A guide to the 10 most beautiful towns, cities and villages in Switzerland
Despite its compact size, Switzerland is packed with picturesque towns, bustling cities, alpine resorts and rural idylls. With so much to see across a relatively small area, planning a trip to Switzerland can be tricky. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 of the most beautiful towns, villages and cities in Switzerland below to help you organise your journey. The destinations in this list span the length and breadth of the country, meaning that whichever region of Switzerland you’re in, you’re never too far from one of these options.
Further on, discover some essential travel tips as well for your visit to Switzerland, including advice on language, cuisine, and using an eSIM to get cheap local mobile internet.
1. Zermatt
Zermatt is the epitome of a Swiss holiday town. The town lies directly in the shadow of the Matterhorn, one of the most famous peaks in the world. This icon of Switzerland is visible from nearly every street in the town, providing a number of stunning views and photo opportunities at every corner. As a result, Zermatt is one of the mountaineering capitals of the world – the surrounding summits of Allalinhorn, Rothorn and of course, the Matterhorn, are bucket-list destinations for many serious climbers.
Although small, Zermatt has managed to preserve its traditional alpine character throughout centuries of tourism, chiefly through practical measures including the government-backed protection of the old city centre buildings and a total ban on cars. Even in the Swiss Alps, make sure you stay connected during your travels with an eSIM, by far the easiest way to use mobile internet in Switzerland.
Local Dish: Bündnerfleish
Main local language: Swiss German
2. Montreux
For centuries, Montreux has been one of Switzerland’s major tourist destinations. Its lakeside location led to an influx of tourism from wealthy Europeans in the 19th and 20th centuries. As a result, the town and surroundings contain many striking examples of luxury Belle Epoque hotels that sprang up to cater to this growing scene. Today, Montreux is home to two leading international visitor attractions: the Château de Chillon and the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Built on top of the waters of Lake Geneva, Château de Chillon is one of the most picturesque castles in a country full of them. The Montreux Jazz Festival, originally founded in 1967, has now grown to become one of Europe’s most prestigious contemporary music and arts festivals, drawing 250,000 visitors a year. Stars like Prince, Miles Davis and Nina Simone have all performed legendary sets here. Montreux’s famously pleasant and mild climate ensures it remains a tourist mainstay year-round.
Local Dish: Cheese Fondue
Main local language: French
3. Geneva
Geneva is an economic and commercial global powerhouse, housing the headquarters of The Red Cross, Red Crescent, the WHO and the UN, among others. Nevertheless, the world city maintains its scenic beauty and traditional Swiss charm. The idyllic lakeside setting doesn’t hurt either. Away from the bustling central business district, Geneva has plenty of more relaxed neighbourhoods to explore, including Bastions and Carouge. In winter, the city sees an influx of ski tourists – the alpine ski resorts of Chamonix and St Cergue are both nearby, making the city a worthwhile stopping point on a ski holiday.
Local Dish: Cardon Genevois
Main local language: French
4. Locarno
To truly understand Switzerland’s patchwork of cultural and linguistic influences, take the 3-hour train from Geneva to Locarno. This Southeastern resort town lies in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. It has a distinctly Mediterranean air compared to the rest of the country, while much of its architecture, character and way of life remain unmistakably Swiss. Enjoy some of the best food in the country at one of Locarno’s terrazo restaurants, or head out to the nearby lakes of Lago Maggiore and Lago di Lugano. The neighboring city of Lugano is a larger, less touristy option to explore. If you're continuing your journey into Italy, download an Italy eSIM or Europe-wide eSIM plan and continue to use mobile internet without paying roaming charges.
Local Dish: Polenta
Main local language: Italian
5. Lucerne
Lucerne (or Luzern in Swiss German) is an absurdly picturesque lakeside town, spanning the river Reuss in central Switzerland. Both banks are connected by the famous Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), a 14th-century covered walkway. The town’s fortified walls, medieval architecture and winding cobbled streets have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland for history fans and families with children.
Local Dish: Chügelipastete
Main local language: Lucerne German
6. Zurich
One of the banking capitals of the world, Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and a worldwide business hub. It’s also a great option for a family holiday or weekend break. The lakeside location lends it an air of tranquility not usually associated with global financial capitals, while the Alps are close enough for a day trip. And if you’re not keen on staying in the city centre, head to one of the 1,500 other lakes in the country. Notable nearby options include Lake Neuchâtel and Walensee.
Local Dish: Tirggel
Main local language: Zürich German
7. Interlaken
Not far from Bern, nestled in the Aare Valley, is the mountain town of Interlaken. Interlaken means ‘between lakes’ in German – it's an apt title and explains why this resort town is so beloved by outdoor enthusiasts. The two lakes in question are Thun and Brienz, which welcome around 700,000 visitors a year. Interlaken is perfectly placed to explore the famous Jungfrau valley, known as one of the most dramatic landscapes on the continent. The town itself is also well worth exploring, with great dining opportunities and iconic wooden chalets scattered throughout. As one of the larger towns in the region, Interlaken is an ideal hub for exploring the sights of the Bernese Oberland, including Hünegg Castle and the historic town of Spiez.
