The Lake of Lugano (Ceresio) is about three times smaller than Lake Como, but it has more or less the same landscapes.The northern branch from Albogasio to Porlezza belongs to the province of Como and can be considered as an integral part of the lake also from the cultural point of view. In this photo you can see the Valsolda, where the writer Antonio Fogazzaro spent long periods of his life.
On the left you can see the gulf of Lugano, in Switzerland.

• Lugano is the largest Italian-speaking city located outside of Italy. Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to annex it to the Cisalpine Republic of the Kingdom of Italy but the fierce opposition of the inhabitants of Lugano decreed the annexation to the Canton Ticino. 
  This photo shows the city view from the terrace of Mount San Salvatore. 
  On the right, on the southern side of the terrace looking towards the bridge
  of Melide and the bifurcation of the lake. 

The elegant lakeshore of Lugano. The city is a renowned holiday resort
and boasts the most famous hotels in the tourist accomodation sector at international level.

• Lugano: the historical centre.

Morcote, in Switzerland, is the "little Bellagio" of Lake Lugano. The beautiful village is characterized
by a long porch lined with shops and the church of Santa Maria del Sasso.

• The church (XV century) stands on a panoramic terrace
  and can be reached through a monumental staircase.

The porches of Morcote.

Morcote, parco Scherrer.

Alleys of Vico Morcote, in the hills.

The Sentiero dell'Olivo (Path of the Olive Tree), connects Lugano to Gandria.

The quiet village of Gandria, it is very similar to Varenna.

Gandria and Albogasio seen from the Sentiero dell'Olivo.

Right: Albogasio (Valsolda).

The caves of Rescia (Claino con Osteno, near Porlezza).

The imposing porches of Bissone.

Campione d'Italia (Champion of Italy), Italian strip of land completely surrounded by Swiss territory. In 1797 it was incorporated in the Cisalpine Republic by Napoleon and then handed over to Italy with the Lombardy region in 1861. The huge building in sepia colour is the Casino.