15 Most Beautiful Villages In The Swiss Alps

Do you know what’s possibly the best feeling in the world? That is the tremendous awe while staring at the most beautiful natural scenery—believe me, it happened to me. That feeling is humbling, rejuvenating, and possibly, life-changing.

Although only a small country, Switzerland has many places where you can feel the same. What’s the best part? You don’t have to hike for miles just to view them. The marvelous views in Switzerland are everywhere, and you can see them even if you’re in the towns and villages!

You do not have to wonder where they are. Because in this blog post, you can already discover the villages and small towns in the Swiss Alps where all these stunning views can be found.

The location of these villages and small towns pretty much explains why they can fill their visitors with awe. They are either perched on a cliff top, in the middle of a valley, or at the foot of the mountains. 

Half of Switzerland is mountainous and, thus, scenic. However, the most breathtaking places in Switzerland are central and southwestern Switzerland. Because it’s the part of Switzerland where the highest peaks in the Alps and varied landscapes (lakes and glaciers) can be found.

This is why almost all of the small towns and villages you can find in this post are in the Cantons of Bern and Valais, or Bernese and Pennine Alps. In summary, they are:

1. Bettmeralp
2. Champery
3. Ernen
4. Gimmelwald
5. Grindelwald
6. Interlaken
7. Kandersteg
8. Lauterbrunnen
9. Leukerbad
10. Murren
11. Obergoms
12. Saas-Fee
13. Verbier
14. Wengen
15. Zermatt

Bonus: Gruyères – 10 Best Reasons Why You Should Visit

This article will show you and discuss the following:

1. The exact location and the nearest cities in the Swiss Alps (from which you can conduct a day trip/make your home base when visiting different places in the Alps). These cities are Thun, Brig, Sion, Lucerne, and Montreux.
2. Views you can expect to see from each village/small town in the Swiss Alps.
3. Some fascinating facts about the Swiss Alps’ villages and small towns.
4. The attractions and things to do that each small town or village in the Swiss Alps has. As the places discussed below are in the mountains, I will no longer mention the usual activities (hiking, skiing, etc.) you can do if you visit them. 

By the way, if you need suggestions on how you can visit Switzerland in 3, 7, 10, or 14 days—click this link. Some of the small towns/villages in the Swiss Alps are included in this article.

If you’re from abroad, you can start your journey in Switzerland and to these villages in the Swiss Alps from Geneva (10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Geneva), Zurich (15 Best Reasons Why You Should Visit Zurich), or Basel (7 Most Beautiful Places In Basel). They are the three largest cities in Switzerland, and their airports have many flight connections.

And if you need to save money while traveling to Switzerland (let’s say you’re planning a week-long trip), a Swiss Travel Pass can save you tens of dollars. Discover the Swiss Travel Pass here.

Let’s start discussing the most beautiful villages/small towns in the Swiss alps alphabetically. Starting with Bettmeralp!

1. Bettmeralp

First on the list is Bettmeralp, a village of half a thousand people, perched 1970 meters (6463 feet) above the Rhone Valley. From the meadows of the village, a stunning view of the Pennine Alps awaits. It is absolutely breathtaking!

Situated within the district of Raron in the Canton of Valais, you can find Bettmeralp closest to Brig. From Brig, you must ride the train/bus and alight at Betten Talstation. Next, hop on a cable car to Bettmeralp. Travel time would not be more than 45 minutes.

There are no cars in Bettmeralp, and people come here only through a large cable car. That’s one of the reasons why this town stays immaculate, a perfect place to give you an unforgettable escapism experience.

Bettmeralp is beautiful, whatever season it may be. This town boasts 300 sunny days a year. You won’t have to worry much about staying indoors frustrated by bad weather or spending a day seeing nothing but fog.

Two good reasons why you should come to Bettmeralp are:

• Bettmeralp is the doorway to the impressive Aletsch Glacier. The biggest glacier in Europe and the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Alps. Aletsch Glacier is a 23-kilometer-long glacier near the Bettmerhorn (2643m) and Eggishorn (2926m). Together with the peaks, they create an indescribable spectacle seen from the site’s vantage point.
• Bettmeralp has good weather and is an excellent family destination. That title was given by the Swiss Tourism Federation to Bettmeralp for the enjoyable activities for kids it offers. It even has pushchair-friendly hiking trails, perfect if you want a vacation in the mountains with your toddler.

Here are the Google Map Coordinates if you want to create your own shot similar to the image above once you visit Bettmeralp. During summer, at that point, you’ll see these beautiful houses and hotels facing the stunning mountains:

Did you know there’s a town in southeasternmost Germany where you can find 3 chapels perched in a very picturesque/scenic location? It’s called Berchtesgaden. See how Berchtesgaden’s three beautiful chapels look and more reasons to visit Berchtesgaden here.

