The stunning Camellia Park in Locarno has more than 850 different camellia varieties, with a flowering period of nine months. A little slice of paradise not only for those who love camellias, but for all those looking for a bit of peace and quiet in the heart of the city.

The people responsible for creating this relaxing place are above all the city gardeners. Thanks to specialists from across the world, they have been able to further enlarge their already considerable collection, procuring rare species, hybrids and varieties, and planting these in the park.

The structure of the park is that of a series of beds forming a kind of labyrinthine trail allowing visitors to happily stroll among the flowers in bloom and lose themselves in these wonders of nature, lulled by the relaxing sound of birdsong and waves lapping on the lake shore.

A small amphitheatre made from stone from the Maggia Valley offers visitors a welcome place to sit while taking in views over the lake. This surrounds the largest flowerbed of the park, dedicated to perfumed camellia varieties.

There are also 130 double camellias planted at the southern end of the public baths, which form a dividing hedge and are used mainly to provide cut flowers for the annual show held each spring.