Switzerland is famous for snowy mountains, clear lakes, green valleys and peaceful towns. Some places look so beautiful that they seem almost unreal. From quiet lakeside streets to small mountain villages, the country has plenty of places where you can slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Many Swiss towns are easy to explore on foot and have good transport links to nearby mountains, lakes and villages. Whether you enjoy walking, photography, boat trips or simply sitting somewhere with a lovely view, these beautiful Swiss towns are worth adding to your travel plans.
Lucerne
Lucerne is a lovely choice for travellers who want lake and mountain views in one place. The city sits beside Lake Lucerne and has a compact old town that is easy to explore on foot. The surrounding mountains, historic buildings and waterfront create plenty of beautiful views.
- Walk across Chapel Bridge: This famous wooden bridge crosses the River Reuss and offers attractive views of the old town, water and surrounding buildings.
- Explore the old town: Wander through narrow streets filled with colourful façades, historic buildings, small shops and cafés.
- Take a Lake Lucerne boat trip: A boat ride gives you a different perspective of the city while revealing more of the lake and mountain scenery.
- Enjoy the lakeside promenade: The waterfront is a pleasant place for a relaxed walk, particularly when the mountains are clearly visible across the lake.
- Walk beside the River Reuss: The riverside area combines bridges, historic architecture and water views, making it an easy place to explore on foot.
Interlaken
Interlaken is surrounded by some of Switzerland’s finest natural scenery. It lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland and provides easy access to nearby mountain areas. The town itself is also pleasant for walking and relaxing.
- Visit Höhematte Park: This open green space in the centre provides a broad view towards the surrounding mountains and is a peaceful place to spend some time outdoors.
- Explore the town centre: Interlaken has a mix of shops, cafés, restaurants and traditional buildings, making it easy to combine sightseeing with a relaxed afternoon.
- See Lake Thun and Lake Brienz: Both lakes are close to the town and offer opportunities for scenic walks, boat trips and views across the water.
- Take a mountain trip: Interlaken is well placed for travelling towards the Jungfrau region and nearby mountain villages.
- Enjoy the Alpine scenery: Even from the town, visitors can see impressive peaks rising around the surrounding valleys.
Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a beautiful mountain village in the Jungfrau region and is well known for its views of the Eiger. Green fields, wooden chalets and dramatic peaks give the area a classic Alpine appearance.
- Walk along mountain trails: There are routes around the village and higher trails where visitors can enjoy views of meadows, valleys and surrounding peaks.
- Visit Grindelwald-First: The mountain area above the village offers wide views and is a popular place for enjoying the Alpine landscape.
- See the Eiger: The famous mountain is visible from many parts of Grindelwald and provides an impressive backdrop throughout the area.
- Use mountain trains and cable cars: Local transport makes it easier to reach higher viewpoints without relying entirely on long uphill walks.
- Visit mountain lakes: Places such as Bachalpsee provide peaceful scenery and excellent opportunities for photography when conditions are suitable.
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is one of the most striking villages in Switzerland. It sits in a deep valley surrounded by steep cliffs, green meadows and waterfalls. The dramatic landscape makes even a simple walk through the valley feel memorable.
- See Staubbach Falls: The waterfall is one of the most recognisable sights in Lauterbrunnen and can be viewed from the village and surrounding valley.
- Walk through the valley: The valley floor provides an easy way to enjoy the cliffs, meadows, waterfalls and traditional Swiss scenery.
- Visit nearby Wengen: The mountain village can be reached by train and offers elevated views across the Lauterbrunnen valley.
- Travel to Mürren: A combination of local transport can take visitors towards Mürren, where the views across the surrounding mountains become even wider.
- Take time for photography: The combination of waterfalls, cliffs, green fields and wooden buildings creates plenty of scenic viewpoints.
Zermatt
Zermatt is best known for the Matterhorn, one of the most recognisable mountains in Switzerland. The village is car-free, which gives its centre a calm atmosphere and makes it enjoyable to explore on foot.
- See the Matterhorn: The mountain can be viewed from several locations around Zermatt and is the main reason many travellers visit the area.
