is a city in south-east Switzerland, in the Italian speaking canton of Ticino, which borders Italy. The city clearly has an Italian character but is much more soigné than Italian cities are.

The origin of the name is most likely the Latin word Lucus meaning wood or sacred wood.

Lugano lies at the edge of Lake Lugano (Italian: Lago di Lugano or Ceresio), which is situated between the lakes Lago Maggiore and Lago di Como. The city is located where the river Cassarate enters the lake between the Brè (925m) and the San Salvatore (912m) mountains.