lugano boat cruise

For an hour, a day or a dinner, enjoy the fabulous views offered by Lugano Lake. Choose from the many different cruises available and relax: the lake is all yours!

Lake Lugano Boat Tours timetable – valid from 24.03.2024 until 20.10.2024

Cruises on Lugano Lake

• Bosco Luganese
• Brè s/Lugano
• Campione d'Italia
• Cassina d'Agno
• Castelrotto
• Corticiasca
• Davesco-Soragno
• Gola di Lago
• Madonna del Piano
• Maglio di Colla
• Molinazzo di Monteggio
• Pambio-Noranco
• Ponte Capriasca
• Ponte Cremenaga
• Ponte Tresa
• Roveredo TI
• Sala Capriasca
• Vico Morcote
• Villa Luganese

• Cities & Monuments
• Scenic Views
• Specialties
• Restaurants
• top.pioggia
• Discovery Card
• Up to 2 hours
• More than 4 hours

Cruises on Lake Lugano

Locked in by mountains whose forests make their way down to the shore, Lake Lugano prides itself of a wilder look compared to Lake Maggiore. The beautiful panoramas already fascinated travelers of the Grand Tour who couldn't miss the traditional boat tour. The first steamer to sail the lake's waters was the "Ticino" in 1848. Today, a fleet of modern boats offer a wide choice of cruises, providing acces by lake to the region's main attractions ( Gandria , Morcote , Swissminiatur , the San Salvatore funicular and the Monte Generoso cogwheel railways).

Lake Lugano (also called Lake Ceresio) has a surface of 50 km² of which 63% are located in Switzerland and the remaining 37% in Italy. With an average width of 1 km it is very narrow but also quite deep (up to 288 meters). Its shore is not entirely accessible by car and for centuries some villages, like the picturesque Gandria and Morcote, were reachable only by lake.

Cruise and excursions

To best enjoy the Ceresio you can refer to the vast offer of the "Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano" (Navigation Society of Lake Lugano). From April to October there are numerous excursions to choose from: the "classic tour" and the "scenic tour" which navigate the northern part of the lake between Lugano, Gandria and Porlezza; the "magic tour" and the "golden tour" reaching the main attractions around Lugano lake; the evening cruise (May-September) for a dinner in a typical "grotto" at the lakeside in Gandria or Caprino, admiring the landscape in the charm of the night. The boat is also a useful means of transport to visit some of the most interesting places in the Lugano region, many of which are located on the lake. The boat cruise can therefore be combined with some walks: the Sentiero di Gandria (Gandria Trail), the itinerary of the Caprino cellars, the walks around the Monte Caslano or descending from San Salvatore towards Carona and Morcote . A boat excursion may also be combined with a visit of the picturesque village of Morcote, the Swissminiatur in Melide, or the Museum of Fossils of Monte San Giorgio.

• Duration of the activity: 3h
• Duration from Locarno: 5h
• Duration from Lugano: 3h

Opening hours

Dalle 8.30 alle 17.00 nel periodo estivo

More information

Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano Viale Castagnola 12 6900 Lugano +41 91 922 11 11 [email protected] www.lakelugano.ch

Restaurants nearby

Grand Café Al Porto

Moncucchetto

La Veranda (Alb. Splendide Royal)

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Lake Lugano Cruises

Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano Viale Castagnola 12 6900 Lugano Phone  +41 (0)91 971 52 23 lakelugano.ch

At Lake Lugano, it is wonderfully easy to escape one’s daily routine: by enjoying a sunbath below palm trees, cruises on the lake or hiking tours through magnificent landscapes.

Whether culture, nature or excursions into vibrating nightlife, the lake region offers all of it and then some. A boat cruise is the perfect way to explore the diversity of the region: Morcote with its stately patrician houses and the Santa Maria del Sasso Church, an important renaissance building at a unique panoramic location with a clock tower dating from the late romantic era; or Gandria, the epitome of a quaint little fishing village at the shores of Lake Lugano.

