Switzerland has some of the most charming villages to explore, whether you're going for the world-famous skiing or for the renowned views. Many of the country's tiny towns are located on top of or within the various mountain ranges that make this friendly country so famous. This means the photo ops are plentiful, and there are gorgeous views at every turn. Get to know seven of these small yet stunning Swiss towns ahead.
This small ski town in central Switzerland is situated within the Uri Alps mountain range and boasts the highest suspension bridge in all of Europe. Located on Mt. Titlis, the bridge is 3,014 meters above sea level and the views are truly outstanding. There are 360-degree views of some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, all capped with gorgeous pure-white snow all year round. Once you get up to the top of Titlis, the adventures begin with a glacier cave and glacier hiking. Engelberg is also home to Engelberg Abbey, home of some of the best Swiss cheese in the country (which is saying a lot since Switzerland is known for cheese!).
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2Bern
Image Source: Alyssa Caverley
The capital of Switzerland is filled with amazing history, as well as breathtaking views of the River Aare. Bern’s old town, which is a designated Unesco World Heritage site, is surrounded by this incredible body of water that is so clear and clean, you can drink it. Locals have been swimming in the river since 1782 and it’s totally free to do — just make sure you are a skilled swimmer since the river flows very quickly.
The Albert Einstein museum, where you can see the very location Einstein worked on his theory of relativity while living in Bern, is also located here. Besides the views, Bern is known for its magnificent clock that strikes every quarter hour, but make sure you go at noon, since that’s when the clock goes off for the longest amount of time and you can really take in the true magnificence of this ancient contraption — get there early because there will be a crowd!
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3Grindelwald
Image Source: Alyssa Caverley
Situated close to Interlaken in the Bernese Swiss Alps is a small town called Grindelwald, which boasts scintillating views and dangerously curvy roads. If you are driving, make sure you are ready to pull over as the narrow lanes can sometimes only allow for one car to pass.
If you're looking for a respite away from city life, check out Hotel Aspen for amazing views and a relaxing spa experience before setting off to Jungfraujoch, which is accessible from Grindelwald via the Bernese Oberland Railway. Jungfraujoch lies in the heart of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage Site where snow and ice is 100 percent guaranteed. The Sphinx viewing building, the Ice Palace, and the viewing platform there all make for some of the most amazing views of pure snow within the mountains. You'll need to be patient, though; since the elevation is so high sometimes you are literally standing in the middle of clouds and have to wait for them to clear before being rewarded with the views.
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4Wengen
Image Source: Alyssa Caverley
It’s the most hidden town on the list, but Wengen has some of the most unbeatable views of the alps. This is the type of village that is full of locals going about their everyday life in the Summer and comes alive in the Winter as a top skiing destination.
The only way to get to this little village is by train, so there are no cars, which makes it that much more charming. It’s also close enough to Interlaken for a trip up to Harder Kulm, which is 1322 meters above sea level. The local mountain range requires a funicular to get to the top. Funiculars are common all over Switzerland as a way to traverse the side of the steep mountain ranges and in this case offers an ideal vantage point for some of the most Instagrammable views in all of Switzerland, including a perfectly placed Swiss flag to really capture the essence of your location.
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5Interlaken
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The adventure capital of Switzerland, Interlaken is where people go when they are looking for true adventure. As the name suggests, it’s situated in the middle of two lakes: Brienz to the east and Thun to the west.
The entire city is full of adventurers looking to take their outdoor challenge to the next level from skydiving to paragliding, but Interlaken is most known for canyoning, with one particular canyon called Chly Schliere attracting people from all over the world. This canyon has high rappels, big jumps, and fast slides and is considered the best in the region. Chly Schliere is a physically demanding and technical canyon with a high adrenaline factor, but it also has some of the best views within the Bernese Swiss Alps.
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6St. Moritz
Image Source: Filip Zuan/Copyright: St. Moritz Tourism
This town is famous as a Winter sports destination and has actually played host to the Winter Olympics twice, in 1928 and again in 1948. It’s known as one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, which becomes obvious when you arrive here and are instantly greeted by the style of this glamorous destination.
The town is surrounded by the beautiful Lake St. Moritz and has something for everyone, whether you come in the Winter to capture the breathtaking views of the city covered in snow or you decide to visit in the Summer for sailing and windsurfing on the lake. Fun fact: St. Moritz has the world’s oldest bobsled run.
Lucerne is the largest town on the list, but it’s a can’t-miss destination for its stunning views of mountain ranges and the beautiful Lake Lucerne. The country's red and white flag hangs proudly along the bridge that connects the two sides over the river Reuss, which flows through the center. Restaurants line the sides of the lake and the landmark bridge, called Chapel Bridge, which was first built in the 14th century from wood, boasts a history lesson in the form of 17th century paintings.
