Valle Verzasca day trip from Lugano: 007 Dam & swimming

Swim in three different waters on one private day through the Alps and Italian lakes

A private day trip from Lugano that follows the Verzasca River north through Swiss mountains to the 007 Dam, then stops at Lavertezzo for swimming in emerald waters and Ascona on Lake Maggiore. Your driver points out the Goldeneye bungee jump site, and you choose when to swim, relax on smooth rocks or scuba dive at each stop. Pickup and dropoff happen anywhere within 30km of Lugano.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Valle Verzasca and Ascona

• Travel from Lugano to Valle Verzasca
• See the 007 Goldeneye bungee jump dam
• Swim or scuba dive in Verzasca River
• Have lunch in Lavertezzo
• Visit Ascona lakeside town
• Swim in Lake Maggiore
• Return to Lugano

The experience

You start from Lugano and head north into the Valle Verzasca, following the river's crystal waters as mountains and meadows frame the route. The first real stop is the 007 Dam, where your driver shows you the exact spot where James Bond jumped in Goldeneye. The bungee platform is still visible from the road. This is not a long stop, but it anchors the day to something concrete and famous.

Lavertezzo is where the swimming happens. The village sits on the Verzasca River where the water turns an emerald green, and locals and tourists wade into the smooth rocks and deep pools. You can swim, float, or scuba dive if you want to go deeper. The water is clear enough to see the bottom. Lunch is on your own here, with options available in the village. The afternoon takes you to Ascona, the lowest town in Switzerland, where the Alps meet Italian culture and Lake Maggiore spreads out in front of you. Another swim is possible here before the drive back to Lugano, which takes about an hour depending on traffic and where you're staying.

The tour runs eight hours total and moves at your pace. You're not on a schedule with other groups. Your guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian depending on what you book. Pickup and dropoff happen anywhere within 30km of Lugano, so the drive to the trailhead is already built in. Scuba diving, boat tours and lunch are optional extras you arrange on the day. The core experience is the route, the stops and the water itself.

What’s included

• Private vehicle and driver for the full eight hours.
• pickup and dropoff anywhere within 30km of Lugano.
• stops at the 007 Dam, Lavertezzo and Ascona.
• access to swimming in the Verzasca River and Lake Maggiore.
• a guide who speaks English, Spanish or Italian.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tour for 1 to 3 passengersUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Italian · 09:00Includes pickup

Private tour for 4 to 7 passengersUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Italian · 09:00Private tour for 4 to 7 passengers, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Base Camp Europe

Is this one for you?Book the 1–3 passenger option if you're traveling solo or as a couple and want the most flexibility to linger at each water stop. The 4–7 passenger option works for families or small groups who want to split the vehicle cost while keeping the route and timing entirely yours: no fixed schedule, no other tour groups.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

What is the 007 Dam and why is it famous?

The 007 Dam is the Verzasca Dam, the location where James Bond performed the bungee jump in the 1995 film Goldeneye. Your driver will point out the exact spot and the bungee platform from the road during the stop.

Can I actually swim at Lavertezzo, or is it just a viewing stop?

Lavertezzo is a full swimming stop where you can wade, swim and float in the emerald waters of the Verzasca River. The rocks are smooth and the water is clear. Many people spend an hour or more here. Scuba diving is also available if you arrange it on the day.

How much time do I spend at each location?

The 007 Dam is a brief photo stop. Lavertezzo is the longest stop where most people swim and relax for an hour or more. Ascona is your final stop on Lake Maggiore, also with time to swim or walk the shoreline at your own pace before the return to Lugano.

Is lunch included, and where do I eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. At Lavertezzo, restaurants and cafés are within walking distance of the swimming area, and you choose where and when to eat. Options will be available to discuss with your guide on the day.

What is Ascona like, and why is it called the lowest-lying town in Switzerland?

Ascona sits on the shores of Lake Maggiore at the lowest elevation in Switzerland, where the Alps slope down to the Italian lakes. The town blends Swiss and Italian culture, with lakeside promenades, cafés and the option to swim in the lake before you return to Lugano.