[Big Dad]

14 October 2026 at 16:35:19 #2799220

My wife and I will visit Montreux for 3-days to experience their Xmas Markets. What else should we consider visiting while we are there? Thanks

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[Janelle]

Reply 1 of 5 • 15 October 2026 at 9:42:13 #2799231

With a Swiss Travel Pass you can go to the chocolate and cheese factory for no additional cost if you’re happy to DIY https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/chocolate-train/

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 2 of 5 • 15 October 2026 at 10:22:07 #2799239

Further to Janelle’s very helpful reply, for a description of the trip Janelle has in mind read ‘Day Three’ of the trip report posted very recently by CabinJon.  But note the cautionery tale in the first paragraph of ‘Day Four’

Regards
Roger

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 3 of 5 • 16 October 2026 at 9:21:51 #2799262

Hello again

Trips from Montreux

The obvious day trip is the one CabinJon made to the castle at Gruyeres (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/gruyeres/) and then to the chocolate factory at Broc.  The castle and the chocolate factory will certainly be open on the 22nd and 23rd.   The cheese factory’s website is not a 100% clear, but it seems that their restaurant may be open but not the factory.

The direct route to the area from Montreux is via Montbovon.  The line climbing out of Montreux is spectacular, to say the least!

Other Trips.

I would strongly recommend Lausanne (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lausanne/ — way better than Geneva in my book!).  Lausanne is built on hills ABOVE Lake Geneva.  Walking (or riding) around the city you get from time to time a sudden view over the lake towards the French Alps.

Metro line M2 (Lausanne is the smallest city in the world to have a Metro) leads down to the lake at Ouchy.  The STP is valid on the metro and on the lake boats which go across to France.  (The boats are run by a Swiss company.)

Verbier is fine for non-skiers.  Note that the STP IS VALID on the cable car from Le Chable to Verbier.

Other mountain villages close to Montreux are Leysin, Les Diablerets and Champery.    All three are served by narrow gauge railways from Aigle.

The STP gives a 50% discount on the mountain line up to Rochers-de-Naye (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rochers-de-naye/).  But note that the mountain line from Vevey to Les Pleiades is FREE with the STP.

Regards
Roger

[Big Dad]

Reply 4 of 5 • 16 October 2026 at 16:33:31 #2799274

Roger,
I knew about Lausanne, but your recommendation encourages me to make sure I visit. I will also get on Google Earth to get a better feel where the other villages are and check them out. They all sound worth considering.
Thanks,
BigDad

[Anna]

Reply 5 of 5 • 16 October 2026 at 21:03:11 #2799288

Hi Big Dad,

Just wanted to add that from 20 November to 24 December, you could visit the House of Santa Claus at the top of Rochers-de-Naye if that’s something you’d like to do.

Regards,
Anna