Here are the most unique things to do in Bettmeralp (aside from hiking and snow activities): 

• Pumptrack Bettmeralp. Check out the currently the highest asphalt pump track in the world! Situated at 1,970 meters above sea level, you can glide with your rollers on banked curves while enjoying the sights of the stunning mountains.
• Indoor pool Bachtla. Take a rest after hiking or climbing, and avail yourself of Shiatsu and craniosacral therapy! There is also a swimming pool, whirlpool, and dry and steam sauna. They can be your alternative activity if bad weather strikes.
• Aspi-Titter suspension bridge. Get a thrilling trekking experience on the 160-meter-long Aspi-Titter suspension bridge over the 120-meter-deep Weisswasser gorge.
• Aletsch Glacier. See Europe’s largest glacier that’s 23-kilometer long! You can either use the vantage point from the town to see this or hike Bettmerhorn to Eggishorn trail for really stunning scenery.

See all the best accommodation deals in Bettmeralp from this link.

2. Champery

Champery is one of the oldest tourist destinations in Switzerland. It is a town in the Swiss Alps, a destination of the early alpinists dating back to the beginning of the 20th century.

We can find Champery at the foot of the Dents Blanches and Dents-du-Midi in the Chablais region. It is one of the westernmost towns in the canton of Valais, near the Swiss-French border.

Champery is most accessible from Montreux and Sion. Using the trains, you can reach Champery from Sion in 2 hours and Montreux in 1.5 hours—both involve one train transfer. By driving, travel time is approximately 1 hour from Sion and 40 minutes from Montreux.

From Champery, you can already reach Chamonix in less than 2 hours by car. Chamonix is the town closest to Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the alps. Here are the 10 reasons why you should visit Chamonix.

Here in Champery, we can find one of Switzerland’s last bell-foundries production businesses. This old industry is matched with numerous charming traditional chalets with carved balconies along Champery’s street – making the stroll in the town a bit special.

Champery has an excellent destination for winter and summer. Here are my two best reasons why you should visit Champery regardless of the season:

• During winter, you can go to Portes du Soleil recreational area to try playing with the snow in one of the world’s largest international ski areas.
• Champery is a town between two majestic peaks, Dents-du-Midi and Dents Blanches.

Here’s the view of Champery after a cable ride to Croix de Culet peak from the town center. Up there, we can see the rugged summits of Dents-du-Midi. It’s no wonder why the first Alpinist loved hiking from Champery.

Here are the most unique things to do in Bettmeralp (aside from hiking and snow activities):

• Escape Room. It is an indoor activity best to do with your friends and family. Here, you will solve puzzles and escape gripping scenarios under a ticking clock to escape the self-contained world and return to reality.
• Organic Adventure Park. Bond with your friends and family at an outdoor park with zip lines, a suspension bridge, etc. Climbing nets and walking over tree trails are a part of their 5 courses with different levels of difficulties.
• La Petite Cavagne. Buy some fresh homemade jams created by local farmers. There are also authentic Swiss cheese and fresh-cut dried meat for dinner.
• Champéry-Morgins bikepark. Seek adventure aside from hiking! Try the different level downhill tracks and test your cycling skills. There are 1 green, 1 blue, 7 red, and 2 black level tracks to select from.

Find all the best hotel deals in Champery from this link.

3. Ernen

Ernen is a town in the Swiss Alps with ~500 people located in the district of Goms, in the canton of Valais. It is a well-known musical village where international artists come to join the annual musical festival.

The closest city to Ernen is Brig, only 18 kilometers from Ernen. You can reach Ernen using a car (a 25-minute drive) or public transportation (45-minute travel time). From Brig, ride the train to Fiesch and then ride bus 652 to get to Ernen.

Ernen was awarded the Henry-Louis-Wakker Prize, an award given to the town for the superb upkeeping of its landscape and architectural heritage. The preservation is evident in the houses and the village square at the center of the Ernen.

When you visit Ernen, you can find houses and structures constructed as early as the 15th century.

The appearance of the charming houses in Ernen is complemented by their location, overlooking the Fiesch valley basin. There are also lush gardens surrounding the settlement that add to the town’s overall beauty.

Aside from the architecture and natural spectacle, here are the historical gems or the reason why you should visit Ernen:

• Tellenhaus (Tell House). It is one of the oldest houses in Switzerland. You can find it in the village square together with other prominent buildings.
• Church of Saint George. The iconic structure of Ernen was built in the early 16th century. It must be the first structure everyone can notice when they arrive in Ernen because of its elevated position. Inside, we can find a series of late Gothic statues and the winged altarpiece called Nothelferaltar.
• Hanging Bridge. Do not forget to check out the lengthy suspension footbridges! It’s a breathtaking experience hanging above deep gorges near Ernen.

Check how it feels to be in one of Ernen’s hotels. Look at the view! Isn’t that fantastic?

Here are the unique things to do in Ernen (aside from hiking during summer and skiing during winter):

• Goms Bridge. Conquer the longest suspension footbridges in the canton of Valais. Goms Bridge has 280 meters, hanging 92 meters over the Lama gorge, Rhone river, and some century-old trees.
• Trusera. Discover Trusera, one of the Bisses, the historic irrigation channels in Valais. You can find it running through the shady forest to the gardens with blooming helleborine, a native orchid plant.

