A review of a family break by Lake Lugano at Parco san Marco Beach Resort, Italy. If you’re looking for a family-friendly resort in northern Italy, Parco san Marco Beach Resort on Lake Lugano is one of those rare finds that genuinely offers something for everyone. From lakeside relaxation to kids’ clubs, mountain views and fantastic food, it’s a destination that works well for both parents and children. In this review, we share our honest experience of staying at Parco san Marco Beach Resort, including what makes it such a great choice for a Lake Lugano family holiday.
Our spring trip to northern Italy took us all around the lakes and cities. And we wanted to find somewhere to finish it all off and totally relax. Parco san Marco seemed like the perfect solution. Set just back from Lake Lugano, Parco san Marco is right on the border with Switzerland.
It has a real Alpine feel with a Mediterranean touch. It’s a great location for balmy summers by the lake or winter retreats to stay warm. With plenty to do in every season. If you’re looking for a relaxed trip in Italy with kids, this could be for you.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
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Table of Contents
Why choose Lake Lugano for a family holiday?
Lake Lugano is often slightly overlooked compared to Lake Como or Lake Garda, but that’s part of its charm. It offers the same dramatic mountain scenery, beautiful lakeside towns and Italian lifestyle, but with a quieter, more relaxed feel that’s perfect for families.
Its position on the Swiss-Italian border also makes it ideal for exploring both countries in one trip. You can enjoy Italian food, Swiss efficiency and stunning Alpine landscapes all in one place.
Parco san Marco Beach Resort, Lake Lugano, Italy – Location
Parco san Marco has accommodation throughout the resort. All set up the hillside and most with lake views.
The accommodation has been really cleverly arranged so that you don’t feel on top of other people. You can sit out on your terrace and feel relaxed and private.
The resort is located near the village of Porlezza, just a short drive from Lugano in Switzerland. This makes it a brilliant base for day trips, whether you want to explore Italian lakeside towns or hop over the border for a Swiss adventure.
Our accommodation – Parco san Marco Beach Resort, Lake Lugano, Italy
Our apartment contained two double bedrooms.
One with an ensuite.
We also had a main bathroom with non disposable products which I always like to see (so much more environmental). And also some products for the kids which they loved.
We also had a great little kitchen area and dining area and lounge with television. And to the children’s delight an Xbox (you could borrow games from reception).
The sofa easily turned in to a bed with the bedding in a large drawer next to it so it was easy to pack away.
Then we could go outside on to our large terrace which had a table and chairs and two loungers. All overlooking the lake and mountains – it was beautiful.
The accommodation wasn’t the most luxurious we’ve had but it contained everything we needed. And was a great space for a family.
Parco san Marco Beach Resort, Lake Lugano, Italy – The Resort:
Parco San Marco is a really well thought out resort set on various levels as you come down the mountain. It must have been a really tricky space to plan but they’ve done an amazing job with it.
It feels spacious and also full of interesting sights on all the different tiers.
There is so much to see and do at this resort it’s hard to cover it all but here are some of our favourite parts.
Pools
First of all the swimming pools. There are a number of outdoor pools, some with slides and some simply lane pools.
The outdoor pools are heated but only open through the summer season. As we visited in spring they weren’t warm enough for us.
Swimming fans need not panic though as there is a lovely indoor pool. Complete with two small kids’ pools and a whirl pool. The perfect place to enjoy an afternoon.
Playgrounds
There were also a number of playgrounds for children. Ours loved the large one at the top of the resort which also had an area with zipwires which our nine-year old loved.
There are animals to look at including donkeys and turtles. And plenty for teenagers too including skateboarding ramps and fun clubs.
Lakeside Beach – Parco san Marco Beach Resort, Lake Lugano, Italy – A family break
My favourite part of the resort was down at the lakeside beach which was actually more green space than sand.
Here there is the playground I mentioned and lots of water sports including kayaking and rowing. But I just loved the location there, listening to the water gently lapping and laying on the sun loungers while the kids played.
Kids clubs
For kids who enjoy kids clubs (like my seven-year old daughter) they have three here for pre-schoolers. 6 – 10 year olds also have a club and then a club for teenagers.
They run from morning until early evening when the film club kicks in at 7.30.
If you want your kids can have lunch and dinner here. Or you can pick and choose the sessions according to what’s going on. For example in my daughters club there was everything from archery to face painting.
Adult activities at Parco san Marco Beach Resort, Lake Lugano, Italy – A family break
And while your children are being entertained at the kids clubs there’s plenty for the adults to do. Including a whole spa area.
There are also sections through the resort which are for adults only. Tranquil spaces to read in and relax.
Food:
We thought the food at Parco san Marco was fantastic.
Breakfast at Parco san Marco
Breakfast was a wonderful spread of breads, pastries, cheeses, homemade butter, fruits, cereals and hot buffet food.
You could choose to have eggs any way you liked cooked by the kitchen. Or wander over to pick up pancakes, smoked fish, meats or dried fruits.
But our favourite bit (well mine and my nine-year olds) was the juicer which was set up with baskets of apples, pears, celery, ginger, carrots, peppers, garlic. Lots of fruits and vegetables to choose from.
