Thanks in part to its very liveable size, Mendrisio has retained its ‘village-like’ character: the people are warm and friendly, and it’s easy to make friends, develop relationships, and forge genuine bonds. The catalysts for this process are the multitude of convivial events that enliven Mendrisio in every season at various venues that facilitate integration and relationships by their very nature
Why is living in Mendrisio easy?
Living where you feel safe at all hours? Lots of houses in Mendrisio don’t have fences and children walk to school on their own from an early age. Many houses in Mendrisio don’t have fences and children walk to school on their own from an early age. The small size and the attention that the authorities dedicate to safety, as well as to the care of the territory, mean that living in Switzerland also means enjoying life in a more carefree way.
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Living in the peace and quiet of a small town, yet without giving up the world? It takes 20 minutes to get from Mendrisio to Lugano, Como, or Varese, while Zurich, Milan, and Malpensa airport are also within easy reach. The ideal way to get around locally is by public transport or bicycle: there are bike-sharing stations throughout the town, while cycle paths and low traffic on side streets make it practical to get about by bike or electric scooter. Getting around and travelling from Mendrisio couldn’t be easier!
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Accessing the superb Swiss healthcare in Mendrisio is a piece of cake: in addition to the regional hospital, an ultra-modern day hospital, numerous specialised medical practices, various outpatient clinics, and home services mean that almost all medical and paramedical disciplines are available nearby, with no waiting times and high-quality services.
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From the first years of life to adulthood, the town provides numerous services and a wide range of activities and initiatives for children and young people. Schools of all kinds and levels close to home and extensive after-school services for the youngest children make it easier for parents to organise their day. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, and numerous gyms provide a home for the many sports clubs and organisations offering courses and activities for sports enthusiasts of all ages.
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The Mendrisiotto area proudly traces its origins back to rural and farming traditions, which are still very much present in the food and wine sector and in the numerous events that animate the town of Mendrisio and its districts, attracting visitors from all over. The cultural memory is also kept alive in the Holy Week Processions, a historical performance that’s included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity i: almost 1,000 people parade in front of some 25,000 spectators on the two evenings.
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Merlot and good food are in part of the region’s DNA: Mendrisio is the municipality with the most vineyards in the whole of Canton Ticino and 40% of the canton’s wine is grown, refined, and bottled here. The regional wines are complemented by cuisine linked to the local region and traditions. The typical ‘grottos’ welcome gourmets in the shade of centuries-old trees from spring until autumn, thanks to Ticino’s mild climate, or in front of a lit fireplace in winter. The citizens of Mendrisio are particularly proud of their local dishes, mostly made with zero-kilometre ingredients, and there are plenty of events and initiatives starring these specialities.
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Over 700 future architects from 30 countries study at the Academy of Architecture of the University of Lugano (USI). 560 young people study at the Department of Environment, Construction, and Design of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), while more than 1,400 people attend the institute for its numerous Continuing Education courses.
The student population gives the town a youthful, lively, and international feel. Studying and living in Mendrisio allows you to fully appreciate the dynamism of university life and the peaceful environment of a town built for people. Those who love the excitement of larger cities can still easily reach Lugano or Milan with their cultural events, exhibitions, concerts, and nightlife.
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The name of Mendrisio is often associated with that of Fox Town: every year, more than 2.5 million shopaholics visit the 160 boutiques at the “temple of fashion”. For a diametrically opposite, but equally interesting experience, visit the artisanal workshops, studios, and food shops in Mendrisio’s old town, as well as those in the historic neighbourhoods of the Quartieri. There is no lack of variety for those travelling on foot or by public transport either, balanced out by more ‘conventional’ supermarkets in various parts of the town.
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Green and historic parks right in the centre, rivers, woods, rolling hills covered with vineyards, and mountains that reach almost 2'000 metres… not to forget the lake! As many as 340 kilometres of trails, some of which are also suitable for bikes, crisscross the region and are accessible in all seasons, thanks to the mild climate. Living in Mendrisio means having privileged access to diverse natural surroundings and a surprising range of opportunities right on your doorstep.
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Life in Mendrisio is particularly stimulating for those who love history, art, and culture. Mendrisio boasts an important cultural heritage that can be felt in the alleyways and among the buildings and monuments scattered throughout the town. The various museums housing important works of art also attract visitors from all over Europe.
For those who like to discover the traces of history in nature, UNESCO has declared Monte San Giorgio (1'097 m) a World Natural Heritage site for its countless fossils of great scientific importance.
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