Where Mediterranean lightness, culture and nature merge into a way of life
Ascona, Locarno and Ticino are far more than the venue for the Ascona Polo Cup. Between palm trees, the car-free piazza and the Lago Maggiore, southern lightness, culture and nature combine to create a distinctive feeling of life – from the emerald green valleys to the world history of the Locarno Treaties. A region that you don't just visit, but feel.
Polo stands for movement, elegance and the special connection between people, nature and the moment. This is exactly the feeling that comes alive in Ticino – between Ascona, Locarno and the quiet valleys on the Lago Maggiore. Anyone who has been here quickly understands: the setting here is just as much a part of the experience as the game itself.
Ascona: the lightness of the South
In Ascona, palm trees, colorful facades, and the lightness of the south are reflected in the water. On the car-free Piazza Giuseppe Motta, sophisticated life meets relaxed maritime air – a place that doesn't need to explain style, but simply radiates it. Cafés, galleries, and boutiques line the promenade, while the view across the lake repeatedly invites tranquility. Ascona is both a stage and a retreat.
Locarno: the warmest city in Switzerland
Just a few minutes away, Locarno, the warmest city in Switzerland, opens up its very own stage for culture, light, and joie de vivre with the Piazza Grande and the view of the pilgrimage church Madonna del Sasso. Mild climate, southern architecture, and a vibrant city life make Locarno the lively counterpart to the elegant tranquility of Ascona – two places that perfectly complement each other.
More than promenades: the valleys of Ticino
But Ticino is much more than its promenades. In the Verzasca Valley, the water shines emerald green under the Ponte dei Salti, and in the Maggia Valley, rustic houses and waterfalls tell of pristine nature. On the Brissago Islands, subtropical diversity thrives in the middle of the lake – almost like a promise that everything here is experienced a little more intensely. Those who leave the promenades discover a Ticino that is wild, quiet, and surprising.
A region with world history
Lake Maggiore has shaped trade and encounters since Roman times. After Milanese rule, Swiss conquest and the establishment of the Canton of Ticino, the region became a world stage: through the spirit of the Locarno Treaties of 1925, through Monte Verità as a refuge for artists and thinkers, and through the Locarno Film Festival and JazzAscona. Hardly any region of this size has written so much history – and continues to do so today.
Like with polo: the special arises from precision and freedom
Just like with Polo, the special quality here arises from precision and freedom: from speed and calm, tradition and modern flair. Ascona, Locarno and Ticino are not places you simply visit – they are a feeling that stays with you. This is precisely why the region is the ideal setting for an event like the Ascona Polo Cup, where sporting dynamism and southern European elegance meet.
Staying in Ascona: the Ascona Villa
In the Ascona Villa, you will encounter the Mediterranean soul of Switzerland. The rooms and suites are places where you naturally arrive and feel comfortable – here it is time to forget everyday life. A place that translates the lightness of the region into lived hospitality.
Ascona Villa · Via Lido 20, CH-6612 Ascona · Tel. +41 91 785 41 41 · www.ascovilla.ch
Outlook: Ascona has its say
Our host, the municipality of Ascona, has its say in its own contribution: Michela Ris, Deputy Mayor of Ascona, offers personal insights into her region. A conversation that will follow soon.
Frequently asked questions about Ascona, Locarno and Ticino
Why is Ascona more than just a venue for Polo?
Ascona combines Mediterranean lightness, culture, and nature into its own attitude to life. Palms, the car-free Piazza Giuseppe Motta, and Lake Maggiore make the region an experience that goes far beyond the sporting event.
What makes Locarno special?
Locarno is considered the warmest city in Switzerland. With Piazza Grande, the view of Madonna del Sasso, and a mild climate, the city stands for culture, light, and southern joie de vivre.
What excursion destinations are there around Lago Maggiore?
Highlights include the Ponte dei Salti in the emerald green Verzasca Valley, the Rustici and waterfalls of the Maggia Valley, and the subtropical Brissago Islands in the middle of the lake.
What is the cultural and historical significance of the region?
Lake Maggiore has shaped trade and encounters since Roman times. The region became world-famous through, among other things, the Locarno Treaties of 1925, the artists' mountain Monte Verità, the Locarno Film Festival and JazzAscona.
Where can you stay in Ascona?
For example, at the Ascona Villa at Via Lido 20 in CH-6612 Ascona, which combines Mediterranean hospitality with the region's lightness.
Between palm trees, piazzas and Lake Maggiore: Why Ascona, Locarno and Ticino are more than just a venue
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In the Ascona Villa, you will encounter the Mediterranean soul of Switzerland. The rooms and suites are places where you naturally arrive and feel comfortable – here it is time to forget everyday life.
Ascona Villa, Via Lido 20, CH-6612 Ascona · Tel. +41 91 785 41 41 · www.ascovilla.ch
Our host, the municipality of Ascona, has its say in its own contribution: Michela Ris, Deputy Mayor of Ascona.