Guided excursion to Lugano and Monte Brè by funicular

Overview

This guided excursion takes you from Lugano city centre to the sunniest peak in the region. The journey begins with a short boat trip from the centre to Cassarate, where you will take the funicular up Monte Brè, watching the city gradually recede below you. Once at the summit, you will explore the village of Brè on a walk. This location preserves an authentic atmosphere with its typical Ticino houses, its church, and various artworks, offering an exceptional panorama of the surroundings.

Itinerary

1. Tourism Office of Lugano Region

   Piazza Riforma: With its many bistros and restaurants, Piazza della Riforma is the city’s main place of encounter. Throughout the year several different events, including Easter in the City, Estival Jazz, Blues to Bop, Autumn Festival and Christmas in the Square, take place here. But in the past, when the square was called Piazza Grande, it was the scene of several political events. In fact, the 15th February 1798 was a chaotic day of fighting, at the end of which, despite initial success, the enemy was pushed back by the Lugano partisans. The most enlightened members of the bourgeois took advantage of events to finally achieve long-sought independence for the town, buoyed by the slogan “Free and Swiss”. At Zurich the twelve cantons proclaimed Canton Ticino’s independence and on 16 February the citizens erected the tree of liberty in Piazza Grande. In 1830, the square took on its current name thanks to the constitutional reform.

   · 30 min

2. Lac de Lugano

   Short cruise on Lake Ceresio from the center of Lugano to the small port of Cassarate, a short moment of relaxation with a breathtaking view.

   · 10 min· Admission included

3. Monte Brè

   Appreciate the splendor of Monte Rosa, the Bernese and Vallese Alps as seen from the top of Switzerland's sunniest mountain. Ever since 1908, a cable railway has brought visitors, in a quarter of an hour, from Cassarate to Mount Bré (933metres above sea level), a locality offering many opportunities to the visitor: a big, well equipped picnic area, where it is possible to grill food, walks that are accessible to families even with small children and more difficult mountain hikes. The village of Bré has kept intact its characteristic of ancient rural village, and in time, numerous artworks have also embellished it. You will find the works by Pasquale Gilardi, also called Lelèn, the frescoes by Joseph Birò in the Church of San Fedele, the Schmid Museum with the works, which the artist left, together with his home, to his Municipality of adoption and an open air museum consisting in the works of Aligu Sassu, Armando Losa, Emilio Rissone, Giuliano Togni, Giancarlo Tamagni, Piergiorgio Piffaretti and others. Of course, there are also restaurants, tiny and large grotti with panoramic terraces that offer a bird’s eye view of the Lake of Lugano and of its surrounding mountains.

   · 1 h· Admission included

4. The town of Brè has maintained its characteristics of ancient rural village and has gradually enriched itself with numerous artistic works. The decoration of the town centre with several artworks has the intent of getting a vaster public acquainted with this charming village, where such artists like Pasquale Gilardi (1885-1934), Wilhelm Schmid (1892-1971) and Josef Birò (1887-1975) lived. The artistic path starts in the square in front of the church, passes through the centre of Brè and offers visitors the opportunity of admiring the artworks of famous artists, renowned both at the national and international level. Besides the town’s artistic decoration, at Brè it’s possible to admire many other noteworthy works of art. The Wilhelm Schmid Museum, the house where the homonymous artist used to live (1892-1971), hosts an important collection of the works of the only Swiss painter who was an exponent of “Magic Nordic Realism”. There are also several restaurants and grotti with panoramic terraces offering a superb view of the Lake of Lugano and of the surrounding mountains. The region of Mount Brè, moreover, offers an infinite number of itineraries both for hikers and mountain bike lovers that differ greatly from each other in terms of beauty and difficulty.

   · 1 h

How to use your ticket

We recommend clothing suitable for walking and outdoor activities Not wheelchair accessible Difficulty level / walking: easy-moderate

Meeting and end point

What to know before you go

• Public transport is available nearby.
• Average physical condition is required.
• The guided tour will be conducted in the two common languages.
• The guide may decide to cancel the excursion in case of bad weather.
• The walking level is easy to moderate; comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are suggested.
• Pushchairs are only allowed on the funicular if they are folded.
• This activity can accommodate a maximum of 25 travellers.
• Confirmation is received immediately upon booking.

Travelers

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation for a full refund at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure date.

• No refund is possible less than 24 hours before departure.
• This activity may be cancelled in case of bad weather.

Who is it for?

• Travellers seeking a guided tour in French, English, German, or Italian.
• People with average physical condition for an easy to moderate walk.
• Visitors wishing to discover Lugano and Ticino in a small group (maximum 25 people).

What makes it different

• Combination of a short boat trip and a funicular ascent.
• Guided tour including the typical village of Brè and its artistic heritage.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Product code: 58286P4

Activity offered by Ente Turistico del Luganese via Viator.