Excursion tips

• Gandria and surrounding area
• Monte San Salvatore
• Swiss Customs Museum
• Swissminiatur – a miniature Switzerland
• Monte Generoso

Food & Beverages

Reservations, general information, discover the surroundings.

Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano Viale Castagnola 12 6900  Lugano Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)91 971 52 23 Fax +41 (0)91 971 27 93 [email protected] lakelugano.ch Show Route

Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano Viale Castagnola 12 6900 Lugano Phone  +41 (0)91 971 52 23 lakelugano.ch Show Route

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Lugano Region Piazza della Riforma - Palazzo Civico 6900  Lugano +41 (0)58 220 65 00 [email protected] Website

Caslano Piazza Lago 5A 6987  Caslano +41 (0)58 220 65 01 +41 (0)91 606 52 00 [email protected] Website

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THE 10 BEST Lugano Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in lugano.

• Speed Boats Tours
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Submarine Tours
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Lake Lugano
• Tourism Office of Lugano Region
• Piazza della Riforma
• Church of S. Maria degli Angioli
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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11. The Best of Lake Como. Bellagio & Lugano Small Group Tour

12. Monte Brè Tour from Lugano by funicular

13. Guided Half-Day Excursion to Morcote with Panoramic Cruise

14. Guided Walk from Lugano to Gandria promoted by Lugano Region - return by boat

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• Boat Center Palace Lugano

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BOAT TIMETABLE (PDF) Valid from 24.03.2024 to 20.10.2024

Bus timetable 2024, ticket online-events, group reservation liner cruise (min. 10 people), sbb - biglietto online.

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Lakes & Mountains 2024

Scenic Rail 2024

Lake Lugano Cruises - Ticino

Leisurely cruises in beautiful surroundings.

Availability: All year round (limited timetable in the winter).

Example travel costs

Swiss Travel Pass : FREE

Half Fare Card : 50% discount on the published fare

Ticino Ticket : 20% discount on a 1 day pass

With inviting Lake Lugano on your doorstep, you should make time for at least one cruise. The fleet of sightseeing boats travel across the lake, stopping at scenic villages along the way. Enjoy unforgettable views of the lake and the wooded mountains that surround it.

Get your holiday quotation today

Contact us to book your holiday

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at [email protected]

A range of delightful cruises

There is a good choice of cruises for you to enjoy from Lugano.

We recommend cruising to one of the picturesque lakeside villages, where you can hop off and explore or sit by the water with a drink. Unspoilt Gandria lies at the foot of Monte Brè, with narrow streets and a number of restaurants.  Another captivating location is Morcote with its long arcades, old houses, shops and the church of Santa Maria del Sasso. Campione d'Italia, which is an Italian enclave on Lake Lugano famous for its casino and the sanctuary 'Madonna del Ghirliâ' built in the 9th century, is also worth a visit.

Lunch or dinner onboard

A wonderful way to enjoy the lake while relaxing over a meal!

There are lunch and dinner cruises, both lasting 2 hours, taking you to scenic spots such as Melide, Brusino, Morcote and Porto Ceresio. The menu is seasonal, with a Mediterranean flavour.

A bar service is available on all cruises throughout the day. 

The main boat station is found in the town centre, but most of the boats also call at the pier at Paradiso.

There is a full complement of sightseeing boats travelling across the lake, 5 of which are wheelchair accessible. 

Please check before travel for maintenance closures. 

Please remember to bring your passport if you are taking one of the cruises which crosses into Italy.

Request your holiday quotation

Call us on  0800 619 1200  or email us at  [email protected]

More excursions in the region

The Ticino has a distinct Italian influence and it is a joy to cruise to an idyllic village for a lakeside lunch. As well as any number of cruises, there's subtropical gardens and an array of funiculars and cable cars to take you up to mountains which offer panoramic views over the region.