Find the best place to stay in Ernen from this link.

By the way, do you like to see villages with beautiful scenery in the south of France? See my list of the 10 most beautiful villages in southern France. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, I’m sure you will be enticed to include a few of them in your itinerary. South of France isn’t that far from the Swiss Alps, after all.

4. Gimmelwald 

Gimmelwald, a village in the Swiss Alps of 100 inhabitants, is a part of the inventory of Swiss heritage recognized for its exceptional townscape.

It is a preserved mountain farming village. Here you can hear the idyllic sound of the ringing cowbells, which will soothe you to the bones!

Gimmelwald is a village located in the Bernese Oberland in the Canton of Bern, situated at an altitude of 1363 meters on the hillside of Lauterbrunnen Valley. It is the town near Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The closest city to Gimmelwald is Thun. However, I do not recommend going straight to Gimmelwald from Thun. To get here, you must first get to Lauterbrunnen—I’ll explain everything to you in this article: How To Get To Lauterbrunnen? Make An Itinerary and Visit

Gimmelwald also has chalets decorated with flowers with breathtaking views of the Jungfrau mountains. No cars roam around the village since it can only be reached by foot or cable car ride. Because of that, strolling in Gimmelwald will resemble a walk in an idyllic place like heaven on earth.

Look at the image below. Absolutely rustic.

Considering Gimmelwald is only a tiny village, we can expect there are only simple things we can do here. Like, strolling and sightseeing all day. But in Gimmelwald, they are activities that we should never underestimate. Actually, they are the reasons we would want to visit this place.

Aside from strolling and hiking in Gimmelwald, here are the other simple but fun and thoughtful activities you can do here:

• Schwarzmonch beer. Try the specialty beer available in the Mountain Hostel and Pension Gimmelwald.
• Shop in Honesty Shop. Experience the incredible trust of the Gimmelwald people. Here, you buy things without a cashier. You get your goods and put the money in the cash register yourself.
• Historic sawmill Gimmelwald. Discover how a 150-year-old sawmill can cut three trunks without electricity but by water power only. 

See all the hotels in Gimmelwald here.

5. Grindelwald

Grindelwald is one of the most famous alpine mountain towns in the Swiss Alps. It is known for many activities visitors can do regardless of the season. Learn everything that you must know about Grindelwald from my 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Grindelwald.

Grindelwald belongs to the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Bern. It is situated at an elevation of 1034 meters above sea level, surrounded by several mountains. Some of these mountains are Mannlichen, Lauberhorn, Schwarzhorn, Wellhorn, Faulhorn, Monch, Eiger, Wetterhorn, and others.

Similar to Gimmelwald, Thun is the closest city to Grindelwald. From Thun, you can get to Grindelwald on a train ride (transfer trains at Interlaken Ost station). Travel time lasts for 1.5 hours. 

If you’re from Bern (22 Best Things To Do In Bern), you can also get to Grindelwald quickly with a train ride. You must be able to get to Grindelwald from Bern within 2 hours using the trains.

The town of Grindelwald is blessed with the majestic mountains that surround it. Two notable peaks from Grindelwald are the Eiger north face and the Wetterhorn. The views of these mountains alone are enough to complete your day.

Here are the three best reasons why Grindelwald is really worth a visit:

• Fun outdoor activities. The developed tourism industry in Grindelwald allows tourists to enjoy fun outdoor activities with a view of the stunning mountains. Some of the best adventures that you can do in Grindelwald are the First Cliff Walk, First Flieger, First Glider, First Mountain Cart, and Trotti bike.
• Thrilling outdoor activities. If you are looking for a life-changing adventure, Grindelwald has something for you. Try the 50-meter free-fall canyon swing and let your adrenaline saturate your system.
• Grindelwald Glacier Canyon. If you want just a relaxed experience in the canyon, there is something for that too. You can trek the kilometer-long walkway inside the ravine and see impressive tunnels and rock galleries carved by million-year erosion.

Here are the 360-degree views of Grindelwald to give you an idea of how amazing it is to be there. Here’s what it looks like when you’re just walking in the town. Imagine the view in person… the mountain and the lush green fields complement each other, right?

Then, after you take the cable car to First, here is the view that you’ll see. You can observe the same scenery as you come to the start of the First Sky Walk.

There are a lot of things to do in Grindelwald. But these are the most unique activities you can have in Grindelwald:

• Jungfraujoch Ice Palace. Walk inside a tunnel of ice under a glacier. There are several ice chambers with ice sculptures to see. It is an excellent thing to do, especially with your family.
• Grindelwald museum. Discover the artifacts inside a wooden house Talhhaus near the church. The museum is an initiative of the locals wanting to collect and preserve their heritage. We can find stuff they use for alpine farming, mountaineering, mountain railways, and old photographs.
• Explore the First. As stated in the introduction of Grindelwald, there are lots of fun and adventurous things to do here. Conquer your fears and scream your fright away! Live the life you deserve 😀
• Glacier Canyon Walk. Exploring the canyon is like going into another world. See the rock formations shaped by the retreating glacier and other works of a creative nature. 

