2026 Events at San Grato Park in Carona

The San Grato Botanical Park, located a few kilometres from the city centre, in the district of Carona, between Monte San Salvatore and Monte Arbostora, lies at 690 metres above sea level and offers panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding hills.

Here, among woods and paths, the Association Friends of Parco San Grato organises various events from March to September 2026 dedicated to tourism and nature promotion.

• 21 March 2026, 1.30-5.00 pm – Ecovolunteering day with WWF Ticino
  Snack offered. Registrations must be sent by 17 March 2026 to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Meeting point at Ristorante San Grato in Carona. In case of bad weather, postponed to 28 March 2026 with the same programme
  
   
• 1 May and 3 May 2026, 10.45 am-12.15 pm – Guided Park Tour in flowering
  
   
• 24 May 2026, 10.45 am-4.00 pm – Festival of Nature
  Registrations must be sent by 17 May 2026. Meeting point on the lawn in front of Villa ex-Giussani.
  
   
• 14 June 2026, 9.15-11.00 am – Kundalini Yoga open-air class
  
   
• 8 August 2026, 9.00-11.00 pm – “Night of the Stars”
  Stories for children and astronomical observation of the night sky.
  
   
• 6 September 2026, 10.30 am-12.00 pm – Let’s celebrate our Patron San Grato!
  Open-air Holy Mass in the morning for families.
   

The detailed programme of each event (with timetables, side activities and further information) is available in a downloadable document below and on the association’s website. The Association’s events are held under the patronage of the City of Lugano.

To participate in all events, registration is mandatory by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

In case of bad weather, events are cancelled.

An extraordinary place just a stone's throw from the city

Within its 200,000 m², San Grato Park hosts the largest collection of conifers, azaleas, and rhododendrons in the Insubric Region, with particularly stunning blooms in spring. Five themed trails (botanical, relaxation, panoramic, artistic, and fairy-tale) stretch for over 5.5 km, and since 2017 a sensory path, created for the park's 60th anniversary, has been added. Just a short walk from the restaurant, there is also a large play area for children of all ages.

Originally a horse pasture owned by the jurist Martin Winterhalter, the park was purchased in 1957 by Luigi Giussani (founder of the former Monteforno steelworks in Bodio). Later acquired by the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) in 1983, it was donated to Lugano Tourism in 1997. Finally, in 2024, it was acquired by the City of Lugano.

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