20 of the Most Beautiful Places in Switzerland—with photo tips!

I lost track of how many times I said “this looks like a postcard” while in Switzerland this summer, so here are 20 of the most beautiful places in Switzerland so you can see it to believe it.

Switzerland is a landlocked country in the heart of Europe. It feels like it is straight out of a fairytale, where there are seemingly endless snow-capped mountains, crystal clear, turquoise lakes, quaint mountain villages, picturesque farms, and breathtaking scenery around every corner.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, a keen photographer, or a lover of nature (or all three!) Switzerland has endless spots to explore. It’s also one of the most accessible countries I’ve ever been to, with gondolas, trains, and buses working together seamlessly to get you around pretty much every inch of the country, including mountain tops.

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I’m sharing 20 of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, but trust me… there are so many more. Along with each location, I’ll share my tips on how to get there, the cost, where to stay, and photo tips!

Swiss Travel Pass

Since we talk about how to get to these locations, I want to quickly share the Swiss Travel Pass. This pass provides:

Unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat.
Free entrance to hundreds of museums.
Free mountain excursions to peaks like Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos, and 50% off most others.
Full coverage on scenic panorama trains.
City transport and other perks!

If you’re going to multiple regions, you’re not renting a car and using mostly trains, buses, and boats to get around, I’d definitely get it.

Buy your Swiss Travel Pass below:

Unlimited Swiss Travel Pass

Half-Fare Swiss Travel Pass

A note from Angela:

There are affiliate links in this post, 20 of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, and I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase an item (at no additional cost to you). These funds go right back into creating free content just like this and supporting my small business.

A MAP OF 20 of the most beautiful places in Switzerland

Schäfler RIdge

Schäfler Ridge is one of my favorite places in Switzerland because of its dramatic drop-offs and jagged peaks. It’s relatively easy to get to and makes for a great day hike in the Appenzell Alps.

If you get nervous around exposure, I would be wary, as there are some really exposed spots along this trail. You can also hit a few other spots in the area as a loop trail if you’re keen.

How to get there: The most common way to get there is via the Ebenalp cable car. You can also hike this trail from Wasserauen (where the Ebenalp cable car is) to Seealpsee (a lake on this list), then up to Schäfler. Then, you can either take the cable car down or use this trail to stop by Berggasthaus Äscher (also on this list) and head back down to Wasserauen from there. It all depends on how much you want to hike and how much you want to spend. When I visited this summer, I took the cable car up and hiked down.

The cost: It costs CHF 24 for a single ticket and CHF 36 for a return trip. More information on the cable car here. There was also a small cost for parking.

Where to stay: If you want to spend more time up by Schäfler, you should stay in Berggasthaus Schäfler! I didn’t realize this hut (more like a hotel) existed, and I really wish I had known about it before I visited. You can book your stay here. You can have dinner and breakfast at the hut with a million-dollar view.

Photo tip: The sun sets on the right side of the mountain range, so golden light floods from the side and is absolutely stunning. That said, I went a few hours before sunset, and the bright side light was really beautiful, bringing out the gorgeous greens of Switzerland.

Fronalpstock

Fronalpstock is one of the mountains in the Schwyzer Alps. It’s one of my favorite places, not only in Switzerland but also in Europe, and is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland.

It is located above the car-free village of Stoos and gives you 360-degree views of the area, including Lake Lucerne.

Along with the 360 views, at the summit of Fronalpstock you’ll find a restaurant, hotel, viewing platform, friendly goats, cows, and even a small playground.

How to get there: You start at Schwyz and take the funicular to Stoos (which is the steepest in the world!!). From there, you walk a few minutes to the chairlift that takes you right to Fronalpstock. It really could not get any easier. Once you walk off the chairlift, be prepared to be wowed. You could also hike from Stoos to the top of Fronalpstock, as I did in the summer.

The cost: It costs about CHF 56 for a return trip to Fronalpstock and back. Here’s more information. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you would get this for free.

Where to stay: You need to stay at the Fronalpstock Hotel, which is right at the top of Fronalpstock. I stayed twice (once in the summer and fall), and it is worth every penny. The staff, food, and entire experience are incredible. You can book it here.

Photo tip: To me, sunset is the move here. It is beautiful in both the summer and fall. There can also be cloud inversions from here, which are some of my favorite conditions to photograph.

