Lanzo d'Intelvi
The viewpoint is a terrace above Lanzo d'Intelvi, at 1,302 metres above sea level, dropping sheer to Lake Lugano, right on the Swiss border: the summit is in Italy, while the border runs along the terrace.
The road and the viewpoint were opened in 1913 on the initiative of the Touring Club Italiano. In the late 1960s work began on a cable car that was to climb here from Campione d'Italia, but it was never finished; the unfinished upper station on the Swiss side was demolished, and in 2012 a second terrace was opened in its place. On clear days you see the Alpine chain from Monte Rosa to the Bernina, with the Matterhorn. You reach it by car, and on summer evenings it is a place to watch the sunset.
Mountain road that can close for snow or ice in winter
Facilities
Car park 186 m away · free
Distances from the point on the map.
The light
It faces west and stands high: sunset lasts longer here than on the lake, and the blue hour over the Ceresio is long. By car, and with a jacket even in July.
Updated 22 October 2026
The highest summit in view from here is Monte Rosa, Dufourspitze, 4634 m, 87 kilometres away.
The ochre line follows today's sun path and marks the estimated times of its first and last appearance above the mountains. Drag the panorama to see all of it.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL
Distances as the crow flies.