You can find the best places to stay in Grindelwald from this link.

6. Interlaken

Interlaken is a well-known tourist destination and a town in the Swiss Alps, the gateway to more stunning towns and villages further into the Bernese Alps.

Though there are other beautiful mountain towns ahead, it does not mean that we should skip Interlaken. In fact, Interlaken can be your perfect home base in visiting Bernese Oberland. Here’s how you can explore the Jungfrau region in 1 to 7 days from Interlaken (itinerary).

Read my 10 Best Reasons Why You Should Visit Interlaken to see all the beautiful experiences/attractions awaiting you in Interlaken.

We can find Interlaken between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in a flat alluvial land called Bodeli. It is almost in the middle of Switzerland, belonging to the canton of Bern. Interlaken is very close to Thun and Bern—travel time is less than an hour.

In Interlaken, you can see a different alpine landscape compared to the other towns in the Swiss Alps listed in this post. With the lakes east and west of Interlaken, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz, you can expect to see more stunning scenery from Interlaken.

The three majestic peaks, Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, which we can see from Interlaken, blend beautifully with the lakes on both sides of the town. This is a good reason you should stop in Interlaken and spend a day here. Aside from that, here’s why you should visit Interlaken:

• Castles. Interlaken is the crossroads of everything you might be looking for in Switzerland, including the historic and beautiful structures. Interlaken has tours that will bring you to the magnificent Oberhofen Castle.
• Landscape. You won’t only see lakes, rivers, and mountains. A cave can also be accessed from Interlaken (St. Beatus caves) – a natural wonder to behold.
• Water sports. Unlike other towns in the Swiss Alps, Interlaken offers the most watersports you can enjoy! When it’s time for a break after splashing around, you can sit back and relax while looking at the majestic mountains nearby.
• Lakes Lakes Lakes. Interlaken is the best spot to watch sunrise and sunset. Imagine the glittering lake turned to gold by the setting sun (with spectacular mountains in the backdrop). Besides, there are also cruise and boat rides from Interlaken – for a very romantic date. 

Use the 360-degree-image above as your inspiration to visit Interlaken. Isn’t it lovely and super relaxing just to stare at this lake? The sound of the softly crashing water to the shore will make the sightseeing moment even more pleasing.

Here are the most unique activities to do I found in Interlaken (aside from hiking and snow sports):

• Have a journey to Interlaken farms. See the everyday life in the countryside in Interlaken by visiting the local farms. Here you will get interesting insights about life on the farm and learn facts about milk, meat, and cheese making.
• See Kunsthaus Interlaken. See works of art and attend musical performances in Interlaken. There will be bands playing different genres, from jazz to folk to blues to reggae! 
• Visit the castles. Discover the story and the exquisite beauty of these Swiss castles around Lake Thun. Take a cruise to get to one of each castle more romantically. You can enjoy the scenic mountains from afar as you travel on the water.

See all the best hotel deals in Interlaken from this link.

7. Kandersteg

Read my article about Kandersteg. 10 Best Things To Do In Kandersteg & How To Visit

Kandersteg is a town in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland where we can find a mountain coaster – a super fun ride that lets us slide the sled over a concave track down the hill. It is a must-do activity to add to your bucket list!

If you are not yet familiar with a mountain coaster, here’s a sample video:

I discovered this slide when it got viral on Facebook. Who would not get excited about this? LOL. Sliding the sled down the track with the sights of the beautiful mountains is so fun to do! This is the reason why you should visit Kandersteg.

But maybe before we hop on the mountain coaster, we explore first the town center of Kandersteg. There we can find wooden chalets, cozy restaurants, and our ever-desired view of the alpine meadows and ice-capped mountains.

Kandersteg is located in the Kandervalley in the Bernese Oberland region, canton of Bern. Like Interlaken, Grindelwald, and the villages in Lauterbrunnen (municipality), Kandersteg is closest to Thun and Bern. You can get to Kandersteg from these cities in less than an hour (a 40-minute train ride from Thun).

You can also quickly reach Kandersteg from Brig. Kandersteg is only a 50-minute single train ride from Brig.

It is surrounded by towering mountains that are more than 3000 meters in height:

• Balmhorn – 3,698 m or 12,133 ft (south)
• Bluemlisalp – 3,663 m or 12,018 ft (east)
• Gross Lohner – 3,049 or m 10,003 ft (west)

Can you imagine the view?

This traditional yet modern town is also the gateway to Lake Oeschinensee, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Swiss alpine world! Going to this lake without a camera would feel like a grave sin to yourself for missing photographing one of the scenic places in the Bernese Alps.

