Places to explore in Europe — Switzerland

Switzerland · 98 guides

• Aarau: painted gables, Swiss history and the Aare

  A walking guide to Aarau’s old town, painted eaves, museums, annual traditions, riverside paths and direct regional rail links.

• Aarburg, where the Aare bends beneath a fortress

  Aarburg pairs a compact historic centre and a hilltop fortress with the Aare’s unusual Woog and an easy rail approach from the Olten area.

• Altdorf, Switzerland: the capital of Uri between Tell legend and Gotthard routes

  Explore the historic square, William Tell tradition, Uri museum, mountain walks and rail links through the Gotthard corridor.

• Andermatt, Switzerland: an Alpine crossroads beyond the ski slopes

  Explore the historic village, Schöllenen Gorge, Gotthard routes, valley museum and changing resort economy.

• Arosa, Switzerland: Alpine resort and the villages of Schanfigg

  Arosa joins a high mountain resort to seven Schanfigg villages: explore its documented history, railway, bear sanctuary, museum and alpine routes.

• Ascona, Switzerland: an artistic lakeside town with a restless past

  Explore Ascona’s old Borgo, Monte Verità, Serodine art, lake routes, museums and practical links to Locarno and the Brissago Islands.

• Aubonne, Switzerland: castle town, vineyards and arboretum

  Explore the medieval Bourg of Aubonne, its vineyards, forest arboretum, local services and bus connections above Lake Geneva.

• Avenches: Rome’s Helvetian capital, a medieval hill town and horse centre

  A researched guide to Avenches: ancient Aventicum, the medieval centre, the Swiss National Stud, Lake Murten and practical transport.

• Bachenbülach
• Bad Ragaz: thermal waters, the Tamina Gorge and a village turned spa

  A researched guide to Bad Ragaz: its thermal spring, gorge, historic baths, modern spa, local services and rail connections.

• Beatenberg: a high terrace above Lake Thun, caves and the Niederhorn

  A practical guide to Beatenberg: its lakeside caves, mountain routes, farm life, local services and public transport from Thun and Interlaken.

• Beckenried: a lakeside village between Lucerne and the Klewenalp

  Explore Beckenried’s lakefront, Klewenalp cable car, Risletenschlucht, village history, visitor services and public-transport routes.

• Bellinzona
• Bettmeralp, Switzerland: a car-free village above the Aletsch Glacier

  Plan a visit to Bettmeralp with verified details on the village, population, alpine history, the lake and glacier viewpoints, local services, hikes and cable-car access.

• Binn, Switzerland: minerals, alpine paths and a valley apart

  Discover Binn and the Binntal: verified population, mineral heritage, historic routes, museums, village services and practical bus access from Fiesch.

• Bönigen, a living lakeside village beside Interlaken

  Bönigen balances its old village core and local history with a working shoreline, a seasonal museum and public bathing on Lake Brienz.

• Bremgarten, where the Reuss bends around an old Aargau town

  A guide to Bremgarten’s river-shaped old town, historic bridge, local museum, markets and direct rail links from Dietikon and Wohlen.

• Brienz, Switzerland: woodcarving, lake steamers and the Rothorn

  A guide to Brienz’s carved timber lanes, lakefront, woodcarving school, Rothorn railway and practical routes through the Bernese Oberland.

• Brig, Switzerland: a Baroque trading town at the Simplon gateway

  Explore Brig’s Stockalper Palace, old-town lanes and gardens, then follow the routes that link this Valais hub with the Simplon and Italy.

• Bulle, Switzerland: markets and heritage in the heart of Gruyère

  Explore Bulle’s medieval castle, historic streets, weekly markets, local services and rail links to Gruyères, Broc and Fribourg.

• Bursins, a wine village between the lake and the woods

  Walk the medieval centre, discover the Saint-Martin priory and follow vineyard paths above Lake Geneva.

• Champéry, where an Alpine village grew into a mountain destination

  Explore Champéry’s old chalets, bell-making craft, mountain paths and rail links in the Val d’Illiez.

• Chur, Switzerland: a Roman crossroads and the living capital of Graubünden

  Walk Chur’s medieval lanes, trace its Roman and early history, visit regional museums and take the cableway from the city to Brambrüesch.

• Crans-Montana, Switzerland: alpine villages, golf and mountain trails

  A thoughtful guide to Crans-Montana’s four historic communes, mountain heritage, golf, hiking, transport and year-round visitor services.

