property

Lugano Attracts Over-60 Downsizers: One-Bedroom Sales Jump 18 Percent

One-bedroom units in Besso and nearby Cassarate drew 18 percent more buyers aged over 60 in the first half of 2026 than in the same period last year.

By Lugano Property Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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Lugano Attracts Over-60 Downsizers: One-Bedroom Sales Jump 18 Percent — Storyblocks

Sales of compact apartments in Besso jumped in the six months to June, with 47 units changing hands compared with 39 in the first half of 2025.

The shift comes as Lugano’s overall residential market cooled after the 2025 price peak, leaving owners of larger family homes looking to release equity while staying within the city’s transport network and medical services.

Compact streets drawing steady interest

Buyers have focused on Via Besso and the lower stretch of Via San Gottardo, where two- and three-storey blocks sit within a ten-minute walk of the Besso railway halt and the Centro Sportivo di Besso sports complex. Several properties overlook the small green at Piazza Besso, which hosts a twice-weekly market that many older residents use for daily provisions.

Further east, a handful of conversions along Via Castagnola near the Cassarate river mouth have also attracted attention. These buildings sit close to the LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura centre and the lakeside footpath that runs unbroken to the city centre.

Ticino cantonal land registry figures published last month show the median price for one- and two-bedroom flats in Besso reached CHF 685,000 in May, down CHF 25,000 from the 2025 high but still 8 percent above the 2024 average.

Next steps for buyers

Agents at local offices report viewings now booked three weeks ahead, with most transactions completing inside 45 days once finance is in place. Anyone considering a move should obtain a recent energy-performance certificate and check the building’s renovation fund before making an offer, as several 1970s blocks in the area face upcoming facade work.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.

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