Prettiest Towns in Switzerland 2023 – 10 Best Towns To Visit In Switzerland

Switzerland has a remarkable amount of scenic beauty and cultural diversity for a small, landlocked nation. These ten towns, which are dispersed throughout the nation, showcase the best that it has to offer in terms of breathtaking mountain scenery, flower-lined nature trails, lakefront beauty, and charming historic districts.

Table of Contents

Prettiest Swiss Town: #1 Bern

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

The Most Beautiful Towns in Switzerland — In Bern’s Old Town, on Kramgasse Street, is the Zytglogge clock tower.| © Keitma / Alamy

The Swiss capital is located in the west-central region of the nation, bounded by the Aare River. A number of 16th-century fountains with painted figures can be found in the charming Old City, which is a Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site. One of these is the intriguing Child Eater Fountain (Kindlifresserbrunnen). A sizable collection of Paul Klee’s surreal Swiss-German art is also housed in Bern. The Zentrum Paul Klee, created by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, serves as their home.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #2 Guarda

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Guarda, a remote village in the Lower Engadine mountains, is located at an elevation of 1.7 km (1.1 mi), and its beautifully painted 17th-century homes have received such excellent preservation that they have been awarded the Wakker Prize. Guarda, which served as the backdrop for the renowned children’s book Schellen-Ursli by Selina Chönz and Alois Carigiet (1945), has also maintained its traditional practices, such as the Chalandamarz celebration in March. Romansch, Switzerland’s fourth official language after German, French, and Italian, is still spoken by the majority of the country’s citizens.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #3 Interlaken

Architectural Landmark

Interlaken offers breathtaking views in all directions because it is situated between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and is encircled by some of Switzerland’s highest peaks. There are many hiking trails close by, which will please anyone who likes to ramble. They start at Harder Kulm, a panoramic lookout that is 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) up and reachable by funicular railway. Since Interlaken is located in the Bernese Oberland, visitors can take trains from the Alpine railways to get a closer look at the region’s three tallest mountains, the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #4 Lucerne

Architectural Landmark

It is best to explore Lucerne, a charming, historic city on Lake Lucerne, on foot so that you can stroll past beautifully painted old buildings like those in Weinmarkt Square. There are also many noteworthy medieval sites, such as the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), one of the continent’s oldest covered bridges. The Musegg Wall, a portion of the protective walls constructed in 1386, is another. But it’s not all the past, as the slick, waterfront KKL (Culture and Convention Center) created by French architect Jean Nouvel demonstrates. The Pilatus, Rigi, or Stanserhorn mountains have cableways that can take you to breathtaking Alpine terrain.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #5 Montreux

Architectural Landmark

In the French-speaking southwest of the country, Montreux is a resort city on a broad stretch of Lake Geneva. The quays in this area provide miles of lakeside strolling amid exotic flowers and trees, with views of the Alps in the distance. The town is also home to Château de Chillon, a castle built in the 13th century with views of the lake. It was originally constructed by the House of Savoy and served as an inspiration for Lord Byron and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The second-largest annual jazz festival in the world is held in Montreux in early July, and the city also hosts numerous other notable cultural events.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #6 Morcote

Park

Morcote, which is only a ferry ride from Lugano, is by far the most picturesque village on the lake’s shore. It is nestled into a hillside and was once a fishing haven. It offers charming alleys to explore and beautiful lake views. The ancient Santa Maria del Sasso Church’s bell tower towers over the homes below. When you come here, you must visit the Parco Scherrer villa. It has a diverse collection of exotic Mediterranean and Asian plants, as well as decorative elements like Greek sculptures, an Egyptian temple, and even a Siamese tea house.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #7 Soglio

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Morcote, located on the shore of Lake Lugano and just a ferry ride from Lugano, is by far the most picturesque village there. It was once a fishing haven and is built into a hillside, providing picturesque lake views along with charming alleys to explore. Overlooking the houses below is the bell tower of the ancient Santa Maria del Sasso Church. If you visit, you must stop by Parco Scherrer’s villa. It features a diverse array of exotic Mediterranean and Asian plants in addition to architectural features like Greek sculptures, an Egyptian temple, and even a Siamese tea house.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #8 Stein am Rhein

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

When picturing the ideal cute Swiss village, Stein am Rhein comes to mind. The city’s core is home to a substantial number of well-preserved medieval buildings, many of which have colorfully painted facades. Stein am Rhein, also known as the Jewel on the Untersee, is home to the Hohenklingen Castle, a medieval hilltop castle. The walled town below and the former Benedictine abbey (St. George), built in the eleventh century, can both be seen from here.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #9 Wengen

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Wengen is a picture-perfect mountain village with Belle Époque hotels, log homes, and chalets that is only reachable by train. It’s a perfect starting point from which to explore the nearby mountains. Take a cableway to a rural, sweeping view or venture out along one of the walking trails. For the more daring, thrilling activities like river rafting and paragliding are easily accessible.

Prettiest Swiss Town: #10 Zermatt

The highest town in Europe is Zermatt, a car-free resort town. It ensures a lengthy ski season, which includes year-round glacier skiing. The town is located at the foot of the famous Matterhorn, where lifts can be taken to ascend 3.9 kilometers (2.4 miles) for panoramic Alpine views. Chef Salvatore Elefante’s Ristorante Capri and chef Ivo Adam’s After Seven both received Michelin stars in 2015, making Zermatt another popular culinary destination.

Topic: Prettiest Towns in Switzerland 2023 – 10 Best Towns To Visit In Switzerland

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