Brissago is a beautiful vacation destination, little picturesque Swiss little town situated in the southern part of Switzerland, in canton Ticino. The official language here is Italian. You fill find many people that are fluent in German, English and French.
Location: It is situated right at the Swiss- Italian border, last Swiss commune before entering Italy, it is directly on the shore of Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore). Brissago climbs the steep mountains raising from the lake at is being separated by three main valleys that descent from the above mountains.
Brissago it is situated:
-10 km away from Locarno (Locarno Film Festival) (reachable in 20 minutes by public bus or 10 Minutes by car),
- 5 km away from Ascona, (reachable in 10 minutes by public bus or car),
- 93 km away from Milano - Malpensa Airport (1h38' drive) and
- 166 km from Bergamo - Orio Airport (2 hrs drive).
Getting in: You can reach Brissago by car or by public bus from Locarno Railway station (15-20min) or by bus from Cannobio (Italy) - 5 km away or by boat from Locarno or Ascona. There is no train service in Brissago.
You can reach Brissago by train from Zurich in about 3 hours via Bellizona and Locarno, then by bus to Brissago. This train crosses the Alps via the 57km Gothard Basis Tunnel at over 200km/hr speed, being the second longest tunnel in the world and the deepest one.
Brissago promenade and public boat port
Weather: Brissago has mild temperatures is one of the sunniest places in Switzerland. Brissago is having lowest altitude in Switzerland, just 197 meters above sea level and is one of the sunniest places in Switzerland.
What to visit:
What amazes the visitors of Brissago are the palm trees in a non-Mediterranean country (almost forests of them), the blue water and the mountains that rise directly from the water. In the winter, spring or fall the surrounding mountains might have peaks covered in snow.
Brissago Lake Promenade - just stroll on the shore of Lago Maggiore The lake shore is great, the promenade is very relaxing and usually not crowded with restaurants and terraces. The Brissago Port has many sailboats and powerboats, some available for rentals. Brissago has usually wind in the afternoon making sailing a great potential adventure.
Brissago promenade
Brissago Islands: 1/2 day or a full day tour- Close to the shore are two wonderful islands, Isole di Brissago, that have a "castle" and a botanical garden that was designed as an earthly paradise and place to relax and be away from daily stress.
The islands of Brissago are easy to reach by boat, usually leaving from the little village of Porto Ronco. The islands have the mildest climate in Switzerland. They can be best seen and admired from the village Ronco sopra Ascona (Ronco s/Ascona) just up the hill across from the islands (1-2km away from Brissago).
When you arrive on the island a sign stocks with a great message - close your mobile phones and enjoy nature.
Brissago Islands reachable by boat
Lido di Brissago: Brissago has a great swimming-beach area - "Badi" as is called in the German-speaking area, - Lido di Brissago - directly on Lago Maggiore. It has a sand and grass area, many trees for shadow, comfortable beach chairs, a changing area with showers and a 16m heated swimming pool, plus multiple jumping or floating platforms directly on the lake. In the summer the lake water is 24C+. On the Badi property, there is a great water slide increasing the fun. There is a comfortable restaurant with a table is the shadow serving great ice cream.
Capanna Al Legn (1,785 m) [ http://www.legn.ch/ ](46°07′20.57″N 8°40′01.8″E) is a great 2 floors mountain hut located just above Brissago in the Lepontine Alps. From the hut, there is a beautiful view of Lake Maggiore, Brissago Islands and Brissago town. The hut is operational from May to September, occasionally it is serviced. A common dormitory for 12 people is situated in the attic. Up to 20 people can eat on the main floor eating area, which has available all kitchen utensils as well stoves running on wood and gas. The hut has running water and toilets inside. Electrical power for light is generated by solar panels.
•from the village of Brissago, from the Port (altitude 215 m) - is about 4 hours •from Cortaccio (1067 m.) - is about 1.40-2.00 hours •from Mergugno (1050 m.) - is about 1.40-2.00 hours •from Palagnedra (657 m.) - is about 3:.30-4.00 hours •from Cannobio/Italia (220 m.) - ore 6.00-7:00hours
The simplest way to reach the hut on foot is about 1.45 hours from Mergugno (alt. 1050 m). The drive from Brissago center to Mergugno is about 20 minutes it is only 8km on a very windy road.
