20 Most Beautiful Places In Switzerland That You Should See!

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Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, and it’s no secret that the most beautiful places in Switzerland are filled to the brim with a lot of charm.

It seems to have a storybook landscape, bringing a sense of awe to many travelers visiting this country. 

As individuals explore each destination, they often find that they are gorgeous and don’t compare to anything they have ever seen.

With so many incredible sights, destinations, towns, and cities, it can be hard to pinpoint what the prettiest place in Switzerland is, but we have attempted to do just that!

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20 The Most Beautiful Places in Switzerland to Visit

Below is a list of the best places in Switzerland to include in your itinerary.  The list includes a range of beautiful sights, from the most beautiful cities in Switzerland to the most beautiful lakes, mountains, and castles.

While we love to scout out destinations that might still be unheard of, you will also find a few selections of pretty popular tourist places in Switzerland on the list as well.

Here are 20 of the most beautiful places in Switzerland to visit. Which of them will be the most beautiful place in Switzerland for you?

 

1. Jungfraujoch

Known as “The Top of Europe,” Jungfraujoch might be the most beautiful place in Switzerland. It is a ‘must-see' for your Swiss holiday.

It starts with a train journey up to Jungfraujoch, where visitors can look at the scenery around them (thanks to the scientific observatory and observation terrace located 3,454 above the ground).

Europe’s longest glacier, the Great Aletsch Glacier, is located below and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can also walk along the Eiger Trail or Panorama Way. After more activities?

Why not take a gondola ride to see the Lauterbrunnen Valley?

>>> Check out the Jungfraujoch day trip here.

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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 maybe you want to challenge yourself and scout out all 72 waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley!

Last but not least, don't forget to grab a cable car from Stechelberg village to Schilthorn mountain for views over the glorious Bernese Alps!

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3. Interlaken

Located between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun is Interlaken, one of Switzerland's most beautiful places for sure!

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 town.

Visitors can enjoy the area's many cafes or go kayaking, hiking, or abseiling, dependent on the time of year. There are over 45 different modes of transport, including cable cars and railways.

Visitors flock to the area during winter to take advantage of skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

During the warmer months, paragliding is popular. No matter what time of year, Interlaken is one of Switzerland's must-visit places!

>>> Check out a tandem paragliding experience from Interlaken here.

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4. Lucerne

Lucerne is one of the top places in Switzerland and one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland!

This medieval town is surrounded by mountains and peppered with historic buildings and covered bridges.

Cars aren’t allowed here, so tourists can easily walk around as pedestrians truly have the right of way.

As one of the top historical places in Switzerland, this town is most famous for its landmarks of the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument.

Those that want a spectacular view of the area, including Lake Lucerne, can ride up Mt. Pilatus by cableway.

A fabulous way to explore this wonderful city and some of its top landmarks and sights is via a self-guided walking tour.

Click here to grab some info on planning your walking tour of Lucerne.

>>> Check out Mount Titlis Eternal Snow Half-Day Tour here.

>>> Check out Mount Pilatus Summer Day Tour here.

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5. Bern

If you are looking for Switzerland beautiful places, you cannot miss out on Bern!

The capital of Switzerland, Bern, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and perhaps the most beautiful city in Switzerland. This old town is medieval, which is apparent in its architecture.

The tallest cathedral in Switzerland is located here as well.  There are also 16th-century towers and cobbled streets. A popular attraction is the medieval clock tower, Zytglogge, which has moving puppets.

In addition to all of this, a variety of impressive museums and galleries are located here. This city is great for those who want to see massive collections of Swiss art and sculptures. These museums include the Bern Museum of Art and Zentrum Paul Klee.

Those looking for something else to do while here must check out the markets.

Located in parliament square, Bundesplatz, visitors can buy all sorts of unique items to take back home while getting an intriguing view of the Bundeshaus parliament building.

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6. Lake Geneva (lac Léman)

Lake Geneva (lac Léman) is regarded as one of the most famous places in Switzerland and, as a result, is typically one of the most visited places in Switzerland. This body of water is the largest Alpine lake in Europe.

One of the most famous attractions of the lake is the Jet d’Eau This fountain shoots water 150 meters high.

Those who visit the lake can also take advantage of all the things to do in the city of Geneva, including the Grand Theatre and the Opera House.

Lake Geneva is one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland due to the majestic Swiss Alps as a backdrop to this lake.

This is one of the prettiest places in Switzerland by far!

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7. The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn is one of the most iconic symbols in Switzerland and one of the most picturesque places in Switzerland.

The peak of The Matterhorn is one of the Alps' highest points. The Matterhorn borders Italy and has a height of 4,478 meters.

The steep faces of it are each pointed in four different directions like a compass.

At the foot of the Matterhorn is the village of Zermatt. It’s known for its chalets and horse-drawn carriage rides. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in the village so that its peacefulness of it can be preserved.

