Most Beautiful Villages In Switzerland (Postcard-Worthy!)

Known for its breathtaking scenery featuring the mountain peaks, valleys, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet.

Nestled amongst the breathtaking scenery and surrounding mountains are charming villages that look like they belong on a postcard.

If you want to see the best side of Switzerland, and all the natural wonders that go with it, a tour of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland is a great way to do it.

Join me as I run through the most beautiful villages in Switzerland so that you can create a tour from one picturesque Swiss village to the next.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s oldest resort towns and it has been known as one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland since people started visiting it in the 1800s.

Grindelwald is the Bernese end of the majestic alps and is surrounded by both mountains and glaciers, it is even referred to as Glacier Village. It truly is a paradise for nature lovers as there is so much to explore around this alpine village.

The main activities in this village include trekking, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and skiing in the winter. It is hard to find a better place to explore alpine Switzerland from.

A really fun activity in this village is the First Flyer. This is a zip-wire ride where 4 people can fly side by side while looking down all the amazing valleys.

There is also a very special hike from Grindelwald to Lake Bachalpsee, an alpine lake with incredible views. It is a hard experience to beat, and the small Swiss town is a delight to explore when you want a break from being

Spiez

Spiez is without question, one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. Located on the shores of Lake Thun close to Interlaken, this beautiful Swiss village has everything going for it.

Sitting on the shores of Lake Thun, the views from this charming village are mind-blowing. As you look over the lake and into the Bernese Alps, the stunning views will take your breath away.

There are numerous hiking trails you can take from this lakeside village, including a 14-mile hike around the lake with the blue lake and Swiss alps providing amazing views along the way. You can also hike into the stunning vineyards surrounding the picturesque village too!

You can also take a boat trip around Lake Thun to see all the wonderful sights from the lake. In summer, the lake is perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, sunbathing, and boating too!

The peaceful village is home to Spiez Castle, a medieval castle that has a 1,000-year-old church inside it.

Bosco Gurin

Another of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland has to be Bosco Gurin. Bosco Gurin is an alpine village in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. But, despite being in an Italian-speaking canton, it is a German-speaking village and the only one at that.

This tiny village dates back to 1253 and is also the highest village in Ticino at 1,504 meters above sea level. The historic architecture of this small mountain village is to die for and the surrounding natural beauty is pretty astounding.

Sitting inside the Valle Maggia, the spectacular views down the valley are hard to beat, especially with the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

There are some great things to do in this Swiss village. Hiking in the fresh mountain air with the jaw-dropping scenery is great for nature lovers in the summer. In winter, Bosco Gurin transports into an awesome ski resort, plus the traditional architecture and old history museum are wonderful to see.

Crans-Montana

Sitting in the Valais canton of central Switzerland amongst the stunning Valais Alps is one of the top beautiful towns in Switzerland, Crans-Montana.

Crans-Montana is a very famous resort that is actually two mountain villages sitting side by side. These Swiss villages are often referred to as being together and they are one of the most popular alpine villages for skiing.

This is one of the few villages in Switzerland where you can see Mont Blanc and it is also home to lots of stunning forests, lakes, and many hikes that take you up into the mountains. There is even an alpine golf course that you can play on!

In the summer, these villages are all about hiking, swimming in the lakes, admiring the breathtaking views, and more.

These picturesque villages are a load of fun to be in during the summer and winter too. There are lovely restaurants, great bars, and lots more to explore in this wonderful old town.

Gimmelwald

Gimmelwald is something special! Sitting high up in the Bernese Alps overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley (the valley of 72 waterfalls) this is one of the few car-free villages in Switzerland.

Yes, you can not drive to Gimmelwald, you have to hike or cable car to this little village located in the mountains. Once you are there, everything just slows down and you will be surrounded by great views of the mountains, waterfalls, and valleys in every direction.

You will find old traditional houses full of color in this village and there are numerous places to stay. You will feel like you are on top of the world and in one of the most peaceful places ever made.

You can hike to many fantastic places in this area and once you have your fill of peace, exploring the Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the best things you can do in Switzerland.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a picture-perfect town, it might be one of the most beautiful towns in the world. Nestled between two crystal blue alpine lakes with a river running through it and surrounded by mountain peaks, nature has set one magical stage for Interlaken.

The views are incredible in every direction and you can spend your time wandering around the old town, taking in the architecture of the hotels, strolling along the blue river, and relaxing on the lake shores.

In the summer, Interlaken is perfect for fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, sunbathing, rafting, and more.

