More Switzerland has many dreamy towns and villages like in the picture book. Some are famous, among them are many unknown gems. Here we present our favorites with lots of insider tips for an unforgettable time in Switzerland.

 

In this article we will first look at the more famous larger Swiss cities before presenting the smaller dreamy villages with real insider tips.

Those traveling from city to city can use the train system, which is super easy with the Swiss Travel Pass. Also included are the boats, trams, buses and some cable cars. If you want to see many small villages or get away from mass tourism, we recommend renting a car or booking one of these tours. Our travel partner and company Myswisspanorama also offers tailor-made multi-day private tours to many real hidden gems in Switzerland.

The 23 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Switzerland 

Here is an overview of the 23 most beautiful cities and villages in Switzerland that are guaranteed to become your favorite places:

• Appenzell
• Lauterbrunnen
• Foroglio
• Werdenberg
• Gimmelwald
• Zurich
• Bern
• Quinten
• Lauenen near Gstaad
• Basel
• Wengen
• Lucerne
• Zermatt
• Lugano
• Ernen
• Locarno
• Geneva
• Praz FR
• Lausanne
• Montreux
• Gruyères
• La-Chaux-de-Fonds
• Davos

 

Zurich – the largest town in Switzerland

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland with about 400,000 inhabitants and also one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Withh the charming old town and the waters such as Lake Zurich and the river Limmat, the city has an enormous quality of life. Not without reason it is according to different studies one of the places with the highest quality of life in the world.

Zurich is also known as the center of banks, whereby the Paradeplatz at the Bahnhofstrasse is the most famous place. Some of the largest banks like Credit Suisse or UBS have their headquarters here. Accordingly, some of the city’s best hotels such as the traditional Baur au Lac or the Park Hyatt can be found nearby.

Today’s region of Zurich was covered by ice from the Rhine glacier about 20,000 years ago. The deposits of the glacier created the various hills in the city. The most famous is the Lindenhof, which is a must-see. Besides the beautiful view, this is the oldest part of Zurich.

More recommandations for Zurich

Also recommended is a walk through the old town, visit the new Europaallee with many stores and restaurants, eat at the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world called Hiltl, walk along Lake Zurich to the Chinawiese, bad weather shopping in Bahnhofstrasse and much more.

Zurich is the ideal place to spend a few days and make great day trips to the Swiss Alps. Likewise, museum enthusiasts will get their money’s worth.

The author of this text has lived in Zurich for many years and has compiled a great collection of sights here and published it compactly in a blog article. There are also unique private day trips from Zurich to book here.

 

 

Bern – the capital of Switzerland

Despite its “small size” of just over 130,000 inhabitants, Bern is the fifth largest town in Switzerland and the country’s capital. Thanks to the history, the government buildings as well as the Aare and the old town, Bern is worth a day trip. Since 1983, the old town of Bern has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The capital, like most other Swiss cities, has its origins in the Middle Ages. Therefore, it is historically extremely exciting. If you are interested in personalities, you should definitely visit the Einstein Museum or Café. Einstein once lived here when he worked at the University of Bern.

In summer, many people go to the Marzili to cool off in the Aare river. Here you find the hippest gelateria in the city called “Gelateria di Berna”. They are expanding now also into other cities in Switzerland.

At the Kleine Schanze and Münsterplattform people meet to relax and exchange ideas. In both places there is a restaurant where you can order drinks and snacks. There is no obligation to consume in the parks.

Even those who want to spend a few days in the city are in good hands in the capital of Switzerland due to the good location and the proximity to the Bernese Oberland.

Basel

With around 170,000 inhabitants, Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland and wsa the home of the author of this text for many years. Especially culture lovers get their money’s worth in Basel, because with more than 40 museums Basel is the cultural capital of Switzerland. Art lovers should definitely visit the Kunstmuseum or Tinguelymuseum.

Basel also has one of the oldest universities in Europe, which is over 555 years old. Great names like Paracelsus, Nietzsche or Bernoulli did research or taught at the university. Therefore, it is worth to visit the old buildings like the Bernouillanum or the Kollegienhaus at Peterplatz. The tour can be combined with a stop at the Botanical Garden of the University, where one of the largest collections of orchids in Europe is exhibited.

