Should I go to Bern, Switzerland or Lugano, Switzerland? Why?

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Rand O

I vote Bern because it is more of the ye olde Switzerland.

The buildings are amazing and there are loads of great restaurants, bars and cafes. But what makes Bern uber cool is the fact that it has REAL bears in the centre of the city....

Bern is also closer to other places of interest such as Luzern, Basel and Zurich....where as Lugano is a bit further afield.

Lugano is very nice though, having a very italian feel to it... but it almost (to me) a little too Italian. If you are visiting Switzelrand for a longer time then by all means go there. But if you want to see Switzerland then go to Bern...

Lugano lake streches between Italy and Switzerland...but the feel is very similar on both sides....you you may as well go to Italy.

They are both really different places...but I would go with Bern as it is more Swiss (its also the capital).

swixionary

Both cities have their advantages:
Bern (central, west, German-speaking part of Switzerland):
Capital City, beautiful, very distinctive old part, river Aare.
Then there's the world-famous "Bärengraben" (bear pit) and rose garden nearby. Central location - you can travel to Zurich, Basel within one hour.
> Architecture, history, culture

Lugano (south, Italian-speaking part of Switzerland):
due to its location, it has a southern/Italian feel to it with the neatness and tidiness of Switzerland. Palmtrees, pleasant temperatures and the lake complete the picture.
> landscapes, climate, "Dolce fa niente" (Italian way of life)

Both cities have their specific charms: the choice is yours...

ruthie144

I'd go to Lugano near the Italian border. You get all the benefits of Italy (food, flavor, weather) but with the cleanliness and efficiency of the Swiss. However, I'd recommend staying in Locarno, where it is less touristy than Lugano.

✖»ηєση тυтυ™

Lugano, Switzerland, because i think it sounds cool. :P

abcdef12345

Lugano! Bern is pretty, but very boring, they do have the cool bears though. But Lugano is beautiful!!

magicswiss

May I suggest you do both? Switzerland is so small - you inhale in Berne and exhale in Lugano ;-)

Do the following if you go in Summer: Visit Berne, drive over the Grimsel pass (spectacular, breath taking!), drive down the "Valais", turn left at Brig, drive over the Simplon pass, after Domodossola (Italy) turn left, take the narrow road through the Centovalli, re-enter Switzerland, visit the nice but beautiful town of Locarno at the Lago Maggiore (international film festival from Aug. 6 - 16, 2008) - and if you still want to, go on to Lugano (bustling, full of tourists). Happy travelling - and don't forget to send a postcard :-)

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