Discover Campione D'italia

Campione D'italia lies on the eastern shore of Lake Lugano. Visitors who choose it as a destination can get to know the town through its cultural history and waterside activities: Historic buildings and archaeological traces sit alongside lakeside walking paths, boat connections, and opportunities for swimming and cycling.

Lakeside and distinctive architecture

The Casino di Campione shapes the lakeside view: The nine-storey building has an area of 55,000 m² and is clearly visible from across the lake. The present building was designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta. Two dates are part of the history of the first Casino Municipale di Campione: it was founded in 1917 and permanently reopened on 2 March 1933. The casino's historical development and the architecture of the present building can therefore be considered as distinct aspects of the town.

The town's history also leads to several specific buildings beyond the casino. Around the 14th century, the Santuario della Madonna dei Ghirli was converted into a single-nave oratory in accordance with the principles of Romanesque architecture, and was later altered in the Baroque style. The term “single-nave” describes the form of the oratory; the later alteration belongs to a subsequent phase in its architectural history.

Art and archaeological traces

Parts of the 14th-century frescoes have been preserved on the walls of the apse in the Galleria Civica Don Sandro Vitalini. A glass floor also reveals the foundations of the former Lombard church and burials made from reused Roman material. The Galleria was created by restoring a building that was subsequently used as a municipal gallery. Art, archaeological evidence and the conversion of a building thus come together in one place.

The Galleria has a permanent exhibition and is also used for conferences, concerts and various cultural events. If you would like to combine your stay with an event, check the dates for your travel period.

Another place with archaeological connections is the Oratorio di San Pietro. It is the surviving part of a church mentioned in documents from the 8th century. Part of a Lombard necropolis can be seen beneath a glass floor. Along with the glass floor in the Galleria, it shows that archaeological traces at several named sites are part of Campione's history.

On foot, by boat or by bicycle

The easy Passeggiata in centro runs along the lake from the Santuario dei Ghirli to the Porticciolo. It is 3 km long and takes about an hour. The Da Campione a Bissone circular route is longer, at 7 km and approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes; its difficulty level is listed as moderate. The two routes therefore differ in length and time required, as well as in their stated difficulty. If you are looking for a shorter walk, the Passeggiata in centro offers a direct comparison; the path to Bissone is designated as a circular route.

Public boats run from the landing stage in Campione d’Italia across the Ceresio to Lugano and other villages on the lake. Check the timetable before travelling, as public services and their seasonal schedules may change. At the Lido comunale, you can swim in the Ceresio and relax by the lake. Check the Lido's seasonal operating schedule before your trip.

The lake is also a point of reference for cycling excursions: possible routes from Campione go around the Ceresio and onwards to the Italian lakes Lago Maggiore and Lake Como. When choosing what to do, you can weigh up a walk, a boat trip or a cycling excursion without combining the different options into one fixed route.

Discover more destinations: Erba, Vercana, Casasco D'intelvi, Albavilla, Castelmarte, Lasnigo, Dongo, Lezzeno.

For the main travel overview: Como.