Museum & Chocolate Experience Alprose

Alprose is a working chocolate factory with a museum in Caslano near Lugano. The compact “Chocolate Experience” combines an interactive exhibition, an overhead viewing gallery and a large factory shop with tastings.

• Factory founded in 1957 – continuous Alprose production in Ticino.
• Interactive exhibition tracing cocoa’s journey from bean to bar, focused on processes and ingredients.
• Enclosed walkway above the lines for factory views; production is inactive on weekends.
• On-site factory shop with tastings and an extended range at factory prices.
• Walk-in visit, open daily; parking and EV charging available on site.

• Displays on chocolate origins, history and technology with multimedia points.
• Production areas seen through glass and from the overhead gallery (best on weekday daytime).
• The “Nostalgia Shop” with sampling and special editions.

The factory began in 1957 in Caslano under the name Titlis, growing into a notable chocolate producer in Italian-speaking Switzerland.

The visitor route opened in 1991, adding an exhibition and an elevated corridor over the lines. Today the “Chocolate Experience” unites heritage content, process viewing and a sizable retail area.

Location: Via Rompada 36, 6987 Caslano, Ticino.

Getting there: FLP S60 train Lugano–Ponte Tresa to Caslano (typically every 15 min, evenings/weekends 30 min), then ~9–10 min on foot; by car – parking at the entrance.

Access: Simple, mostly level route; shop and facilities by the entrance; EV charging on site.

Visiting hours: Museum daily 09:00–17:00; shop daily 09:00–17:30; 24/31 Dec shop until 13:00; closed 25/26 Dec and 1 Jan.

Visit duration: 45–90 min for the exhibition and shop.

Best time: Weekdays 10:00–15:00 to maximize chances of active production.

Notes: Production inactive on weekends; tickets: adults CHF 5, ages 7–16 and 65+ CHF 2, under-6s free; groups of 10+ CHF 1 pp on request.