Knowledge & culture

Ascona and Locarno

Two gems by Lago Maggiore

The Ferrovia Vigezzina will take you in comfort to the picturesque towns by Lago Maggiore. . It's worth stopping for. Visit the chimney sweep museum, the perfume shop and the Praudina adventure park in Santa Maria Maggiore, the pilgrimage church in Re or the museum with the highest bell tower in Ticino in Intragna. Locarno draws in visitors with its large cinema on the Piazza Grande, with music and architecture, but also with hidden alleys, the Portici (arcades), and the Castello Visconteo with the Rivellino. You can also take the bus to Ascona, which features Mediterranean flair, a picturesque Old Town and cinematic lakeside promenade.

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Sights Locarno am Lago Maggiore

Piazza Grande

Who doesn’t know the Piazza Grande? The large, paved square in the heart of Locarno where the town’s civic life plays out. It is the venue for international events such as the Moon&Stars music festival, the legendary Locarno Film Festival and the weekly market held every Thursday.

Castello Visconteo

On the edge of the Old Town stands the 12th-century Castello Visconteo, a castle of which roughly a fifth is still preserved in its original condition.

Madonna del Sasso

Above Locarno in Orselina stands the Madonna del Sasso pilgrimage church, which is said to have been founded after a visitation by the Virgin Mary. The church is Locarno’s main attraction, offering fantastic views of the town, lake and mountains.

Falconeria – spectacular demonstrations with birds of prey

Discover the fascinating world of birds of prey at the Falconeria Locarno. Witness the falcons, eagles, owls, vultures, marabous, hermit ibises and storks in free flight and up close.

Ascona

Here you will find a blend of historic monuments, art galleries and elegant boutiques. Ascona is an ancient town rich in medieval and Renaissance history.

Railway adventure Vigezzina–Centovalli Railway

Vigezzina–Centovalli Railway

A spectacular train journey through the beautiful countryside of the Centovalli and Valle Vigezzo. In just under two hours, you can travel from Domodossola to Locarno by Lago Maggiore. Along the way, the train takes you through the heart of the wild and impressive Centovalli – the “Valley of a Hundred Valleys”.
Along the approximately 50-kilometre, narrow-gauge route, the train leisurely travels over 83 bridges, through 31 tunnels and past sparse chestnut forests, the vineyards of the Merlot del Ticino and small villages.

Free audio guide for your journey from Domodossola to Locarno

Follow your journey on the map. Discover all the details, curiosities and interesting information along the entire railway line.

What do you require for this? Your smartphone and earphones. With no additional data charges.

Notes

Seat reservations

Reserve your seat on board the Centovalli Railway at your BLS Travel Centre.

Reservation fee

Normal trains CHF 5.00
Panorama trains CHF 5.00

If you have any questions, the BLS Travel Centre Bern Bümpliz Nord will be happy to help:

BLS Reisezentrum Bern Bümpliz Nord

+41 58 327 27 43

E-mail

How to get there Timetable & Tickets

The RegioExpress Lötschberger takes you directly and in comfort from Bern to Domodossola. From Domodossola Railway Station, it’s an approximately 8-minute walk to the departure point of the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway. The journey from Domodossola to Locarno takes around two hours.
For the return journey, we recommend the shorter route via the Gotthard line.