Bellinzona Walking Tour

Bellinzona
Bellinzona

By Vicky · Published Jan. 15th, 2025 · Updated Feb. 1st, 2025

This walking tour of Bellinzona takes you around the historic centre and up to all three castles that make up the Fortress of Bellinzona.

Location

This walking tour of Bellinzona starts from Piazza del Sole, a large square near the centre of town. There’s a small free parking space and a larger paid underground car park nearby. Alternatively, the train station is only about 500 metres away.

Bellinzona Walking Tour Map

Tips

  • If you want to visit all three castles, buy the Bellinzona Fortezza Pass (cheaper than buying individual tickets). You can buy the ticket onsite, online from the official website, or from GetYourGuide* (often slightly higher price, but sometimes has deals).
  • You can still enjoy this walk even without visiting inside the castles.
  • If you don’t feel like walking all the way to the top, there’s a little tourist train that can take you.
  • If you’re driving north afterwards, there’s a beautiful hike at San Bernadino pass, or check out other walks on our Switzerland Hiking Page.

Popular Nearby Tours


Top Sights in Bellinzona

On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll see the historic centre of Bellinzona plus the three castles that make up the largest defensive system in the Alps. If you don’t visit inside the castles, this walking tour of Bellinzona takes about half a day, but allow a full day to see inside the castles.

  1. Piazza del Sole
  2. Castel Grande
  3. Piazza Collegiata
  4. Castello di Montebello
  1. Castello di Sasso Corbaro
  2. Piazza Nosetto
  3. Independence Square
  4. Piazza Governo

Bellinzona Walking Tour Route

1. Piazza del Sole

Piazza del Sole
Piazza del Sole
Lift to the castle from Piazza del Sole in Bellinzona

The Piazza del Sole is one of the largest squares in Bellinzona. It’s quite a modern square with slightly brutalist architecture, something you find quite often in Switzerland. There are good views of the cliffs and Castle Grande directly above, and part of the old castle wall fills one side of the square. You can also find a Migros supermarket on the square (closed on Sunday), ideal for food and drink that’s significantly cheaper than in cafes/restaurants.

Directions: From Piazza del Sole, take the eery secret lift up to the castle for the most interesting way to arrive (and to avoid walking uphill). To find the lift, head to the corner of the square nearest the castle and walk through the narrow passageway in the cliffs.

2. Castel Grande

Castel Grande, a must see in Bellinzona and a stop on the walking tour
Castel Grande

Key Information: Open April-October 10am-6pm, November-March 10:30am-4pm. Tickets cost €15, or €28 for all three castles (summer only). See the official website for more details and to buy tickets online. There’s a bistro (closed Monday) and a posh restaurant (closed Monday and Sunday) in the castle, for both reservations are recommended.

Castel Grande is an impressive castle in the heart of Bellinzona and a must-see when visiting the city. It’s the largest of the three castles that make up Fortress Bellinzona and probably the best to visit if you only visit one. Note, this is the only castle fully open in winter, the others you can only look around the outside. The archaeological historical museum is housed in one part of the castle and there are also often temporary exhibits.

Directions: While in the castle you can walk along the old stone walls and visit several viewpoints over town. When you’re ready, head out the main entrance through the gate and walk right, down the hill. You’ll come out at the next stop.

3. Piazza Collegiata

Piazza Collegiata
Piazza Collegiata church

Piazza Collegiata is a lovely central square, home to both Bellinzona tourist information and the elegant Church of St Pietro & St Stefano. It’s in the centre of the historic part of town and you’ll find many cafes and shops here and in the surrounding streets.

Directions: Head down the street to the right of the church, then take the signposted route heading upwards to the next castle.

4. Castello di Montebello

Walking up to Castello di Montebello on a tour of Bellinzona
Inside Castello di Montebello

Key Information: Open April-October 10am-6pm. Tickets cost €10, or €28 for all three castles. See the official website for more details and to buy tickets online.

Castello di Montebello is another of the three castles of Bellinzona. Its walls are fairly intact, making the castle quite impressive, and there are also good views. Surrounding it, there are picnic tables, a large children’s playground and a Grand Tour of Switzerland photo spot.

Directions: Leave the castle at the far side and head right on the walkway by the car park. At the road, take the small path slightly to the right, heading up through the field. Cross over the road and continue on the signed route upwards. At the top, continue along the road, and at the corner, you’ll have a good view of a distinctive yellow church. Around the corner, take a left up a track through the walled fields and keep heading upwards until you reach the castle.

5. Castello di Sasso Corbaro

Castello di Sasso Corbaro, one of the top sights in Bellinzona
View from Castello di Sasso Corbaro

Key Information: Open April-October 10am-6pm. Tickets cost €15, or €28 for all three castles. See the official website for more details and to buy tickets online. There’s a posh bistro (closed Mondays) in the castle courtyard.

The Castello di Sasso Corbaro is perched high above Bellinzona, but it’s worth the walk! There are panoramic views, and inside you’ll find a dungeon, a lookout tower and several exhibitions.

Directions: Leave via the back of the castle to walk through the trees and rocks. Head right at the road and downwards, circling the castle again. Then take the same route down as you walked up. When you reach the square at the bottom, turn left.

6. Piazza Nosetto

Piazza Nosetto
Piazza Nosetto, a stop on a walking tour of Bellinzona

Piazza Nosetto is an old square surrounded by many historic buildings. The old Palazzo Civico Municipio is a lovely example, with intricate architectural details. It’s definitely not a place to miss on a walking tour of Bellinzona, and the surrounding streets are also quite cute.

Directions: Take the street to the left to reach the next stop.

7. Independence Square

Independence Square
Piazza Indipendenza on a sunny day on a walking tour in Bellinzona, Switzerland

Independence Square, or Piazza Indipendenza, is on the edge of the old town, and though a bit spoiled by cars it’s surrounded by several nice buildings including the Church of San Rocco.

Directions: Leave to the right and you’ll come to another square.

8. Piazza Governo

Piazza Governo
Teatro Sociale in Bellinzona, Switzerland, a stop on a walking tour of town

The Piazza Governo is similar. You’ll see the grand government offices on one side and the little Teatro Sociale on the other.

Directions: Walk back to Piazza Nosetto and Piazza Collegiata before heading up Viale Stazione, a nice shopping street. In a little while, take a left to return to Piazza del Sole and the end of the Bellinzona Walking Tour.

Best Places to Stay in Bellinzona

Budget: Villa del Gusto* is a good-value pension on the northern side of town. The bathrooms are shared but the rates include a delicious breakfast and the owners are very friendly.

Comfort Self-Catering: Bellinzona Piazza Collegiata* is a great fully-equipment apartment right in the heart of Bellinzona.

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