Kandersteg is known by many as a lovely vacation destination in the Swiss Alps. Here are the unique things you’ll experience in Kandersteg:

• Mountain Coasting with Panorama. Sliding the sled down a 750-meter track gives you a 150-meter elevation difference and an unforgettable experience suitable for all ages. 
• Enjoying the lake. Row the boat, catch a fish, and make barbeques. Lake Oeschinensee in Kandersteg will allow you to have a quality moment with your family and the stunning views of the lake mountains.  
• UNESCO-Ice Walk (Winter). Explore the mountains and walk over the frozen Lake Oeschinensee. The trails are groomed before the site opens. You won’t have to worry about trekking on deep snow.
• Mountain Tubing (Summer). Get another adrenaline-pumping activity after Mountain Coasting! Ride on a tube and slide down the smoothened path down the hill.

See all the best hotel prices in Kandersteg here.

8. Lauterbrunnen

Legends say Lauterbrunnen is the town in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland where the book/movie The Lord of the Rings got its inspiration. With the snow-capped mountains, towering cliffs, and magnificent waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen, no wonder why the Lord of the Rings turned out so beautiful to watch.

Check out my articles about Lauterbrunnen:

• Here are the best reasons why you should visit Lauterbrunnen. In this post, you will learn about attractions, picture spots, hiking trails, and more in Lauterbrunnen.
• This is the article to guide for making a Lauterbrunnen itinerary. Here you will learn everything you need, from going to Lauterbrunnen to visiting the smaller villages in Lauterbrunnen Valley.
• Get a sample Lauterbrunnen Itinerary 1 to 3 days from this post. It has 9 sample itineraries to help you visit the best three attractions in Lauterbrunnen: Mannlichen, Schilthorn, and Jungfraujoch.

Lauterbrunnen is located in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Bern. From Thun, you can reach Lauterbrunnen in 1 hour using the trains (transfer trains at Interlaken). 1.5 hours from Bern. It is surrounded by towering peaks such as:

• Schilthorn
• Bietenhorn
• Schwarzmonch
• Silberhorn

Lauterbrunnen is also a municipality that comprises several villages:

• Lauterbrunnen
• Wengen
• Murren
• Gimmelwald
• Stechelberg 
• Isenfluh

Look at this Streetview of Lauterbrunnen. See how beautiful the Staubbach Waterfall glows with the sun?

Lauterbrunnen’s name means “many fountains,” derived from the town’s natural landscape. There are just 72 waterfalls found here, and the most notable one is Staubbach Falls.

Staubbach Fall is the waterfall you can immediately see as soon as you enter Lauterbrunnen. Its waters fall from a nearly 300-meter tall cliff, one of the highest in Europe, and one of the most beautiful that you can see, especially on a sunny day.

The falls, plus the scenery of the vibrant meadows, wooden houses, and ice-capped mountains, are just some of the heavenly things you can find in Lauterbrunnen. Here are more reasons to visit Lauterbrunnen:

• Waterfalls. Aside from Staubbach and Spissbach Falls, you can visit the roaring Trummelbach Falls in the Black Monk Mountain, a gem hidden in the rock faces. It is a waterfall that dumps 20 thousand liters of water every second from a 200-meter cliff – a true spectacle to see. 
• Gateway to the most epic places and places in the Swiss Alps. When you come to Lauterbrunnen, you gain access to cable cars and train rides that can bring you instantly and directly to the most beautiful locations in the Alps:
  • Sphinx Observatory – located in the Jungfraujoch, the top of Europe
  • Piz Gloria – gives you a 360-degree view of the mountains of the Bernese Alps.

Here’s a quick glimpse of what’s inside Piz Gloria:

There are so many things to do in Lauterbrunnen. But here are the unique ones that you would want to try (aside from hiking and skiing):

• Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe. Enjoy the jaw-dropping sight of the mountain peaks from Sphinx viewing building or feel awe by visiting the Ice palace and the eternal snow plateau.
• Piz Gloria. Dine-in at one of the highest restaurants in Europe. There, you can eat while enjoying the 360 panoramic views of the Alps.
• Birg. See a panoramic view of Eiger & Jungfrau peaks on a Steep, glass-floored sightseeing path around a cliff.

You can find all the best accommodation deals in Lauterbrunnen here.

For me, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen are the most beautiful places in Bernese Oberland. They are also strategic locations for exploring the Jungfrau region.

If Switzerland has Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen, Italy has Cortina d’Ampezzo. It’s a town in Italy in the middle of the most stunning mountain scenery in the Italian Alps/Dolomites. You should see/discover it here in my post, 10 Beautiful Places Around Cortina d’Ampezzo.

9. Leukerbad

Leukerbad is the best town in the Swiss Alps to visit if you seek therapeutic warmth after hiking or having outdoor activities in the mountains. There are 65 thermal hot springs in this mountain spa town resort, which were used even by the ancient Romans who sought relief after a day of work.

You can find Leukerbad in the district of Leuk in the canton of Valais. It is situated between the famous Gemmi Pass and Torrenthorn.

At the same time, Leukerbad is nearly in between Sion and Brig. To get to Leukerbad, you must ride a train to Leuk from these two cities and then ride bus 471 to Leukerbad. Travel time from both cities is approximately 1 hour.

The discovery of these hot springs led to the development of tourism in Leukerbad. Now they are utilized in many wellness resorts and spas in the town. It attracted many tourists who desire the three-in-one package Leukerbad offers: awe, adventure, and wellness.