It is also worth seeing the old town, where many of the buildings date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Combine the trip with the Münster cathedral (the tower can be climbed), and take the Rhine ferry for 2CHF to the other river bank afterwards. You’ll need to have cash for this, credit cards are not accepted.

In summer, thousands of people swim in the Rhine every day. The starting point is usually the Tinguelymuseum, where you can float yourself for about 30 to 40 minutes till the Dreirosen bridge. Of course you can also go out earlier as there are many places to end the swim.

For this activity we recommend a swimming bag, where you can stow your clothes and take it in the water. You can get it in retail stores like Ochsner Sport or Manor. Please note that you have to close the bag carefully and never overfill it, otherwise water will get into it. For electrical equipment, an additional small bag is recommended for double safety.

 

Lucerne

Lucerne is one of the most beautiful and famous towns in Switzerland. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the city at Lake Lucerne to take a picture of the world-famous Chapel Bridge. According to statistics, this is the most photographed bridge in the world.

Another tourist attraction in Lucerne is the Musegg Wall, where you can walk on from about April to October. It is a part of the old city wall and offers exciting history as well as fantastic views of the city, Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. Also popular among tourists is the Lion Monument, which commemorates the Swiss Guardsmen who died in Paris. The Swiss Guard used to serve in various armies, such as for Napoleon. Today they are still actively serving for the Vatican.

Those who love bakeries also get their money’s worth in Lucerne. With “Bachmann” and “Heini” two of the best bakeries in Switzerland are located in the city.

There are also many restaurants in Lucerne. From my own experience it is always good to read the reviews first. Due to the many tourists, there are some restaurants that no longer make the effort regarding quality.

Economically, Lucerne is very strong in the service sector such as banking, insurance as well as education and public administration. 1/3 of the jobs are in the public sector such as public administration, health and social services, education, etc.

 

Lugano

Now we leave the German-speaking part of Switzerland and show two cities in the Italian-speaking Switzerland. Yes, Switzerland has a total of four national languages: German, French, Romansh and Italian.

The most famous city in that area is Lugano in the canton of Ticino. It’s becoming more and more popular among American tourists. Compared to other Swiss cities, it is rather small, with a little more than 60,000 inhabitants. But often the small places have more charm, don’t they?

The southern flair distinguishes Lugano immensely from other Swiss towns. Here, you can feel the importance oft he dolce vita. How about a delicious pizza and a nice glass of local Ticino wine?

Sights are the city center including the market as well as the lake promenade, where there is a lot to discover. What not even many Swiss know is the fact that Lugano is the third largest financial center (banks and commodity trading) in Switzerland after Zurich and Geneva.

There are also great opportunities for day and half-day excursions from Lugano. Well known are the Monte Brè and the San Salvatore. A funicular goes to both mountains. If you like nice villages, you should definitely go visit Morcote or Gandria. The charm of these two places and the big contrast to the German-speaking Switzerland is immense.

Locarno

Locarno, with about 40,000 inhabitants, is the second city in this article, which can be found in the canton of Ticino. It is the author’s favorite when it comes to the most beautiful cities in southern Switzerland. Not because Locarno is aesthetically more beautiful than Lugano. But because Locarno is located close to several natural paradises.

If you like to make day trips and have a car, we recommend to choose Locarno. In summer there are sometimes good connections by bus, for example to the Verzasca Valley. Here it is even discouraged to arrive by car, because too many cars clog the valley. But if you want to go to the Maggia Valley, for example, you have an advantage by car. Great villages like the stone village of Foroglio are waiting to be discovered.

Locarno is also the warmest city in Switzerland and, like many other places in the southern part, has a Mediterranean climate. The town is located directly on Lake Maggiore, which is also perfect for great swimming opportunities. Especially recommended is a trip to neighboring Ascona, which can be reached in just 10 minutes. Furthermore, the colorful houses and the good pizzerias are always a highlight.

