Must-knows about Bellinzona

  • Bellinzona is best known for its three medieval castles.
  • It’s the capital city of the canton Ticino.
  • Bellinzona’s central location makes it the perfect base to explore the Ticino.
  • If you prefer a larger town directly on a lake, consider Locarno and Lugano instead.
Recommended season: early April to mid November
Altitude: 241 m (791 ft)
Town size: Medium
Local language: Italian
There is a train station

What to see and do in Bellinzona Copy link to clipboard

Find your excursions in the Bellinzona area

1st class seat in panoramic Gotthard Panorama Express coach
Gotthard Panorama Express
Scenic boat trip, Scenic train tripMin. time required: 5:30
The Gotthard Panorama Express is a scenic boat and train journey between Lucerne and Lugano. Prepare with our info about the route, tickets, reservations and …
Walls of the Montebello Castle above Bellinzona
Castles of Bellinzona
MuseumMin. time required: 4:00
A visit to the castles in Bellinzona is well worth it. Our insider tips explain how to visit them, what it costs, how to choose …
Sasso Corbaro, one of Bellinzona's castle
Town walk Bellinzona castles
City trip, Hiking, MuseumMin. time required: 2:00
Explore Bellinzona in Switzerland and all its castles during this varied 2-hour hike.
Old town center of Bellinzona with Castelgrande
Town walk Bellinzona
City trip, Hiking, MuseumMin. time required: 0:40
Explore the attractive town center of Bellinzona in Switzerland and the "Castelgrande" castle on foot in just 40 minutes.
Bellinzona Private Guided Walking Tour
Bellinzona Private Guided Walking Tour
Guided day tour
Begin at Bellinzona Railway Station and journey down Viale della Stazione for cultural treasures

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Don't miss Bellinzona's castles

We think that a visit to Bellinzona's three castles, or at least one of them, is a must. You can visit the castles on foot, by bus or by tourist train.

Day trips to other areas

It's easy to reach other Swiss towns from Bellinzona: you can make day trips to Locarno, Lugano and the Gotthard region.

You can even travel to Lucerne and back in just one day, using the Gotthard mountain route or the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

Bellinzona travel info and town map Copy link to clipboard

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How does the timetable work?

Bellinzona is very easy to reach by train and car. Public transport is highly recommended for day trips.

Traveling to Bellinzona by train

The scenic way to reach Bellinzona is by train. You can use normal trains or panoramic trains from these directions:

More about traveling to and in the Ticino can be found here.

Traveling to Bellinzona by car

You can reach the town by car too, via motorway A2 in most cases.

Finding your way in Bellinzona

The center of town is small enough to get around on foot. The center is closed to motorized traffic.

Day trips by public transport

The best way to conveniently get around is public transport. There are local buses in Bellinzona. Trains and buses will also take you to other areas, such as Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano.

In some remote valleys like the Verzasca Valley, a car can be handy. Buses will get you there too, but they don't operate frequently, so check the schedules in advance.

You'll find all trips to, from and in Bellinzona in the Swiss timetable.

Rail passes for your stay in Bellinzona

Hotels in Bellinzona will provide you with a Ticino Ticket, offering a lot of regional transportation for free or discounted. 

Chances are that your itinerary includes more areas than just the Ticino, and that you need an additional rail pass. Our comparison guide helps you choose.

Bellinzona on a map

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When to visit Bellinzona Copy link to clipboard

The best months for a trip to Bellinzona are early April to mid November.

We think Bellinzona is most attractive in spring (April, May and June) and autumn (mid-September to mid-November). The hills surrounding the town are prettiest then.

Summer (July to mid-September) is a good season too, but it can get hot. You can make day trips into the cooler mountains though.

Bellinzona isn't a typical winter destination. Chances of snow in and around town aren't high. To us, the landscape looks a bit dull between mid-November and March.

Weather and forecast in Bellinzona Copy link to clipboard

Typical weather for Bellinzona

Bellinzona is in one of Switzerland's lowest areas, and it's in the south close to Italy. This means it's mostly mild in winters (6°C to 10°C), and warm to hot in summer (22°C to 28°C, or even more).

Most rain falls from spring to autumn. The winter months are drier. Rain showers are more common than days of continuous rain.

Bellinzona 5-day weather forecast

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Reasons to stay in Bellinzona

If you like historic towns, we’re pretty sure you’ll love Bellinzona. The town center is attractive, and so are the three castles. They are what makes Bellinzona unique.

The town is also a good base resort for trips into the rest of the Ticino, and to Central Switzerland. The Gotthard Basel Tunnel provides a quick train connection to Lucerne.

Reasons not to stay in Bellinzona

You may prefer to stay on a lake. In that case, Locarno or Lugano are better options.

The center of Bellinzona is small, so don’t expect too much shopping or other activities there.

More about the Ticino Copy link to clipboard

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Lugano

The city of Lugano is located on a lake in a very scenic area in the Ticino, southern Switzerland. Lugano …
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Locarno

Sunny Locarno is a pleasant base to explore the Lake Maggiore region. This is because of its pretty lakeside location, …

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.