Lugano with kids: TCS Muzzano campsite on the lake and an evening bike ride to Parco Ciani

Lugano is in the Swiss canton of Ticino, on a lake surrounded by green mountains. People speak Italian here, and it feels more like Italy than Switzerland. We spent three hot days here, from 8 to 11 August 2025, during our campervan holiday. During the day we hid from the sun by the water, and in the evenings we cycled to the lake and into town.

TCS Lugano-Muzzano campsite

From Montorfano near Como we drove only 37 km, and by two in the afternoon we were already at the TCS campsite in Muzzano. The campsite lies right on Lake Lugano, a few kilometres from the city centre. It has its own beach, a pool and a paddling pool, so in the heat we did not need to go anywhere.

There is a giant chess set on the campsite, and a colourful little train runs along the paths. The kids loved riding it.

Lugano-Agno airport is just behind the campsite. On the afternoon of 10 August we rode over to the fence to watch a plane take off. Helena sat on dad's shoulders to get a better view of the runway.

Heat by the lake

Both full days in Lugano were very hot, so we spent them mostly in the water and in the shade. Only at about half past seven in the evening did the temperature drop below 30 degrees. Then dad went for a short ride with Justyna, and together they did 15 km.

An evening bike ride to Lugano

On the second evening at seven the whole family set off on bikes. Our youngest daughter rode in a child seat, and the other kids rode their own bikes. The streets into town are steep, so it was hard work. Our reward was the promenade by the lake, with a view of the mountains on the other side of the water.

We rode to Parco Ciani, a big park on the lake, at the mouth of the Cassarate river. Via Foce, a street laid out in 1897, runs along the river. We took a family photo at the wrought iron gate by the lake.

Then we rode through the centre of Lugano. The houses here have arcades, and geraniums bloom on the balconies. We got back to the campsite at nine in the evening, with 17 kilometres on our bike computers.

The next day we moved on, over the mountains to Disentis.

Practical info

We checked this in November 2026.

The campsite

• TCS Camping Lugano-Muzzano lies on Lake Lugano, in the municipality of Muzzano, right next to Lugano-Agno airport.
• The campsite has a beach, a pool and a paddling pool for small children.
• Children under 5 stay for free, and children aged 6-15 pay half the adult rate.
• Campsite guests get the Ticino Ticket for their stay, which gives free public transport in the canton of Ticino.

Parco Ciani

• The park covers more than 6 hectares and lies on the lake in the very centre of Lugano. The city bought it together with the villa in 1912.
• At the mouth of the Cassarate river there is a viewpoint and a beach.

With kids

In August it can be very hot in Lugano. It is best to go cycling around town in the evening. The roads towards the centre are steep in places, so younger kids may find it hard to ride up.