Swissminiatur

Name: Swissminiatur
Address: Via Cantonale 13, Melide, 6815, Melide, 6815, CH
Telephone: +41 91 640 10 60

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Museums ·Melide ·Closed

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Most reviewed in MelideTravelers' Choice

Visit: about 1 h
Ideal for kids, teens

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About

Swissminiatur is an outdoor miniature park in Melide, on the shores of Lake Lugano, about 5 km south of Lugano.

More photos 10

1 / 10

Why go

More than 130 handmade models at 1:25 scale across 14,000 m².
Eighteen trains travel around about 3.5 km of track, alongside moving model cable cars, funiculars and boats.
Gardens with 1,500 plants and more than 15,000 flowers.

Opening hours

Today09:00 – 18:00Show all

Monday09:00 – 18:00

Tuesday09:00 – 18:00

Wednesday09:00 – 18:00

Thursday09:00 – 18:00

Friday09:00 – 18:00

Saturday09:00 – 18:00

Sunday09:00 – 18:00

Don't miss

Walk-in cathedral modelSee the exhibition’s only non-Swiss object.
Artisans at workWatch artisans working on the park’s handmade models.

Know before you go With kids Tips for your visit

Know before you go

The models are displayed from March through November. Daily opening hours are 09:00–18:00.
Tickets can be bought online through the Swissminiatur website.

With kids

A children's play park is on the grounds.

Tips for your visit

Allow 1–2 hours for a visit.
The park stands by the Melide lake causeway, beside the Gotthard railway line and the A2 motorway.

Interesting facts4

1/4

33, 46 and
The model railway uses three track gauges: 33, 46 and 58 mm.
Swissminiatur - Wikipedia
A miniature train carried visitors around the early, sparsely developed park.
Storia - Swissminiatur
2042
The municipality initially granted use of the land for 30 years, later extending the agreement to 86 years; the park is set to remain at the site until 2042.
Storia - Swissminiatur
Workers completed the park through day-and-night shifts before its opening.
Storia - Swissminiatur

Shorts

History

Workers completed the park in day-and-night shifts before it opened on 6 June 1959.

1959Founded by Pierre Vuigner after a search across Switzerland for a suitable site, Swissminiatur opened on 6 June.
1970sThe park added models and attractions and hosted well-known performers.
Spring 1986Vuigner handed leadership to his sons Dominique and Jean-Luc.

Sources: Swissminiatur - Wikipedia · Lugano - Wikivoyage (do) · HOME - Swissminiatur · Storia - Swissminiatur · Swissminiatur - Wikipedia · Swissminiatur - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where

Via Cantonale 13, Melide, 6815

Website: swissminiatur.ch/
Phone: +41 91 640 10 60

Plan from here: A day out →

Eat and drink nearby

Il Grande Fratello Ristorante 4.0 ★ 912 · 110 m

Pizzeria Giardino 4.2 ★ 429 · 560 m Restaurants Bar Felice 4.4 ★ 136 · 220 m Restaurants Ristorante Le Rive 4.3 ★ 10 · 270 m Bars Velvet Bar 4.4 ★ 92 · 280 m Pizza Ristorante Nuvola Blu 4.1 ★ 171 · 350 m

Where to stay nearby

Hotel Campione 4.2 ★ 913 · 1.6 km

Albergo Ristorante La Palma 4.3 ★ 845 · 1.1 km

Hotel Villa Carona 4.5 ★ 384 · 1.3 km

Hotel Riviera 4.3 ★ 453 · 570 m

Hotel Al Boccalino 4.5 ★ 270 · 530 m

Le Suite Al Lago 4.1 ★ 9 · 580 m

Questions and answers

What is the address of Swissminiatur?

Via Cantonale 13, 6815 Melide.

Can I reach Swissminiatur by public transport?

Yes. The park is reachable by public transport or car.

Is there somewhere to eat at Swissminiatur?

The grounds include a self-service restaurant.

Is there a souvenir shop at Swissminiatur?

Yes, there is a souvenir shop on the grounds.

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