Lugano is the largest Italian speaking city outside Italian borders, being the chief town of Ticino district. It was the terminal of Via Varesina, an ancient Roman way leading from Milan to the lake. During the Renaissance age, Lugano was contended between Como and Milan, before being ultimately annexed by the latter, under the authority of the Visconti and - later - Sforza families. After the decay of the Duchy of Milan, in the 16th century, it passed under the government of the Swiss Confederation, until the Napoleonic age. The town centre is rich of art treasures, such as the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, dating back to 1499 and frescoed by Bernardino Luini (Leonardo da Vinci’s pupil) in Renaissance style.

The town and its surroundings are an Italian enclave within the Swiss borders; this may be due to the relative autonomy which was conceded to Campione in the 16th century, when the Swiss Federation was established, being the town an imperial feud under the authority of Milanese St. Ambrose's abbey. Today, Campione is well known especially for the presence of a Casinò, whose seat was designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta.

The so called “pearl of Lake Ceresio”, one of the most beautiful lakeside villages, is well known for its charming historic centre, featuring late medieval arcades and buildings and noble residences dating back to XVI-XVIII centuries. Another remarkable attraction is the botanical and artistic park set up by the rich St. Gallen cloth merchant, Hermann Arthur Scherrer, opened to the public since 1965.