It has been well known to the world that Switzerland boasts its breathtaking landscape and mouthwatering cuisine. The natural beauty of Switzerland, a country surrounded by the high peaks of the Alps, may be one of the most amazing on Earth. Despite its small size compared to other European countries, Switzerland has long become one of the best tourist attractions in Europe.
When people hear about Switzerland, they may instantly think of Lucerne, Zurich, Geneva or Bern. Why? Because those are the cities that tourists usually visit when they are traveling to Switzerland. But did you know that there is actually more to see in Switzerland apart from the big cities?
Instead of visiting the big cities, you should plan your travel to visit the villages. Forget the big cities, here are the 10 most charming villages that Swiss people are proud of.
1. Grindelwald
The first on our list is the village we fall in love with the most, Grindelwald. The beauty of Grindelwald has been attracting tourists from all over the world since the 19th century. There is no right word to desribe how breathtaking Grindelwald is. If you don’t believe us, you better go there and see it for yourself. Surrounded by mountains and glaciers, Grindelwald is one of the oldest villages in Switzerland. With glaciers all around Grindelwald, the best time to visit the village is during winter time. Take on the challenge to ski on the majestic Eiger glacier. To appreciate the beauty, take a ride on the First Flyer, you can book your ticket online.
First Flyer
Address: 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland
Price: varied
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-12pm, 1.30pm-5.30pm. Saturday 9am-12pm. Sunday closed.
Contact: +41-338287233
Website: First Flyer
Map Location
2. Crans-Montana
Mont Blanc, did you ever hear that name before? Yes, the iconic mountain is one of the best in Switzerland, and it is located in the one and only Crans-Montana. Crans and Montana are actually the names of two villages that are located very close to each other. That is why people often call them together as one name, Crans-Montana. What can you find in Crans-Montana other than the iconic Mont Blanc and some other mountains? The village promises amazing views, fresh mountain air, great hiking trails and offers incredible lakes for you to swim all day long, if you want to. What more could you possibly ask for?
Crans-Montana
Website: Crans-Montana Tourism
Map Location
3. Saint-Ursanne
Saint-Ursanne is a very tiny yet incredible village in Switzerland. Small but beautiful, that is basically the perfect description for Saint-Ursanne. With only approximately a thousand people residing, Saint-Ursanne is a rather quiet and peaceful village. The houses are medieval and the streets are elegant, just a perfect small combo
Saint-Ursanne
Website: Saint-Ursanne Tourism
Map Location
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4. Interlaken
One word for Interlaken: fabulous. If you dream of having a perfect sweet escape, then Interlaken can help you fulfill your dream. It seems that Interlaken understands how stressful life can be, and the village cordially welcomes you if you wish to have a relaxing vacation there, away from all the stress. Take leisurely walks to admire the stunning beauty of the village and spend a long time enjoying the clear blue lakes. Nothing will disturb your inner peace when you are in Interlaken.
Interlaken
Website: Interlaken Tourism
Map Location
5. Andermatt
Another perfect getaway in Switzerland is an appealing village called Andermatt. Fancy the traditional architecture and take some time to relax your mind and body by breathing the fresh mountain air before you take a cable car to enjoy the top of the inspiring wild mountains surrounding Andermatt.
Andermatt
Website: Andermatt Tourism
Map Location
6. Gimmelwald
Believe it or not, the people residing in Gimmelwald do not own cars. There are only a few villages in Switzerland that are car free, and Gimmelwald is one of them. The question is, how to get to the picturesque village? You are offered two choices: you can hike or you can take a cable car from Stechelberg. Without cars going around the village, Gimmelwald feels like a completely different world compared to the world we all live in. While ascending to Gimmelwald, either by foot or by cable car, make sure you pay attention to your surroundings. Incredible views of mountains and waterfalls are waiting to amaze you and will make sure that you have the best vacation in Gimmelwald!
Gimmelwald
Website: Gimmelwald Tourism
7. Morcote
Morcote is a beautiful lakeside village famous for its awesome architecture. Some of the buildings in Morcote have been listed as Swiss heritage sites. When in Morcote, you must not miss the San Antonio Abate chapel and Greek sculptures all over the village, which is situated alongside the shore of Lake Lugano in Lugano district.
Morcote
Website: Morcote Tourism
Map Location
8. Mürren
If you watch the James Bond films, you may feel familiar with the panoramic view offered by Mürren, a small sweet village conveniently nestled at the foot of the gorgeous Schilthorn mountain. Throughout the years, Mürren never loses its charm. The village is a perfect place for bikers and hikers.
Mürren
Website: Mürren Tourism
Map Location
9. Spiez
When you arrive in Spiez, do not forget to taste the fish, all are very fresh. But of course, you don’t come to Spiez only for the fish. When you are in Spiez, you will have an amazing opportunity to enjoy the incredible view of Lake Thun and take a boat ride on the lake. You just won’t believe how blue the lake is! What else does Spiez boast? Its massive vineyards and stunning medieval castle. You will never stop saying “wow”, trust us!
Spiez
Website: Spiez Tourism
Map Location
10. Lauterbrunnen
Last but not least, we have Lauterbrunnen on our list of 10 most charming villages in Switzerland. What will happen right after you arrive in Lauterbrunnen? You will fall in love with the village in an instant! But how come? The village is very proud of its 72 waterfalls (all of them are spectacular) and amazing lush valley. Truly a small paradise on Earth!
Lauterbrunnen
Website: Lauterbrunnen Tourism
Map Location
Tip from Content Creator
While we had a gray and rainy day here, the valley was incredibly dramatic with its moody vibes. Lots of people come to Lauterbrunnen to see Staubbach Falls before heading to one of the nearby car-free towns of Mürren, Gimmelwald, or Wengen. Each has its own transportation, either trains, funiculars, or cable cars. You can always hike if you don’t mind the incline/elevation gain.
We highly encourage taking the road all the way to the end of the valley to try and see all the waterfalls! You can hike, bike, e-bike, drive, etc., to the end of the valley, and this is a great activity regardless of the weather.
The main village of Lauterbrunnen can get really crowded, so be prepared to navigate crowds and cars, even on rainy days. It’s truly a stunning view and an absolute must if you’re staying anywhere nearby.
Tip from tour guide
Lauterbrunnen, the valley of waterfalls, is located at an altitude of 795 m (2,608.27 ft) above sea level. It's especially popular among fans of J. R. R. Tolkien. The creators of the film “The Lord of the Rings” thought that the world of elves looked exactly like this!
Additionally, summer is getting hotter every year, so mountainous Switzerland is becoming more and more attractive relative to fiery Italy, Greece, Spain and France thanks to the coolness of the mountains.
So, what do you think?
After admiring all the pictures we have above, what is going on in your mind right now? Let us just tell you that seeing only the pictures is simply not enough. You must visit the 10 most whimsical villages in Switzerland when you have the chance. Let them take your breath away. Be prepared, we’ve warned you!
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