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Must-knows about Switzerland’s towns and regions

  • Many larger Swiss cities, such as Zurich and Basel, are charming but not near the Alps.
  • The best mountain regions are the Bernese Oberland, the Valais, Lake Lucerne, and Graubünden.
  • Central towns to explore a lot of the country include Bern and Thun, (Bernese Oberland), Brig (Valais), Lucerne (Lake Lucerne), and Montreux (Lake Geneva).
  • Some of the most popular mountain villages are Zermatt, St. Moritz, Wengen, and Mürren. They’re famous for good reason!

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Find Swiss towns for your holidays

The map below this list shows where the towns you’ve found are located.

Interlaken
The Grand Hotel Beau Rivage on the Aare river near Interlaken Ost.
Jungfrau Region, Lake Brienz, Lake ThunTrain stationAltitude: 567 m (1860 ft)
Interlaken is the central town in the Bernese Oberland, and the gate to the famous Jungfrau Region. I share my insider sightseeing, traveling, and accommodation tips. Show more ►
Zermatt
Hotel Beau Rivage on the banks of the Mattervispa river, with views of the Matterhorn.
ValaisTrain stationAltitude: 1605 m (5266 ft)Winter sports resortThis is a car-free town
Zermatt is a car-free, luxurious alpine village at the foot of the Matterhorn. It’s a bit secluded, but you can enjoy spectacular mountain excursions right from town. Show more ►
Mürren
Main street and cableway to Birg in Mürren.
Jungfrau RegionTrain stationAltitude: 1650 m (5413 ft)Winter sports resortThis is a car-free town
The village of Mürren is perched on a cliff high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. This town at the slopes of the Schilthorn offers amazing mountain views. Show more ►
Zurich
Zurich and its lake seen from Uetliberg
Zurich regionTrain stationAltitude: 408 m (1339 ft)On a lake
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. There is a lot to see and do, including boat trips, museums, luxury shopping, and a historic town center with a wide choice … Show more ►
Lucerne
Chapel Bridge/Kapellbrücke over river Reuss in Lucerne
Lake LucerneTrain stationAltitude: 440 m (1444 ft)On a lake
Lucerne is an appealing city in Central Switzerland. It’s ideal for first-time visitors: the historic town center, lake and nearby mountains offer a full Switzerland experience. Show more ►
Wengen
Jungfrau view from the town center of Wengen in early April.
Jungfrau RegionTrain stationAltitude: 1276 m (4186 ft)Winter sports resortThis is a car-free town
Wengen is a car-free alpine village in the Jungfrau Region, surrounded by hiking trails and ski slopes. It has gorgeous views of the Jungfrau and the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Show more ►
Grindelwald
The Eiger North Face towers above the village of Grindelwald.
Jungfrau RegionTrain stationAltitude: 1034 m (3392 ft)Winter sports resort
Grindelwald at the foot of the Eiger has all tourist facilities you need. It’s the perfect base for trips to Jungfraujoch, Männlichen and Grindelwald-First. Show more ►
Lauterbrunnen
The Lauterbrunnen Valley, its waterfalls, and the village of Lauterbrunnen seen from the train to Wengen.
Jungfrau RegionTrain stationAltitude: 793 m (2602 ft)
The scenic village of Lauterbrunnen is the gateway to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and to the mountain villages Wengen and Mürren. It’s famous for the Staubbach waterfall. Show more ►
St. Moritz
St. Moritz in the Upper Engadine, Graubünden
EngadineTrain stationAltitude: 1775 m (5823 ft)Winter sports resortOn a lake
St. Moritz is an upper-class alpine town. Located in the magnificent Upper Engadine valley in Graubünden, the town is a perfect base for hiking and skiing. Show more ►
Montreux
Montreux seen from Lake Geneva boulevard toward Veytaux
Lake GenevaTrain stationAltitude: 396 m (1299 ft)On a lake
Montreux is a pretty town on eastern Lake Geneva, with one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lake promenades. It’s on the GoldenPass train route and close to the Chillon Castle. Show more ►
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Switzerland’s towns per category

Pont des Bergues in Geneva

Cities

The cities in Switzerland are relatively small, have historic town centers, and are packed with must-sees. Most are not close …
Restaurant terrace with Eiger and Mönch view in Mürren

Towns in the Swiss Alps

The best mountain cities and villages in Switzerland: my suggestions for resorts in and near the Swiss Alps.
Johanniter Chapel with flowers in Rheinfelden

Small towns

There are plenty of charming small towns with quick access to the larger Swiss cities. Switzerland’s mountain regions abound in …
Chalets, flags and church in Bettmeralp, Upper Rhone Valley

Car-free towns

Switzerland has several completely car-free mountain villages, such as Zermatt and Wengen. Many larger towns have a (partially) car-free town …
Chalets along main street of Lauterbrunnen

Tourist resorts

Switzerland’s tourist resorts are famous for a reason: they’re beautifully located and give access to many outdoor activities. Learn which …
Locarno promenade, harbor with boats and hotels

Towns on lakes

Check our list of our personal Swiss lakeside towns. Such locations guarantee variation: you can make boat trips in addition …
Mountain resort Davos in winter

Winter towns

Check our lists of top Swiss winter towns for your plans. Mountain villages are the best resorts for a snow …
Montreux boulevard along Lake Geneva with flowers

Summer towns

Towns in the mountains and on refreshing lakes are perfect for your summer holidays in Switzerland. We’ve listed our favorite …

Switzerland’s holiday regions

Morning sun in the Upper Engadine at La Punt

Regions

Learn all about Switzerland’s holiday regions: the Alps, the Bernese Oberland with its Jungfrau Region, Lake Lucerne, Lake Zurich, Lake …

Switzerland map

3-d map of Switzerland with flag

Map of Switzerland

See where Switzerland is located in Europe and which are the bordering countries. Find the main Swiss towns on this …

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.