Though minuscule, Switzerland is bursting with breathtaking towns, lively cities, resorts within the alpine, and rural idyls. Planning a trip through Switzerland is a tough task. Fortunately, we have prepared below a list of the 10 most beautiful towns, villages, and cities in Switzerland to help you organize your journey. None of the destinations listed below are far from the length and breadth of the country, so whichever region of Switzerland you happen to be in, you never are too far from one of these.
1. Zermatt
Zermatt is the very definition of a Swiss holiday town. The town lies directly in the shadow of the Matterhorn. It is the most famous peak in the world. This icon of Switzerland is visible from nearly every street in town. It provides stunning views and photo opportunities at every corner. This makes Zermatt one of the mountaineering capitals of the world. The Matterhorn is accessible to many serious climbers. Zermatt has managed to maintain its true old mountain character over the centuries of tourism, primarily due to measures such as government protection of historical old town buildings and an absolute ban on cars. Stay updated on all your travels in the Swiss Alps with an eSIM with esimmer the simplest way to get mobile internet in Switzerland.
2. Rhine Falls
The Rhine Falls are found on the border of Schaffhausen and Zürich. They attract tourists of all kinds. While there are viewing galleries for the waterfall, boating up to the rock, situated in the middle of the falls is undoubtedly an experience of a lifetime. Cruises and boat tours of Switzerland operate from April to October, but entry through both the northern and southern banks is open all year round.
3. Montreux
For over a century now, Montreux has been one of the principal tourist destinations in Switzerland. Its lakeside location attracted much tourism from rich Europeans during the 19th and 20th centuries. The town and its surroundings provide many striking examples of luxury Belle Epoque hotels that sprang up to cater to this growing scene. Built on stilts over the waters of Lake Geneva, Château de Chillon is one of the most beautiful castles in a country filled to the brim with them. The Montreux Jazz Festival, founded in 1967, has blossomed into one of Europe's most renowned contemporary music and arts festivals. Every year 250,000 people attend. Prince, Miles Davis, and Nina Simone are among the stars who have delivered legendary performances here. The famously warm and relatively mild climate ensures that Montreux remains a tourist mainstay all through the year.
4. Geneva Lake
One of the most breathtaking and serene places to visit in Switzerland is Lake Geneva. It is a crescent-shaped lake, with the Alps serving as its view. While parts of this lake are situated in France, the other side lies in Switzerland. If you seek an experience that is unforgettable in Switzerland, then you should paddle board in Lake Geneva. It is fun and thrilling to stand up on a long surfboard and paddle while maneuvering the same through the water. This place is also surrounded by some of the best places to visit in Switzerland.
5. Mount Pilatus
Pilatus is one of the elegant mountain massifs overlooking Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Endowed with snow-clad peaks and meadows, it is surely one of the most attractive tourist places in Switzerland. Reaching Mount Pilatus' summit is attainable by cable car, but if you want to experience a great adrenalin rush, take the cogwheel train ride to reach the top. Being the world's steepest cogwheel railway, this ride is functional from May to November and the ride up is as breathtakingly beautiful as the destination and its surroundings. If you are going hiking and want to experience snow in Switzerland in May, you can do that here.
6. Jungfraujoch
The train starts from Kleine Scheidegg and goes through alpine forests, snow meadows, and lakes, finally reaching Jungfraujoch in Interlaken. You can sit back, relax, enjoy the scenery, click photographs, and create memories for a lifetime at one of the most beautiful places in Interlaken. You must have traveled by train lots of times in your life but this is a special and one-of-its-kind journey. Once you are on top, you can explore the observatory, dine, shop, and play in the snow for as long as you may want to experience Switzerland to its fullest.
7. Swiss National Park
This park is one of the hot favorite activities amongst trekkers, adventure enthusiasts, and backpackers. If you're hiking in Switzerland in May, then you can’t experience this kind of beauty anywhere else. Most of the trekking trails of this sprawling national park open from April and with 21 plus routes. It is mountainous, situated amidst the Alps, and yet the rolling ground covered in lush green forests and the likelihood of wildlife sightings spice up the experience. Except for hiking, Switzerland has a myriad of adventure sports that you'd want to engage yourself in.
8. Lake Lucerne
If you ever find yourself in Switzerland take some time out to visit one of the Swish wineries. Scattered all over sprawling verdant meadows, these wineries around Lake Lucerne certainly provide a refreshing treat to both your mind and soul. You can even visit any of the wineries while exploring the area to enjoy a guided wine-tasting session. Along with local wine, several of the wineries even offer Swiss cheese for tasting. Before travelling make sure you know How Dual SIM Phones Work for Travellers?
9. Swiss Museum of Transport
Chocolate fanatic? Then a chocolate experience at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Switzerland should be this May's fix for you. It's a roller coaster but in the shape of a chocolate cube car. For 30 minutes, you get an animated as well as sensory experience with this ride to know the origin of chocolates, how it is made, and their different types and tastes. To end the fun ride, sample Swiss chocolates are given to every visitor. The museum is also surrounded by some of the best places for shopping in Switzerland.
10. Stein am Rhein
A gem of German-speaking Switzerland, Stein am Rhein is another example of the nation's singular ability to contain and unite disparate cultures within one overarching society. Stein is Rhein, or 'stone on the Rhine', straddles the river and lies directly on the German border. The nearby lake Constance, or Bodensee, separates the two countries and is a holiday destination for travelers from all over Europe. The easily walkable town boasts one of Switzerland's finest medieval city centers, with a wealth of listed buildings and ancient city walls. When you cross the border to Germany, get a German or Europe-wide eSIM to maintain local rates.