Northern Italy to Switzerland Road Trip With Kids: Lake Como, Swissminiatur and the Verzasca Valley

One of the easiest ways to add a second country to an Italy trip with kids is to drive north from the Italian lakes into Ticino, the Italian-speaking corner of Switzerland. In November 2024 we did a road trip from northern Italy around Lake Como, over the border to Swissminiatur on Lake Lugano, and up into the Verzasca Valley to Lavertezzo, home to one of the most photographed bridges in the Alps.

Here is the route, what we did, where to stay and what to know before you drive it. If you are already planning time in northern Italy, this is one of the simplest ways to show your kids a second country without a long travel day.

Why this road trip works with kids

• Short drives. Lake Como, Lugano and the Verzasca Valley are close together, so nobody spends all day in a car seat.
• Two countries, one language. Ticino speaks Italian, so it feels like a gentle step into Switzerland.
• Big variety. Lakes, a miniature world and a mountain valley with emerald water, all in a few days.
• Autumn colour. In November the valleys turn red and gold and the crowds are gone.

Stop 1: Lake Como

We started on Lake Como, staying near Lecco, on the lake’s eastern arm. Como is the closest of the big Italian lakes to Lugano. Lakeside towns, ferries and promenades make it an easy, gentle start for small kids.

Stop 2: Swissminiatur in Melide

Swissminiatur is an open-air park in Melide on Lake Lugano with miniature models of Switzerland’s most famous landmarks, mountains, railways and buildings, all in one place. For kids it is a brilliant introduction to the country: they can see the whole of Switzerland in an afternoon, and the little trains running through the models are a guaranteed hit.

Good to know: the park is seasonal. For 2026 it was listed as open daily from mid-March to early November, 9:00 to 18:00. Check the official Swissminiatur site for current dates and prices before you go.

Stop 3: Lavertezzo and the Ponte dei Salti

The highlight of the trip. Lavertezzo is a village in the Verzasca Valley, famous for the Ponte dei Salti, a double-arched stone bridge over the river Verzasca, whose water is a clear, unreal emerald green. Stone houses, autumn forests and granite rocks smoothed by the river make it feel like a storybook.

Lavertezzo is much closer to Locarno than to Lugano: roughly half an hour by car from Locarno, and around an hour and a quarter from Lugano. There is also a bus up the valley from Tenero station if you are not driving.

With kids, stay well back from the water’s edge. The river looks calm but it is cold and fast.

Our route

1. Lake Como, our Italian base.
2. Cross into Switzerland to Melide on Lake Lugano for Swissminiatur.
3. Continue toward Locarno and up the Verzasca Valley to Lavertezzo.
4. Back to Italy, or onward deeper into Switzerland.

Driving into Switzerland: what to know

• Motorway vignette. To drive on Swiss motorways you need a vignette. The official price for 2026 is CHF 40, as a sticker or an e-vignette linked to your plate. It is annual only, and the fine for driving without one is CHF 200 plus the vignette. Buy from the official source.
• Car seats. Bring your own or confirm with your rental company that they are included.
• Currency. Switzerland uses Swiss francs. Cards are widely accepted, but carry a little cash for small places.
• Prices. Switzerland is more expensive than Italy. Many families sleep on the Italian side and day trip across.
• Border. Bring passports for everyone, including the kids.

Where to stay on this route

We like farm stays and family-run places over big hotels. A few easy starting points:

• Agriturismi and farm stays around Lake Como
• Family stays in Lugano, close to Swissminiatur
• Family stays in Locarno, the closest base for the Verzasca Valley

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Packing for an autumn road trip with kids

• Layers. November mornings in the valleys are cold and afternoons can be mild.
• Good shoes. Riverbanks and village lanes are rocky and uneven.
• Snacks and water for mountain roads, where shops can be far apart.
• A carrier for toddlers. Some paths and riverbanks are not stroller friendly.
• Passports and the Swiss vignette before you reach the border.

When to go

We went in November and loved the autumn colours and quiet. Spring and early autumn are also lovely. Remember that Swissminiatur is closed in winter.

Make it part of a bigger northern Italy trip

This route pairs beautifully with the rest of northern Italy. From the lakes you can head south and west to Piedmont and the Ligurian coast, or east to Tuscany and Florence. Some ideas from our own trips:

• Piedmont With Kids, including Ormea, the 1,000-year-old village where we run our family residency.
• Liguria With Kids Beyond Cinque Terre
• Staying in a Medieval Castle Near Florence With Kids
• Tuscany to Piedmont Road Trip With Kids

Northern Italy to Switzerland with kids: quick answers

Is Lake Como or Lake Garda closer to Lugano?

Lake Como. Lugano is a short drive from the western shore of Lake Como, while Lake Garda is much further east.

How far is Lavertezzo from Lugano?

Around 60 km, roughly an hour and a quarter by car. From Locarno it is about 30 minutes.

Is Swissminiatur good for young kids?

Yes. It is outdoors, easy to walk with a stroller, and perfect for little ones who love trains and miniatures.