Look at one of the resorts here in Leukerbad. Warm water + beautiful mountains = perfect!

With the hot springs in town, strolling around the beautiful Leukerbad or climbing the stunning mountains won’t end in painful joints and muscles anymore. It is a good reason why we should visit Leukerbad, but here’s more:

• There are gorges to explore. Visit Gala Gorge and learn “interesting” facts about the thermal waters in Leukerbad.
• Leukerbad has services and facilities promoting wellness. There’s just a wide range of spas to visit in Leukerbad. Some offer a super delicious and nutritious breakfast in the spa hot springs! Feel healthy!
• Leukerbad has epic viewing platforms and adventures. Leukerbad brings you the opportunities to enjoy nature at its best, from awe-inspiring mountain views to thrilling adventures!

There are many things to do in Leukerbad. Here are the unique activities I think we can do in Leukerbad:

• Dala Gorge. Explore Dala Gorge using the 600-meter footbridge 4 meters above the river bed. Discover things about the thermal waters in Leukerbad that took 40 years to reach the earth’s surface.
• Viewing platform Gemmi. Dine at Wildstrubel Restaurant, located in the Gemmi Pass, and come to the viewing platform next to the restaurant. It is an excellent place to observe the mountains and the town of Leukerbad from the sky.
• Adventure via ferrata. Test your climbing skills with a range of rope courses. There are challenges to give you goosebumps, like the twisting 20-meter-high ladder that turns 540 degrees!

See the best hotel deals in Leukerbad here.

Like Switzerland, Germany also has thermal baths. You can find it in the Black Forest—the most fairytale place in Germany, the country of fairy tales. Discover more Unique & Special Things in the Black Forest.

10. Murren

A village of not more than 500 inhabitants, Murren is a charming town in the Swiss Alps, free of cars. It offers stunning alpine scenery and mountain culture for us to discover.

Murren sits on the west clifftop in the Lauterbrunnen Valley overlooking the village of Stechelberg below. It is in between the Schilthorn peak and the Jungfrau mountain range.

Murren is like the larger version of Gimmelwald, where you can more than enjoy the natural beauty of Switzerland. Like Gimmelwald, Thun and Bern are the closest cities to Murren. Yet, to visit Murren, you must go to Lauterbrunnen first to reach Murren. Again, you may see my guide in visiting Lauterbrunnen valley.

Murren sits over a flat clifftop in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, facing the spectacular Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau mountains to the east. It has authentic wooden and flower-bedecked chalets that really match the views of the mountains from afar. Without the presence of cars, strolling in Murren should feel really idyllic, heavenly.

Look at a drone shot from Murren. The view is stunning! It seems I would be able to stroll all day in Murren with that! Or I can just lie down on the grass and stare at the mountain for a day.

Aside from the heavenly atmosphere of Murren, here are some other reasons why Murren is worth visiting:

• In Murren, you can easily access Birg and Schilthorn (Piz Gloria) through cable cars. They are one of the places where you can see the entire Bernese Alps in one spot.
• It is also near a playground/funicular called Allmendhubel-Bahn, with a stunning view of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.
• There are also other “cool” outdoor activities, such as Tobogganing or exploring Trummelbach falls.

Murren is a small village but never underestimate it for its size. Here are the unique things that you can do when you are in Murren:

• Piz Gloria. Go to the peak of Schilthorn and eat your snacks in Piz Gloria. It may not be as high as the neighboring peaks, but the spot will let you see the jaw-dropping scenery of other mountains.
• Almendhubel. If you have your kids with you, bring them to Almendhubel. It is a playground with scenic views of the Jungfrau mountain range.
• Birg. See a panoramic view of Eiger & Jungfrau peaks on a Steep, glass-floored sightseeing path around a cliff.

See all the best hotel deals in Murren from this link.

11. Obergoms

Obergoms, a quiet town in the Swiss Alps with fewer than 1000 inhabitants, is home to chapels and churches with slim white spires and Valaisian-style wooden houses.

Like the other villages in the Swiss Alps, The chalets and landscape in Obergoms deeply captivate the heart of travelers.

Obergoms is located at the easternmost reach of the Rhone Valley, where the Rhone Glacier feeds the Rhone River. It is also the easternmost municipality/town in the canton of Valais, surrounded by towering 3000+ meter mountains.

Brig is the closest city to Obergoms. You can get to Obergoms from Brig in around 1 hour using the trains (direct).

Obergoms is also where we can find some of the most scenic passes in Switzerland. Not only that, the iconic Belverede Hotel and the nostalgic steam train are here as well!

If you’re looking for natural wonders, Obergoms got something for you. You can find the Rhone Glacier, the birthplace of the Rhone river at the northeastern portion of Obergoms, up to the mountains. It has an Ice Cave which you can enter and explore!

By knowing these, I think we now know why we should visit Obergoms.

