Both enjoyable journeys finish at the beautiful village centre, which occupies the lower portion of a small mountain at the end of a peninsular to the south of the city. Fishing was once the mainstay of the local economy, but nowadays tourism is the primary source of income, which in my opinion is somewhat detrimental to the potentially idyllic atmosphere. A prime example of the effects that the change has had is the otherwise fine row of arcaded buildings on the waterfront, which is now mostly home to a series of not very fetching souvenir shops. Fortunately, the distinctive terraced houses, which are usually terracotta coloured and generally reminiscent of rural Lombardy, abound elsewhere in more original and fitting condition. In fact, simply wandering around the narrow alleyways and appreciating the domestic architecture is one of true pleasures of spending time in the place.

The single most notable attraction is definitely the Church of St Mary, which can be reached by ascending a series of narrow stepped lanes. Built in the 15th century and later modified in the baroque style, it is a lovely sight both from down below and up close. The interior also merits investigation, featuring an unusual organ and well-preserved frescoes dating from several hundred years ago. In addition, there is a peaceful and appealing cemetery in the immediate vicinity, and the available views over the settlement and lake make the climb even more worthwhile.

Elsewhere, there is the intriguing Scherrer Park, which is a good place to unwind on a nice day. In addition to an abundance of typically Ticinese flora, scattered throughout the grounds is an unusual mix of sculpture and various other structures from the around the world.

In terms of practicalities, it is possible to travel to Morcote by ferry all year round, but the service is less frequent during low season. The journey takes between one and two hours each way. Walking obviously takes a bit longer, but is quite possibly the more rewarding option. Meanwhile, an excellent place to eat is the Ristorante della Posta. It has been operating for around 150 years, and has some eccentric touches, such as a kitchen that is across a road from the main dining areas, which can make life interesting for the waiting staff!

The lovely tree lined lakeside promenade and the historic centre that spreads back uphill from it are both excellent territory for pleasant walks. The latter is a maze of cobbled lanes that are home to an intriguing mix of boutiques, cafés, delicatessens, and suchlike. There are also several airy squares that are great locations for people watching, most notably the spacious Piazza della Riforma, which is home to the grand neo-classical Municipal Hall.

A couple of particularly interesting old edifices in the area are places of worship. The most important is the Cathedral of St Lawrence, which has a fine Renaissance façade with a trio of notable doorways, as well as an elaborate baroque interior. In addition, the panoramic view of the city from the hillside position is second only to that from the top of the two local peaks, Monte Bré and Monte San Salvatore. By contrast, the Church of St Mary of the Angels is externally small and simple, but no less charming. Inside, there are two frescoes by Lombard painter Bernardino Luini that depict the crucifixion and the Last Supper, which make visiting worthwhile.

There are also several cultural attractions in which to pass some time, for example, the Museum of Extra-European Cultures and the former house of the Nobel Prize winning author Hermann Hesse. Meanwhile, the displays and factory tour at the Alpenrose Chocolate Museum should appeal to anyone that appreciates one of Switzerland's best-loved products. In addition, there are two galleries, which are dedicated to showcasing works produced during recent times and in Ticino respectively.

However, a better choice for art lovers is taking the short bus ride out to the renowned Thyssen-Bornemisza Foundation, which takes its name from the wealthy aristocratic family that accumulated the items on display. The collection was once much bigger, but hundreds of valuable old masters were sold to the Prado in Madrid for a fortune during the 1990s. Nevertheless, the more contemporary range of pieces that remains is impressive, and includes paintings by the likes of Hooper, Munch, and Pollock, as well as a whole room full of Toulouse-Lautrec's creations. In addition, the Villa Favorita, which is home to the gallery, is beautiful in its own right, as are the expansive gardens outside.

There is more greenery just to the east of the old town in the Civic Park, the manicured lawns and colourful flowerbeds of which are complemented by the wonderful waterside setting. It is lovely place to make the most of the warm weather associated with the region, as are the sandy beach and swimming pool at the adjoining Lido.