Also worth a visit is the sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso. Here you also have a perfect view of the city and the lake. If you like hiking, you can take the cable car to the top of Mount Cimetta. In winter we do not recommend it, but from spring to autumn the place is ideal.

In the city center, the large square “Piazza Grande” is a must-see sight. Did you know that the famous film festival takes place there, in winter a Christmas market including ice skating?

 

Geneva – second largest city in Switzerland

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland with over 200,000 inhabitants and also the second largest financial center in the country after Zurich. The city is known mainly for the many headquarters of international organizations such as the International Red Cross, the UN, WHO, WTO and CERN.

Especially the visit of the CERN is very popular among Swiss and tourists. A new visitor center will open in the summer of 2023.

With its location directly on Lake Geneva, the city in French-speaking Switzerland has a great attraction. How about a boat trip to another town such as Lausanne or Nyon? Or with a lakeside walk to the Jet d’Eau, one of the most famous sights of Geneva? The old town is also well worth a visit. In addition, there are many hidden restaurants or cafes waiting to be discovered.

Geneva is also home to watch manufacturers such as Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe and other well-known Swiss luxury watch brands.

The easiest connection from Geneva to Zurich is by train, which takes about 2h 45 minutes. There is the only domestic flight connection in Switzerland with a flight time of about 45 minutes. Overall with the security controls, boarding and waiting time the flight takes longer than by train.

 

Lausanne

Lausanne, with about 140,000 inhabitants, is the fourth largest town in Switzerland and, like Geneva located in the French-speaking part. Thanks to its beautiful Riviera, Lausanne attracts thousands of tourists every year. Especially the hotels on the lakeside are therefore highly recommended.

The city center is also beautiful and has a long history behind it with buildings dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

A special feature of Lausanne is that it is the only city in Switzerland with a metro. Currently, two lines are in operation, the longest of which is almost 8 kilometers long (5 miles). Thus, one is relatively quickly from the station to the waterfront.

Like Geneva, Lausanne also has international organizations. The most famous is the International Olympic Committee, which has its headquarters in the Swiss city since the First World War. Therefore, visiting the Olympic Museum is a great tip for sports enthusiasts. Also, a boat trip on Lake Geneva is always a highlight among tourists and Swiss.

 

 

Montreux – town next to Château de Chillon (Chillon castle)

Montreux is one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland thanks to its great location. Also like Geneva and Lausanne, Montreux is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, which means that the people speak French. Montreux is the cultural capital of Switzerland. Since 1967, the famous Montreux Jazz Festival has been held annually. Montreux also offers a lot in terms of art with the free open-air art exhibition along the lake promenade.

However, the region around Montreux also has some important sights. For example, just 4 kilometers from the city, you can visit the nearly 1000-year-old Chillon Castle. With breathtaking photo spots from the outside and exciting history in the castle museum inside, the Chateau de Chillon is the most visited museum in Switzerland.

Furthermore, only 20 minutes away from Montreux exist one of the most beautiful vineyards of Switzerland called Lavaux. It stretches over 30 kilometers (20 Miles) along Lake Geneva. Since 2007, the region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and therefore a must for every wine lover. Especially the sweet little village called Epesses is very picturesque and attracts Swiss with its wine cellars.

Hikers will also get their money’s worth here. The best hike through the Lavaux region goes from St-Saphorin to Lutry and takes about 4 hours.

 

Gruyères – middle age town next to the Fribourg Alps

Gruyères is a dreamlike town at the foot of the Fribourg Alps. Cheese, chocolate and a picture-book landscape make Gruyères a Swiss cliché village. Founded and built in the Middle Ages, it is still one of the few places in Switzerland where the walls are completely visible. Since the village was built on an elevation, the visitors must first climb the 82 meter high hill on foot. One of the reasons is that in the whole village is a ban on driving.

A walk through Gruyères feels like being in a fairy tale world. From spring to autumn the place is decorated with the most beautiful flowers. In addition, restaurants with traditional Swiss dishes attract visitors. Museum freaks also get their money’s worth, because the Gruyere Castle from the 13th century can be seen from the inside.

