Monte Brè Funicular
Monte Brè is the sunniest mountain in Switzerland, rising 933 m straight above Lake Lugano. A two-stage funicular climbs from the lakeside suburb of Cassarate to the summit in about 15 minutes, opening a panorama over the bay, the city and the peaks of the Ticino and Lombardy Alps. At the top a short path leads to the terraced artists' village of Brè, with its frescoed lanes, a small church and a couple of grotti serving Ticinese food. The funicular runs year-round except a maintenance break in late winter, roughly every 30 minutes from morning to early evening; a return ticket is around CHF 25 and is not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, though pass holders travel free on the connecting buses and boats. Allow two to three hours to ride up, walk the village and come back down.
How to reach it
From Lugano railway station take bus 2 down to Cassarate, or the pass-included funicular to the old town and walk along the lake, to reach the lower Monte Brè station on Via Pico. Lugano is on the Gotthard line; IC and EuroCity trains from Zürich and Milan are covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, as are the boats across Lake Lugano. Arrive in Lugano via IR via Bellinzona · 55m.
- From the station
- 27 min · 2.0 km
- Rail pass
- Swiss Travel Pass
- Tickets
- Book tour / ticket
More to see in Lugano
Other stops on the Gotthard Panorama to Ticino
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get to Monte Brè Funicular from Lugano station?
- From Lugano railway station take bus 2 down to Cassarate, or the pass-included funicular to the old town and walk along the lake, to reach the lower Monte Brè station on Via Pico. Lugano is on the Gotthard line; IC and EuroCity trains from Zürich and Milan are covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, as are the boats across Lake Lugano. Arrive in Lugano via IR via Bellinzona · 55m.
- Is Monte Brè Funicular covered by the Swiss Travel Pass?
- The train journey to Lugano is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. Entry to Monte Brè Funicular is ticketed and not included in the rail pass.
- What else is there to see near Monte Brè Funicular?
- Other sights in Lugano include Lake Lugano Cruise.