Lugano Region Guided Excursion from Lugano to Monte San Salvatore by funicular
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy the view in this 3 hour tour in Lugano. The tour will begin at 10am on the lake shore just beneath Monte San Salvatore. You will then be able to experience Lugano Arte Cultura, the Santa Maria Degli Angeli Church, and even riding a cable car to the top of Monte San Salvatore. At the top of the mountain, you will have some free time to explore and have a picnic until it's time to ride the cable car back down, concluding the tour. Food and drinks are not included on this tour. You will receive a special discount if you want to eat at the panoramic restaurant.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reservation required.
The guided tour will be held in the two prevalent languages.
The guide can decide to break off or cancel the excursion in case of bad weather.
Difficulty level / walking: easy - medium. Suggested comfortable shoes, hat and sunscreen.
A maximum of 8 people per booking
10% discount at Restaurant Vetta San Salvatore
Please be on time!
Pushchairs/strollers are only allowed on the funicular if they are folded.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Piazza della 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.
Church of S. Maria degli Angioli
The Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is the most important church of Lugano. It contains the famous Renaissance fresco of the Passion and the Crucifixion by the Italian artist Bernardino Luini. Its construction was started in 1499 by Franciscan friars and was consecrated in 1515. It was restored in 1929/30. Next to the church, there was originally a Franciscan monastery built in 1490. This was dissolved in 1848 and in 1852/54 a hotel was built on its grounds; it was then raised by two floors and converted into the Hotel Palace in 1903, which kept part of the ancient convent’s cloister. The church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is famous for its Renaissance fresco of the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ by Italian artist Bernardino Luini, whose artwork, dating back to 1529, is the most important example of Lombard Renaissance in Switzerland. The monumental fresco is located on the church’s dividing wall and depicts several figures from the Passion of Christ. The Last Supper fresco on the nave’s south wall (originally located in the refectory) and the beautiful Virgin Mary with baby Jesus and St John on the eastern wall of the first side chapel (which was once the lunette of the portal leading to the cemetery) are also by Luini. Both works show a strong influence by Leonardo.
What‘s Included
The cable railway will bring you up to the summit (912 m) in just 10 minutes.
Cablecar ride roundtrip included
Guided Excursion to the Monte San Salvatore
Departure from Lugano Region tourist office in Via Magatti 6, Lugano at 10am
Food and drinks
Options
Lugano Region Guided Excursion from Lugano to Monte San Salvatore by funicular
Reviews
30 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Scenic tour with great guide
Michael G,,Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Meet inside the information center & know there are no restrooms in the office. Really enjoyed the tour. Got some history of Lugano & Switzerland before going on the funicular to get fantastic 360 views of the surrounding areas.
Lugano, the diamond of the Italian lake country!
michaelcJ6865OW,,Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing and the guide was just the best !! She is very knowledgeable and took us to all the sites. She showed us the best views, points of interest and history of the city and the surrounding villages. She also recommended where to eat and we stayed several more hours just exploring the city on our own based on her recommendations.
Nice way to spend a couple of hours in Lugano
Adam P,,Jul 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Nice tour. Lots of walking and not got those with mobility issues. Spectacular views from the top of the mountain. Tour guide was pleasant.
Breathtaking panorama
Sireragon,,Jun 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Good morning, everybody. Taking advantage of the bridge on June 2nd we went to the beautiful sight of San Salvatore. Parked in Lugano station took train 1 stop "Paradise" 200m to pieti and we took the cable car (pretty expensive I would say, family package 75€). I must say that on one level it is a spectacle. climbing to the roof of the church is rewarding. Tip for sailors, the bar / restaurant at high altitude is very expensive (eg 1 plate of simple pasta 20 € + service) The cable car very beautiful and modern. Greetings
Not to be missed.
felicia f,,Sep 26, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Stunning views at the top and while getting there. The guides information added to the experience. A trip to the top of San Salvatore is not to be missed.
It was worth every penny…
Basma M,,Sep 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The Lugano trip was the most amazing experience. The panoramic view was out of this world! We had the best time.
A must see if you are in the area
Anne M,,Sep 7, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00James was a wonderful guide giving us tons of information and insight to the history of Lugano. The views were spectacular too. Definitely a worthwhile excursion.
Sublime
187pascalg,,Aug 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A place to discover absolutely The view is superb the restaurant serves beautiful little dishes to make beautiful pictures as much of the landscape on all sides as pictures of you and or your companions
Unmissable and magnificent place that does not require a guided tour
IsabelleB81,,Sep 29, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00There must have been a maximum of 8 of us. There were 12 of us. Translation of each information into 3 languages because the group was made up of English, Germans and French. It's a shame Otherwise, a nice walk and you really have to do it. We went back down on foot. Alone. Very pleasant
Recommended
N1351KKevak,,Sep 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour in several languages, a leisurely walk along the lake and a beautiful view at the end. 🤩👍🏼
From CHF 20.00
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Related Experiences
Operated by Ente Turistico del Luganese