Switzerland is one of the world’s prettiest countries. Its landscape of impressive mountain ranges and beautiful villages is sure to impress.
With so much beauty waiting for you to discover, picking your ideal vacation destination in Switzerland is not easy.
But don’t fear. We’ve found the 22 most beautiful places in Switzerland that you should see. From the highest railway station in the world to the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.
Here is a list of Switzerland’s prettiest places. Pick your favorites and add them to your itinerary.
22 Of The Most Beautiful Places in Switzerland to Visit
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and is well worth at least 2 weeks of your time.
Below is a list of the best places in Switzerland to include in your itinerary.
1. Jungfraujoch
Known as “The Top of Europe,” Jungfraujoch might be the most beautiful place in Switzerland and one of the most impressive natural wonders in Europe to see.
It’s a slow ascent up the Jungfraujoch mountain as you climb 3,000 meters to the tallest peak in Switzerland. Once at the top – the Sphinx Observatory is the best place to admire the Swiss Alps.
Europe’s longest glacier, the Great Aletsch Glacier, is also located just below and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want a slightly more adventurous activity, walk along the Eiger Trail or Panorama Way.
You can also take a 60-minute hike to Mönchsjoch Hut for fantastic views of the Valais Mountains.
2. Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is deservedly second on the list of the most beautiful places Switzerland has to offer! Situated in the Swiss Alps, this village is set in one of the most impressive trough valleys in the Alps.
Surrounding the village, you find dramatic rocky cliffs and the famous 300-meter-high Staubbach Falls.
If the unique setting of this village is not enough for you, you can also visit the viewing platforms close by to see the sensational glacial waters of Trümmelbach Falls as they rush through the mountain crevices.
Or, you could challenge yourself and scout out all 72 waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Most notable is the Trummelbach Falls, a 3.5 km flat walk from Lauterbrunnen with ten glacier-fed waterfall caves.
3. Interlaken
This resort town is stunning, with acres upon acres of open space, flower gardens, and the peaks of Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch towering over the city.
The best place to see the colorful gardens of tulips and petunias is at Höhematte Park. If you want the best vantage point of Lake Thun, walk across the Sigriswil Panorama Bridge.
For something more hidden, visit the St. Beatus Cave and waterfalls to admire flowing water and unique stalagmites and stalactites.
4. Lucerne
Lucerne is a medieval town surrounded by mountains and peppered with historic buildings and covered bridges.
As one of the top historical places in Switzerland, this town is most famous for Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument.
If you want spectacular views of the area, including Lake Lucerne, you can ride up Mt. Pilatus by cableway.
Alternatively, travel up to Mt. Pilatus’ viewing area on the steepest cogwheel track in the world, with an average gradient of 48%.
5. Bern
The capital of Switzerland, Bern, is a world heritage site, and for a good reason: the old town has breathtaking architecture.
The tallest cathedral in Switzerland – the Cathedral of Bern – is in the city’s heart, with exquisite relief sculptures on its facade.
If you climb to the top of the cathedral, you’ll get majestic views of the Aare River, which flows through the city.
There are also 16th-century towers and cobbled streets that add to the unique feeling of this lovely city.
A popular attraction is the medieval clock tower, Zytglogge, which has moving puppets. It’s quirky and a great way to entertain the kids during the day.
This city is great if you want to see massive collections of Swiss art and sculptures. These museums include the Bern Museum of Art and Zentrum Paul Klee.
It’s also a great idea to check out the local markets. The best one is in Parliament Square, Bundesplatz.
6. Lake Geneva (lac Léman)
Lake Geneva is the largest Alpine lake in Europe, covering a staggering 580 km².
One of the most famous attractions of the lake is the Jet d’Eau. This fountain shoots water 150 meters high and provides the perfect backdrop for a family photo.
However, if you want stunning lake views from above, take a cable car up to Glacier 3000.
7. The Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is one of the most iconic symbols in Switzerland. At 4,478 meters, it is one of the Alps’ highest points.
The Matterhorn is much more than a pretty sight. You can take on the five lakes hike, each providing majestic views of the Matterhorn.
Skiing and snowboarding are also top-rated, and taking the Matterhorn Glacier Ride is another fun activity that’ll give you glorious views of the valley below.
8. Chateau de Chillon
Located close to Montreux is the Château de Chillon. It features three courtyards and 25 buildings. There are also underground rooms, murals, and impressive paintings.
The castle has a lot of history. In the 12th century, it was a stronghold for the Dukes and Counts of Savoy. t was even used as a prison – a rather nice one – back in the 16th century.
9. Mürren
Mürren is a cozy Swiss mountain village at the Schilthorn peak’s foot. It is so scenic that it has even been featured in a James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969).
You’ll see all its beauty during the various treks in the area, with the Via Ferrata Mürren-Gimmelwald being a great family hike.
And if you want a lovely day of gentle skiing slopes perfect for the whole family, head to the Maulerhubel and Winteregg chairlifts.
10. St. Moritz
With its jagged peaks, impressive glaciers, beautiful lakes, and lush forests, St. Moritz is one of the top mountain destinations in the world.
This is a popular destination throughout the year, and during the winter, visitors can enjoy everything from bobsledding to skating. A popular activity is tobogganing on Cresta Run.
During the summer, visitors can enjoy glacier skiing, watersports, and hiking. One of the best hikes is along St. Moritz Lake.
11. Ticino & Lake Lugano
The area is well-known for its food, which has a Mediterranean flair with palms, figs, and citrus flavors.
When not indulging in Ticino’s tasty delights, visit the three castles of Bellinzona, which are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
We also highly recommend renting a boat to see Lake Lugano. This gives you a panoramic view of Monte San Salvatore’s snow-capped peaks.
