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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 2026
The standard price for a return trip between the valley station Cassarate and the top station Monte Brè is CHF 26 per adult. Your rail pass may grant a discount.
Where to buy your Monte Brè tickets
Funicular tickets can be purchased online or on the spot.
Reservations
You don't have to make reservations for this excursion.
➤ Cheaper funicular tickets with your rail pass
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Day Pass | Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Half Fare Card | Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass | Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Discount 50%:
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| Ticino Ticket | Discount 30%:
|
How to reach Monte Brè: directions and map
How to reach Lugano
Lugano can be reached by train and by car, as explained in my Lugano travel section. There's limited parking space near the funicular stations in Cassarate and Suvigliana, so you'd best travel by public transport.
Section 1: train station to Cassarate
Take a bus from the Lugano railway station to the stop "Cassarate, Monte Brè". It's a 10-minute ride. The walk from the bus stop to the funicular station takes just a few 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 second funicular for the last section: the 10-minute ride up to the peak of Monte Brè.
Operation dates, schedules and timetable
2026 operation dates for Monte Brè
The valley station "Cassarate" can be reached all year long. The funicular to Suvigliana and Monte Brè operates nearly year-round. Exceptions are a maintenance break from 7 January to 13 February 2026, and 25 December 2026.
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
I 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.
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. Sit down at their terrace for the best views. A smaller tavern-style restaurant, the Osteria Funicolare, is available too.
- The view from the Maria Assunta church at 2 minutes from the funicular station is not great in my 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 Aldesago. This takes about 1h15. You’ll find lots of artistic decorations along the route.
- There are mountain bike trails down the mountain.
What else to do on the same day
A visit to Monte Brè can be combined with a walk to Gandria, and a boat trip back to Lugano. Or explore the city with our Lugano city walk.
Check my overviews of activities near Lugano and in the wider Ticino area too!
➤ Where to safely buy Monte Brè tickets and tours
Schedules
- www.montebre.ch: Monte Brè timetable
Prices
- www.montebre.ch: Monte Brè ticket prices
Hike Lugano-Gandria
Town walk Lugano
Boat Lake Lugano
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Monte Tamaro
Monte Generoso
Lugano