You can also go on a boat ride around the lake, see the Japanese gardens, and ride from the highest railway station in Europe, or take a cable car up to the stunning peaks to see glaciers and the peaks of Jungfrau and Mönch.

Interlaken is also a great place for adrenaline-fueled sports. It is a hub for paragliding in Switzerland and there is an adventure park too.

Wengen

Sitting at the base of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Wengen is one of the best villages in Switzerland to visit.

Not only is it in the stunning Lauterbrunnen Valley but it is also at the base of the magical Jungfrau Mountain. The views are unbelievable from Wengen and being one of the few car-free towns in Switzerland, it is incredibly peaceful.

Between spring and fall, Wengen gives access to a hiker’s paradise, with trails that take you through the amazing hills, to waterfalls, and lakes.

In the winter, you’ll find lots of ski resorts and be able to access lots of cross-country ski routes too.

The town is lovely to explore too with great restaurants, a lovely vibe, and super friendly locals!

Andermatt

Andermatt lies in the heart of the alps and is a dream destination for anyone who loves mountain scenery, skiing, hiking, and more.

The village itself is stunning with old alpine architecture, great restaurants, bars, hotels, and more. The surrounding mountains tower over the valley and you can ride cable cars to the top of the mountains to access the best of the rugged terrain.

You can also ride the Glacier Express from Andermatt which takes you to Zermatt via some of the most amazing mountain scenery you might ever see.

There are a lot of things to do in Andermatt in both summer and winter. In the summer, you can go fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and more. In winter, it is all about fantastic winter sports in the surrounding mountains.

For a magical alpine experience, Andermatt is the place to go at any time of the year. It is also very easy to get to via train from Zurich with direct services getting there in just 2 hours.

Saint-Ursanne

Saint-Ursanne is located in the Jura Canton in northern Switzerland along the beautiful Doubs River.

This is a magical medieval village full of medieval buildings with medieval architecture. Some of the highlights are the old town hall, three city gates, and the Collegiate Church and Bell Tower.

This small town truly is one of the most picturesque in all of Switzerland. There are 4 entrances to his town that have remained in place since the old days. The Saint-Jean Népomucène bridge is architecturally beautiful and the St John’s, St Paul’s, and St Peter’s Gate are all fabulous too!

There are some wonderful hikes to be found around this small town, especially in the nearby forests. The town is also very charming with great restaurants.

Saint-Ursanne is easily visited from Zurich on a day trip (2 hours each way by train) or you can spend a night or two there to explore the history on offer in this lovely town.

Morcote

Morcote might be the best swiss village to visit if you want to be immersed in history, culture, and stunning architecture.

Located on the shores of Lake Lugano in southern Switzerland and right next to the Italian border, this village is home to multiple Swiss heritage sites.

As you stare at stretching views across the beautiful lake and into the mountains, it is hard to comprehend such a beautiful village being in such a stunning location.

With views around every corner as you explore the historic streets and discover the old Church of Sant’Antonio Abate, Greek Sculptures dotted around, and an Egyptian Temple, Morcote truly is a slice of Swiss paradise.

While the village is beautiful to see, you can also explore the natural surroundings with ease from Morcote. With amazing lake access and lots of walking trails and mountain biking trails into the mountain, it truly has something for everyone.

Lauterbrunnen

If you want to travel to real-life Rivendell (from lord of the rings) then the spectacular village of Lauterbrunnen is where you need to head to.

Sitting in the heart of the valley of 72 waterfalls, this area is truly like heaven on earth. With high mountain walls on each side and cascading falls surrounding a lush green valley with a river, it is truly hard to beat!

Of the 72 waterfalls, the Staubbach Falls are the most impressive. Standing beneath it as the waterfall drops some 300 meters, you are showered by spray and experience its immense power.

The area is teeming with trails which you can hike to multiple waterfalls. You can also enjoy numerous other adventures and go skiing in the winter. Another great option is to take the cable car up to Schilthorn mountain for epic views.

Guarda

If you are looking to spend some time in one of the quintessential alpine villages in Switzerland then the village of Guarda might just be what you are looking for.

The architecture in this village is traditionally immaculately well preserved to the point the village even won the Wakker Prize for its preservation.

Guarda is located deep in the Engadine valley of the central Alps along the banks of the river Inn. The scenery is spectacular and offers fantastic hiking in the summer and great cross-country skiing, ice skating, and toboggans in the winter.

The little village is packed full of charm. It only has a small restaurant and cafe, along with a few places to stay. This makes it ideal for an overnight trip or a day trip from a nearby town.