Ascona hotels and accommodation

Ascona is a small community on the shore of Lake Maggiore in south-central Switzerland. Formerly a fishing hamlet, this picturesque village is now a health resort and an artistic centre that attracts painters, writers and composers from all over Europe and beyond. During the Nazi regime in Germany, Ascona was a place of refuge for German artists fleeing persecution. Whether you are here for a vacation or a weekend, Ascona has some interesting sites of its own, and is a great base from which to explore this part of Switzerland. Guests staying in Ascona hotels can stroll through Centro Storico (Old Town). There, they will find craft shops and galleries, and buildings that date back to the 14th century. The dominant building on the Piazza San Pietro is the 16th century church Chiesa dei Pietro e Paolo. Another interesting church is Santa Maria della Misericordia. Visitors will want to see the Museum of Modern Art, and perhaps have lunch at one of the cafes or restaurants on Piazza Motta, a beautiful waterfront square.