Morcote
Morcote, Switzerland
A village of arcaded lanes stepping down to Lake Lugano at the end of a peninsula, with a hillside church reached by a long staircase. Park at the village edge and expect a short, steep climb for the view.
Morcote lies on the south shore of Lake Lugano at the foot of Monte Arbostora, about 10 km south-west of Lugano. In the High Middle Ages a castle watched over shipping on the lake; in 1422 the community received rights from the Dukes of Milan, and in 1517 it came under Swiss rule. The pilgrimage church of Santa Maria del Sasso was rebuilt in 1462 and is reached by a monumental staircase of 404 steps. In 2016 Morcote was voted the "most beautiful village in Switzerland".
On the lakeshore lies the Parco Scherrer, laid out from around 1930 by the St Gallen textile merchant Hermann Arthur Scherrer and open to the public since 1973. Allow a few hours for the lanes, the church and the park, and wear sturdy footwear for the steps.
- Nearest town
- Morcote, Switzerland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 45.9005, 8.9190
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Campin TrelagoCampsite8 km from Morcote · 50 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Campeggio ai BosconiCampsite8 km from MorcoteTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- TCS Camping LuganoCampsite11 km from MorcoteTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping MorettoCampsite15 km from MorcoteTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Lagocamp ParkcampingCampsite21 km from MorcoteTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
- The CampCampsite21 km from MorcoteTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Morcote?
Morcote is in Morcote, Switzerland, at GPS 45.9005, 8.9190. It is about 4 km from Capolago.
Can you camp near Morcote?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Monte San Giorgio, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 49 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Morcote?
Places worth a stop nearby: Villa del Balbianello (23 km), Villa Carlotta (26 km), Bellagio (28 km) and Villa Taranto gardens (29 km).
When is the best time to visit Morcote?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)