Surely you have already eaten a Gruyères cheese? This cheese is produced here. During the factory visit you can see the production and buy fine cheese in the store.

If you’re in the region, it’s worth visiting the Caillier Museum, officially the first chocolate producer in Switzerland. It is owned by the Nestle company.

 

La-Chaux-de-Fonds – the watch making town

Some like La-Chaux-de-Fonds, others think it’s an ugly place. But the city in French-speaking Switzerland has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, along with the neighboring city of Le Locle. In watchmaking, La-Chaux-de-Fonds as well as Le Locle were one of the most important historical places.

Thus, there is a watchmaker museum. Furthermore the famous architect Le Corbusier was born in La-Chaux-de-Fonds and you can still see and visit his first built house called “Anataloe Schwob House”.

Today, La-Chaux-de-Fonds has a population of around 35,000. The golden days are over. One of the proves is that La-Chaux-de-Fonds has a very high unemployment rate of over 8 percent compared to the rest of Switzerland. The Swiss average is usually around 2.9 percent.

The region has many sights to offer and is a highlight especially for nature lovers. For example, the increasingly famous lake “Etang de la Gruère” is not far away. This lake can be visited both in summer and winter and has its own charm in every season.

Also the most famous waterfall of Western Switzerland “Saut du Doubs” is very close and can be explored in a nice day trip between spring and autumn.

 

Davos – the highest city of Europe

Davos in the canton of Graubünden is the highest city in Europe at 1560 meters. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and Lake Davos, a stay of several days in Davos is worthwhile for hiking enthusiasts in summer and for skiers in winter.

Hiking enthusiasts should definitely do the hike to the Jöriseen, which takes about 5.5 hours. It is best done from July to mid-October and the scenic beauty is hard to beat.

If you like sightseeing, you should not only visit the Davos lake but also the Walser village Sertig and Monstein. Both villages can be reached by bus from Davos.

Regarding prices, Davos often has the best hotel deals in the Swiss Alps (except for Samnaun in summer, which is very far from the big cities in Switzerland and you have to travel over Austria).

 

Gimmelwald – traditional mountain village in the UNESCO World Heritage region

Gimmelwald is one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. This has also been recognized by the American travel blogger Rick Steves.

The car-free alpine village of Gimmelwald is in the Jungfrau UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a fantastic view of the famous Jungfrau and Eiger mountains. It can only be reached by cable car or by foot.

Compared to all other villages in the Jungfrau region, Gimmelwald is the least developed place regading tourism and has existed for at least 650 years. Accordingly, the place is also very authentic and traditional. One could almost think that time has stood still. Compared to the city of with 400’000 people, Gimmelwald is with not even 100 very small.

Highly recommended is the village tour, which lasts about 30 minutes. Here one view is more beautiful than the other. A visit to the Honesty Shop, the first unmanned village store in Europe, is also highly recommended.

If you want to come to Gimmelwald for a few days, you can switch off and enjoy in one of the Airbnbs. There are no hotels. Furthermore, you can combine the visit with the onward journey to Mürren (cable car).

 

Wengen – car-free alpine village in the Jungfrau region

Wengen is as well one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Switzerland and located in the Jungfrau region too. Since Wengen is car-free like Gimmelwald and Mürren, you can only reach the village by foot or with the “Wengeneralpbahn” from Lauterbrunnen.

Known from the Lauberhorn ski downhill, Wengen is a skier’s paradise in winter. Thousands of tourists come here every year even from countries like Great Britain just for that reason. The village with the beautiful chalet houses can score besides its charm also with the magnificent views. On the one hand you can see the famous mountains Mönch and Jungfrau. On the other hand, from the village church you have one of the most fascinating views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, also called the valley of 72 waterfalls.

Hiking enthusiasts can march in a rather steep hike in 1.5 hours from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen. The views are indescribable and the paths often deserted.

If you want to stay overnight in Wengen, you can find accommodations ranging from Airbnb to 3-,4-star hotels to luxurious 5-star.

Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is the third village in the Jungfrau region which made it into our guide of Switzerland’s most beautiful towns and villages. Not surprisingly, this little village in the Bernese Oberland is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. With one of the highest waterfalls in the country called Staubbach fall and the traditional houses, Lauterbrunnen is the picture book village of Switzerland par excellence.

The village is so beautiful that famous poets like Goethe lived here for a few months to be inspired by nature.

By the way, the name Lauterbrunnen comes from “lauter” and “brunnen”, which means many springs. That makes absolutely sense, because water there is everywhere of the best quality. Therefore, as with almost every fountain in Switzerland you can drink from the fountain below the church. The water is very refreshing and has lots of minerals.

A tour of the village of Lauterbrunnen is almost mandatory, because there are various photo spots waiting for you. If you are hungry and want to eat in a restaurant, we recommend that you check the reviews first. And here you can discover many more things to do in Lauterbrunnen.

 

Werdenberg – the smallest town in Switzerland

Werdenberg is the smallest town in Switzerland with 60 inhabitants only. Due to the well-preserved medieval houses, the castle, the lake and the vineyards, Werdenberg is one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland.

Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, most of the village is the only urban wooden settlement in Switzerland from the Middle Ages. A walk through the village is therefore very impressive. This can be combined with the lake round hike, which takes a total of about 40 minutes.

Those who come to the region in winter can combine a visit to the small town with skiing in Toggenburg or a snow hike at Lake Voralp. These two regions are also worth a visit in summer, although the focus is then on hiking (Toggenburg) or swimming (Voralpsee).

Quinten – car-free dream village on Lake Walen

Villages which are car-free are something very special, because the quietness lets you relax very well. Another car-free village is Quinten on Lake Walen. It can only be reached on foot or by boat. With the old wine manor houses and the panorama of the mountain and lake, Quinten is one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. The village has only 41 inhabitants, who live here all year round. However, thanks to the hotels and Airbnbs, there are more visitors during the summer months.

The climate in Quinten is Mediterranean despite being in the Swiss Alps. This is also reflected in the vegetation, which is exceptional for the region. Palm trees, fig trees, kiwis, vines and much more are planted in Quinten. Especially the wine is extremely popular and guided tours are also offered by appointment.

There are three restaurants in Quinten. The two directly on the lake are specialized in fish. The third one called Tremdondi is the only restaurant that is open all year round and is a hotel as well.

Although there is much more to do in Quinten in summer, a day trip to the village in eastern Switzerland is also adventurous in winter. It is recommended to take the boat from Murg, whose trip usually takes about half an hour.

For a cozy walk we recommend to go from Quinten to Quinten Au, where you can find a fantastic view and a bathing place. For hiking, the path from Weesen to Quinten is our favorite. On that trail you pass the highest waterfall in Switzerland, which is very impressive especially in spring.

 

Appenzell – a village full of traditions

With its colorful and traditional wooden houses, Appenzell is one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. Although it is the capital of the canton of Appenzell, the village has less than 6000 people. Accordingly, everything is super-simple, which adds even more charm to the place.

The highlight is the walk along the shopping street. In less than 500 meters you can find 3 bakeries here. If you want to try a local specialty, you should choose an “Appenzeller Biberli”. This is a gingerbread filled with marzipan.

Cheese is also not to be missed in the region, after all, the famous Appenzeller cheese is produced here. The cheese store in the village offers over 50 different varieties, which feels like seventh heaven for every cheese lover. You can also find various restaurants along the road, although it is recommended to read the reviews on Tripadvisor or Google first.

There is a lot to do in the region. For those who like hiking, Lake Seealpsee, Lake Fälensee or Lake Sämtiseree are recommended. At the Seealpsee, the hike can be extended with a visit to the Äscher mountain inn, the most beautiful place in the world according to National Geographics.

 

Lauenen (near Gstaad)

You have probably heard of the village of Gstaad. It is a chalet village where stars like Madonna or Robbie Williams come to spend their winter vacations from time to time. It is therefore obvious that Gstaad is very famous for skiing. Not far from the hustle and bustle is the idyllic village of Lauenen, which we add to one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland.

