Contact us
San Grato
6914 Carona (CH)
T. + 41 58 220 6500
GPS coordinates:
Lat: 45.95032
Long.: 8.931011
Opening times
Every day, all year round
Best period: April - May
Tickets
Free entry
Guided tours for groups available upon request.
For information please contact Lugano Region T. +41 58 220 6500.
Story
San Grato Park nestles between San Salvatore and Mount Arbòstora, about ten kilometres from Lugano at an altitude of 690 metres above sea level with an exceptional view over its immediate surroundings and the peaks of the Alpine chain. Its extension of 62.000 square metres contains the largest and most complete collections of azaleas, rhododendrons and conifers of the entire Regio Insubrica.
The massed expanses of azaleas and rhododendrons are intersected by six paths leading to the most evocative corners of the park. Each path has its own theme: botanic, restful, panoramic, artistic, sensorial and one dedicated to fables, each with explanatory panels, designed as part of the improvement and maintenance project developed by the landscape architects Giorgio Benicchio and Andrea Branca for the park. A recreation area offers entertainment for children and adults alike amongst rare and imposing conifers.
The Restaurant San Grato with its panoramic terrace, is designed to satisfy all the requirements. The first owner of the Park was the jurist Martin Winterhalter, whereas the true founder of the San Grato botanical park was the industrialist Luigi Giussani who reduced the woodland and organised the planting of the first azaleas and rhododendrons.
Giussani promoted other ambitious projects, including the building of the large pool, which now belongs to the Municipality of Carona. To make sure that your visit will not be dispersive (over 5.5 km of trails), we suggest 6 thematic paths which allow you to discover the most beautiful sights. Each trail offers a variety of themes, which change seasonally and let visitors to discover the Park. It's up to you choose the most suitable path, following the corresponding colored symbol.
The massed expanses of azaleas and rhododendrons are intersected by six paths leading to the most evocative corners of the park. Each path has its own theme: botanic, restful, panoramic, artistic, sensorial and one dedicated to fables, each with explanatory panels, designed as part of the improvement and maintenance project developed by the landscape architects Giorgio Benicchio and Andrea Branca for the park. A recreation area offers entertainment for children and adults alike amongst rare and imposing conifers.
The Restaurant San Grato with its panoramic terrace, is designed to satisfy all the requirements. The first owner of the Park was the jurist Martin Winterhalter, whereas the true founder of the San Grato botanical park was the industrialist Luigi Giussani who reduced the woodland and organised the planting of the first azaleas and rhododendrons.
Giussani promoted other ambitious projects, including the building of the large pool, which now belongs to the Municipality of Carona. To make sure that your visit will not be dispersive (over 5.5 km of trails), we suggest 6 thematic paths which allow you to discover the most beautiful sights. Each trail offers a variety of themes, which change seasonally and let visitors to discover the Park. It's up to you choose the most suitable path, following the corresponding colored symbol.
Swing The World - the panoramic swing with a view
Discover the fascinating Swing the World swing and let yourself sway in the setting of the beautiful Parco San Grato in Carona.
Immersed in the nature of the botanical park, let yourself sway as you admire the wonderful view that opens up before you, the breeze of the air caresses you and the rays of the sun gently kiss you.
The Swing the World project was founded by two young people from Ticino who are passionate about photography and video making; it was founded with the aim of making the most hidden, panoramic and Instagrammable corners of the swiss territory known to the whole world, but also to stimulate people to spend more time in contact with nature, thereby discovering incredible places.
ph. ©Lugano Region
Immersed in the nature of the botanical park, let yourself sway as you admire the wonderful view that opens up before you, the breeze of the air caresses you and the rays of the sun gently kiss you.
The Swing the World project was founded by two young people from Ticino who are passionate about photography and video making; it was founded with the aim of making the most hidden, panoramic and Instagrammable corners of the swiss territory known to the whole world, but also to stimulate people to spend more time in contact with nature, thereby discovering incredible places.
ph. ©Lugano Region
Documentations
Topics & Upcoming Events
TOPIC
Giardini di Porpora
The splendor of rhododendrons, azaleas and other acidophiles
TOPIC
Winter Gardens