The Bellinzona Castles, a UNESCO World Heritage site, consist of three well-preserved medieval fortifications. Built to control and defend strategic routes through the alps, they played a crucial role in the defense of northern Italy and Switzerland during the Middle Ages.

Today, you can explore the castle grounds, walk the ramparts, climb the towers, and learn the history of the castles and region in their museums.

The castles are similar but each has a bit of a different character and views. If you have time, I recommend visiting all three. Otherwise, I suggest visiting just the largest one, Castelgrande, in the Bellinzona old town.

How to get there

The castles are located in Bellinzona, a town in the Ticino region of southern Switzerland.

By public transport: Take a train to the Bellinzona station. Castel Grande is about a 10 min walk from the station.
From Lugano 29 mins, Locarno 17 mins, Ascona 50 mins, Lucerne 1h25

By car: The closest parking to the main castle is Autosilo Piazza del Sole (Piazza del Sole 7, 6500 Bellinzona). This parking is accessible by lift and so is the castle. Another option is P+Rail Bellinzona at the train station.

How to get to the castles

The main castle, Castelgrande, is right in the center of the Bellinzona old town, a 10 min walk from the Bellinzona train station. Many people use the elevator on Piazza del Sole to reach the castle entrance.

The other two castles are on the hills above the town. The easiest way to reach these castles is with the tourist train shuttle, which leaves from the city center at Piazza Collegiata 12, 6500 Bellinzona. You can get off at any of the castles and catch the next shuttle. You can purchase shuttle tickets onsite or online. Entrance fees to the castles is separate. Learn more.

You can also walk to the upper castles, walking about a 5.5 km loop. It’s about a 15 min walk from Castelgrande to Montebello. From Montebello to Sasso Corbaro, it’s about 20 mins uphill. For details, see this loop trail between the castles.

Tickets for the Castles

You can visit the outer castle grounds for free. But if you want to walk on the rampants, climb the towers and visit the castle museums, you pay an entrance fee. It's best to get the Fortezza pass, which covers all three castles.