riforma is surrounded by cafes and restaurants and is a gathering hub for locals. Turning from here into Via Nassa, the old arcades are lined with watch shops, jewelry stores, and boutiques, where you can admire the historic buildings along the street while shopping. The steps of the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence are a great spot to overlook the lake, while the Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli houses large frescoes by Renaissance painter Bernardino Luini. Parco Ciani by the lake was originally a 19th-century private estate. Today, it is surrounded by greenery with neat flower beds and is a place for locals to go for morning jogs and picnics. The lakeside promenade connects to the pier, where you can take a boat to tour the lake during the day and visit the small stone-house fishing villages on the opposite shore. If you want to enjoy the view from above, take a cable car up to Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè, where you can take in the lake scenery, the ridges of the Alps, and the valleys toward Italy. On summer evenings, the lakeside is exceptionally comfortable with a gentle breeze, the outdoor cafes are bustling, and street performances often light up the night, creating a perfect vacation atmosphere.Lugano · 22.6km from Varese
Santa Maria delle Grazie
No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Santa Maria delle Grazie

8.8
4.7/5
470 reviews
Santa Maria delle Grazie is located in the western part of Milan, to the south of Sforza Castle. This red Catholic complex consists of a church and a Dominican convent, and is world-renowned for the mural The Last Supper painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the convent's refectory. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The last supper "The Last Supper" was created by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century, using an innovative and bold painting technique that combined oil painting with tempera, creating a unique perspective effect, but it was also highly susceptible to deterioration. On August 15, 1943, the church and the convent were bombed by British and American aircraft, and most of the convent refectory was destroyed, but the wall where "The Last Supper" is located survived. Several centuries later, 80% of the painting's colors had faded. Restoration work began in 1977 and continued for 22 years. Currently, there is extremely strict control over the number of visitors, with no more than 40 people per visit. Church buildings In addition to "The Last Supper," the building itself is also worth seeing. The church was constructed under the auspices of Duke Sforza and was completed in its entirety in 1497, once serving as the burial chamber for the Sforza family. Later, when the French army invaded, the cultural relics and treasures inside the church were looted, but the exquisite dome and frescoes were preserved. The sacristy now serves as the Dominican cultural center, frequently hosting salons and art exhibitions.Milan · 47.7km from Varese

Experiences you can't miss in Varese

Featured Food & drink in Varese

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Lago Maggiore: Italian cooking and tasting in a villa
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Duration: 3 hrs
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Milan: Fresh Pasta & Tiramisù Class in a Glamorous Home
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4.9/5
· 420 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
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56 consecutive positive reviews
From£ 50.02
From Zurich: Alpine Winter Horse Carriage Ride & Fondue Private Tour
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Duration: 7 hrs
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From Zurich: Alpine Sledging & Private Fondue by the Lake Tour
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Duration: 7 hrs
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From£ 999.26
Milan street food tour with English-speaking guide
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
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From£ 25.37
Milan: Delicious Food Tour and City Center Sightseeing
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4.9/5
· 21 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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Make Authentic Ravioli & Tiramisù in an Elegant Italian Home
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3 hrs
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From£ 58.36

Featured Culture & history in Varese

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Milan: "Museo Teatrale Alla Scala" Guided Tour
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4.8/5
· 797 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
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93.4% of travelers recommend
From£ 33.31
Milan: Duomo Ticket incl. Terrace by Lift & Audio Tour
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
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Milan Natural History Museum: Entry Ticket + Audio Guide
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Milan City-Private Transfer MXP-Milan
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From Zurich: Swiss Alps, Mountain Villages & Local Farm Private Tour
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Duration: 8 hrs
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Bergamo Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Landmarks and Artistic Treasures
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
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Featured Outdoor & sports in Varese

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From Zurich: Alpine Winter Sledging Adventure Private Tour
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Duration: 9 hrs
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From Zurich: Beginner Alpine Hike & Scenic Mountain Private Tour
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Zermatt: Winter Alpine Adventure & Guided Matterhorn View Private Tour
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From Milan: Bernina Train and St. Moritz Day Trip
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4.6/5
· 1.7k reviews· 55 booked
Duration: 12–13 hrs
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Interlaken: Airplane Skydiving over the Swiss Alps
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4.9/5
· 188 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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99.5% of travelers recommend
From£ 385.65
Swiss Alps by Train: Bernina & St. Moritz from Milan
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4.7/5
· 77 reviews
Duration: 12.5 hrs
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Milan: Play golf at Le Rovedine Golf Club
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Varese Today's weatherMostly cloudy 7-13℃
Varese weather for the next 2 days11/6: 8-10℃, 11/7: 6-12℃

Free things to do in Varese

What travellers say about Varese

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浪子ppb2 January 2021
5.0
The old town is very charming. Walking in the old streets is like going back to the old days. Walking by the lake and basking in the sun, and then going to the LV store to buy a bag, there are few people and the goods are in good condition. It is still very pleasant. I hope time can stop.

Old Town Lugano

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TRAVEL DEVIL29 November 2023
5.0
The lake view of Lugano is so breathtaking! Can’t wait to go back again!

Lake Lugano

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Anonymous user13 September 2026
5.0
Have been multiple times, it's worth returning once in a while. Stunning cathedral and view

Milan Cathedral

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Dreamer200227 October 2026
5.0
⛪ Duomo di Milano 🇮🇹 — A Gothic Masterpiece! ✨Visiting Milan Cathedral was one of the highlights of my time in Milan! ❤️ Its magnificent white marble façade, countless sculptures, and towering Gothic spires are even more impressive in person. 😍🏛️What amazed me most was the incredible attention to detail and the sheer scale of the cathedral, which took nearly six centuries to complete!🌅 The highlight? Exploring the rooftop terraces! Walking among the intricate spires while admiring panoramic views over Milan was an unforgettable experience. 📸✨💡 Travel tip: Book rooftop tickets in advance and visit early in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds. Don’t miss the beautiful Piazza del Duomo surrounding the cathedral!❤️ An absolute must-see in Milan, combining extraordinary architecture, centuries of history, and breathtaking views!#DuomoDiMilano #Milan #ItalyTravel #GothicArchitecture

Piazza del Duomo

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Hafs946 January 2024
5.0
visited lake como in November 2023, I wouldn’t recommend going at that time of the year as we experienced a lot of rain, nonetheless it was still a beautiful place, with lots to do! We went to Bellagio and Varenna by ferry, which was super easy to use and both places were breathtaking

Lake Como

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Raja199022 August 2022
5.0
Villa Panza, known throughout the world as a center of contemporary art, has origins dating back to the eighteenth century , when the Marquis Paolo Antonio Menafoglio identified the ideal place for his country house on the top of the Biumo hill, in Varese.

Villa e Collezione Panza

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_TI***1m10 October 2026
5.0
I would highly recommend to visit when you're in Milan . Absolutely amazing. Please make sure you book this.

Santa Maria delle Grazie

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What are the must-do things in Varese?

Don't miss these attractions in Varese: Old Town Lugano, Lake Lugano, and Milan Cathedral. If you like Food & drink, try Lago Maggiore: Italian cooking and tasting in a villa. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Half-day tour to Milan Cathedral and rooftop terrace in Italy | Includes admission ticket reservation, elevator and professional guide.

You can give Lago Maggiore: Italian cooking and tasting in a villa and Milan: Fresh Pasta & Tiramisù Class in a Glamorous Home a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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