Opening Hours

  • April – October
    From 10.00 to 18.00
  • November – March
    From 10.30 to 16.00
  • During the winter period, only Castelgrande remains open. The castles of Montebello and Sasso Corbaro can only be visited in their outer and inner courtyards.

Tickets

Discount

Fortezza Pass

Combined ticket for the three castles, museums and temporary exhibitions

Available from 05.04.2025 – 09.11.2025

Adults CHF 28.–

Families (2 adult until 3 children)

Families (1 adult until 3 children)

CHF 70.–

CHF 54.–

Reduced tickets (Groups, students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 18.–

Castel Grande

Adults CHF 15.–

Families (2 adult until 3 children)

Families (1 adult until 3 children)

CHF 35.–

CHF 24.–

Reduced tickets (Groups, students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 8.–

Montebello

Available from 05.04.2025 – 09.11.2025

Adults CHF 10.–

Families (2 adult until 3 children)

Families (1 adult until 3 children)

CHF 20.–

CHF 18.–

Reduced tickets (Groups, students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 5.–

Sasso Corbaro

Available from 05.04.2025 – 09.11.2025

Adults CHF 15.–

Families (2 adult until 3 children)

Families (1 adult until 3 children)

CHF 35.–

CHF 24.–

Reduced tickets (Groups, students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 8.–

Expo Pass

The Expo Pass is a combined ticket that allows access to the temporary exhibitions at Castel Grande, Sasso Corbaro and Museo Villa dei Cedri.

Available from 05.04.2025 – 09.11.2025

Adults CHF 30.–

The benefits of the Fortezza Pass

  • Available online.
  • Access to the entire Fortress: three castles, museums and temporary exhibitions

Ticino Ticket

Offer available to anyone staying in a hotel or other accommodation facility in Ticino (hotels, youth hostels, and campsites). It enables you to travel for free on public transport in the Canton and to access various tourist attractions in the region for free or with a discount, including a discount on the Bellinzona Pass (30%).

How to get here

The Fortress of Bellinzona can be visited entirely on foot or by public transport.

to get here

By train

From Milan: 1 h 40 min
From Zurich: 1 h e 40 min

Bellinzona, stazione
Ferrovie Federali Svizzere FFS
Viale Stazione
6500 Bellinzona
Rail Service: 0848 44 66 88
www.ffs.ch

From the train station follow the signs.

By car

From Zurich:
Motorway A2, direction San Gottardo-Chiasso-Italia.
Recommended exit: Bellinzona Nord, follow A2 direction Strada 2 in Arbedo-Castione. Exit 45-Bellinzona from A13/E43.

From Milan:
Motorway A9 Autostrada dei Laghi, direction Como – San Gottardo
or motorway A8, direction Varese – Stabio (Gaggiolo).
recommended exit: In Tirada/Strada 2 in Camorino, Bellinzona, Svizzera. Exit 47-Bellinzona Sud from A2.

Please note that in order to drive on Swiss motorways it is necessary to have a motorway sticker to affix to the car window (cost CHF 40, valid from January to December); it can be purchased at customs (Gaggiolo – Stabio, Ponte Tresa, Chiasso).

Distances

From Zurich 240 km
From Milan 105 km

Parking places

Parcheggio Ex Stallone
Autosilo Piazza del Sole
Autosilo alla Cervia
Parcheggio Tatti

  • Image
    Castel Grande
  • Image
    Montebello
  • Image
    Sasso Corbaro

Castel Grande

Located near the Bellinzona train station, Castel Grande can be reached on foot via the Salita Castelgande panoramic route or by using the lift at Piazzetta della Valle. Finally, the route located on the bulwark offers direct access to the outer courtyard of the castle.
Direct access to the castle by motor vehicles is not permitted. Numerous car parks are available in the vicinity of Castel Grande.

The castle of Montebello can be reached on foot along the path that connects it with the historic town centre. The castle is a 10-minute walk from Piazza Collegiata (80m elevation gain).
Bus line 4 towards Sasso Corbaro will take you to Montebello from Bellinzona station.

Sasso Corbaro

The castle of Sasso Corbaro can be reached on foot along the path that connects it with Monte Bello. The route is estimated to be about a 30-minute walk (150m elevation gain).
Bus line 4 towards Sasso Corbaro will take you to the castle from Bellinzona station or from Monte Bello.

Bulwark

The bulwark can be accessed from the external courtyard of Castel Grande, from 12A Via Carlo Salvioni, or from Viale Portone between numbers 39 / 41.

Fortezza Bellinzona

Artù, the Castle train

2024 season
The train is in service from 30.03.2024 to 03.11.2024

The tourist train service is available during the summer season, bringing visitors to Montebello Castle and Sasso Corbaro Castle. The direct link is able to comfortably transport 36 passengers, who can sit back and enjoy a spectacular view throughout the trip.

The journey begins from the Bellinzona historic city centre and ends at the Montebello and Sasso Corbaro castles. Since it begins in the city centre, you can also catch a glimpse of the hamlet’s main historical monuments.

The offer allows people to experience a tour of about an hour, with short visits to the castles, or to stay longer and visit the exhibits in Sasso Corbaro and Montebello and continue the trip on the next ride.

