Are you a shopping enthusiast or simply enjoying strolling through the streets of Lugano, Locarno, and Bellinzona to discover original boutiques and shops? Follow me on this journey through the historic streets of Ticino.

LOCARNO

The first town we visit is Locarno, a little paradise for those who want to go shopping. The choice is varied; we can find open-air markets and wonderful shops hidden within the walls of the old town.

Strolling through the alleyways in Via Cittadella, you can come across a leather goods shop, the
"Di Salvo Bags", a craft business handed down for generations, guaranteeing the highest quality of the raw materials used. Moreover, the friendliness of the owners is an additional element that entices you to discover their products; also, for the Di Salvo family, it is a pleasure to make customers' wishes come true.

"LightHouse" is another stop that I recommend. The boutique is in a pedestrian area, and entering it is the equivalent of being magically transported to another world: the furnishings used, the clothing collections, and the objects on offer are a perfect mix of pure art and elegance.

To reach your next destination, you will have to travel a bit... but I assure you that it will be worth it, especially if you are a tea lover; who said that only in London you can choose from an infinite number of combinations and blends dedicated to this plant? "La Casa del Tè" is a clear demonstration of this; its scents, and aromas from all over the world, will inebriate you. Moreover, thanks to the friendliness of the staff, you will be able to discover and choose the fragrance that will satisfy your palate the most.

In the old town, you can find another historical excellence of Locarno "La Borghesina", a clothing shop founded in the 1930s and proudly run by three generations. Inside, the owners professionally help customers of all ages choose the most suitable clothes.

The last two Locarno shops I want to talk to you about are just a few minutes walk from each other and are in the Piazza Grande area. We are referring to "Cappelleria Risa", which for 100 years has been making and selling every possible type of hat, and the boutique "Ambarabacicicocò", which deals in high-quality clothing with the sale of innovative fabrics and garments for plus sizes.

BELLINZONA

Let us now move on to the capital of the Canton of Ticino, Bellinzona, a village full of surprises, with small artisans' shops in the streets of the centre; among these, we can find "Nuova Eclisse", a fashion boutique founded in 2006, which offers various style alternatives for the city's girls.

"Venere Cosmetici Naturali" on the other hand, is a shop with a workshop, which can be visited by appointment; the shop is in a private street not far from the centre and is easy to reach either by car or on foot.

In addition to these small businesses in Bellinzona, there is no shortage of larger firms such as "Monn", which deals in haute couture and is also present in Locarno, Lugano and Chiasso; finally, we cannot forget "Buletti", a pastry shop that will delight you with local specialities and innovative, high-quality desserts presented like authentic jewellery.

LUGANO

A compulsory stop for shopping is Lugano, a popular and famous city for shopping, even the most demanding, given the presence of numerous luxury brands.

One shop I love and should not miss is "Vintage Nassa" established in 1860 and boasting some of the city's most historic customers; art and professionalism reign in their shop as well as a timeless charm that you will savour as soon as you walk through the front door.

On the famous Via Nassa, you will also find the "Orologeria Somazzi" established in 1860 and boasting some of the city's most historic customers; art and professionalism reign in their shop as well as a timeless charm that you will savour as soon as you walk through the front door.

Speaking of historicity, we must also mention the "Pelletteria Poggioli" founded in 1905 by the current owners' great-grandfather; from the very beginning, it distinguished itself for its excellent leatherwork and has come down to the present day, boasting a milestone of over 100 years. The beauty of their articles is due to their dedication; in fact, the directors often travel to different fashion capitals to take inspiration for new designs.

In Via Nassa, you can also find luxury shops that cater to different arts, such as at "WEGA". In this place, you can find a carefully selected collection of cards, gift items, body fragrances and much more.

Attraversando via Marconi e passando davanti al negozio "Massimo Giudici" vi imbatterete in una vetrina dal sapore chic e parigino, difficile capire di cosa si tratti… al suo interno un artista come pochi si occupa di fiori e decorazioni con un'eleganza senza pari.

A few steps away from Via Nassa, we find another historic shop in Lugano, the boutique "Poretti Moda Uomo", which was established in 1928 and has always dealt in men's haute couture, making tailor-made suits. Luxury in Lugano is not only represented by fashion but also by everything that concerns aesthetics. For this reason, we could not fail to mention "Mauri Concept" which has been taking care of beauty at 360° since 1945, providing its customers with a barber shop, a Her style, a beauty centre and a massage centre, services that you will not regret having tried because you will feel cuddled like kings and queens.

Suppose you want to feel like a true citizen of Lugano. In that case, one of the activities is a trip to an art gallery such as the "Buchmann Galerie" or to an unconventional and extraordinary library such as "Libreria Choisi - one at a time".

The canton of Ticino is famous for its mix of cultures. In this respect, it would be nice to visit "Atelier Mariama Colori d'Africa”, where various articles of clothing and accessories are available that bring the warm African continent to mind.

THE GOODNESS OF TICINO

The Canton of Ticino is not only haute couture but also good food. Shops and boutiques are offering local products such as fresh and mature cheeses with a unique flavour, different types of beer and liqueurs, honey and more, such as the selection available at "Il magnifico Borgo" in Mendrisio or at the "Bottega di Gandria" two shops in which to get lost, where all the senses are set in motion thanks to the delicacies available.

Ticino is a place not to be missed and should be known to understand a culture that is not far from the Italian one but in some ways different.

Happy shopping!
Pamela