Swiss tourist hotspots: whether to visit them and what to be aware of 

Switzerland’s famous attractions versus small popular places

Switzerland is full of famous top activities such as the Glacier Express and Jungfraujoch. They’re popular for good reason, and we discuss them in detail on each of our activity pages. Major attractions are usually well-geared to dealing with large groups of tourists. But how about the tiny villages and specific photo locations that get very famous in a short time span?

Some Swiss hotspots have become widely known all of a sudden, because they’re featured in a TV series, or because they get promoted by YouTube, Tiktok or Instagram influencers. Quick rises in visitor numbers can come with problems for locals, tourists, nature, and infrastructure though.

My advice: don’t just focus hypes

It’s understandable why some Swiss places are suddenly all over social media: they’re beautiful and photogenic. If you want to pay them a visit, you can of course do so. Consider this though:

• Some of these spots can get very crowded in high season.
• There are countless other places in Switzerland that may be less famous, but are no less breathtaking. You’ll find lovely places and photo opportunities throughout Switzerland! I think hiking is the perfect way to get off the beaten trail and discover your own favorite places.
• We’ve put together information on less well-known sites that we greatly enjoyed. How about a visit to Pfingstegg or Grosse Scheidegg in the Jungfrau Region, wandering about in the grand nature of the canton Graubünden, or enjoying the panoramic view of western Switzerland’s hills on the Plein du Ciel tower, just to name a few?

My tips for a pleasant, respectful visit to a crowded place

In some cases, the popularity of particular places can get problematic. That especially goes for small towns that suddenly get overrun by tourists, and that don’t have an infrastructure that’s suitable for large crowds.

In order to keep your visit an agreeable experience for you, your fellow tourists, and the Swiss inhabitants, please mind the following:

1. Be patient and wait if it’s busy. Be kind and respectful to employees in shops, restaurants, et cetera. They’re doing their best to serve everyone. Rudeness and impatience won’t benefit you or anyone else. There’s no need to push ahead. All visitors have equal rights to be there.
2. Behave quietly and respectfully. Don’t make too much noise. This helps the inhabitants that live close to popular spots, as well as the vulnerable fauna of Switzerland.
3. Be especially respectful around churches and other places of religious importance. For example: the Swiss will understandably take offense if you start a picnic, play soccer, or take selfies around a graveyard.
4. Help preserve the Swiss tidiness and pristine nature: dispose of your trash in bins. If you can’t find any, or if they’re full, please take your trash with you and dispose of it in bins elsewhere. Leaving behind litter spoils the views for other visitors and for Swiss residents. Plus, it’s harmful to flora and fauna.
5. Don’t ever enter private properties, such as peoples’ gardens and homes, or farmers’ meadows.
6. Come by public transport if you can. It’s less damaging to the environment, and it prevents small villages from getting crammed with tourists’ cars.
7. If you do come by car, follow the local directions and parking signs. Don’t park in non-designated spots. If you can’t find a place close to your destination, find a spot a bit farther away. Parking in a non-designated place can block important passages for inhabitants, local shops, security and health services, et cetera.
8. The early mornings, late afternoons, and evenings are usually quieter than the rest of the day. Visiting outside tourist peak hours can help you have a relaxed experience.

The Swiss will definitely appreciate it if you respect their residential environment and the country’s beautiful nature!

Popular small towns: Gimmelwald, Iseltwald, Lauterbrunnen, Lavertezzo, Lungern

Gimmelwald: breathtaking views, few facilities

Gimmelwald (not to be confused with Grindelwald) is a hamlet close to Mürren. There are only a few accommodation options and no further tourist facilities.

If you’re seeking absolute peace and quiet, give Gimmelwald a try. But if you prefer a supermarket and some more facilities, you’re better off in Mürren which has similar grand views.