Wengen

If you want to experience a truly postcard-worthy town, picturesque and charming, you need to visit Wengen. It is a car-free mid-mountain village that is over 1,300m above the iconic Lauterbrunnen Valley.

You will have breathtaking mountain views, quaint hotels, wooden homes, peaceful pedestrian streets, and green rolling hills.

I recommend walking around the town and wandering along the streets to get a better view of the valley. I stayed the night in a hotel, but you could also just go for a day trip.

If you can stay a few days in Wengen, you can take the cable car to Männlichen and also get to Jungfraujoch, “the Top of Europe,” via Kleine Scheidegg. I will say the Top of Europe is incredibly expensive, probably for good reason, but I didn’t make it this time around.

How to get there: There’s no road access to Wengen, so you’ll need to take the Wengernalp Railway, the longest cogwheel train in the world, from Lauterbrunnen. You’ll enjoy beautiful views the entire way up (and down), so be sure to look out the window. From there, you’re on foot!

The cost: This costs about CHF 7, and it is fully covered if you have a Swiss Travel Pass.

Where to stay: There are some incredible hotels in Wengen with beautiful views of the valley. I stayed at Hotel Bellevue and loved it. If you want your stay to be a little more elevated, you could check out Braunbär Hotel & Spa, Hotel Alpenruhe, or Hotel Jungfraublick.

Photo tip: While in Wengen, I was up to shoot sunrise, and while it was pretty, I preferred mid-morning when the entire landscape was lit up by sunshine! It brought more of a summery feel, which better reflected Wengen in my opinion.

Rosenlaui Valley

There is an iconic viewpoint in the beautiful Rosenlaui Valley that is worth stopping at because it’s one of the most breathtaking places in Switzerland. The scale is hard to capture and is one of those things where you need to see it to believe it.

I only had time to explore a bit of the area, but if you had more time, I would definitely recommend taking a longer drive. I came across Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge during my research, which could also be a good place to stop.

How to get there: This spot in the photos is just before the Rosenlaui Hotel. You’ll see the road line up with the river and mountain beautifully. Make sure to only park in designated areas.

The cost: It costs about CHF 8 to enter the road with a car.

Where to stay: To be honest, I don’t know enough about the area to recommend a specific location. I think it wouldn’t hurt to stay a night and explore more here, it’s stunning.

Photo tip: I shot a few hours after sunrise to have more light to make the green and blues pop (which was a trend for me while in Switzerland). I believe sunset would be a beautiful time for photography at this spot as well.

Read next: Best Hikes in Lofoten, Norway

Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is one of the most iconic spots in Switzerland to me, and arguably one of the most beautiful! I found it a bit busy when I visited mid-day, so I’d suggest going early.

I suggest walking around the town, the small streets, and down toward the classic viewpoint (which is in front of Chalet Pironnet). It’s not uncommon for a line of people to be waiting for their turn for a photo.

How to get there: Simply drive to the village of Lauterbrunnen.

The cost: None.

Where to stay: Hotel Staubbach or Camping Jungfrau seems like great options! I didn’t opt to stay in Lauterbrunnen as I had a multiple-night stay outside of Interlaken, which was a short drive away.

Photo tip: Go early in the morning and/or when it’s cloudy and rainy. I love the moody atmosphere here—when there are wispy low clouds, and the mountains in the valley seem even bigger!

Wasserfall-Arena Batöni

This area is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland and is probably the least popular spot on this list.

Wasserfall-Arena Batöni is a “natural amphitheater” with three to five waterfalls cascading down. It felt like I was in Iceland for the day.

The hike was one of the hardest of the trip because there was no gondola or chairlift to help with the elevation, but it was nice to work a bit more for this one! Find the trail details here.

If you plan to go in the sun, make sure to bring sun protection, as you will be exposed the entire hike.

How to get there: Simply drive to the trailhead.

The cost: None.

Where to stay: You could stay in Weisstannen, the village you start the trail at, but there aren’t too many options. There are more options in the nearby city, Sargans. I stayed at Hotel Franz Anton and loved it.

Photo tip: I walked up the trail opposite the bridge (so allow for more kilometers and vertical gain!), which zigzagged up the hill to get a higher vantage point of the waterfalls. How far you go up that trail is up to you! I shot here when it was cloudy, and I loved it, but I’ve seen that it’s also really pretty in the sunshine.

