Weather
The average daily temperature in July is ranges from the 61°F to the mid-77°F (approximately 16-25°C). Check the current local forecast here.
Currency
The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. Click here for currency conversion.
Credit cards are widely accepted, however, they are not accepted everywhere. Carrying some cash is recommended, especially in restaurants and smaller stores. ATMs are the easiest way to withdraw cash from your home account. Be sure to inform your bank before traveling abroad and be aware that you may be charged for cash withdrawals. It is advisable to exchange some cash before traveling to Switzerland.
Electricity
The power supply in Ascona is 230 volts at 50 Hertz. Sockets accept two-round-pin style plugs. If you travel with a device that does not accept 230 volts at 50 Hertz, you will need to bring a voltage converter with you. You may also need a 2-prong (Type C) plug adapter if your appliance's plug has a different shape.
Attractions
Museo Comunale d’Arte Moderna
founded in 1922 after artists who had come to Ascona between the two world wars donated works to the town to create a museum. The collection now contains more than 500 works of art. Let’s treat ourselves to an ice cream between visits, not forgetting to browse the many art galleries in the Old Town. With a visit to the Castello di San Materno, it’s almost evening. We are looking for somewhere to be spoilt by some typical Ticino dishes. From traditional cooking to fish specialities and the most avant-garde cuisine, there is somewhere in Ascona to suit every palate. We end our evening with a walk along the lakeside, admiring the silhouette of the Brissago Islands in the distance.
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore, also known as Verbano, is a lake that straddles the canton of Ticino, Piedmont and Lombardy. With a surface area of 212km2, a length of 64.37km and an average width of 5km, it is the largest of the lakes in the area, from which it also gets its name “maggiore” or “greater”. Its perimeter is 170km.
JazzAscona
One of Switzerland's biggest jazz festivals, and it's proud to be the only such event outside the USA to be officially supported by the city of New Orleans. Ascona Tourism took over the running of the festival in 1993, appointing Nicolas Gilliet to the post of artistic director in 2003, a role he held until 2019. The Festa New Orleans was renamed "JazzAscona – New Orleans & Classic" in 2004. Following 30-plus years of jazz experience, the festival reached an agreement with the New Orleans authorities in 2015, which saw the birth of "The New Orleans Experience – Music & Food from Louisiana". The festival split off from Ascona Tourism in 2018 to become an autonomous entity.
Brissago Islands
The Brissago Islands are two islands in Lake Maggiore, in the Gulf of Ascona. They are home to the only botanical park on an island in Switzerland, with subtropical species from all over the world.
Vigezzina - Centovalli Railway
It’s hardly surprising that the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway passes over 83 marvellous bridges and viaducts along its route from Locarno to Domodossola. Before this panoramic route was built, the “hundred valleys” were still completely untouched. Whether in spring, passing thundering waterfalls, or during a golden Indian summer – a trip on the Vigezzina - Centovalli Railway is an experience in itself.
Verzasca valley
Of the wonderfully beautiful valleys of the Ticino, the Verzasca valley is probably the most fascinating - for both romantics and adventure fans.
Visit the Tourism Bureau website for more information on traveling to Ascona.