Local Dish: Malakoff
Main local language: Bernese German
8. Stein am Rhein
A gem of German-speaking Switzerland, Stein am Rhein is another example of the nation's singular ability to contain and unite disparate cultures within one overarching society. Stein am Rhein (or ‘stone on the Rhine’) straddles the river and lies directly on the German border. The nearby lake Constance (or Bodensee) separates the two countries and is a popular holiday destination for travellers from all over Europe. The easily walkable town has one of Switzerland's finest medieval city centres, with a wealth of listed buildings and ancient city walls. If you cross the border into Germany, use a German or Europe-wide eSIM to stay connected at local rates.
Local Dish: Bölletünne
Main local language: German / Swiss German
9. Bern
Bern is the official capital of Switzerland – though you might not guess it from the small-town feel, cobbled streets and relaxed pace of life. For most visitors to Bern, the highlight is the medieval old town. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Aldstadt is ringed by the Aare River and filled with well-preserved medieval walls, streets and buildings, many of which are still in use today. While the capital is far more compact than Switzerland's major cities like Lucerne, Geneva or Zurich, it still has plenty to explore for a day or even a weekend trip. Bern’s location within the stunning Oberland Valley, at the base of the Bernese Alps, also makes it an ideal base camp for hiking and biking trips through the alpine foothills.
Local Dish: Mandelbärli
Main local language: Bernese German
10. Wengen
For a real change of pace, head to Lauterbrunnen and catch the historic hill train to the alpine village of Wengen. The train route serves two purposes: it's a wonderful way to travel in Switzerland, offering unmatched mountainside vistas across the Jungfrau valley; and no cars are permitted within the village of Wengen. In fact, the railway line is the only way to reach Wengen, other than by foot. One of Switzerland’s car free towns (others include Mürren and Zermatt), Wengen is the ultimate alpine escape. Once there, you’ll understand why it’s worth the journey. In summer, the many surrounding hiking trails can be explored, while winter offers skiing and nearby spa breaks. Whenever you visit, you’re guaranteed spectacular views and rural seclusion.
Local Dish: Berner Platte
Main local language: German / Swiss German
Using a travel eSIM in Switzerland
Switzerland has a notoriously high cost of living, and local prices can be a surprise to international visitors. An easy way to offset some of these costs and save money during your trip is to purchase a prepaid travel eSIM for Switzerland before you go. Whichever Swiss town you’re heading to, stay connected throughout your trip with a Switzerland eSIM. These are SIM profiles you download to your phone and allow you to get online in Switzerland at local rates, instead of paying international roaming charges. Think of them like a local SIM card, but more convenient: Switzerland eSIMs can be downloaded in seconds, and work alongside your current SIM card so you still have access to your old contacts, messages and two-factor authentication services. A Swiss eSIM is also an efficient way to protect your data while travelling.
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What language is spoken in Switzerland?
Switzerland has four official languages: French, Swiss German, Italian and Romansh. The mountainous landscape has historically acted as a geographic barrier between the peoples of Switzerland, leading to the development of distinct linguistic and cultural regions. Swiss German, including its dialectic variations, is the most widely spoken language. It's important to note that Swiss German differs greatly in pronunciation from standard German, and many visitors from Germany are unable to understand it.
French is the dominant language in the west of country, including Geneva and Montreux, while Italian is spoken in the southeast. Romansh is unique to Switzerland and directly descended from Roman Latin. In practice, Romansh is spoken by around 0.5% of Swiss people, concentrated almost entirely within the Grisons (or Graubünden) district.
Is Switzerland in the EU?
While located in the centre of the European continent, Switzerland is not a member of the EU. It does share some benefits with the Union, including freedom of movement for EU citizens between Switzerland and the EU (The Schengen Zone). As a non-member of the EU, Switzerland is not a part of the EU’s ‘roam like at home’ policy. This means that EU residents visiting Switzerland may be subject to costly international roaming fees if they use mobile data while visiting Switzerland. This can be avoided by using a local SIM card, or even easier, downloading a Switzerland eSIM before travelling. Find out more about data roaming in the EU here.
Visit Switzerland with an eSIM: a summary
An eSIM is a SIM profile you download to your phone. It allows you to use mobile data in other countries without paying international roaming charges
A BetterRoaming Switzerland travel eSIM is easier to use than a local Swiss SIM card - with no need to swap SIM cards, or lose access to your messages or contacts
Choose between prepaid Switzerland eSIM plans, France eSIMs, German eSIMs, Italian eSIMs and European eSIM plans
A BetterRoaming Switzerland eSIM is free to install. Just download your free eSIM anytime, then choose and purchase a mobile data plan for Switzerland or Europe when you're ready to travel- the plan will activate automatically as soon as you arrive
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Vising other European countries this year? For more travel tips, have a look at our guides to visiting Germany and France in 2024.