I found several things to do in Obergoms. Here are the unique activities that I found (aside from hiking and skiing):

• Burli-Schiirli. Enter a charming rustic food shop that sells local delicacies of Obergoms. They also sell homemade bread and typical farm cuisine.
• Furka Pass. Come and see one of Switzerland’s most scenic passes and the country’s third-highest pass. It is where we can see the iconic and most photographed hotel, Belverede Hotel.
• Ice cave in the Rhone glacier. Enter a 100-meter-long ice cave with all blue chambers and tunnels. You can also hike to the Rhone Glacier to see what it’s like from above.
• Steam Railway via Furka. Join the daily trip of an early 20th-century nostalgic train from Realp to the Furka crest tunnel to Gletsch in the Upper Goms.

12. Saas-Fee

Saas-Fee, a village in the Swiss Alps with ~2000 people, is the one that we call “Die Perle der Alpen” (The Pearl of the Alps) because of its location surrounded by 4000-meter mountains in the Alps.

Saas-Fee is located in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais, near the Swiss-Italian border. Its location is close to famous hiking peaks like Weissmies, Nadelhorn, and Lenspitze. Saas-Fee is also close to Dom and Allinhorn Glaciers, allowing visitors to play winter sports all year round.

Brig is the closest city to Saas-Fee. To get to Saas-Fee, you must ride a train to Visp, and from Visp, hop on bus 511 to reach Saas-Fee. Travel time is around 1 hour and 10 minutes.

When you reach Saas-Fee, you’ll see it’s characterized by well-preserved Swiss wood architecture, lush meadows, and stunning mountain ranges. The overall scenery and the car-free environment make Saas-Fee a very idyllic place to visit.

Check out how beautiful your stroll in Saas-Fee can be:

The village features many things to do, from dining to indoor activities and outdoor fun. Saas-Fee always has something to offer you. But above all, there are the best reasons why you should visit Saas-Fee:

• Highest Funicular Railway. A check to your bucket list. Ride the highest funicular railway in the world. It leads you to the skiing area and another item on your bucket list, the highest-revolving restaurant in the world.
• Highest revolving restaurant. Located at 3500 meters or 11500 feet above sea level, “threes!xty” on the Mittel-Allalin, is Switzerland’s highest restaurant AND the world’s highest revolving restaurant. 

You can find many things to do in Saas-Fee, especially during winter. But here are unique ones we can try:

• Manage a hotel. Try a fantastic experience with your friends. In Panoramahotel Alphubel, they will let you manage a hotel. Don’t worry about screwing up… The hotelier couple will always be there to help! 😀
• Allalinhorn. Though this might require hiking, the experience of standing over a 4000-meter peak is once in a lifetime. Enjoy the panoramic views from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn to the Jungfrau massif.
• Ice Pavilion. Enter an ice-frozen grotto at 3500 meters above sea level in Fee Glacier. There are glowing ice sculptures inside to behold. There is also an avalanche simulation here to add to your adventure experience.
• The Hannig show dairy. See the goats in the Hannig alpine goat pasture. There is also goat cheese to try as well!

See all the best accommodation prices in Saas-Fee here.

13. Verbier

Verbier is an enchanting town in the Swiss Alps with slate-roofed chalets in a spectacular mountainous environment. It is situated on a sunny, south-facing plateau at 1,500m with a beautiful view of the Massif des Combins.

Also, Verbier is perched on a plateau in the western part of the canton of Valais. It is in the vicinity of Mount Fort, which on the top, gives you views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

The closest cities to Verbier are Sion and Montreux. To get to Verbier from these cities, you must first ride a train to Martigny and then to Val de Bagnes. When you reach Val de Bagnes, you should be able to see the cable cars you can use to get to Verbier. 

From Sion, the travel time will be approximately 1 hour by train. 1.5 hours from Montreux. Driving from these cities to Verbier can last at least an hour.

Verbier is also a holiday resort nestled in the skiing region, regarded as one of the world’s top backcountry ski destinations. The high-elevation areas near Verbier are fully blanketed in snow throughout the year – giving winter sports enthusiasts enjoyment regardless of the season.

Travelers and winter sports enthusiasts call Verbier the gateway to the 4 Vallées ski area. Skiers are the luckiest as Verbier features vibrant resort culture, steep slopes, and fantastic weather.

Before going to the skiing area, don’t forget to enjoy the pleasant Verbier village with beautiful meadows, charming houses, and stunning mountains. See this 360-degree view of the town:

There are wellness, indoor, and sports activities to do in Verbier. Here are the unique activities I found in Verbier (Aside from hiking and skiing):

• Equestrian sports. Discover Verbier and surrounding villages while horseback riding. There are lessons and courses to try! 
• Golf. Verbier offers you not only winter sports but also golf. Here, a newbie or a pro is welcomed. Take a swing and then relax with the views of the beautiful alpine scenery.
• Have a thermal bath and other wellness activities. There are many relaxing things to do in Verbier, perfect to have after a day of hiking and other sports.

See all the best hotel deals in Verbier here.