Tickets can be purchased directly at the start or online.

Don’t miss the Artù tourist train, featuring breath-taking views of the city and its enchanting surroundings!

To better experience the experience, an app, smARTravel, has been created, with audioguide function in four languages (Italian, German, French and English) to discover all the points of interest along the way!

Partner Ticino Ticket 

Thanks to Ticino Ticket you can visit this attraction at a discounted price. Ask the ticket at your hotel, campsite or hostel and find out all the offers you can receive.

Discover the reductions

Opening hours

  • Sunday – Friday
    10.00, 11.20, 13.30, 15.00, 16.30
    from Piazza Collegiata
  • Saturday
    11.20 and 13.30 from Piazza Governo
    15.00 and 16.30 from Piazza Collegiata

Fares

Adults CHF 13.–
Child CHF 5.–
Families (2 adults + 2 children) CHF 30.–
Students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 10.–
Ticino Ticket CHF 9.–
Adult Groups CHF 11.–

Accessibility

This cultural/tourist point of interest took part in the digital data mapping project on accessibility by Pro Infirmis. The project was carried out with the collaboration and support of Ticino Turismo, the four regional tourist organisations and the Department of Education, Culture and Sport.

All information on the accessibility of the partner in question can be found on the following pages:

Castel Grande

Montebello

Sasso Corbaro

Food and Drink

Ristorante Castelgrande

  • Tuesday to Saturday from 19.00 to 00.00.
    Sunday and Monday closing days.

    Until 4th September 2023, from 14:00 to 18:00, you can relax in the comfortable deckchairs of the Corte del Castagno and enjoy a pleasant drink in one of the most breathtaking views of Ticino.

  • +41 91 814 87 81
MORE INFO

Since 2011, the Scuola Specializzata Superiore Alberghiera e del Turismo (SSSAT) in Bellinzona has been running the catering and banqueting activities at the Castel Grande. Their aim is to create a space for practical and learning activities for students attending the hotel management section. They are given the opportunity to gain experience outside the school environment by being in direct contact with customers.

The catering offer consists of two restaurants:
The Ristorante Castelgrande, cited by the gastronomic guides Gault Millau with 15 points, Michelin, Guide Bleu with 7/10 and Falstaff with 86/100 (for up to 30 guests), offers gastronomic cuisine with a French touch revisited in a modern key.

The Grotto San Michele, with its panoramic terrace (up to 60 guests) and characteristic vaulted hall (up to 30 guests), offers typical, local dishes with certified TICINO regio garantie suppliers and traditional medieval dishes according to Maestro Martino’s recipes.

Banqueting is offered in the Banquet Hall (up to 120 guests): the ideal place for meetings with coffee breaks, company lunches or dinners, standing, weddings and special events.
Since November 2000, Castelgrande and the neighbouring Montebello and Sasso Corbaro castles have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The picturesque setting is completed by the vineyards bordering the castle walls, which are cultivated with merlot grapes by the Mezzana Cantonal Agricultural Society.

Grotto San Michele

  • Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30 a.m. to 00.00 p.m.
    Sunday from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Closed on Mondays.

    Until 4th September 2023, from 14:00 to 18:00, you can relax in the comfortable deckchairs of the Corte del Castagno and enjoy a pleasant drink in one of the most breathtaking views of Ticino.

  • +41 91 814 87 81
MORE INFO

Since 2011, the Scuola Specializzata Superiore Alberghiera e del Turismo (SSSAT) in Bellinzona has been running the catering and banqueting activities at the Castel Grande. Their aim is to create a space for practical and learning activities for students attending the hotel management section. They are given the opportunity to gain experience outside the school environment by being in direct contact with customers.

The catering offer consists of two restaurants:
The Ristorante Castelgrande, cited by the gastronomic guides Gault Millau with 15 points, Michelin, Guide Bleu with 7/10 and Falstaff with 86/100 (for up to 30 guests), offers gastronomic cuisine with a French touch revisited in a modern key.

The Grotto San Michele, with its panoramic terrace (up to 60 guests) and characteristic vaulted hall (up to 30 guests), offers typical, local dishes with certified TICINO regio garantie suppliers and traditional medieval dishes according to Maestro Martino’s recipes.

Banqueting is offered in the Banquet Hall (up to 120 guests): the ideal place for meetings with coffee breaks, company lunches or dinners, standing, weddings and special events.
Since November 2000, Castelgrande and the neighbouring Montebello and Sasso Corbaro castles have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The picturesque setting is completed by the vineyards bordering the castle walls, which are cultivated with merlot grapes by the Mezzana Cantonal Agricultural Society.

Osteria Sasso Corbaro

  • Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 00.00.
    Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00
    Closed on Mondays.
  • +41 91 825 55 32
MORE INFO

The newly organised Osteria features a garden terrace and has been expanded by a new intimite hall (Sala del Cavaliere). The restaurant offers a wide range of culinary delights: Grandmother’s cooking, grill specialties, fish, game, risotto, vegetables, all complemented by the appropriate wine. A congenial meeting place for friends and family in unique and historic ambience. Booking is recommended.

© 2022 Fortezza Bellinzona