• Dardagny, Geneva’s vineyard village beside the Allondon

  Discover Dardagny’s château, working wine country, village lanes and nature walks near Geneva.

• Davos, Switzerland: Alpine town, Walser roots and mountain culture

  Explore Davos beyond its ski slopes: Walser heritage, Thomas Mann, Kirchner, lake walks, research, valley villages and practical transport.

• Delémont, Switzerland: Jura capital, old town and valley walks

  Explore historic gates and fountains in Delémont, plus its Jura museum, river paths and direct rail connections.

• Diessenhofen, a Rhine town built around a crossing

  Explore Diessenhofen’s medieval lanes, covered Rhine bridge, historic towers, riverside museum and direct train and boat connections.

• Duggingen
• Einsiedeln, Switzerland: the monastery town with a life beyond pilgrimage

  Discover Einsiedeln’s abbey and Black Madonna, its documented history, village services, Sihlsee trails, local industries and rail access.

• Engelberg, Switzerland: monastery valley beneath the Titlis

  A detailed guide to the abbey, alpine economy, Titlis, Brunni and Fürenalp trails, visitor services and the 43-minute train from Lucerne.

• Erlach, a lakeside small town at the gateway to St Peter’s Island

  Discover Erlach’s medieval lanes and castle hill, the protected Heidenweg, vineyards, harbour and practical links across the Three Lakes region.

• Ernen, a historic Goms village with a living musical season

  A guide to Ernen’s preserved village square, Tell frescoes, parish church, local museum, summer music festival and Fiesch bus connection.

• Estavayer, Switzerland: medieval streets, lake shores and Broye villages

  Explore Estavayer-le-Lac, Château de Chenaux, the frog museum, Lake Neuchâtel and the rural villages, trails and bus links of the wider commune.

• Evolène, a living mountain valley in Switzerland’s Valais

  Explore Evolène’s timber villages, local museum, Hérens traditions and trails across the Val d’Hérens.

• Frauenfeld, Switzerland: Castle, Murg River and Thurgau Capital

  Explore the medieval castle and old town, three museums, riverside industrial heritage, parks, local services and rail connections.

• Fribourg, Switzerland: A Bilingual City Above the Sarine

  Explore Fribourg's founding, cathedral, Lower Town, university and museums, with a dated population, rail access and the 2026 funicular closure.

• Gersau, a lakeside district with the memory of a small republic

  Explore Gersau’s old centre, lakeside promenade, local museum, public beaches and boat, bus and cable-car routes to the Rigi.

• Glarus, Switzerland: the rebuilt capital in the Linth valley

  Explore Glarus through its 1861 fire and rebuild, textile heritage, open-air democracy, contemporary art and the nearby Klöntal lake.

• Grandvillard, a Gruyère village shaped by cheese and mountain life

  Walk Grandvillard’s historic lanes, discover its cheese-trading past and follow paths beside the Sarine and Taouna.

• Grimentz, an Anniviers village shaped by alpine seasons

  Explore Grimentz’s timber lanes, glacier wine, Moiry landscapes and practical links from Sierre into the Val d’Anniviers.

• Grindelwald
• Gruyères

  Discover Gruyères in Switzerland, a medieval town in Friborg set on a spur above the Sarine, between the Plateau and the Moléson Prealps.

• Hallau
• Herisau, Switzerland: Appenzell's textile town, Walser paths and living traditions

  Explore historic lanes, textile heritage, the Robert Walser trail, Museum Herisau and Appenzell rail connections.

• Hospental, a small Alpine village at the meeting of the Gotthard routes

  A guide to Hospental’s medieval tower, post-fire houses, baroque church, Zumdorf hamlet and walking and rail links through Uri.

• Interlaken, Switzerland: Between two lakes and the Jungfrau Alps

  Explore Interlaken beyond the mountain gateway: its 1133 monastery, riverside walk, Unterseen old town, Harder Kulm and two lakes.

• Kandersteg, Switzerland: Oeschinensee, the Gemmi route and village life

  A guide to Kandersteg’s railway history, Oeschinensee, Sunnbüel, the Gemmi crossing, scouting centre and practical travel services.

• La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland’s living watchmaking city

  Explore La Chaux-de-Fonds through its watchmaking streets, UNESCO heritage, Le Corbusier landmarks, museums, walking routes and rail links in the Swiss Jura.

• La Neuveville, a medieval town between Lake Biel and the vineyards

  Walk La Neuveville’s lanes, towers and lakefront, then follow the vineyard path and plan a visit from Biel or Neuchâtel.

