Switzerland’s 14 prettiest little villages

The federal republic of Switzerland was reportedly described as “a gigantic picture postcard” by a travel writer. That has some merit, for sure! If you enjoy the outdoors, there are in fact a lot of interesting things to visit here. The 14 most stunning little villages in Switzerland are listed below to aid in your itinerary planning.

Grindelwald

The Bernese Alps feature the beautiful village of Grindelwald. You can see the northern face of Eiger Mountain in addition to the beautiful surroundings. The biggest ski resort in the Jungfrau region is also located here. Visit in the summer if you enjoy hiking, and be sure to hike the Eiger Trail.

Sion

Sion has a population of about 34,000, thus some may argue that it is not a small town. The location nearly radiates small-town charm, nevertheless. It serves as the capital of the canton of Valais and is renowned for its mountains, sunshine, and two castles, the Castle of Valeria and Castle Tourbillon. Visit Sion’s Old Town and sip on some Fendant, the local white wine.

Lauterbrunnen

The 72 waterfalls in this valley settlement are its main draw. Staubbach Falls is the most well-known. One of the tallest waterfalls in Europe, it is almost 1,000 feet high. This small village, which is surrounded by powerful mountains, served as an inspiration to many authors, notably the German playwright and poet Goethe. Are you feeling daring? Go skydiving, paragliding, or simply hiking through the valley.

Murren

This classic Alpine village, which is reminiscent of the character’s house in the Heidi children’s tales, will be well appreciated by readers. James Bond fans will recognize the cable car and the rotating restaurant Piz Gloria, which is situated on Schilthorn. Both were filmed here for the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Take in the panoramas of the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains as well.

Interlaken

The town is a popular tourist destination and serves as a typical entryway to other Bernese Alps villages. Since the 1800s, when visitors were drawn here by the works of artists like Franz Konig, traveler numbers have increased. Besides visiting for spa services, they also used to come here for music festivals. You can enjoy a paddleboat tour there as well because it is located on Lakes Brienz and Thun.

Stein am Rhein

On Lake Constance, Stein am Rhein, a former Roman fortification, is well-known for both its beauty and its architecture. Visit Old Town to witness the half-timbered buildings that have been preserved and their colorful and ornately decorated facades. Visit the St. Georgen monastery, the Saint John the Baptist church, and the 1800s-themed museum, all of which are highly recommended.

Spiez

On the edge of Lake Thun, you may discover the town of Spiez. There are 12,000 people living there, and there are vineyards and forests all around. It is well-known for its distinctive medieval fortress and its more than 1,000-year-old early Romanesque church. One would mistake the castle for a large white chalet if not for a huge stone tower.

Gimmelwald

Gimmelwald, located in the stunning Bernese Alps, is so remote that the only ways to get there are on foot or by cable car. Due to its modest size, this farming community without roads lacks a local school. All of the residents who are students must travel to Lauterbrunnen. The residences in this area feature stones on their roofs called Schindles that are intended to shield them from the harsh winter winds coming from Jungfrau Mountain nearby.

Soglio

In the summer, go to the tiny village of Soglio to enjoy the many wildflowers blooming on the hills with the snow-capped mountains in the distance. The lovely Church of San Lorenzo, complete with its tall bell tower, is the village’s most prominent landmark. Make reservations at the Palazzo Solis, then take the Bergell Trail for a hike through the chestnut forest.

Andermatt

In the heart of the well-known Saint-Gotthard Massif, the village of Andermatt lies tucked away in the canton of Uri in the famed Swiss Alps. There are 1,437 meters above sea level there. The neighborhood Aurora petrol station, which is adjacent to the Gemmsstock mountain exit, may be familiar to James Bond fans. The movie Goldfinger from 1964 features it. There, Bond refuels his now-famous Aston Martin.

Zermatt

Zermatt is at the top of the list. It is one of the most well-known ski and climbing destinations in the nation and is situated at the famed, beautiful Matterhorn. Zermatt is a glamorous location for outdoor activities as a result of its fame. Additionally, you can hike here or take a cable car ride to obtain a better perspective of the famous Matterhorn.

Guarda

Guarda is renowned for its beautiful old buildings. Homes from the 1600s may be found here, many of which have vibrant paint jobs. Some people also refer to it as the Schellenursli village after a children’s book by the same name. Even the family-friendly Schellenursli Trail can be hiked. Here, ringing cowbells is an age-old practice used to combat the winter blues. (Guarda has an app, too!)

Wengen

There are about 1,300 residents in this tourist resort town in the center of Switzerland. More than 5,000 people will be staying here if you come in the summer. Numerous hikers come here to hike the 310 miles of trails that are present. 10,000 people will probably be present during your visit in the winter for the ski competitions. Eiger Mountain is climbed by more people.

Morcote

The population of Morcote is only 771. Morcote, a town on the banks of Lake Lugano, was recognized as “the most beautiful town in Switzerland” in 2016. The remarkable architecture of this settlement, which features a covered tunnel that dates to the Middle Ages, is what makes it famous. The Santa Maria del Sasso church was built in the thirteenth century.

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