This is a popular destination for travelers year round and is one of the sights Switzerland is famous for.

>>> Check out Matterhorn on a private helicopter flight with a glacier landing here.

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8. Chateau de Chillon

Located close to Montreux is the Chateau de Chillon, known as the Chillon Castle. This is one of the most scenic places in Switzerland.

The castle has a lot of history as it was a stronghold for the Dukes and Counts of Savoy back in the 12th century.

It features three courtyards and 25 buildings. There are underground rooms, murals, and impressive paintings.

When visiting Lake Geneva, many tourists also stop at Chateau de Chillon.

>>> Check out the Chateau de Chillon on a tour here.

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9. Mürren

If you looking for the most beautiful spots in Switzerland, you will be happy with this one! Mürren is a cozy Swiss mountain village located at the foot of the Schilthorn peak.

This village is one of the prettiest places in Switzerland. It is so scenic that it has even been featured in a James Bond film.

The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant featured in the film contains the Bond World 007 exhibit. It offers incredible views over Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, right to Mont Blanc and into the Black Forest!

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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. Two winter Olympics have been hosted here.

This town has two parts: St. Moritz Bad and St. Moritz Dorf. The former sits on the valley floor and has more affordable accommodations. St. Moritz Dorf overlooks the lake.

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.

Visitors can enjoy glacier skiing, watersports, and hiking during the summer.

This is one of the super nice places in Switzerland to visit!

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11. Ticino & Lake Lugano

Some of the most beautiful landscapes in Switzerland can be found in Ticino. Say no more; this is hands-down one of the most amazing places in Switzerland.

This is the only canton that officially speaks Italian in Switzerland. It’s not surprising as Ticino is located on the Swiss/Italian border.

The area is well-known for its food as it has a Mediterranean flair with its palms, figs, and citrus tastes.

Those who come here will often rent a boat to see Lake Lugano. This gives them a panoramic view of Monte San Salvatore's snow-capped peaks.

One of the most scenic places in Switzerland!

>>> Check out Lugano Monte Bre funicular here.

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12. Gruyeres

Maybe the most beautiful town in Switzerland?  This town has a lot of medieval characters. It’s above the river Saane, which offers impressive views.

A popular attraction is a 13th-century structure, St. Germain Castle, that has been turned into a museum. Visitors can go here to learn more about the culture and history of the town.

It also features artworks related to the once-popular film “Alien”. Yes, this is the town where you can find the only museum of H.R. Giger!

This fact alone makes Gruyeres one of my list's best places to visit in Switzerland!

Another exciting place to go is The Tibet Museum. Visitors can view Buddhist sculptures as well as some Himalayan ritual objects.

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.

You can read more about a day trip to Gruyere on our blog.

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13. Creux du Van

One of our readers contributed this beautiful sight, and I wanted to add it to our list as it offers something completely different from the points listed above.

 

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.

It is well known as the amphitheater of Switzerland and located in the Val de Travers district in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel.

Interestingly, there is a spring at the bottom of the basin where the water is four degrees above freezing year round!

You will need to climb precisely 725 meters to find yourself standing in the middle of an arena.

Once you are there, you can also hike along the edge. So a great excuse to get out and enjoy some stunning scenery!

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14. Grindelwald

The village of Grindelwald is another beautiful place in Switzerland for adventurers and nature lovers to visit.

This lovely green valley is part of the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, so be prepared for stunning mountain views and plenty of snow activities. Grindelwald also boasts the biggest ski resort in the region. 

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. And of course, the famous Jungfraujoch is also located in this area.

In summer, you can run, hike, or mountain bike on plenty of trails. The Grindelwald First is a relatively small summit, which makes it perfect for a short outing or a fun cable car ride. There’s even a restaurant at the top!

>>> Check out this Gondola ride and hike to Mount First here.

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15. Sion

Thanks to the two medieval castles on the hills overlooking Sion, you can spot this fascinating town from far away. 

This is one of the best villages in Switzerland to visit if you enjoy culture and history. Two prominent hills rise up in the middle of the town, each with a castle built on top. 

Tourbillon Castle was built in the 13th century and boasted high stone walls and towers. The steep terrain around it naturally defends the impressive structure. Visitors must climb steep stairs to reach the top and see the castle up close. 

On the opposite hill, facing the castle, sits the fortified church, Valère Basilica. Inside you’ll find a 500-year-old organ—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.

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16. Basel

Although Basel is the third-largest city in Switzerland, it is still a beautiful place to visit and enjoy the lovely scenery. 

It is located on the river Rhine, giving visitors many peaceful spots to relax on the riverbank. Or, in the summertime, you can join the locals for a swim in the famous river.

Basel is also famous for its excellent art scene—there are over 40 museums in the city, many of which are dedicated to art. You can walk around Basel’s Old Town to see a beautiful variety of architecture. There is a large market square and an impressive town hall built from Redstone, among many other sights.