Your choice of resorts

The  Italian speaking canton of Ticino occupies the balmy lakelands of the southern foothills of the Alps. There are a choice of lakeside resorts such as Ascona, Lugano, Locarno, all offering cruises, mountain visits, walking opportunities and excellent cuisine.

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Summer Pleasure Cruises on Lake Lugano Boats in Switzerland and Italy

Sightseeing and pleasure boats cruises depart daily on Lago di Lugano in Ticino in Switzerland and the Italian lakes region.

Boat cruise excursions on Lake Lugano are a great way to explore this beautifully located lake in Ticino (Tessin) in the south of Switzerland and north of Italy. Pleasure boat excursions are mostly round-trip cruises from Lugano and Paradiso to various smaller towns and sights on the banks of the lake. Visiting small lake towns, restaurants, museums, mountain railways, and hiking are amongst the popular activities that combine well with pleasure cruises on Lago di Lugano. No car ferries operate on Lake Lugano.

The summer cruise season on Lake Lugano is from April to late October.

Pleasure Cruise Boat Excursions on Lake Lugano

Lake Lugano is beautifully located in the south of Switzerland with arms extending into northern Italy. The lake has an irregular shape with arms protruding in various directions between hills making an excursion boat the ideal way to explore this region.

In summer, up to 24 boat cruises depart daily on mostly circular round-trip cruises from Lugano and Paradiso with stops at various ports and sightseeing spots on the shores of the lake. Boats cruise daily with additional dinner and music cruises available Tuesday to Sunday during July and August.

Cruising on Lake Lugano in Switzerland and Italy

Pleasure boat day cruises on Lake Lugano follow two main routings: Tours in the Bay from Lugano to Gandria and southwards from Lugano to Porto Ceresio, Ponte Tresa or Capolago. Almost all cruises start and end in Lugano with a stop in nearby Paradiso with its large number of tourist hotels.

The Tours in the Bay cruises usually depart from Lugano, call at Paradiso within ten minutes before continuing to Gandria. Depending on the specific cruise, the boat calls at various stops e.g. the Museo Heleneum (Cultural Museum) and the Museo Dognale (Customs Museum) with cruise duration from around 30 to 45 minutes. One boat per day goes all the way to Porlezza (1h30) in Italy with returns possible by bus.

The southbound cruises usually starts in Lugano (times from Lugano) with a stop in Paradiso (0:10) before continuing to Campione d’Italia (Casino) (0:20) and Melide Swissminiature (0:30). Most boats continue to Ponte Tresa (1:45) with stops en route at Marcote (Parco Scherrer) (0:50) and Porto Ceresio (1:00) with further stops at smaller town depending on the specific cruise. A few boats per day go directly from Melide to Capolago (Monte Generoso) (0:50).

During July and August, dinner cruises with music departs daily from Lugano and Paradiso for around an hour and a half cruise.

Boats (and passengers) pass in and out of Italy and Switzerland freely although customs checks are possible at any time. No car ferries operate on Lake Lugano – the lake can be crossed by bridge at Melide to the south of Lugano.

Tickets for Lake Lugano Pleasure Boat Cruises

Tickets for Lake Lugano pleasure cruises are available from the ticket windows at the main stops (Lugano, Paradiso, Morcote, and Ponte Tresa) or directly on board if paying in cash. Payment is possible in Swiss franc or euro.

A day ticket is CHF49 while children 6 to 16 pay half fare if not using the  Junior Card . The Swiss transportation  Half-Fare Card  (and similar) gives 40% discount. An hour circular Tour of the Bay is CHF28 or a Grand Tour (1:45) is CHF46, while point-to-point tickets are of course available – returns are usually significantly cheaper than two singles.

Combination tickets with sights in the Lugano region are available and often give large discounts. It is also possible to return by bus or train from many ports if preferred.

Drinks and small snacks are served on all boats. Full sit-down meals are only available on a few boats on the southern routes. Food, even on the dinner cruise, is additional and not compulsory. Picnicking is allowed outside the restaurant areas (and a sensible idea for the budget conscious).