My oldest made up a brilliant juice of apples, celery, carrot and ginger which was delicious and we had it every morning.
Dinner
There are a number of other restaurants in the resort including a pizzeria. And we had dinner one evening in La Terrazzo which was great.
There was a buffet selection of hot and cold food for the kids. And we enjoyed some really tasty dishes such as a beetroot risotto.
A superb pistachio encrusted tuna steak.
And dessert of salted caramel ice cream with strong Italian coffee. The perfect way to end the meal.
Things to do near Parco san Marco Beach Resort
While there is so much to do within the resort itself, the surrounding area is also packed with family-friendly activities.
You could take a boat trip across Lake Lugano, explore the pretty town of Lugano with its parks and gelato shops, or head into the mountains for scenic walks with incredible views.
For something a little different, families can visit Swissminiatur in nearby Melide, where children can explore miniature versions of famous Swiss landmarks. Or take a drive to Lake Como for a day trip – it’s easily doable and adds another iconic destination to your itinerary.
The Best Bits
Parco San Marco is a wonderful resort for a family break. It’s one of those places that manages to juggle that tricky mix of being great for kids but also a wonderful location for adults too.
The location is stunning and I could stare at those snow topped mountains all day long.
The food was wonderful, accommodation the right size for a family of five and the activities on offer kept all of us entertained. I loved how as you wandered around the resort there were pieces of art everywhere. And even a trail you could take to find them all which was a great way to spend an afternoon.
It would have been nice to stay for a week to really take advantage of it all. And drink a few more of those fresh smoothies.
Is Parco san Marco Beach Resort good for families?
Absolutely – this is one of the most family-friendly resorts we’ve stayed in Europe. Everything has been designed with families in mind, from the spacious accommodation to the excellent kids’ clubs and variety of activities.
The flexibility is what really stands out. You can spend your days entirely together as a family or allow the children to enjoy the kids’ clubs while you relax in the spa or one of the adults-only areas.
Best time to visit Parco san Marco Beach Resort?
Parco san Marco works brilliantly as a year-round destination, but the experience does vary by season.
Things to consider before booking
While we loved our stay, there are a couple of things worth bearing in mind:
- The resort is set on a hillside, so there are quite a few steps and slopes (although there are lifts and shuttle options)
- A car is useful if you want to explore beyond the resort
- Outdoor pools are seasonal, so check timings if swimming is a priority
FAQ – Parco san Marco Beach Resort, Lake Lugano
Is Parco san Marco Beach Resort suitable for young children?
Yes, it’s excellent for younger children with dedicated kids’ clubs, playgrounds, shallow pools and plenty of activities.
Does Parco san Marco have a private beach?
Yes, there is a lakeside beach area with sun loungers and access to water sports, although it’s more grass than sand.
Can you visit Lugano from the resort?
Yes, Lugano is a short drive away and makes for a great day trip with shops, restaurants and lakeside walks.
Is Parco san Marco good for a luxury family holiday?
It sits somewhere between luxury and relaxed family resort – not overly formal, but with high-quality facilities, food and surroundings.
Do you need a car when staying at Parco san Marco?
It’s not essential if you plan to stay within the resort, but highly recommended if you want to explore Lake Lugano and surrounding areas.
Final thoughts – is Parco san Marco Beach Resort worth it?
Parco san Marco Beach Resort is one of those rare places that really delivers on a family holiday. It combines relaxation, adventure and comfort in a truly stunning setting on Lake Lugano.
Whether you’re planning a summer holiday packed with activities or a quieter escape in the mountains, this resort is a fantastic choice for families looking to experience northern Italy in a unique and memorable way.
You can see Parco San Marco in our video of our time in north Italy here –
Ready to book?
You can find out more about the hotel and book your own stay here. And check out our trip to northern Italy with kids (including Parco san Marco Beach Resort).
Read more of our Italy posts here –
We have pulled together Our guide to Italy with kids full of all the essential tips and places to visit. And while you’rein this area see our suggestions for the best things to do in Verona with kids and The best things to do in Venice with kids.
Looks like it’s got everything you need for a family holiday plus the bonus of a great location.
Wow, your holiday looks so beautiful. What a lovely place to visit with kids.
What a beautiful resort and such a picturesque location too. I’ve never really considered Italy for a holiday but this might make me change my mind! x
Wowl that looks like an amazing place to have a family holiday. We are very keen to visit italy with the kids.
Seriously damn pretty places to wonder with family, my kids are really fond of such places it will be really lovely to visit such places.
I love the Italian Lakes – we are visiting Garda soon. This spot looks welcoming for a family holiday.
Stunning pictures. Love the one of the swimming pool with the mountains in the background, just beautiful
It looks absolutely wonderful. My husband would probably want to live there if he saw these photos!
What a lovely place, I would like a getaway there, they seem to have thought of everything x
Looks like the perfect getaway to me. What a fabulous view from your rooms and the food looks scrumptious
Wow – another fantastic place to stay Nichola! Love the view of the mountains from the playground, and I could just eat that pistachio encrusted tuna! I love reading about all your holidays.