Iseltwald: a wonderful photo stop on Lake Brienz

Iseltwald on the southern shore of Lake Brienz featured in the South-Korean Netflix series “Crash Landing on You” and then became very popular. It’s a scenic town with a photogenic castle. There are a few hotels in Iseltwald with wonderful views. But there’s just one small shop and no train station.

I’d personally prefer staying in Interlaken or Brienz to move around easier. Or I’d pick a small town on the northern shore lakeshore, where the railroad runs.

Lauterbrunnen: famous for its waterfall

The small village of Lauterbrunnen is famous for its location amidst high rock walls and at the foot of the Staubbach waterfall. I discuss the pros and cons in detail in my Lauterbrunnen guide.

Lavertezzo: a tourist magnet due to the famous stone bridge

Lavertezzo in the Valle Verzasca has become one of the most beloved spots of the Ticino. That’s because of the old stone bridge “Ponte dei Salti” that spans the turquoise river, and the large rocks from which you can sunbathe and swim.

I love this spot and find it very photogenic, but we only like visiting it outside of high season, and only at quiet times of the day.

I wouldn’t pick Lavertezzo as a base town, because there are hardly any tourist facilities, and the amount of bus connections to get out of the valley is somewhat limited. I prefer the larger town of Locarno with much more train and bus connections.

Lungern: a convenient small village between Lake Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland

Lungern is a small town on Lake Lungern (the “Lungernsee” in German). It’s at the northern foot of the Brünig Pass, which connects the holiday regions of Lake Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland. The Luzern-Interlaken Express, which is part of the GoldenPass route, stops here.

Many tourists want to get off the train to see the Diessbach waterfall west of the village. You can reach good photo locations in a 20- to 30-minute downhill stroll from the rail station. Note that the railway station is fairly small and does not offer extensive luggage storage facilities.

Lungern can make for a nice base if you want to spend time around both Lake Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland. The village has a couple of hotels and a small supermarket. Arno and I would choose to base ourselves in the nearby and larger village of Sarnen though, as it has many more facilities and still is charming.

Mountain restaurant Aescher near Appenzell

The small mountain restaurant and guesthouse Aescher is located in a spectacular spot: it leans into impressive steep rock walls and offers views of beautiful mountain peaks. You’ll find it in the Alpstein mountains south of Appenzell in north-eastern Switzerland. You can reach the guesthouse by taking the cable car from Wassenauen to Ebenalp, and hiking to the restaurant from there.

This remarkable place has gained lots of attention after it was on the cover of National Geographic and featured in a Swiss tourism campaign with world-famous tennis star Roger Federer. The restaurant has since attracted many tourists. This place is worth a visit, but here’s what you should know:

• The restaurant can only be reached on foot. The paths are narrow and they’re proper mountain routes. So it’s important that you have sufficient hiking experience in the mountains and set off with proper gear. Unfortunately, there have been several (fatal) casualties on the trails in this area.
• Only visit the restaurant if the weather forecasts are favorable.
• If you can, you may want to visit the guesthouse outside of the tourist high season months, for example in May or October.
• The restaurant is closed from December to April.
• If you want to spend the night in the guesthouse, book your spot in advance.

The Oeschinensee above Kandersteg

There’s no way around it: the mountain lake Oeschinensee above Kandersteg is a gem. The turquoise lake is surrounded by high rock walls that are snow-capped in spring, winter and fall (and, if temperatures aren’t too high, partially in summer too). You can relax on the shores, discover the lake by rowboat, or even take a swim if the weather is favorable.

There’s a restaurant too, plus a toboggan run. The lake can quickly be reached by gondolas from the town of Kandersteg in the Kander Valley. Long story short: it’s understandable why this became a tourist hotspot.

Unfortunately though, the tourist masses that started to visit the lake left so much litter that a clean-up day in October 2023 had to be organized with the aid of volunteers. This was necessary to restore the beauty of the lake and its surrounding trails, and to prevent (further) damage to wildlife in the area.

I understand why you’d enjoy a visit; I love the Oeschinensee too! But if you get there, please treat the lake as the precious nature it is.