Skip to contentTop Picturesque Places in Switzerland - 15 Locations
🔥 Introduction
Switzerland is not just a country of banks and watches. It is visual poetry written by glaciers, emerald lakes, and Alpine villages buried in flowers. Here, nature seems to have made a special effort to make every morning look like the cover of National Geographic. And if you are looking for a place where you can take a deep breath, disconnect from the hustle and bustle, and truly be inspired, Switzerland’s picturesque locations will give you just that. The most picturesque places in Switzerland — 15 locations
But we will not follow the beaten path. This selection is for those who want more than just postcard views. Here are some of Switzerland’s picturesque places that aren’t featured in guidebooks but will remain in your heart for a long time. From secluded valleys to mountain trails known only to locals, you will discover your own Switzerland. The real one. The aesthetic one. And, yes, without crowds of tourists at every turn.
🏞️ Alpine classics: peaks, lakes, and glaciers
1. Zermatt and the Matterhorn
The symbol of the Alps, the Matterhorn rises into the sky like a giant pyramid. The morning light here paints the summit pink and gold, and the car-free village of Zermatt creates a fairy-tale atmosphere. This is one of those picturesque places in Switzerland where you literally stop to catch your breath.
2. Lake Blausee
Small, mystical, crystal clear — Blausee amazes not with its size, but with the depth of its color. This lake is a real photo magnet. The morning fog makes it one of the most magical and picturesque places in Switzerland.
3. Aletsch Glacier
The largest glacier in the Alps stretches for 23 km. Looking at it from above from the panoramic platform, you feel as if time has stopped. The grandeur of nature is evident in every fold of ice here. Without a doubt, this is one of those picturesque places in Switzerland that will remain in your memory forever.
4. Lake Lugano
A harmonious blend of Swiss orderliness and Italian lightness. The views from Mount San Salvatore reveal the lake in all its glory. The impressions are like those of a good wine: a long, rich aftertaste.
5. Grindelwald and its trails
The trails around the village are a visual meditation. Flowering alpine meadows, suspension bridges, glacial panoramas — every turn reminds you why Switzerland’s picturesque places are considered the benchmark for natural beauty.
🍃 Hidden gems and secluded valleys
6. Val Bavona — a timeless valley
This is a place without electricity, mobile phone reception, or hustle and bustle. Just granite houses, cascading waterfalls, and the purest air. Val Bavona is one of those picturesque places in Switzerland where people go to experience silence and pristine nature. Here, you can hear only the sound of water and your own heartbeat.
7. Oeschinensee — an alpine postcard
A lake that looks like it came out of a painting: emerald water framed by rocks and forests. A cable car and an easy hike lead to it. This picturesque place in Switzerland is especially beautiful in autumn, when the reflections of the mountains become particularly vivid.
8. Lauterbrunnen — the valley of 72 waterfalls
Here, it’s easy to feel like a character from “The Lord of the Rings” — Tolkien was inspired by this very valley. The narrow gorge, surrounded by greenery, hides picturesque places in Switzerland, full of magic and dramatic beauty. The most famous waterfall, Staubbach, falls from a height of 300 meters directly onto the houses of the village.
9. Emmental — a pastoral paradise
Rolling green hills, cows with bells, and perfect farmhouses. Emmental is the embodiment of Swiss idyll. It is a picturesque place in Switzerland where you want to linger: try the cheese, walk barefoot through the meadow, and just live slowly.
10. Rotenboden Hut and view of Riffelsee
A little-known spot, but one of the most spectacular. It offers a perfect view of the Matterhorn reflected in the smooth surface of the lake. At dawn, it is one of the most cinematic and picturesque places in Switzerland, where you can meet a unicorn… almost.
🏙️ Architectural views and urban aesthetics
11. Lucerne and the Chapel Bridge
This ancient wooden bridge with painted panels and a tower on the water is a symbol of Swiss romanticism. In the evening, when the bridge is illuminated, it becomes one of the most picturesque places in Switzerland.
