Piazza Della Riforma

Piazza della Riforma is the main square of Lugano and the place where the city’s Italian character is easiest to see. It lies a few steps from the lake in the centre of the old town and is a pedestrian space framed by tall, pastel-coloured buildings with arcades, balconies and shuttered windows, a scene that would look at home in northern Italy. On one side stands the neoclassical town hall, the Palazzo Civico, a dignified building that gives the square its formal anchor, while the other sides are lined with cafés, restaurants, shops and a few banks.

The name refers to the political reforms of the 19th century in the canton of Ticino, a reminder that the square has always been the scene of public life as much as commerce. The space works as the city’s living room. Mornings begin with espresso at one of the café terraces, lunch is eaten at tables under umbrellas, and in the evening the square fills with people for an aperitivo, with a spritz or a glass of Ticino Merlot. In the summer months, tables cover much of the paving and the noise level rises, while in winter the atmosphere is calmer and the cafés move indoors.

The square is regularly used for markets and events. A weekly market brings fresh produce, cheese and flowers on certain days, and the piazza has hosted open-air concerts, festivals and seasonal events, including Christmas markets and a skating rink in the colder months. The programme changes from year to year, so check the city’s events listing before you go. Because the square is public and free, it is simply a good place to sit and watch daily life, and it is rarely empty.

From here, the streets of the old town fan out. Via Nassa, Lugano’s main shopping street, begins nearby, and the lakefront promenade is a short walk down toward the water, with the Parco Ciani and the lake steamers within reach. The funicular from the lower station at the square’s end gives a quick link to the railway station. Other sights in the old town, such as the cathedral and the churches, are within a few minutes, so the piazza makes a natural starting point for exploring Lugano on foot.

The square suits anyone who enjoys a café, people-watching and a taste of Italian-Swiss life. It is worth visiting at different times of day, as the mood changes from morning bustle to evening aperitivo.