With the chalet houses surrounded by mountains, the town is a dream place and extremely photogenic. Although the walk through the village is relatively short, the surroundings have even more to offer. An excursion to the natural paradise of Lake Lauenen is highly recommended. A circular hike of about 50 minutes awaits the guests. It is also possible to rent a boat in summer or to stop at a restaurant.

In Lauenen there is a village store where it is worth to make a stop too. On the one hand the fresh baked goods are very delicious and on the other hand you can see how a village store once looked like more than 70 years ago.

 

Zermatt – the most famous mountain village in Switzerland

Zermatt is the tourist destination of Switzerland par excellence. Located in the Valais Alps, it is one of the most visited villages in the Swiss Alps thanks to the famous Mount Matterhorn.

Surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Switzerland, the mountain village has a lot to offer.
In winter, the focus is on winter sports like skiing, sledding or snow hiking. Zermatt is also the perfect wellness destination in Switzerland.

In summer, tourists and hikers can be found in the mountain village. If you like sightseeing, you can take the cog railway up to Gornergrat at any time of the year. The view of the Matterhorn at more than 3000 meters (around 10’000 feet) is spectacular. If you are looking for other tourist attractions, the Klein Matterhorn is also open all year round. In winter, mainly populated by skiers, you can visit a glacier cave here. In summer we can highly recommend the hike Trockener Steg – Schwarzsee. The lake hike with an almost permanent view of the Matterhorn is a highlight for every mountain lover and photographer
Zermatt is therefore at the top of the list of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland.

Ernen – the Swiss cultural village

Ernen in the canton of Valais is a cultural village and attracts mainly alternative audiences thanks to organic hotels and classical concerts.

Thanks to the uniform architectural style including the mighty village church and the imposing mountain in the background, Ernen is a feast for the eyes in itself and is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland.

The Valais mountain village is a great starting point for day trips. For example, the Binn Nature Park is nearby, where stunning hikes can be made and even crystals can be found.

A half-day excursion is the walk to the neighboring village of Mühlebach, where the oldest wooden village center in Switzerland is located. If you like fruit pies, you must definitely make a detour to the Bed & Breakfast *Hängebrigga*. Here you can find in our opinion the best apricot pie in Switzerland. In addition, feel free to cross an adventurous suspension bridge. On the way back you pass a 17th century gallows. If you come to Ernen in spring, see dozens of orchids are awaiting you. However, these are strictly protected and may not be picked.

 

 

Praz Fr – The insider tip on Lake Murten

Praz on Lake Murten is listed in the “Federal Inventory of Swiss Sites of National Importance” and is promoted as a beautiful village by Switzerland Tourism along the Grand Tour of Switzerland. Like various other villages and towns in Biel-Seeland, Praz is a winegrowing place and produces great wines. Therefore, one can combine the village tour with a wine tasting. This is usually available by appointment only.

In summer, it is also worthwhile to cool off in Praz and jump into Lake Morat. From there, various boat trips like a 3-lake tour can be made. If you are in Praz you should also visit the medieval town of Murten. Murten, like Gruyères, is one of the few places with a complete city wall.

 

Foroglio – the fairy-tale stone village in Italian Switzerland

Foroglio is the dream par excellence, because the village in the Ticino Alps (Italian-speaking Switzerland) is built entirely of stone houses. If thats not beautiful enough, a thundering waterfall on the rock walls perfects the picture-book panorama.

In recent years, thanks to social media, the village has gained more and more attention, so that Foroglio was not only chosen by connoisseurs as the most beautiful village in Switzerland, but more and more by the broader masses and tourists.

To reach the village it is easiest to have a car. In summer there are buses to Val Bavona, but the journey is sometimes quite complicated.

If you are in the village, be sure to have a fine risotto or polenta in the traditional grotto.

Hiking enthusiasts can also take an insider hike to the origin of the waterfall. The hike of about 40 minutes (each way) goes to the place called Puntid, where a beautiful stone bridge awaits people.