Morcote was once opon a time the largest harbor at Lake Lugano and an important reloading point for goods for the Milanese dukes during the Middle Ages. Today the charming Ticinese village with the richly decorated facades and the Scherrer Park is a popular destination for excursions.

Morcote lies ten kilometers south of Lugano. It is famous for the arcade buildings on the shores of the lake, some of which were constructed in the late Middle Ages. Further sights include the Torre del Capitano Palace, manor houses from the 16th to 18th century, as well as the church of Santa Maria del Sasso, which was probably built in the 13th century.

The rich textile merchant Hermann Arthur Scherrer established the Botanical and Art Park, which has been open to the public since 1965. Palm trees, camellias, wisteria, oleander, cedar trees, cypresses, camphor, eucalyptus and many other species flourish here. And there are numerous works of art from a great variety of cultures and epochs to be discovered amongst the plants.