Capolago is a village situated at the south-eastern extremity of Lake Lugano , in the Swiss canton of Ticino . Originally a municipality in its own right, Capolago is now a quarter of the municipality of Mendrisio , itself part of the district of Mendrisio.

The first mention of the name of Capolago appears before 1300, in the general statutes of Como . In 1365, Capolago assumed greater importance due to the building of castle. The castle was dismantled in 1517. From then on, the village was largely concerned with fishing, and the ferrying of people and goods to and from Lugano.