Monte San Salvatore: the must knows

  • You can reach Monte San Salvatore from Paradiso, a district of Lugano.
  • From the top, you’ll look down on the huge Lake Lugano and its green hills.
  • Climb the roof top of the historical church for the best views.
  • The mountain is steep, so there aren’t many hiking trails.
Min. time required: 1:30
Season: early January, mid March to early November and mid December to late December
Recommended season: mid March to late October
Max. altitude: 912 m (2992 ft)

What is Monte San Salvatore? Copy link to clipboard

Monte San Salvatore ("Mount Saint Saviour") is a mountain just outside Lugano in the canton of the southern Swiss 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 lake region with mid-sized mountains. A funicular takes you to the top.

Ticket prices and reservations Copy link to clipboard

Monte San Salvatore tickets

A return ticket costs CHF 32 per person in 2024. Several rail passes grant a discount.

You can buy e-tickets online in advance, or get regular tickets at the valley station in Paradiso. 

Reservations

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

Find tickets and tours Copy link to clipboard

Lugano Region Guided Excursion from Lugano to Monte San Salvatore by funicular
City trip, MountainsGuided day tour
Enjoy the view in this 3 hour tour in Lugano. The tour will begin at 10am on the lake shore just beneath Monte San Salvatore. You will then be able to experience Lugano Arte Cultura, the Santa Maria Degli Angeli Church, and even riding a cable car to the top …

Offered by Viator: www.viator.com

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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.

Offered by MySwissAlps: www.myswissalps.com

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Lugano: 3-Hour Monte San Salvatore Tour with Funicular Ride
Lugano: 3-Hour Monte San Salvatore Tour with Funicular Ride
Day tour
Go beyond the city of Lugano, where Monte San Salvatore rises majestically to the sky. Take a moment of peace while facing the endless horizon. Enjoy this natural landmark from all its points of view.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
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Discounted funicular tickets with your rail pass Copy link to clipboard

PassDiscount
Day Pass Discount 50%:
  • Paradiso to Monte San Salvatore (funicular)
Swiss Half Fare Card Discount 50%:
  • Paradiso to Monte San Salvatore (funicular)
Swiss Travel Pass Discount 50%:
  • Paradiso to Monte San Salvatore (funicular)
Swiss Travel Pass Flex Discount 50%:
  • Paradiso to Monte San Salvatore (funicular)
Ticino Ticket Discount 20%:
  • Paradiso to Monte San Salvatore (funicular)

How to reach Monte San Salvatore: directions and map Copy link to clipboard

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Example: 01.07.= 1 July
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Example: 13:15=1:15 PM

How does the timetable work?

How to reach Lugano

Lugano can be reached by train and by car.

Section 1: reaching the funicular station

There are several ways to reach the funicular valley station in Lugano-Paradiso:

  • By train only: you can best travel to the train stop "Lugano-Paradiso". The walk to the funicular station takes less than 10 minutes.
  • By train and bus: travel to the main station "Lugano". Then take a bus to the stop "Paradiso, Stazione/Scuole". Other nearby bus stops are "Paradiso, Geretta" and "Paradiso, Fontana". The bus rides take less than 10 minutes. Then walk to the funicular in a few minutes.
  • By boat: it takes 5 minutes on foot to reach the funicular station from the boat dock "Lugano-Paradiso (lago)".
  • By car: there's a paid parking lot at the funicular station.
  • On foot: you can walk all the way from the railway station of Lugano in about 45 minutes.

Section 2: the funicular from Paradiso to Monte San Salvatore

Take the funicular to the top. You'll need to switch to another funicular halfway up the mountain at Pazzallo. The whole ride takes 10 minutes.

