Opening Hours

  • Spring, summer
    From 10.00 to 18.00

     

  • Autumn, winter
    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

Bellinzona Pass
Combined ticket for the three castles, the museums and the temporary exhibitions

Adults CHF 28.–
Families (2 adults + 3 children) CHF 70.–
Reduced tickets (Groups, students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 18.–

Castel Grande

Adults CHF 15.–
Families (2 adults + 3 children) CHF 35.–
Reduced tickets (Groups, students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 8.–

Montebello

Adults CHF 10.–
Families (2 adults + 3 children) CHF 20.–
Reduced tickets (Groups, students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 5.–

Sasso Corbaro

Adults CHF 15.–
Families (2 adults + 3 children) CHF 35.–
Reduced tickets (Groups, students, children 6–16 years, seniors (+65) CHF 8.–

Benefits of the Bellinzona Pass

  • Available online.
  • Access to the entire Fortress.
  • Discounts on tickets by presenting the Bellinzona Pass
    Monte Carasso Mornera cable car 20% (Ponte Tibetano Carasc)

    Monte San Giorgio Fossil Museum 20%.

    Villa dei Cedri Civic Museum 30%

  • Tickets for one of the aforementioned facilities entitle you to a 20% discount (Monte Carasso Mornera cable car, Monte San Giorgio Fossil Museum) or a 30% discount (Villa dei Cedri Civic Museum) on the Bellinzona Pass.

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.

Montebello

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 Monte Bello 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

The service runs during the summer and allows you to get to the Castle of Montebello and the Castle of Sasso Corbaro easily. The direct connection can carry 36 passengers, comfortably seated in the carriages, who can enjoy the view throughout the journey.

The route starts from the historic centre of Bellinzona and runs to the castles of Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. You can also admire the main historical monuments of the town while passing through the town centre.

The trip lasts about an hour and tickets can be purchased directly at the departure point.

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 12.–
Concessions (pensioners, students, groups) CHF 10.–
Family (2 adults + 2 concessions) CHF 30.–

Accessibility

Access to the Fortress is only partially guaranteed. For further information, please contact the Castles InfoPoints:
T: 091 825 21 31

Food and Drink

Ristorante Castelgrande

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

  • +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.
  • +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