- Free cancellationFor a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Duration1 hr
- Guide languagesGerman, English
- Mobile ticket
Free cancellation
You book and pay on Viator, our booking partner, at the same price as booking with them directly.
Overview
Book a fascinating cultural and historical tour through the picturesque alleys of Gandria (Lugano), a beautiful, lakeside Swiss village right on the Italian border. You will discover hidden stories across many centuries from a passionate storyteller who has lived here for 20+ years. Many tourists only know Gandria as a "fishing village". After your guided tour, you will have much deeper knowledge that makes the past and the present of this magic place come alive!
What's included
- English and German Guides
- There are no entrance fees to sites visited on the tour
- Bottled water
Itinerary
- 1
Gandria
1 hr
1. Archeological signs of ancient Celts (400 BC) 2. Artist Fritz Meijer's house 3. Site where movie "The Last Chance" (1945) was filmed 4. Beautiful baroque Church of St. Vigilio (1463) 5. Gandria's special location on Italian border 6. Explanation about "Cellars of Gandria" and Swiss custom's house across the lake 7. Casa Communale (town hall) 8. Pass by typical restaurants and boat dock 9. Filanda silk factory 10. Exterior of house of famous architect Vigilio Rabaglio These are just some of the highlights. There are many more stories and insights, based on 20+ years of living here, woven into the tour. And participants benefit from images, movie clips and songs on the guide's iPad that bring the history and culture of this picturesque village to life.
Meeting point and pickup
Meeting point
Tours start at the entrance of the Church of St. Vigilio in the center of the village of Gandria (part of greater Lugano)
End point
Ends back at the meeting point.
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveller reviews
5.0
18 reviews
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- claudiawX8220VA · Sep 2026
Highly recommended!
The tour of the charming alleys of Gandria led by Richard Bird was highly interesting, impressive, educational, and very entertaining. You see Gandria with different eyes afterward. The tours are designed with love for Gandria. We can really highly recommend this tour. Claudia and Markus from Germany
Review via Tripadvisor · translated automatically
- Resort57403269943 · Apr 2026
Magical and exclusive
Our guide, Richard, offered us a truly magical tour! It was incredible to see how this man collected over the years, with curiosity and passion, a multitude of details, stories, legends, images and even passages belonging to Gandriese history. It was not only the classic tour of the most famous monuments, but an exclusive experience told by those who lived and researched Gandria from the heart 😍
Review via Tripadvisor · translated automatically
- D1355UEcatherineb · Mar 2026
Live Gandria’s history !
If you visit Gandria, this tour is a must ! We learned so much about the history of the village and the region. Richard is a very generous and passionate guide. He shined the light on so many details that we would have missed, even though we stayed in the village for a whole week!
Review via Tripadvisor
- 127ursm · Aug 2025
Fascinating Gandria Tour – History, Humor and Lifeblood by Richard Bird
We had the great pleasure of taking part in a guided tour of Gandria with Richard Bird from Gandria Tours – and it was just fantastic! Richard is a passionate tour guide who knows Gandria in every detail. With a lot of passion, he combines historical background, exciting anecdotes and insights into the life of this unique village on Lake Lugano today. Particularly impressive is how he incorporates old films, photos and pieces of music during the tour, which makes the history of Gandria even more vivid. The tour was extraordinarily exciting, funny and incredibly informative. We've rediscovered Gandria in this way. Absolutely recommended for anyone who not only wants to see the village but really wants to understand it! Thank you, Richard. Urs and Carmen
Review via Tripadvisor · translated automatically
- Eugene P · Jul 2025
Totally worth your time
It was an unbelievable tour and history education of the area. Definitely recommend to all! The town is so beautiful and unique to the area.
Review via Tripadvisor
- Doc_aus_Bonn · Jun 2025
Gandria is beautiful - but after Richard's tour it is unforgettable!
After the tour with Richard through Gandria you feel "arrived" at this wonderful place and the departure is very difficult. He leads you through his beloved adopted country in an exciting and knowledgeable way.
Review via Tripadvisor · translated automatically
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