Ascona is a small resort town located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. It’s an elite resort, primarily frequented by the wealthy. There’s no shortage of luxury here: numerous luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, golf courses, and Switzerland’s largest beach, the Lido.

The town is located on the shores of Lake Maggiore and is considered one of the most picturesque in the country. In the summer, the Festa New Orleans Music festival draws the entire European music scene to Ascona, and in the fall, it hosts a week-long international music festival.

Entertainment and Attractions in Ascona
The center of Ascona has a large pedestrian area with numerous boutiques, antique and jewelry stores, restaurants, and beauty salons. Shopping is popular here, but it’s not cheap.

Almost all the cultural and historical attractions are concentrated in the Old Town. Be sure to visit the 13th-century Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Inside, Giovanni Serodine, a student of Caravaggio himself, exquisitely painted an altarpiece.

Also noteworthy is the Museum of Modern Art, which features works by Utrillo, Werefkin, Klee, Pauli, Hesse, and many others.

The pride of this area are the Brissago Islands. Situated on Lake Maggiore, they have long attracted tourists and locals alike. Besides their natural beauty, the islands offer boat rentals, restaurants, hotels, and a botanical garden with exotic birds.