Iseltwald

Iseltwald is a village outside of the popular Interlaken. I stayed here for five nights and loved it as a home base!

It is on the shore of Lake Brienz, which is a stunning turquoise color. It is quaint, quiet, and the perfect place to rest after long days of adventuring.

There is a dock on the lake that is popular due to the Korean drama, “Crash Landing on You”. It’s really popular, so you have to pay to access the dock.

Ferries also come in and out here, so it could be worth considering a ferry to visit other villages along the lake and do some sightseeing.

How to get there: Simply drive to the village.

The cost: None, unless you pay to go to the dock.

Where to stay: I stayed at Hotel Châlet Du Lac for three nights and the hostel in the village for two nights (but I didn’t love it). It could also be worth staying in an apartment-style stay if you’ll be there for a few days, so you can make your own meals.

Photo tip: I loved the late-afternoon light on the lake because it illuminated the water beautifully. Usually, the afternoon isn’t calm, but the water was calm every afternoon/night I was there.

Berggasthaus Äscher

Berggasthaus Äscher is an iconic guesthouse and restaurant serving local food, nestled into the rock beneath Ebenalp. Here’s more information if you’d like to book a stay.

I visited this place by accident when hiking down from Schäfler Ridge, and it was such a fun surprise! It was closed when I arrived, so I’ll have to come back one day.

How to get there: The most common way to get there is via the Ebenalp cable car, and from the top, hike 15-20 minutes towards Wildkirchli Cave Walk. There are many signs, but if you need additional help, here is the trail info. You can also hike from the bottom, in Wasserauen, where you’d take this trail.

The cost: It costs CHF 24 for a single ticket and CHF 36 for a return trip. More information on the cable car here. There was also a small parking fee.

Where to stay: You can stay in the guesthouse itself or at Berggasthaus Schäfler, located up on Schäfler Ridge. Otherwise, I’d recommend staying in any small town or in the super cute town of Appenzell. I stayed in Hotel Lowen while there and loved it!

Photo tip: If you don’t want people in your shot, consider capturing it during sunrise or sunset. At sunset, the peaks beside the hotel were illuminated, which was gorgeous, and there was no one else there.

Oeschinensee

Oeschinensee is one of the most popular (but also beautiful) places in Switzerland in the summer. For good reason, though.

The mountains tower over an incredibly turquoise lake, surrounded by wildflowers and waterfalls.

Make sure to bring sun protection because you will be exposed the entire hike. This is my favorite sun hoodie, which helps with staying cool.

How to get there: Head to Kandersteg and take the Oeschinensee Cable Car up. I suggest taking the first cable car, starting the hike that’ll take you above the lake on a ridge, then continuing on that trail back down to the lake and going for a swim. You’d do a loop that starts and ends at the top of the gondola if you did it this way.

The cost: It costs about CHF 40 for a return trip. Here’s more information. With the Swiss Travel Pass, it is nearly half off. There is also a small parking fee.

Where to stay: You could stay in the quaint village of Kandersteg. The Chalet Hotel Adler seems to be the perfect spot.

Photo tip: Bring a wide-angle lens because these mountains are BIG. I took the first gondola up and started the day by hiking to the ridge. Since the mountains are so tall, you may need to wait a few hours after sunrise if you want the lake to be completely hit with light. I didn’t mind some of the shadows on the lake because I preferred going early with fewer people.

Lucerne

Lucerne is one of the most incredible cities in Switzerland, and it is also one of the most expensive (so keep that in mind when visiting).

I think it’s definitely worth stopping by for a half-day to explore. I swam in Lake Lucerne, walked along the waterfront streets and footbridges, and stopped into some stories and cafes.

You could also visit Mount Pilatus or take a boat tour on the lake while you’re there.

How to get there: Simply drive to Lucerne.

The cost: None

Where to stay: I didn’t stay in Lucerne myself, but here are a few awesome options: Boutique Hotel KARL or Hotel Des Alpes.

Photo tip: I loved taking photos from the footbridges along the water. The vibrant flowers, turquoise river, and colorful buildings make for a really stunning photo.