12. Old Town Bern
Medieval arcades, the green Aare River, the Zeitglogge clock, and cozy squares make Bern a must-see for those looking for picturesque places in Switzerland with an urban feel. The atmosphere is like a fairy tale, but without the glitz.
13. Interlaken
A town between two lakes, overlooking the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau. Here you feel like you are between two worlds — the smooth surface of the water and the icy sky. A truly picturesque place in Switzerland, where nature and architecture go hand in hand.
14. Vevey on Lake Geneva
Resort aesthetics, a promenade with palm trees and mountains in the background. Charlie Chaplin lived here — and for good reason. Vevey evokes the mood of a silent film and deserves a place on the list of picturesque places in Switzerland.
15. St. Moritz
Elegance, glamour, panoramic views. Alpine glamour at its most beautiful. It’s easy to believe in the beauty of life here, especially when looking out from the balcony at the snow-capped peaks.
🧳 Useful tips and routes
🚆 How to get to Picturesque Places in Switzerland
Most of Switzerland’s picturesque locations are easily accessible by public transport. The Swiss railway system (SBB) is one of the most punctual and convenient in the world. You can reach Zermatt, Grindelwald, and Interlaken by train with a transfer in Bern or Zurich. To reach Blausee, take the train to Kandersteg, then a bus or taxi. Lauterbrunnen and Oeschinensee can be reached by electric train and cable car. For Val Bavona, it is best to rent a car, as transport there is extremely limited.
🗓️ When to go Picturesque Places in Switzerland
The best time to see the picturesque places of Switzerland in all their glory is from late May to September. In summer, the alpine meadows are in bloom, the lakes are crystal clear, and the weather is stable. Autumn (September-October) is for those who love the golden palette and fewer tourists. Winter is suitable for lovers of snowy aesthetics, especially in St. Moritz and Zermatt.
💶 Budget and luxury options Picturesque Places in Switzerland
Switzerland is not a cheap country, but even here you can travel wisely.
Budget: hostels and mountain huts (from CHF 30/night), the Swiss Travel Pass (from CHF 232 for 3 days) gives you access to trains, buses, and museums.
Luxury: hotels with mountain views, private transfers, panoramic restaurants. Hotels in St. Moritz, Interlaken, and Vevey offer exclusive service.
Booking offers a wide range of options, from chalets in the Alps to designer apartments by the lakes. Choose accommodation with panoramic windows — they allow you to feel like you are in the midst of Switzerland’s picturesque landscapes without even leaving your room.
🏡 Where to stay Picturesque Places in Switzerland
Zermatt: Hotel Matterhorn Focus — a designer hotel with mountain views
Grindelwald: Eiger Selfness Hotel — comfort and panoramic views
Lucerne: Château Gütsch — romance above the lake
Val Bavona: stone huts without Wi-Fi, but with soul
Vevey: Modern Times Hotel — style and Chaplin’s history
These hotels help you live your trip to the fullest, because the picturesque places of Switzerland are not only what you see, but also what you feel every minute.
🔗 Partner recommendations
⛵ Yacht and boat rental
Want to see Switzerland from the water? Explore picturesque lakes aboard a private yacht:
👉 Rent a yacht with or without a captain — here
🧭 Book a personalized tour
Ready-made itineraries through the Alps, hidden valleys, and scenic spots — from the experts:
👉 Submit a tour request at mavidi.online
👉 Robinsone: a selection of unique trips through Switzerland
✈️ Flights and transfers
Reliable flights to Zurich, Geneva, or Bern with the option to choose a convenient time:
👉 Book a flight with Travel Overland
🏡 Exclusive accommodation
Would you like to stay in a secluded chalet, an old villa, or a designer cottage?
👉 Vintage Travel: the best locations among Switzerland’s picturesque spots
🔒 All partner offers are verified and comply with JorneyUnfolded’s aesthetics and standards. You relax — we take care of the details.
