The city has expanded greatly since the Middle Ages, the most notable period of growth being marked by the development of tourism in the 19th Century. Such an expansion was certainly enhanced by the arrival of the Gotthard's railway in 1882. Urbanization was followed by a boom in the financial and banking sectors. Along with trade, tourism and banking are the most prominent sectors in Lugano's flourishing economy. The city landscape too is constantly evolving and in the near future an exhibition center and a high-speed railway link to Milan will be available.

Lugano enjoys mild climate and quite long stretches of nice and sunny weather. The Lugano Lake, known as the Ceresio, is embraced on all sides by mountains, in particular by Mount Bré and Mount San Salvatore. The lake has glacial origins, but it is the warmest glacial lake in Europe. Various daily boat cruises are offered, of different lengths and with different extras, such as coffee and pasty for the morning cruise. The numerous parks of the city too guarantee an unforgettable experience. The Lakeshore Promenade (the Lungolago) is the fruit of architectural ingenuity where you can relax in the shade of linden and horse-chestnut trees. The nearby Belvedere Garden is a true oasis of flowers and a venue of modern sculpture - its lawns integrate many sculptures by various artists. San Salvatore Botanical Park is at 10km from Lugano, the best place to escape to from a busy week. Its rich flora and theme walks are complemented by a playground and a restaurant with 'four seasons' cooking. For unique panoramic vistas take one of the cable lifts or go on a trekking trip to any of the surrounding mountains.

Culture in Lugano goes hand in hand with nature. The city's events and activities can satisfy even the highest expectations. In addition to more traditional museums, there is the Gottardo Gallery, whose main goal is popularize, but also ethnography and archeology. The Museum of Modern Art displays only 20th-century art and features works of the most prominent modernist and expressionist painters. International events include the Moebius Multimedia Award which intends to promote interactive culture. Lovers of music will have the opportunity not only to attend classical concerts, but also to get groovy at the Blues to Bop or the Lugano Estival Jazz Festivals. This year Blues to Bop is scheduled for September 1st to 4th Century.