• Laax, Switzerland: Romansh village life and mountain trails

  Explore Laax beyond the ski label: its Sursilvan roots, village museum, Lag Grond, Senda dil Dragun and year-round mountain routes.

• Lauterbrunnen

  Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland: an Alpine valley with Staubbach Falls, Trümmelbach Falls, the Weisse Lütschine and mountain towns such as Wengen…

• Le Landeron, a fortified old town beside Lake Biel

  Explore Le Landeron’s medieval bourg, museum, marina and lakeside paths, with rail access from Biel/Bienne and Neuchâtel.

• Lenzburg, Switzerland: Castle, Roman theatre and old town

  Explore Lenzburg Castle, the Roman theatre at Lindfeld, the medieval lanes, Museum Burghalde, Stapferhaus and nearby walking routes.

• Leukerbad: thermal springs, the Gemmi and mountain culture

  Explore Leukerbad's hot springs, alpine trails, literary history, visitor services and the bus route from Leuk station.

• Lichtensteig, Toggenburg’s small town where history stays in use

  Explore Lichtensteig’s arcaded old town, regional museums, Jost Bürgi’s legacy, the Thur gorge and its renewed cultural life.

• Locarno, Switzerland: a lakeside city shaped by history and cinema

  Explore the old town, film-festival square, Visconti Castle, Madonna del Sasso, and mountain and rail routes above Lake Maggiore.

• Lugano, Switzerland: an Italian-speaking city between lake and mountains

  Explore Lugano beyond the waterfront: its layered history, 21 quarters, lakeside trails, cultural landmarks, mountain funiculars and verified rail links.

• Martigny, a Roman crossroads in Switzerland’s Rhône valley

  Explore Martigny’s Roman remains, vineyard landscapes, medieval Bâtiaz castle, Fondation Gianadda, valley trails and direct rail connections.

• Meiringen
• Mendrisio, Switzerland: the old borgo, Holy Week and Monte Generoso

  Explore Mendrisio’s historic centre, living Holy Week traditions, architecture, fossil country and rail access to the southern Ticino.

• Meyrin, Switzerland: from Geneva village to CERN and a planned satellite city

  Explore Meyrin’s historic village, CERN Science Gateway, Lac des Vernes, the satellite city and Geneva tram connections.

• Montreux
• Morcote, Switzerland: a lakeside village of arcades, stairs and gardens

  Discover Morcote’s historic harbour, Santa Maria del Sasso, Parco Scherrer, local life and verified boat and bus links from Lugano.

• Morges, a lakeside town of castles, markets and vineyards

  Plan a visit to Morges on Lake Geneva: explore its 13th-century castle, five museums, tulip park, weekly market, wine country and direct trains.

• Moudon, Switzerland: a medieval capital above the Broye

  Explore Moudon’s Roman traces, medieval high town, museums, river walks and practical routes from Lausanne.

• Neuchâtel, Switzerland: lakeside old town, castle and watchmaking heritage

  A guide to Neuchâtel’s old town, lakeside life, castle hill, watchmaking and chocolate history, museums and routes to Chaumont.

• Nyon, Switzerland: Roman layers, lake life and a modern festival town

  Walk from Nyon’s Roman foundations to its medieval castle, lakeside museums and ferry port, with the Jura close enough for another day out.

• Olten, Switzerland: a riverside old town at the heart of the rail network

  Explore Olten’s wooden bridge, medieval lanes, museums, writers’ trail and Aare scenery, with practical rail links across Switzerland.

• Payerne, Switzerland: a Romanesque abbey, Broye landscapes and aviation

  Discover Payerne’s Cluniac abbey, old-town walk, aviation museum and Broye setting, with rail routes and practical visitor advice.

• Porrentruy, Switzerland: a small Jura town with a princely past

  Explore Porrentruy’s bishop’s castle, Baroque streets, living regional services and nearby dinosaur tracks in the Swiss Jura.

• Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland: roses, Roman traces and a lake-crossing town

  Explore Rapperswil-Jona’s medieval lakeside quarter, Roman Kempraten, rose gardens, island routes, local culture and practical transport.

• Rebstein
• Rheinfelden, Switzerland: a Rhine town shaped by salt and trade

  Walk Rheinfelden’s medieval old town, cross the Rhine, explore its salt-bath tradition and find practical rail and visitor information.

• Rossinière, a Pays-d’Enhaut village built around wood, cheese and art

  See Rossinière’s timber heritage, the Grand Chalet and Balthus sites, and plan a rail visit through Montbovon.

