What to see and do in Bellinzona
Find your excursions in the Bellinzona area
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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
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:
- From Central Switzerland via the Gotthard Panorama Express.
- From Brig and Locano via the Centovalli Railway.
- From St. Moritz, Tirano and Lugano by the Bernina Express train and/or bus.
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
When to visit Bellinzona
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
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
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.