Where to keep cool this week

It is hot this week... very hot! Millions are sweltering as a heat wave builds from Madrid to Paris. Meteo Swiss has issued the highest heatwave warning since 2015 with a predicted 37ºC on Thursday for Lugano!

This is a list of the best places near the water to keep cool this week and over the summer.

Lido di Caslano
My absoulte favourite spot is the Lido of Caslano. You need to rise early if you want to catch one of the four sunshades on the sandy beach but it is worth it: http://www.lidodicaslano.ch/.

Lido de Lugano

The biggest Lido is of course Il Lido de Lugano. Built in 1928, Lugano Lido’s charm has not faded with time. Though the facilities are constantly renovated, improvements always respect the original wooden structure. Lugano Lido is an extremely popular spot not only with residents of Lugano.

Facilities include:

a beach with fine sand (100 x 20 m) and the possibility of swimming in the lake

an Olympics-size pool heated to 25 degrees (50 x 25 m)

a heated medium-sized pool (25 x 12.5 m)

a diving pool with boards at 1, 3, 5 and 10 metres

a pool for children with water games

a beach volley court (25 x 13 m)

a five-a-side soccer pitch (25 x 13 m)

a very cool bar and restaurant area

Ever since 1992 the Lido also features a giant filmscreen in summer under the auspices of “Cinema al Lago", a festival of great films which has become more and more popular.

Lido di San Domenico

To find respite during torrid days at the beginning of summer the choice is not limited to Lugano Lido. Visit the Lido di San Domenico, an incredibly picturesque natural beauty-spot which affords stunning views over the lake and the Caprino shoreline. Once you have left Lugano behind, heading for Gandria, drive along that section of the Via Cortivo that skirts the village of Castagnola, and you are in the National Pre-alpine Park. Here the nature lover will find thick laurel groves, thriving olive trees, clumps of agave and a wealth of other Mediterranean flora. Get there early to secure your space!

Lido Riva Caccia

From the Lido Riva Caccia platform, close to the lakefront and the city centre, a wonderful landscape is to be admired; the setting is characteristic, exclusive and extremely pleasant. The story of this Lido goes back a long way, in tandem with Lugano's development as a centre for tourism. Construction of the "floating Lido” was the brainchild of the Pro-Lugano Association in 1889, inspired by what had already been proposed in Zurich.

Lido di Melide

Another stunning view is to be enjoyed at the Lido di Melide. This outing can be combined with a visit to the nearby Swiss Miniature.