More on the Lugano Region:

• Save at the Foxtown Factory Stores – bargains on some classy designer fashion labels in Switzerland’s largest outlet mall.
• Stay at the Novotel Lugano-Paradiso – a brand-new family-friendly hotel.
• Alprose Chocolate Factory Museum – rather disappointing but widely advertised in Ticino travel literature.

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years of experience writing online. He is particularly interested in history, art, and culture. He has lived most of his adult life in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In addition to European-Traveler.com , he also owns a travel website on the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland and maintains statistical websites on car sales and classic car auction prices . Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Development Finance from the University of London.

Home » Switzerland » Summer Pleasure Cruises on Lake Lugano Boats in Switzerland and Italy

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THE 10 BEST Lugano Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in lugano.

• Speed Boats Tours
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Submarine Tours
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Lake Lugano
• Tourism Office of Lugano Region
• Piazza della Riforma
• Church of S. Maria degli Angioli
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Italy and Switzerland Day Trip: Lake Como, Bellagio & Lugano from Milan

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14. Guided Walk from Lugano to Gandria promoted by Lugano Region - return by boat

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17. From Milan: Private Boat Cruise to Lake Como, Lugano and Bellagio

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19. From Milan: Two Lakes Trip Como, Bellagio & Lugano

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22. The best private full day tour of Lake Lugano from Como

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26. Cooking Class with Sightseeing Cruise in Lugano

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• Como, Lugano and Bellagio Experience with Exclusive Boat Cruise
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• Cinque Terre

Lugano, Bellagio and Cruise Experience from Como with Exclusive Boat Cruise

7 hrs 30 mins, description.

Embark on a captivating tour from Como, led by a knowledgeable tour leader, to explore the enchanting lakes and villages of Switzerland and Italy. Marvel at the charm of Cadenabbia, cruise from Bellagio, and revel in the panoramic vistas of Lake Como on this full-day adventure.

Departing from Como in a comfortable coach, the journey begins with a visit to the Swiss town of Lugano. Enjoy some free time to explore the picturesque city center and savor the flavors of Swiss chocolate.

Arriving at the village of Tremezzo marks a significant point in the tour. The pinnacle of the experience is the Exclusive Cruise aboard a private boat, journeying from Tremezzo to Bellagio, widely acclaimed as the “Pearl of Lake Como.” Delight in the extraordinary vistas of Lake Como, appreciating its unique harmony between nature and architecture. Serenely glide past opulent villas adorned with exquisite gardens, set against the backdrop of untouched natural surroundings.

In Bellagio, relish free time to immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere and enjoy lunch before cruising back to Tremezzo. Finally, reach Como with a scenic bus tour along the lake shores, completing a day filled with breathtaking landscapes and cultural discoveries.

Embark on a full-day tour spanning two countries, exploring the picturesque lakes and charming villages of Switzerland and Italy. Enjoy the exclusivity of a boat cruise, indulging in the breathtaking views of Lake Como.

• See two different countries in one day!
• Reach Lugano by bus
• Reach Bellagio by an Exclusive boat

Important Information

Dress code: Shoulders and knees must be covered if you want to visit churches. Wear comfortable walking shoes; wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

Lunch not included.

Passport is mandatory to go through the Swiss customs. People without a passport and a valid visa won’t be allowed to take part of the tour.

- Professional English/Spanish-speaking Tour Leader - Exclusive Boat Cruise - Audio headsets provided (over 10 participants) - 1 small bottle of water for each person - No bad surprises: the price is "all inclusive"

Electronic voucher accepted

From € 108

Select start time [time1] [time2] [time3] [time4]

Date:  (optional)

Meeting Point

Como, Piazza Cavour in front of Hotel Barchetts

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Email Address

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5% OFF FOR YOUR FIRST BOOKING

Your Promo Code for your first booking: firstbooking5

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

• Description
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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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See photo of the meeting point