Monte Brè in Lugano - our tips for an easy day trip

This page was last updated by Annika on 12 July 2023.

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Monte Brè: the must-knows

Monte Brè is a mountain near the city Lugano.
The funicular ride through forests and residential areas is a joy.
If you want to have a bite with the best panoramic views over Lugano and the lake, this is where to go.
Combine this excursion with a walk to Gandria, a boat trip on the lake, or exploring Lugano.

Min. time required: 3:00

Season: early January and late February to late December

Recommended season: early April to late October

Max. altitude: 925 m (3035 ft)

What is Monte Brè?

Monte (Mount) Brè is a mountain just outside Lugano in the canton of Ticino. Its altitude is a bit more than 900 m. That's quite low in Switzerland, but enough for a wonderful panorama across this large lake and its green hills.

A historic funicular will take you up there. It passes a residential area and a forest.

Prices, tickets and reservations

Monte Brè price for 2023

The standard price for a return trip Lugano-Monte Brè is CHF 25 per adult. Find out if your rail pass grants a discount.

Where to buy your Monte Brè tickets

Funicular tickets can be purchased on the spot.

Reservations

You don't have to make reservations for this excursion.

Find tours, packages and tickets for Monte Brè

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Cheaper funicular tickets with your rail pass

Pass	Discount
Day Pass	Discount 50%: Cassarate to Monte Brè (funicular)
Swiss Half Fare Card	Discount 50%: Cassarate to Monte Brè (funicular)
Swiss Travel Pass	Discount 50%: Cassarate to Monte Brè (funicular)
Swiss Travel Pass Flex	Discount 50%: Cassarate to Monte Brè (funicular)
Ticino Ticket	Discount 30%: Cassarate to Monte Brè (funicular)

How to reach Monte Brè: directions and map

How to reach Lugano

Lugano can be reached by train and by car. There's limited parking space near the funicular stations in Cassarate and Suvigliana.

Section 1: train station to Cassarate

Take a bus to the stop 'Cassarate, Monte Brè'. The bus ride takes about 15 minutes. The walk from the bus stop to the funicular station takes 2 minutes.

Alternatively, you can walk from the train station to the funicular station in 30 minutes (see the map for details). If it fits your schedule, a boat ride between Lugano-Centrale and Cassarate is an option too.

Section 2: Cassarate to Suvigliana

Take the funicular to Suvigliana. This ride only takes a few minutes.

Section 3: Suvigliana to Monte Brè

Cross the street and board the funicular for the 10-minute ride up to the peak of Monte Brè.

Map - route from Lugano to Monte Brè

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Operation dates, schedules and timetable

2023 operation dates for Monte Brè

The valley station 'Cassarate' can be reached all year round. The funicular to Suvigliana and Monte Brè operates nearly year-round. Exceptions are a maintenance break between mid-January and mid-February, plus December 25.

How to plan your trip to Monte Brè

Consult the schedules through the links here, or plan your trip with the Swiss timetable. These names are used:

"Lugano" for the train station of Lugano
"Lugano-Centrale (lago)" for the main ship pier of Lugano
"Cassarate, Monte Brè" for the bus stop close to the valley station
"Cassarate (lago)" for the ship pier of Cassarate
"Cassarate" for the funicular valley station
"Suvigliana" for the funicular mid-station
"Monte Brè" for the top station

Best season

We think early April to late October is the best time to travel to Monte Brè:

In spring you'll see fresh green vegetation on the hills; in autumn there can be beautiful fall colors.
In July and August you can cool down at Monte Brè if it's hot in Lugano and around the lake.

Lugano isn't a typical winter destination. A snow-covered landscape in this low area isn't likely. But on clear winter days, you'll certainly have great views from Monte Brè.

Weather at Monte Brè

Monte Brè is not extremely high, so it will not be covered in clouds that often. If it is, or if it's rainy, there's little point in going up.

The mostly mild temperatures are ideal to enjoy the panorama from the outdoor terrace.

Dress in multiple thinner layers so that you can adapt to the different temperatures in the valley and up the mountain. It can be windy at the top.

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What to expect at Monte Brè

This is what you can see and do at the top:

There’s a panoramic 180° view of Lake Lugano almost as far as Porto Ceresio in Italy, mountains and most of the city of Lugano.
You can have coffee or lunch at restaurant Vetta, at less than 5 minutes on foot from the funicular station. We recommend to go to their terrace for the best view.
The view from the Maria Assunta church at 2 minutes from the funicular station is not great in our opinion, even though this is the actual top of the mountain.
You can make various walks and longer hikes. A popular walk is the one to the old village of Brè, which takes less than 15 minutes. There’s also an easy roundabout trail via the outskirts of the village Aldessago. This takes about 1h05. You’ll find lots of artistic decorations along the route.
There are mountain bike trails down the mountain.