Read next: Guide to hiking in the dark

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is an absolutely stunning village in the Swiss Alps and one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. It’s filled with chalets, flower-covered balconies, endless peaks, like Jungfrau, and restaurants.

If you base yourself here for a few days, there is so much to do—hiking, ziplining, mountain cart rides, and more. There are also many other nearby areas, including Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Interlaken, and Iseltwald.

I will say, however, it was extremely busy when I visited, and I heard from locals that it has been the hotspot for the last few years.

How to get there: Simply drive to Grindelwald.

The cost: None.

Where to stay: I didn’t stay here myself due to time constraints, but next time I’d probably pick one of the more luxurious places to really enjoy the views and experience. Bergwelt Grindelwald, Eiger Lodge Chic, Hotel Bernerhof Grindelwald, or Hotel Bodmi are all great options.

Photo tip: I think Grindelwald would be the perfect place to stay if you want to enjoy and capture amazing views just outside your window.

Saxer Lücke

Saxer Lücke is a part of the beautiful Appenzell Alps and is known for its jaw-dropping rock formations and cliffs, like the super jagged Kreuzberge peaks you see in most of the photos.

It’s really accessible, and there are a lot of different trails, so you can hike as little or as much as you want.

How to get there: I took the Frümsen-Staubern Cable Car in Frümsen that takes you to the Berggasthaus Staubern. From there, it is a short hike to Saxer Lücke—find the info here. You can also extend the hike to Lake Fählensee from here (which is what I did). Alternatively, you can also take the Hoher Kasten cableway in Brülisau village to reach Saxer Lücke or bypass all gondolas with this bigger loop trail.

The cost: It costs about CHF 40 for a return trip. Here’s more information.

Where to stay: I stayed in Weissbad so that I could come down after sunset and have a place that was close. Lodge Hof Weissbad or Hotel Hof Weissbad. You could also stay in Appenzell at Hotel Lowen.

Photo tip: I loved midday and sunset light here. I think moody weather (wispy, low clouds) could be really incredible for photography as well, so you really can’t go wrong.

Bachalpsee

Bachalpsee is a gorgeous lake near Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. It is an incredibly accessible hike, with gorgeous views the entire way, and the reflections of the snow-capped peaks are beautiful.

How to get there: Start in Grindelwald and take the gondola to Grindelwald-First station, where you will start the hike. Here is the trail info.

The cost: It costs about CHF 76 for a return trip. With a Swiss Pass, this is half off. Here’s more information.

Photo tip: When you’re here, keep walking up the hill to get different vantage points of the lake. There are little humps in the hill that make for great places for a subject to stand.

Thun

I stopped by Thun after visiting Oeschinensee, and it was the perfect way to end the day.

People were surfing in the turquoise Aare River, the streets were lined with beautiful flowers, and there were endless cafes and charming streets to wander around.

There are some absolutely stunning stays around Thunersee (Lake Thun) that I will be coming back for. I’ve linked some below.

How to get there: Simply drive to Thun.

The cost: None.

Where to stay: I already had a hotel in Istelwald, but would’ve loved to stay at Hotel Restaurant Schönbühl, Hotel Restaurant Bellevue au Lac, or Deltapark Vitalresort. So stunning with the mountain and lake views!

Photo tip: I loved using the flowers as foreground to my photos of Thun.

Read next: Day Hiking Guide

Fälensee

I hiked to Fälensee the same day I hiked to Saxer Lücke because they’re on the same trail and located in the Appenzell Alps.

The mountains around this lake are really dramatic and beautiful and so worth checking out if you’re already going to Saxer Lücke!

How to get there: I took the Frümsen-Staubern Cable Car in Frümsen that takes you to the Berggasthaus Staubern. From there, you can hike to the lake (and will pass Saxer Lücke on your way) on this trail.

The cost: It costs about CHF 40 for a return trip. Here’s more information.

Where to stay: I stayed in Weissbad so that I could come down after sunset and have a place that was close. Lodge Hof Weissbad or Hotel Hof Weissbad.

Photo tip: Sunrise or mid day could be really nice here. It was cloudy when I visited but the light was even which was nice. Head past the restaurant and hotel and go up the hill a bit to get a vantage point from above.

Aletsch Glacier

It is unbelievable that you can get somewhere as incredible as the Aletsch Glacier. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, and you can take a gondola right to it!

