Locarno

Overview:

LOCARNO
Where Sunshine Meets Style

Locarno is Switzerland’s Italian soul, palm trees, piazzas, and an endless sense of light. It’s a place where mountain air softens into Mediterranean warmth, where film, art, and cuisine meet on the shores of Lago Maggiore.

With Watermark, Locarno becomes your Riviera escape, private villas, lakeside cruises, vineyard tastings, and intimate cultural moments curated exclusively for you. It’s not just Switzerland’s warmest destination, it’s one of its most enchanting.

A DAY IN LOCARNO: THE WATERMARK WAY
Morning, Lakeside Light
Begin with a private breakfast cruise across Lake Maggiore. Glide between islands, enjoying cappuccino and pastries as the morning sun reflects off the water. Stop for a stroll through the gardens of the Brissago Islands before continuing to Ascona’s elegant lakeside promenade.

Midday, Art and Vines
Enjoy a private wine tasting and lunch at a boutique Ticino vineyard. Meet the winemaker, taste Merlot straight from the barrel, and dine among the vines beneath the southern sun.

Afternoon, Culture and Style
Return to Locarno for a private tour of the old town and Piazza Grande, home to the world-famous Locarno Film Festival. Visit an art studio or design atelier rarely open to the public, or relax at a lakefront spa with a personalized treatment.

Evening, The Golden Hour
As dusk settles, your driver takes you to a secluded viewpoint above the lake for aperitifs and panoramic views. Conclude with a candlelit dinner in Ascona or a private rooftop soirée with live guitar and fine local wines.

WATERMARK PRIVILEGES IN LOCARNO
Private Lake Maggiore Yacht Charter
Full-day private cruise with captain, champagne, and optional island lunch.

Vineyard and Cellar Experience
Private vineyard tour and tasting hosted by the winemaker, including gourmet lunch and wine pairing.

Brissago Island Private Access
After-hours exploration or private event setup among the gardens, subject to availability.

Exclusive Film Festival Access
Curated passes or private receptions during the Locarno Film Festival, available through Watermark partners.

Private Art and Design Visits
Personal introductions to Ticino artists, sculptors, and designers in their ateliers.

Lakeside Spa and Wellness Retreat
Half-day spa session with private suite, lake-view jacuzzi, and personalized treatments.

Sunset Dinner at Secret Ascona Location
Exclusive fine-dining experience on a private terrace or villa overlooking the lake.

Helicopter Transfer from Zurich or Lugano
Private scenic flight directly to Lake Maggiore with chauffeur arrival service.

THE WATERMARK PROMISE
Every Watermark experience is handcrafted and subject to availability, permissions, and seasonal access. Our network opens doors not typically available to the public, and while exclusivity cannot always be guaranteed, elegance always is.

When to Visit:

LOCARNO AT ITS BEST

Autumn (September–November)
Warm lake light, palm-lined promenades, and villages perfumed with roasted chestnuts. Autumn here is pure Ticino charm: classical concerts in candlelit churches, art weekends along the arcades, and vineyard lunches above Lake Maggiore. October peaks with chestnut fêtes and a fast, photogenic run along the lake. By late November, the Piazza Grande turns festive and the city slips into a golden, unhurried rhythm.

Winter (December–February)
Locarno does winter with Italian sparkle. The Piazza becomes an alpine lounge with an ice rink, igloos, and live sets; evenings are for risotto, Barolo, and soft-lit walks under the palms. Carnival season brings colour and brass bands to the lanes, while crisp blue days invite private boat rides on still water and spa suites with sunset views.

Spring (March–May)
Camellias explode in colour, gardens wake, and the lakefront becomes a runway for morning runners and late-morning cappuccinos. Spring rolls in with a world-class camellia festival, open-cellar weekends, and design and photo happenings across the old town. Mountain railways reopen, and we start stitching lake breakfasts to ridge walks and vineyard tastings.

Summer (June–August)
The Piazza Grande becomes a stage. Jazz by the water, big-evening pop shows, open-air cinema nights, and the red-carpet magic of one of Europe’s great film festivals. Valley blues concerts echo under stone villages, and long tables appear under plane trees for the simplest, most delicious meals. Days are for yachts and grotto lunches; nights drift to music and stars.

Special Events and Festivals:

2025

Ascona–Locarno Run — October
Half-marathon, 10K, and city loop along the lake. We handle bibs, warm-up coaching, and balcony-side cheering with brunch.
Festa delle Castagne (Chestnut Festival) — October
Roasting pans, local cheeses, and Ticino wines in Ascona’s lakefront squares. Add a sunset boat hop and a winemaker’s table.
Locarno Piano & Autumn Concerts — October–November
Chamber programs in historic halls and churches. Best-acoustics seats, artist introductions, and a private nightcap in the arcades.
Locarno On Ice (Piazza Grande) — late November to early January
The Piazza becomes a winter lounge: rink, igloos, live sets, and chalet bars. Our route includes VIP skating slots and a fireside fondue finish.
Natale sul Lago — Christmas by the Lake — December
Boutique markets, carols, and lakeside lights. We add a curated shopping loop and a mulled-wine sunset cruise.

2026

Camelie Locarno — International Camellia Festival — late March
A jewel of spring: rare cultivars, curated walks, and lake-garden photography with a specialist guide.
Open Wine Cellars — Lake Maggiore & Valleys — late May
Doors open across the region—from lakefront estates to mountain hamlets. Chauffeured loop, olive-oil mill stop, and a grotto lunch.
JazzAscona (nearby, perfectly paired with Locarno) — late June
New Orleans spirit on Swiss water: waterfront stages, brass parades, and midnight jam sessions. We secure reserved tables and backstage moments.
Moon&Stars — Piazza Grande — July
Big-evening concerts under warm skies. VIP decks, a chef-led pre-show tasting, and a smooth exit right back to your suite.
Vallemaggia Magic Blues — July–August
Intimate blues nights in stone-village squares up the valley. Private transfers, front-row stools, and a late grotto dinner.
Locarno Film Festival — Piazza Grande & venues — early August
Red carpets, auteur discoveries, and those legendary open-air premieres. We curate a festival day: screenings, salon dinner, and a starlit walk back through the Piazza.
Open-Air Cinema & Summer Stages — July–August
Additional cinema nights and music stages along the lake. Lounge seating, gourmet hampers, and post-show nightcaps on a private boat.
Ascona Music Weeks (Settimane Musicali) — September–October
Orchestras and chamber greats in exquisite acoustics. Expect rehearsal glimpses and meet-the-artist salons.
Ascona–Locarno Run — October
Return of the lakefront race weekend. Choose a runner’s concierge package or a spectator balcony with brunch service.
Festa d’Autunno (Autumn Festival) — October
Chestnuts, polenta, risotti, and local wines with bands in the squares. We build a tasting street that ends with dessert on the water.
Locarno On Ice & Winter Lights — late November to early January
The city’s storybook finale: rink-side lounges, live sets, and a private fondue salon to close the year.

THE WATERMARK TOUCH

Front-row everything: premium terraces for concerts and film, rink-side lounges in winter, blue-hour photo ops without crowds.
Back-door access: curator walk-throughs, artist meet-ups, rehearsal peeks, and collector apartments after hours.
Culinary choreography: progressive tastings across street-food hubs, lakeside grottos, and chef tables—with sommelier pairings.
Effortless flow: chauffeured routes, timed entries, hospitality lounges, luggage-free days, and on-call photography from first espresso to last nightcap.

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