12. Gruyeres
Gruyeres has a lot of medieval characters, with ancient buildings and sweeping views above the Saane River.
A popular attraction is a 13th-century structure, St. Germain Castle, which has been turned into a museum.
It also features artworks related to the once-popular film Alien (1979). Yes, this is the town where you can find the only museum of H.R. Giger.
Well, its quirkiness doesn’t end there. Gruyeres is one of the top popular places in Switzerland due to its connection to the well-known Gruyere cheese.
So make sure to enjoy a cheese fondue for lunch to get into the atmosphere of all things cheesy.
13. Creux du Van
The Creux du Van is a truly spectacular natural rocky cirque created by the constant erosion of water and ice. It measures approximately 1,400 meters wide and 150 meters deep.
Interestingly, there is a spring at the bottom of the basin where the water is four degrees above freezing year-round.
This spring — known as the Fontaine Froide — is a spectacular sight, which you’ll pass over during a hike of the region.
14. Grindelwald
Grindelwald also boasts the Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen, the biggest ski resort in the region with 110 km of skiing runs.
Many people come here to climb the iconic Eiger mountain that forms part of the Bernese Alps or take on the Wetterhorn peak that towers over the village.
For something out of a storybook, head 10 minutes out of town to the Gletscherschlucht. This rocky ravine is iconic, with the Lower Grindelwald flowing through its cracks.
15. Sion
Thanks to the two medieval castles on the hills overlooking Sion, you can spot this fascinating town from a mile away.
Tourbillon Castle was built in the 13th century and boasted high stone walls and towers.
On the opposite hill, facing the castle, sits the fortified church, Valère Basilica. Inside you’ll find a 500 year old — one of the oldest functioning organs in the world.
There are also plenty of other historical monuments and excellent wine farms to explore in Sion.
Most notably, the winery Les Celliers de Sion has a cellar right at the heart of the town with a 100-year-old history.
16. Basel
Basel is also famous for its fantastic art scene — there are over 40 museums in the city, many of which are dedicated to art.
There is a large market square and an impressive town hall built from Redstone, among many other sights.
The Cloisters of Basel Minster has a gorgeous garden you can explore, as well as some breathtaking architecture.
And if you want a truly unique experience, one that can only happen near Basel, visit the Dreiländereck. This is where the borders of France, Switzerland, and Germany meet, so it’s the one place where you can be in three countries all at once.
17. Soglio
Soglio is known for its charming old stone houses and breathtaking views of the Alps, you will surely agree with famous painter Segantini that this is the “gateway to paradise.”
The village sits on a ledge so visitors can enjoy fantastic views of the green valley and the Alps in the background.
The Church of St. Lorenzo, with its steeple overlooking the valley, is a well-known Soglio landmark.
The rest of the village is filled with cobblestoned streets and traditional houses that are very pretty to wander through.
Although the town is simple and quiet, you can still enjoy unforgettable hikes in this mountainous region.
18. Stein am Rhein
For some of the most beautifully preserved medieval structures in Europe, you must see this lovely town called Stein am Rhein.
You can spend hours walking around the Old Town, admiring the medieval architecture and the detailed frescos painted on each building’s facade.
The best place to visit for these frescos is the Town Hall. You can also visit the magnificent 13th-century Hohenklingen Castle, built on a hill overlooking the town.
19. Ftan
Ftan, a charming small village in the beautiful Lower Engadine Valley, is home to many small villages and beautiful stretches of unspoiled nature.
With only about 500 inhabitants, Ftan is one of the smaller villages in this region. Its isolated and picturesque setting may even remind you of the classic movie Heidi (1968).
20. Swiss National Park
You can’t go wrong with a visit to this mesmerizing part of Switzerland. We recommend visiting the Swiss National Park by car (leaving from Zurich).
The Swiss National Park is the country’s only national park and is recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is also one of the oldest parks in Europe.
21. Appenzell
Appenzell is a quaint medieval town in the northeastern part of Switzerland, making it the perfect base for any outdoor activity.
It’s just a short cable car ride away from the Ebenalp Mountain peak, where you can observe the beauty of Appenzell from above. You can also visit the Ebenalp Wildkirchli, an old religious cave in the heart of the mountain.
You’ll also want to visit Lake Seealpsee, with its sapphire green waters that are simply picture-perfect. It’s not just about outdoor adventuring, as Appenzell’s city center is a lovely car-free spot that’s definitely worth exploring.
22. Zurich
Zurich’s Aldstadt’s picturesque lanes line the effervescent Limmat River. And that’s not even the best part of this global center for banking.
This city has plenty of history and museums that’ll make the art novice fall in love. Some top spots include the Rietberg Museum and the Swiss National Museum.
If you walk the picturesque streets of the Niederdorf neighborhood, you can admire quaint cafes and trendy shops.
You can also snap some photos of Grossmünster, a Romanesque church that dominates the neighborhood’s scenery.
Final Words
We all know that Switzerland is an incredible country to visit.
Even though it might be one of your more costly holidays, this country truly has a diverse range of incredible destinations that will surely leave a long-lasting impression on your memory bank.
Switzerland has always been one of the top destinations to travel to. If this list of the most beautiful places in Switzerland has proven that to you, then I”m not sure if anything will.
Are you looking for more? Check out our Switzerland Blog Posts to help you plan the ultimate Alpine vacation, or hop straight into our 5-day Switzerland itinerary.
Also, make sure you purchase travel insurance for your tip, you can read more about which travel insurance for Switzerland is best to suit your trip.