It is the largest glacier in the Alps and is surrounded by spiky mountains. There are a few different vantage points, but my favorite is Eggishorn.

How to get there: To reach the Eggishorn viewpoint, take the cable car from Fiesch to Fiescheralp, then onto a second cable car to the Eggishorn viewpoint!

The cost: It costs about CHF 49 for a return trip. Here’s more information. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you get 50% off one leg of the journey.

Where to stay: I stayed in Fiescheralp, so I was able to be at the Eggishorn viewpoint for sunset and have somewhere close by to sleep! I also hiked to Moosfluh for sunrise, so being close was ideal. Hotel Alpina is a great option.

Photo tip: I loved the sunset at the Eggishorn viewpoint. You really can’t take a bad photo here.

Seealpsee

Seealpsee is an incredible lake in the Appenzell region of Switzerland. You walk through stunning scenery with cute cows around every corner.

Once you get there, go for a swim (it’s the perfect temperature!), rent a rowboat, and stop for a bite at one of the restaurants.

How to get there: Start at Wasserauen and hike this trail to the lake. No need to take a gondola for this one. If you stayed at Berggasthaus Schäfler or were at Schäfler, you could also hike down from there.

The cost: A small fee for parking.

Where to stay: You could stay in Appenzell. I stayed in Hotel Lowen while there and loved it.

Photo tip: I suggest going in the morning so that the lake is (most likely) calm and the sun illuminates the water to show off its beautiful color.

Stoos Ridge

The hike along Stoos Ridge is stunning and is a great thing to see if you end up booking a stay at the Fronalpstock Hotel.

You’ve probably seen the iconic staircase on Instagram; I’ve definitely shared it before, but there’s an entire trail along the ridge that is worth seeing.

I’ve only been in the fall, but the summer would be absolutely stunning with vibrant green hills, wildflowers, and lake views.

This hike can get busy, so I suggest heading up early in the morning.

How to get there: An easy way to hike Stoos Ridge is to go from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock (two peaks). Take the Schwyz funicular to Stoos, take the chairlift to Klingenstock, and hike the ridge (which will end at Fronalpstock). Then, you take the Fronalpstock chairlift and funicular back down to Schwyz. Here’s more information and a map. I’ve only done a portion of the hike and started from Fronalpstock, got to the staircase, and retraced my steps back.

The cost: It costs about CHF 56 for a return trip to Fronalpstock and back. Here’s more information. With the Swiss Travel Pass, this would be free.

Where to stay: Staying in Stoos is a great option. It’s an incredible way to experience staying in a quaint, mid-mountain village. My friends, Meghan and Brendin, stayed at Wellness Hotel Stoos, and they loved it.

Photo tip: I love it when this area has more light, so early morning would be my preferred time to take photos. The greens and blues come out beautifully.

Zermatt

I’ve only been to Zermatt in the winter, but I wanted to add it to this list to visit in the summer. Zermatt is an iconic, car-free town that is home to the world-renowned landmark, the Matterhorn.

There are a bunch of different hikes to go on that are stunning, like the Five Lakes Trail. Stroll around the town and enjoy the cute shops and cafes.

The photos below are the only ones I have from a trip back in 2019!

How to get there: Drive to Täsch and park at the Matterhorn Terminal Täsch. From there, take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn shuttle train directly to Zermatt.

The cost: It costs about CHF 17.20, and if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you will get half off. There is also a parking fee.

Where to stay: Hotel Schwarzsee, La Couronne Hotel, and Hotel Bellerive are all great options for a view of the Matterhorn, but don’t worry, there are so many more here.

Photo tip: Hike the Five Lakes trail for a beautiful reflection of the Matterhorn.

Foroglio

You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time when you visit Foroglio, a small village in the rugged area of Ticino. Stone homes, small paths, a plunging waterfall, flowers, quaint shops, and no electricity.

I visited in the fall season, and the beautiful fall foliage was beautiful. I have always wanted to visit in the summer for a fairy tale feel.

How to get there: Simply drive to Forogolio.

The cost: None.

Where to stay: There are very limited stays in Ticino as a whole, but there are a few stays scattered along the road and in the little towns. I stayed in a different town up the road that I can’t seem to find now, but here’s one that looks great.

Photo tip: I loved walking around the town and finding shots with the stone homes, waterfall, and trees all together.