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? Copy link to clipboard

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 Copy link to clipboard

Monte Brè price for 2024

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 on the spot.

Reservations

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

Find tours, packages and tickets for Monte Brè Copy link to clipboard

Funicular Monte Brè Ticket from Lugano Cassarate
Funicular Monte Brè Ticket from Lugano Cassarate
Hiking
The funicular runs from Lugano Cassarate in two sections up to Monte Brè. It climbs a total of 622 meters in about 14 minutes.

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Monte Brè
Monte Brè Tour from Lugano by funicular
MountainsDay tour
From the heart of the city to the sunniest peak of Lugano. You'll enjoy the splendid view and walk through the tiny village of Brè. From the city’s heart, you will reach the little harbour of Cassarate by boat, just in time to take the panoramic funicular, enjoy the splendid …

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MySwissAlps
Customized privately guided day trip Switzerland
City trip, Culinary, Mountains, Museum, NaturePrivately guided day tour
Enjoy a fully customized day trip at your own pace, with one of the best private guide Switzerland has to offer.

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Cheaper funicular tickets with your rail pass Copy link to clipboard

PassDiscount
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 Copy link to clipboard

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How does the timetable work?

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, 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 funicular for the last section: the 10-minute ride up to the peak of Monte Brè.

Map - route from Lugano to Monte Brè

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Map

Operation dates, schedules and timetable Copy link to clipboard

2024 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 from 8 January to 16 February 2024, 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 Copy link to clipboard

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 Copy link to clipboard

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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Weather forecast

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.
  • 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 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.

Other websites of interest

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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.