- Explore the village streets: Traditional chalets, restaurants, cafés and small shops give the centre a distinctive Alpine character.
- Take a mountain railway: Local mountain transport allows visitors to reach higher viewpoints without having to complete long uphill walks.
- Follow scenic walking routes: During suitable seasons, trails around Zermatt offer views of mountains, meadows and valleys.
- Experience the changing seasons: Summer brings green Alpine scenery and walking opportunities, while winter creates a snowy landscape around the village.
Montreux
Montreux sits beside Lake Geneva in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Its lakeside setting combines water views with mountains, vineyards and a lively town centre. It is a good option for travellers who prefer scenery with cafés, shops and cultural attractions nearby.
- Walk along the waterfront: The lakeside promenade offers views across Lake Geneva and towards the mountains beyond the water.
- Visit Chillon Castle: This historic castle sits beside the lake near Montreux and is one of the area’s best-known attractions.
- Explore the town: Montreux has cafés, restaurants, shops and cultural attractions that make it easy to spend a relaxed day without leaving the lakeside area.
- Visit nearby Vevey: The neighbouring town provides another opportunity to enjoy Lake Geneva views and explore the surrounding area.
- See the Lavaux vineyards: The terraced vineyards along Lake Geneva provide a distinctive landscape with views across the lake and mountains.
Thun
Thun offers a fine mix of an old town, a castle, a river and a large lake. It stands on Lake Thun at the entrance to the Bernese Oberland, with mountains forming an impressive backdrop.
- Visit Thun Castle: The castle sits above the old town and provides elevated views across the town and surrounding landscape.
- Explore the old town: Historic streets, traditional buildings, shops and cafés make the centre enjoyable to explore at a relaxed pace.
- Walk beside the Aare: The river passes through the town and creates attractive views of bridges, buildings and the water.
- Take a Lake Thun boat trip: Travelling across the lake offers a peaceful way to see the surrounding mountains and lakeside communities.
- Enjoy the mountain views: Thun’s position near the Bernese Oberland means the Alps provide an impressive background to the town and lake.
How to Choose the Right Swiss Town
The best Swiss town for your trip depends on the type of scenery you want to experience. If dramatic mountain views are your priority, Zermatt and Grindelwald are excellent choices. Lauterbrunnen is particularly appealing if you want waterfalls, steep cliffs and green valleys.
For lakeside scenery, Lucerne, Montreux and Thun offer attractive waterfront settings with mountains in the distance. Interlaken is a practical choice for travellers who want to explore several parts of the Bernese Oberland while staying somewhere with good transport connections.
FAQs
Which Swiss town is best for mountain views?
Zermatt and Grindelwald are excellent choices for mountain scenery. Zermatt is famous for views of the Matterhorn, while Grindelwald offers impressive views of the Eiger and surrounding Alpine peaks.
Which Swiss town is best for lake views?
Lucerne, Montreux and Thun are all good choices. Each has attractive waterfront areas with mountains in the background, although their landscapes and atmosphere are quite different.
Is Lauterbrunnen worth visiting?
Yes. Lauterbrunnen is known for its steep valley, waterfalls and mountain scenery. It is especially suitable for walking, photography and quiet sightseeing.
Is Interlaken a good place to stay?
Interlaken is a useful base for exploring the Bernese Oberland. Its location makes it convenient for trips to nearby lakes, mountain villages and Alpine attractions.
What is the best time to visit Swiss towns?
Late spring through early autumn is good for walking, lake trips and green mountain views. Winter suits travellers who want snow, skiing and traditional Alpine scenery.
Final Thoughts
Switzerland has many beautiful towns, and each one offers a different way to experience the country’s landscapes. Lucerne and Montreux are ideal for lakeside scenery, while Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Zermatt place you closer to the mountains. Interlaken offers easy access to several Alpine areas, while Thun combines historic streets with lake and mountain views.
The best choice depends on what you want from your trip. You might prefer peaceful walks beside a lake, dramatic mountain viewpoints, traditional villages or quiet valleys filled with waterfalls. Whichever town you choose, Switzerland offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy its remarkable scenery at your own pace.