Suppose you will be visiting Germany and you like skiing. In that case, you must go to the Verbier of the Bavarian Alps—Mittenwald. In Mittenwald, you can find Germany’s longest ski route (Dammkar Skiroute). It’s one of the 10 reasons why you should visit Mittenwald. 

14. Wengen

Wengen is another scenic town in the Swiss Alps with 1,300 inhabitants in Lauterbrunnen Valley that will take your breath away. It was an alpine farming settlement two centuries ago until tourism skyrocketed and transformed this village into an idyllic heavenly mountain resort town.

Like other villages in Lauterbrunnen (municipality), Wengen’s nearest cities are Thun and Bern. To get to Wengen, I suggest you check my article about making a Lauterbrunnen itinerary—it’ll help you a lot!

Wengen is perched on a flat clifftop at the foot of Jungfrau, 400 meters above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The three giant mountains, Jungfrau, Eiger, and Monch, are located southeast of Wengen.

What’s so nice about Wengen? It is a car-free village with nostalgic timber houses and flower-decked chalets. These things in Wengen, together with the lush meadows, and stunning mountain views, create an image of heaven – a place on earth we all desire to see.

Wengen is the perfect viewing spot of the Lauterbrunnen town down the valley. This is a shot of Lauterbrunnen town taken from Wengen on a perfect sunny morning:

This picture-perfect mountain village is also the gateway to the many epic mountain destinations like Kleine Scheidegg, Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe, and Mannlichen. All of these are the reasons why you should visit and never skip Wengen when you visit Switzerland.

Here is the 360-view in Mannlichen. It’s just heaven, isn’t it?

The things to do in other villages in the Lauterbrunnen Valley can also be easily accessed from Wengen. They’re very close to each other. Regardless, here are the unique things to do in Wengen (aside from hiking and skiing):

• Manlichen Royal Walk. Go to the Instagrammable crown-like viewing point in Manlichen’s peak. Enjoy the sights of the Swiss Alps!
• Sphinx Observatory. Take a cable car ride to Jungfraujoch – The top of Europe, and visit the Sphinx Observatory. There you can enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains without obstruction.
• Ice Palace. Walk into the blue tunnels and check out some cute and marvelous ice sculptures. 

You can find the best hotel deals in Wengen here.

15. Zermatt

Here’s an article where you can find everything you need to discover about Zermatt: 10 Best Views In Zermatt or 10 Reasons To Visit Zermatt

Zermatt is a mountaineering town in the Swiss Alps and a ski resort in the canton of Valais, known for the views of the picture-perfect Matterhorn. Brig is the nearest city to Zermatt. You can find direct train rides from Brig to Zermatt (the travel time lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes).

What do I like about Zermatt? It is a town that is a mixture of old and new. Despite the newly constructed hotels built after the tourism boom, Zermatt never loses its traditional touch.

Up until now, we can see ~30 buildings in Zermatt built with the style of the original Walser residents. There are also barns and grain stores that reveal the daily life of the mountain farmers who lived in this village. 

Also, Zermatt is a town not only for adults but for the whole family. Zermatt is labeled by the Swiss Tourism Federation as one of the Family Destinations in Switzerland.

Ultimately, Zermatt is one of the towns in Switzerland that enjoys fair weather all year round, boasting 300 days of sun. It is also a car-free town, so you can always expect fresh air.

Here’s the view of the Matterhorn from the town center of Zermatt:

Aside from the beautiful village and marvelous mountains near Zermatt, here are the other reasons why you should visit Zermatt:

• Matterhorn. See the ultimate icon of Switzerland.
• Photogenic Lakes. You can hike to several lakes that reflect Matterhorn. They create spectacular scenery to behold.
• Zermatt gives a slash to your bucket list. You can get a ride on the highest cable car station in Europe (3,883 m) from Zermatt.
• Culture. During summer, you can watch the procession of the goats or folklore with music.

Zermatt is a well-developed tourist destination and offers many things to do. From everything that I saw, here are the most unique activities I think we can have (aside from hiking and skiing):

• Explore Zermatt Village. For an hour or two, you can already make a loop within the village. Don’t forget to see the portion of Zermatt where the centuries-old houses are.
• Glacier Palace. See and explore the highest natural glacier palace in the world. Walk inside the tunnel that’s 15 meters below the glacier’s surface. Inside, you’ll see hidden lighting and ethereal sounds – a surreal place to be.
• Zermatt Bier. Taste Zermatt’s special beer brewed on the slopes of Monte Rosa and Matterhorn. It is a soft, balanced amber beer identified by its fruity and sweet character. 
• Matterhorn glacier paradise. Ride the highest cable car ride in Europe and get the best views of the Swiss Alps. It stretches 25 kilometers from Matterhorn glacier paradise station to Zermatt.
• Gorner Gorge. See a natural wonder, a ravine eroded by the Gornervispe River after the last Ice Age. Discover rocks that are already Hundred of millions of years old! 

You can find the best hotel deals in Zermatt here.

Find more places to visit in Switzerland here:

1. Swiss Countryside Photos to Inspire you to visit Switzerland
2. 14 Special Things About The Swiss Alps That Make It Famous

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