The city prides itself on being green. Visitors will enjoy seeing the many parks and the flourishing botanical garden in this beautiful Swiss town. 

>>> Check out this Basel Old Town tour here.

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17. Soglio

The small village of Soglio is one of the most picturesque places in Switzerland. 

From the charming old stone houses to the breathtaking views of the Alps, you will surely agree with famous painter Segantini that this is the “gateway to paradise”.

Soglio is located very close to the border with Italy. Only 300 people live in this sunny village that lies against the mountainside. There isn’t much to do here, but just taking in the beautiful scenery is more than enough. 

The village sits on a ledge so that visitors can enjoy fantastic views over 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. 

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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. 

It is located in northeastern Switzerland, next to Lake Constance and the Rhine River. The town is famous for its half-timbered houses with their exquisitely painted facades. 

You can spend hours walking around the Old Town, admiring the medieval architecture and the detailed pictures painted on each building’s front. 

Visitors can also visit the magnificent 13th-century Hohenklingen Castle, built on a hill overlooking the town. 

Or, walk closer to the sparkling blue Rhine and see the white walls of St. George’s Abbey. This old Benedictine monastery dates back to the year 1007.

>>> Check out this tour of the historic Stein am Rhein plus the Rhine Falls. 

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19. Ftan

Do you want to experience the serenity of traditional village life and stunning views of the surrounding landscape? Then visit Ftan, a charming small village in the beautiful Lower Engadine valley. 

This 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. 

Visitors arriving at this village will be amazed at the stunning mountain backdrop. Once inside the village, you can walk around and admire the original Engadin houses. The old Protestant church is also a prominent landmark of Ftan.

Hundreds of tourists flock to the village for the skiing season in winter. The Motta Naluns ski resort sits just a few hundred meters above Ftan, giving you easy access to ski lifts and 70 kilometers of slopes. 

This is a beautiful town to visit all year round! 

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20. Swiss National Park

The final most beautiful place on our list is something quite special. 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. 

Thanks to the strict rules enforced by the park, this is an area of stunning, raw alpine beauty. The picturesque greenery, majestic rivers, and snowy peaks span 170 square kilometers of the Western Rhaetian Alps. 

There are 80 kilometers of hiking trails for you to explore—and you’ll come across countless types of wildlife, including ibexes, golden eagles, and wolves. 

The park is family-friendly, and cozy mountain huts are available for the night. You’ll want to stay as long as possible and absorb Switzerland's natural beauty!

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Questions About The Top Places To Visit In Switzerland

Wondering which of the many places on this list to see first? We will answer your questions below.

1. What Is The Most Beautiful Town In Switzerland?

From 2015 to 2019, the people of Switzerland voted for their most beautiful town in a yearly competition. Since then, the competition has changed to vote according to a theme, eg. the most culturally active town. 

While the competition was active, the most beautiful winning towns included Trub, Oberhofen, Schwellbrunn, Morcote, and Soglio. 

It’s really hard for us to choose the most beautiful Swiss town—so many offer breathtaking scenery. But if we have to pick just one, it would be Lauterbrunnen for its stunning views.

2. What Is the Best Village In Switzerland?

If you want to head away from the larger cities and towns in Switzerland, many beautiful small villages are waiting to be discovered. 

With only a few hundred residents around, you’re sure to find peace while you enjoy a beautiful sightseeing trip. 

Once again, it’s difficult to choose between all the picturesque villages hidden among the mountains. But we think that Soglio is a great choice. 

Soglio has it all—historic architecture, beautiful hiking trails, and panoramic views everywhere you look! 

3. Which Destination Is The Most Romantic Place To Visit In Switzerland?

Whether you want to spend some quiet time with your partner in a scenic location or go on amazing adventures together, Switzerland is certainly a top place to go! 

There are many romantic places to choose from—the serene Lake Lucerne, the historic Old Town of Bern, and many more. 

Our top pick would be Interlaken. This beautiful town set between two lakes will give you lovely views for your entire stay. There are plenty of fun things to do together and many romantic hotels to choose from. This is a great honeymoon destination! 

4. Which Valley Is The Most Beautiful Valley In Switzerland?

We know we’ve already mentioned Lauterbrunnen, but it is hands-down the most beautiful valley in Switzerland. 

It is a wonderful experience to walk around town and see the majestic snow-capped mountains looking down on you from all sides. 

The lush green valley is called ‘the valley of 72 waterfalls’, as that is how many stunning waterfalls you can see here!

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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.

Looking for more? Check out all our Switzerland Blog Posts.

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Over to You:

• We are curious to know which destination you would place as the most romantic place in Switzerland.
• Which other most amazing places in Switzerland would you add to our list?
• What would they be if you could only choose three nice places in Switzerland to see on your next trip?
• Which one from our list is your number one Swiss most beautiful place?

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