The Como-Brunate funicular has linked the lakeshore, in piazza De Gasperi, with Brunate since 1894, the village at almost 720 metres called the “balcony of the Alps”: seven minutes of climbing with views over Como and the lake, and from the top paths lead to the Faro Voltiano and the Triangolo Lariano.
History
Until the 19th century Brunate was reached by a mule track laid out in 1817 and, later, by a few narrow carriage roads. In 1890 a group of residents and holidaymakers, including the mayor, promoted a tramway, and on 3 November 1891 the funicular company was formed, to a design by the engineer brothers Villoresi. The line opened on 11 November 1894, less than a year after work began, with a steam winch instead of the water system originally planned.
Steam gave way to electricity in 1911; in 1912 the “cannon” that fired a blank at noon was installed, and between 1933 and 1935 the line was renewed, with a new station at Brunate; the cars were changed in 1951. From 1981 ownership passed from the joint-stock company to the Lombardy Region and since July 2005 the service has been run by the Consorzio Mobilità Funicolare & Bus, with the Azienda Trasporti Milanesi as operator (SPT Holding). The Second World War raised passenger numbers: in 1945, because of evacuations, there were 1,556,082 (Wikipedia). Today’s two cars, with Liberty-style interiors and a wide panoramic window in place of the driver’s cab, have been in service since 13 August 2011; some historic cars are on show at the Volandia museum.
What to see
The track measures 1,074 metres and gains 493.92 metres of height, with an average gradient of 46% and a maximum of 55.10% (Wikipedia). Halfway the two cars pass each other, where the old noon cannon stands. From the window you see the city, the lake and, higher up, the roofs of Brunate.
At Brunate, SPT Holding lists some walks: a few minutes to the Pissarottino spring, a viewpoint over the First Basin, Villa d’Este, Villa Erba and Monte Rosa; the path that descends to Como alongside the funicular or the more evocative one by the Eremo di San Donato; uphill the San Maurizio lighthouse and the locality of Cao with the sanctuary of Santa Rita, which the same site calls the smallest in Europe; the excursion to Monte Piatto, with its stone tombs and the Pietra Pendula, which can continue towards Torno (about 2.5 hours in all). From the Brunate station the Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano also starts, reaching Bellagio in 11-12 hours, which can be split into stages.
Practical information
- Stations: in Como piazza Alcide De Gasperi 4, a step from the lake; in Brunate piazza Bonacossa (Wikipedia). Phone: 031 302102.
- Hours: according to ATM, which operates the line, runs go from 6am to midnight, with simultaneous departures from both stations, and the trip takes 7 minutes; the city’s tourist site instead gives 10.30pm, extended to midnight in summer and runs every 15 minutes. There is an on-request stop at the intermediate station of Carescione and the funicular is accessible to wheelchair users.
- Fares in force from 1 September 2026 (PDF on the funicular’s own site, dated 28 August): single 3.70 euros, return 7.40; children up to 12 years 2.50 and 5.00; 10-trip multi-ride 33.00; children up to 4 travel free. Bicycles, animals, prams and other parcels (at most 50 × 30 × 25 cm) cost 3.60 euros, and a single ticket with a bicycle 7.30. The companion of a person with a disability travels free with a document certifying the need, guide dogs for blind people travel free and other dogs must wear a muzzle. The PDF that the ATM page still links shows the previous fares (3.60 and 7.20). The «Io viaggio» tickets and passes (IVOP, IVOL, Io viaggio in famiglia) are valid too.
- Strike: the ATM page, read on 6 October 2026, announces a strike for Friday 9 October: service may not be guaranteed from 8.30am to 4.30pm and after 7.30pm, until the end of service.
- From Brunate you can continue on foot to the Faro Voltiano, which in 2026 is closed to the public.
Sources
- SPT Holding, Funicolare Como/Brunate
- Città di Como, Como-Brunate funicular railway
- Lombardia Segreta, La storia e il fascino della funicolare Como-Brunate (2024)
- ATM, Funicolare Como-Brunate (page and timetable PDF, consulted on 6 October 2026)
- Funicolare Como-Brunate, fares from 1 September 2026 (PDF)
- Wikipedia, Funicolare Como-Brunate entry.