Another travel writer once referred to the federal republic of Switzerland as a “big picture postcard.” There’s certainly some truth to that! Indeed, there is an almost surprising number of things to see here, if you’re into scenery. Thus, in order to help you plan your agenda, here are the 14 most scenic little towns in Switzerland.

The 14 Most Scenic Little Towns In Switzerland

14.  Gimmelwald

Gimmelwald in the beautiful Bernese Alps is so off the proverbial beaten path that you can only get there on foot or by cable car. This road-free farming village is so small, it has no local school. All of the students living there must commute to Lauterbrunnen. The homes here have stones known as Schindles on the rooftops and are meant to protect the houses from strong winter winds originating from nearby Jungfrau Mountain.

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Andermatt

The village of Andermatt is nestled in the canton of Uri in the famous Swiss Alps in the very center of the well-known Saint-Gotthard Massif. It is 1,437 meters above sea level. James Bond fans may recognize the local Aurora gas station, close to the Gemmsstock mountain departure. It can be seen in the 1964 film Goldfinger. Bond fills the tank of his now-famous Aston Martin there.  

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Sion

Some may say that Sion is not a small town because approximately 34,000 people live there. Nevertheless, the place practically oozes with small-town charm. It is the capital of the canton Valais, and fairly famous for its mountains, sun, and castles–Castle Tourbillon and the Castle of Valeria. Visit Sion’s Old Town and sample a glass of the local white wine, Fendant as well.

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Spiez

You can find the town of Spiez on the shore of Lake Thun. It has a population of 12,000 and is surrounded by forests and vineyards. It is famous for its distinct medieval castle and its early Romanesque church which is over 1,000 years old. If not for a tall stone tower, one might think the castle was a big white chalet.

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Soglio

Visit the little town of Soglio in the summer and see the numerous wildflowers blossoming on the hills with the snow-dusted mountains on the horizon. Be sure to see the village’s main landmark, the attractive Church of San Lorenzo complete with its high bell tower. Book a room at the Palazzo Solis, then go hiking through the chestnut forest on the Bergell Trail.

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Morcote

Morcote is a tiny town of 771 people. Situated on Lake Lugano’s shores, Morcote garnered the official title of “the most beautiful town in Switzerland” back in 2016. This village is best known for its impressive architecture and includes a covered passageway that harkens back to sometime in the Middle Ages. The church, Santa Maria del Sasso, dates back to the 13th century. 

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Interlaken 

This tourist destination town is the common gateway to other villages in the Bernese Alps. Travelers have visited here since the 1800s when such artists as Franz Konig inspired them through their art. They also used to come here for spa treatments and today it’s famous for various music festivals. It is situated on Lakes Brienz and Thun so you can take a paddleboat cruise there too.

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Wengen

This holiday resort town in central Switzerland is home to approximately 1,300 people. If you visit in the summer, you will discover more than 5,000 staying here. Crowds of hikers visit here to hike the 310 miles worth of trails found here.  Visit in the winter and you will undoubtedly discover 10,000 people here for the ski races. More come to climb Eiger Mountain.

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Stein am Rhein

Stein am Rhein on Lake Constance used to be a Roman fortress and is popular not only for its scenery but also its architecture. Visit Old Town and see the well-preserved, half-timbered buildings with their colorful and ornately decorated facades. Be sure to see the monastery of St. Georgen, the church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and the museum that focuses on life in the 1800s.

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Murren

Readers of the Heidi children’s books will truly appreciate this traditional Alpine village reminiscent of the character’s home. Fans of James Bond will notice the cable car and Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant located on Schilthorn. Both appear in the 1969 007 movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service once filmed here. Enjoy the views of Jungfrau and Eiger mountains as well.

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Grindelwald

Grindelwald is an Instagram-worthy village in the Bernese Alps. Not only is the scenery noteworthy, but you can get a great view of the northern face of Eiger Mountain. This is also where you’ll find the Jungfrau region’s largest ski resort. If you enjoy hiking, be sure to visit in the summer and be sure to hit the Eiger Trail.

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Guarda

Guarda is known for its noteworthy historic architecture. Here you’ll find colorfully painted homes dating back to the 1600s. It is also known to some as a Schellenursli village, a name taken from a children’s book. You can even hike the family-friendly Schellenursli Trail. Here they cure the winter blues via the ancient tradition of ringing cowbells. (Guarda even has an app!)  

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Lauterbrunnen

This valley village is most known for its 72 waterfalls. The most well-known is Staubbach Falls. It is almost a thousand feet high and is one of the highest waterfalls in Europe. Nestled amidst mighty mountains, this little town has inspired a number of writers including the German poet and playwright Goethe. Feeling adventurous? Hike through the valley, go paragliding, or even skydiving.

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Zermatt

At the top of the list is Zermatt. Located at the famous, majestic Matterhorn, it is one of the country’s most well-known ski and mountaineering resorts. Due to its fame, Zermatt is a glamorous place for outdoor activities.  This is also a great place to go hiking or enjoy a cable car ride and get a better view of the renowned Matterhorn.

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