Swiss Miniatur: A Family Attraction on Lake Lugano

Cameras in their hands and excited to see Switzerland within an hour, tourists from all over the globe queue up every day to walk around Swiss Miniatur. An open air park planned to present an overview of Switzerland, Swiss Miniatur has detailed and authentic models of well-known sites of Switzerland in the form of miniatures. The park, which attracts more than 2 million visitors every year, is located in the peaceful village of Melide on the shores of the charming Lake Lugano and surrounded by Monte San Salvatore and Monte San Giorgio.

History of Swiss Miniatur

Swiss Miniatur is the result of Piere Vuigner’s dream to recreate something like the Dutch miniature park of the Netherlands “Madurodam”. Vuigner, a resident of Canton Valais, was smitten by this dream. He toured around Switzerland to find a fitting site where this dream could be materialised. Finally, Melide was chosen as the site primarily because of its wonderful landscape. On the 6th of June 1959, the park was opened for public. In 2009, the park, which is spread over an area of 14,000 square kilometres, celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Highlights

• The park houses 120 models which are perfect replicas at the scale of 1:25 of the most important buildings in Switzerland, mansions, patrician houses, castles, churches and many such structures.

• There are 18 miniature trains running on 3.5km railway track across the park and stop at various miniature stations. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the park is a paradise for modern railways fans.

• Nature lovers are in for a treat because the park is surrounded by 1500 varieties of plants with 15,000 different kinds of flowers.

• There are dedicated children’s areas in the park and coin operated exciting rides to keep them entertained.

• The park has restaurants as well as lovely picnic spots. The restaurants serve local and Asian cuisine.

Practical Information

How to reach:

By car:

Drive on the A2 Motorway/Highway in the direction of South (Chiasso – Italy). Exit at Melide – direction Bissone A2 Motorway/Highway Direction North (St. Gotthard) Exit at Bissone / Campione d’Italia direction.

By train:

Melide Train Station is 200m from Swiss Miniatur. You can reach Melide Train Station in 7 minutes from Lugano Train Station or in 21 minutes from Chiasso Train Station

By boat:

Swiss Miniatur is reachable by boat from Lugano and takes 35 minutes.

Entrance Fees

Adults: 19.00 CHF

Children (above the age of 5 years): 12.00 CHF

Entry free for children under the age of 5 years

Family Day Card: 55.00 CHF

Senior (>65 years old) 15.00CHF

Please check the website for updated ticket price and latest deals before planning your visit

Opening Hours

From March 12 until October 23, 2016, from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

Accommodation

There are wonderful accommodation facilities available at great prices not very far from the Swiss Miniatur. Book a holiday home here and spend quality time with your family against the spellbinding landscape of Lake Lugano area.