Customs Museum
The Swiss Customs Museum in Cantine di Gandria is idyllically located on Lake Lugano, right on the border with Italy. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, it showcases the diverse duties of customs officers past and present. The museum can be reached via a hiking trail or comfortably by scheduled boat service and is open during the summer season.
Welcome to the Customs Museum in Cantine di Gandria, Lugano
Dear friends of the museum
From 5 April 2026 to 18 October 2026, we reopen our doors – discover exciting stories, extraordinary exhibits, and the fascinating world of customs. An experience that surprises and excites!
We look forward to your visit!
Your Customs Museum team
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The Customs Museum is located on the shore of Lake Lugano in a former border guard post. The building enjoys an idyllic setting, surrounded by the lush greenery of chestnut forests, right on the border with Italy. For a customs museum, the location could not be better. Swiss Customs presents here the wide range of tasks it carries out for our country. Temporary exhibitions on current topics complement the permanent exhibition. They make a visit to the museum an unforgettable experience, which can be rounded off with a stop at a nearby Ticino grotto.
Current at the Customs Museum
Species conservation concerns us all
Impressive objects and engaging multimedia stations provide unique insights into the important work carried out by Swiss customs in combating the illegal trade of protected animals and plants.
Migration – a photo exhibition
Due to strong public interest, the photo exhibition has been extended. The powerful images by renowned Reuters photojournalist Darrin Zammit Lupi provide a unique perspective on the journeys of migrants.
Further information
From border post to museum
The Swiss Customs Museum in Cantine di Gandria provides insight into the history and duties of customs and border guards, both past and present, addressing the challenges of global trade and Europe's open borders.
Current exhibitions at the Customs Museum
The Customs Museum in Cantine di Gandria showcases two exceptional exhibitions: a photography exhibition on migration and a joint exhibition with the Liechtenstein National Museum celebrating the 100th anniversary of the customs treaty. Another exhibition explores the history of smuggling and refugees along the Italian-Swiss border.
Publications & Media
Here you will find news from the Customs Museum and reports from the media.
Organisation
The Swiss Customs Museum is an institution of Swiss Customs and part of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. Learn about the museum staff and get contact information.
Visits
Information on location, access, opening hours, and admission fees for the customs museum on Lake Lugano. The museum is primarily accessible by ferry, with free admission. Groups are requested to register in advance.