• Saas-Fee, Switzerland: a car-free alpine village among glaciers and peaks

  Plan a visit to Saas-Fee with its old village lanes, Saaser Museum, glacier lifts, family trails and direct PostBus link from Visp.

• Saillon, a walled Valais village between vineyards and thermal waters

  Walk Saillon’s medieval lanes, climb Tour Bayart, follow the Farinet bridge trail and plan a visit by bus from Sion or Martigny.

• Samedan, Switzerland: Romansh heritage at the heart of the Engadin

  Discover Samedan’s painted Engadin houses, Romansh culture and medieval tower, then ride the railway or funicular into high-alpine scenery.

• Schaffhausen: a Rhine old town beneath the Munot

  A practical guide to medieval Schaffhausen, the abbey museum, Munot fortress, Rhine Falls, local wine and rail connections.

• Schwyz, Switzerland: the town behind a national name

  Explore Schwyz beyond its founding myth: a historic centre, museums, Victorinox in Ibach and demanding Mythen trails.

• Sierre, wine hills, Roman traces and life in the Rhône Valley

  Explore Sierre through its layered history, Géronde lakes, wine museum, vineyards, industry and rail links across the Valais.

• Sils im Engadin/Segl: Nietzsche, lake routes and the Fex valley

  Discover Sils Maria and Sils Baselgia, the Nietzsche House, Fex slate-roof heritage, Lake Sils and practical bus, boat and walking routes.

• Solothurn: Roman river crossing and Baroque capital

  A researched guide to Roman remains, the Baroque old town, museums, the Aare, Verena Gorge and Weissenstein.

• Spiez, Switzerland: Castle, Vineyards and Lake Thun Walks

  Explore Spiez beyond its lakefront: a Romanesque church, medieval castle, hillside vineyards, village paths and direct rail links in the Bernese Oberland.

• Stein am Rhein

  Stein am Rhein at the outlet of Lake Constance: a well-preserved old town with St. Georgen Monastery, Hohenklingen Castle and traces of the Tasgetium Roman fort.

• Täsch, Switzerland: an alpine village and the gateway to Zermatt

  Explore Täsch’s old Valais houses, Täschalp, cross-country trails and village life, then take the shuttle train to Zermatt.

• Thalwil, Switzerland: lake shore, hillside and Gattikon

  Explore Thalwil beyond its train station: a historic church above Lake Zurich, textile-industry heritage, a local museum and paths into Gattikon.

• Thun, Switzerland: a medieval town where the Aare meets Lake Thun

  Discover Thun beyond the castle: its river island, raised old-town walkways, medieval history, local services and lake-and-rail routes.

• Trogen, where Appenzell’s civic square meets the Zellweger legacy

  A guide to Trogen’s Landsgemeindeplatz, baroque church, textile palaces, Pestalozzi Children’s Village and Appenzell hill walks.

• Uster, Switzerland: a lake city shaped by industry and civic history

  Explore Uster Castle, the Ustertag story, Aabach factory heritage, Greifensee shore paths and practical rail connections from Zurich.

• Vevey, Switzerland: Lakefront markets, vineyards and culture

  Explore Vevey’s Roman-era crossroads, winegrowers’ festival, food and photography museums, lake routes and living Riviera economy.

• Veysonnaz, Switzerland: a mountain village shaped by water

  A guide to Veysonnaz, from its old village and irrigation channels to the 4 Vallées ski area, walking routes, local services and bus access from Sion.

• Wetzikon, Switzerland: prehistoric wetlands and working town

  Discover Wetzikon’s Robenhausen pile-dwelling site, industrial past, local museum, lake paths and direct rail links across the Zurich Oberland.

• Wilderswil, Switzerland: village life below the Jungfrau peaks

  Explore the village lanes, Unspunnen Castle ruins, Saxetbach memorial and rail links to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Schynige Platte.

• Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland: thermal springs, Roman history and lake nature

  Explore Roman remains, the medieval castle, thermal baths, museums, a technology park and walking routes into the Grande Cariçaie wetland.

• Zermatt
• Zofingen: Roman mosaics, medieval streets and the Heitern

  A practical guide to Zofingen’s old town, Roman mosaics, local museum, market, Heitern park and rail links.

• Zug: a medieval old town, a lake and the Zuger cherries

  Explore Zug through its lakeside history, castle museum, cherry traditions, mountain trails and direct rail links to Zurich and Lucerne.