Ostello dei Cappuccini

A guided visit to the convent is well worth doing. You see the choir, museum, library and church, and learn more about the history and culture of the Canton of Ticino and Switzerland. It can also prompt you to reflect on your own spiritual journey.

We ate divine food thanks to chef Marino, and the staff were incredibly friendly. The hostel is beautiful, with spotless rooms and bathrooms. There are lots of hiking and walking options nearby, and Faido center is just a stone's throw away.

After a stormy, rainy day, we arrived soaked and were welcomed warmly. The prices are very reasonable by Swiss standards, around 40-50 Swiss francs each for two people, without breakfast. Although the Capuchin monastery and adjoining hostel are a bit dated, the rooms, restrooms and whole property are tidy and clean. Faido sits on the Gotthard axis, yet you don't notice the traffic, and it's quiet and peaceful. This was once a well-known tourist town along the route, and it still has charm. You can see traces of its heyday, when tourists from Milan came to Faido as well as Locarno and Lugano. The monastery offers tours of its 17th-century library, and the waterfall and swimming area are well signposted and easy to reach.

The hostel is affordable and very good, with a kitchen run by an excellent chef. The food is delicious, thoughtfully prepared with local ingredients, and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. They also organize different activities in the convent's public spaces. The old part of the convent, dating to the 16th century, is interesting, though the rest of the building has little architectural merit.