Map with the funicular route Lugano-Paradiso to Monte San Salvatore

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Map

Operation dates, schedules and timetable Copy link to clipboard

2024 operation dates for Monte San Salvatore

This is the 2024 operation schedule:

  • 16 December 2023 - 7 January 2024: daily until 17:00
  • 8 January - 15 March: closed for maintenance
  • 16 March - 4 July: daily until 18:00, with additional evening rides until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays from 17 May to 29 June
  • 5 July - 31 August: daily until 23:00
  • 1 September - 3 November: daily until 18:00, with additional evening rides until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 September to 28 September
  • 4 November - 30 November: closed for maintenance

How to plan your journey to Monte San Salvatore

Consult the schedules through the links here, or plan your trip with the Swiss timetable. Use these names:

  • "Lugano" for the train station of Lugano
  • "Lugano-Paradiso" for the train station close to the funicular station
  • "Paradiso, Stazione/Scuole", "Paradiso, Geretta" or "Paradiso, Fontana" for the bus stops close to the funicular station
  • "Lugano-Paradiso (lago)" for the boat dock close to the funicular station
  • "Paradiso (funiculare)" for the funicular valley station
  • "Monte San Salvatore" for your actual destination

Best season for your visit Copy link to clipboard

We prefer visiting Monte San Salvatore anywhere from mid March to late October. This is when the funicular runs daily. Specifics per season:

  • The charm of spring is the green vegetation on the hills surrounding Lake Lugano.
  • In July and August, a trip to Monte San Salvatore can be great to escape from the possibly high temperatures in Lugano.
  • In autumn you'll see beautiful fall colors.

Lugano isn't a typical winter destination. A snow-covered landscape in this low area isn't likely. But on clear winter days, you can still enjoy the views.

Weather at Monte San Salvatore Copy link to clipboard

Check the weather forecast for Monte San Salvatore the day before. The mountain is not extremely high, so it will not be covered in clouds very often. If it is, you will not be able to see the views. You'd better not go up if it rains either.

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. If you plan to hike one of the few trails, make sure you prepare well.

Short-term forecast for Monte San Salvatore

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What to expect at Monte San Salvatore

A 360°- view of the southern Swiss and northern Italian mountains

A panoramic view of many peaks awaits you. You’ll also see most of the city of Lugano and Lake Lugano, including the Italian part. There are multiple viewing points, all at a few minutes on foot from the funicular station at the top. The large panoramic terrace near the restaurant is the main one.

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk to the church (“Chiesa Vetta”) at the actual top of the mountain (912 m), a bit above the funicular station. The roof of the church serves as an observation platform too.

Restaurant and playground

You can have a bite in the “Restaurant Vetta”, either inside or on the panoramic terrace. Children can enjoy the playground.

Hiking trails and via ferrata

The mountain has steep slopes, especially on the south-eastern side where it rises up from Lake Lugano. Still, there are limited hiking options. One trail to the top starts at Paradiso (where the valley funicular station is) and takes about 2 hours. Another trail leads from the village of Ciona to the top. This hike takes about 1 hour.

An easy and educational option is the 2-km circular nature trail at the top. The playful information boards are designed for kids.

If you’re in good shape and have sufficient experience climbing via ferratas (protected climbing routes with fixed cables), you may like the on at the steep slopes of Monte San Salvatore too. From the mid-station Pazallo, you can access the 250-m long route. It’s a challenging one, and not suitable for beginners!

The antenna

A very remarkable structure is the huge antenna of the broadcasting station, opened in 1957. You can get near it, but the antenna itself is not accessible.

The San Salvatore Museum

The ancient building on the summit once served as a hospice for pilgrims who climbed up the mountain. In the last decades, it’s been redesigned as a small museum that houses both religious objects as well as geological exhibitions.

The museum is open during the funicular operation season. Access is included in your funicular ticket.

What else to do on the same day

A visit to Monte San Salvatore can be combined with a short boat trip from Paradiso to Lugano. Longer cruises are an option too. We also recommend exploring Lugano with our Lugano city walk.

The history of Monte San Salvatore

The historic funicular to Monte San Salvatore was inaugurated in 1890. Most of the route is in the forests on the slopes of the mountain. The church was built in 1722, but there already was a chapel here in the 13th century. Pilgrims and people have been walking up the mountain for centuries, well before the funicular, to visit the sacred site and enjoy the 360°-view.

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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.