Prettiest Swiss Resorts

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more iconic mountain than the Matterhorn or a more typically Swiss town than Zermatt. Prepare to be enchanted on seriously scenic hikes, bike rides and mountain climbs and enjoy the finer things in life in the posh bars and restaurants. Look carefully and you’ll discover little Alpine chapels and Alpine lakes dotted around on the 400km of hiking trails, including glacier routes. To enjoy the sights without the legwork, take the half hour train ride to Gornergrat.

With easy access to Bernese Oberland’s massive array of activities and attractions, this lovely old village is spot on if you’re after a convenient base that’s far from the madding crowd. Not only are you at the entrance to the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys, formed by the Lutschine River, you’re also only a few miles from the popular town of Interlaken. Use the rack and cog railways to reach the surrounding villages, lakes and mountains but don’t forget to explore closer to home – Wilderswil’s Pièce de résistance is the Schynige Platte Bahn, which takes you to some terrific walks, restaurants and vantage points.

Three things you can’t visit Vitznau without doing: 1) Get a boat out onto the lake to fully appreciate its location; facing Lake Lucerne with the Rigi Mountain towering behind, this place really is spectacular. 2) Take the cog railway (which happened to be the first of its kind in Europe) to the top of Rigi, for a 360° panorama of mountains and lakes stretching over to Germany and France. 3) Spend the evening by the lakeside – the sunset here is frankly spectacular. It’s not all about the sights though, the Rigi has some terrific walking routes and there are some lovely bike paths along and overlooking the lake. The region is officially labelled a ‘Wellness Destination’ by the Swiss Tourism Federation, so if you need to escape for some R&R, you’ve come to the right place.

Wengen’s storybook Switzerland – you reach the town by mountain railway (the whole place is car-free) and once you’ve soaked up sights of colourful chalets decked with flower displays, look up and out for sweeping views over the Lauterbrunnen valley and iconic Alpine peaks. The train you use to arrive connects you to the Jungfraujoch railway, which climbs up, through the Aletsch glacier, before reaching 3454m - the highest railway station in Europe. The summit has awesome sights of the nearby mountains like the Monch, as well as distant landmarks as far as the Black Forest. Experience the landscape close-up on the 500km of hiking paths or by climbing, cycling or any other of the activities on the menu.

With the warmest weather in Switzerland, Locarno is a brilliant blend of Italian and Swiss on the tip of the legendary Lago Maggiore. If you’re not too caught up indulging in La Dolce Vita, have a go at sailing or set off on one of the fantastic local walks. The town hosts its international film festival every summer (famed for the outdoor viewing experience in the Piazza Grande) and it’s always worth visiting the church of Madonna del Sasso up in Orselina – if only for the sights of the lake and town.

The clue’s in the name with Interlaken: it’s situated between two fabulous lakes, the Thun and the Brienz. As well as being easy on the eye, the waters open up a multitude of activities like windsurfing, water-skiing and fishing. Looming overhead you can’t miss the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks – home to some wonderful hiking routes. The famous ‘Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe’ train is a brilliant way to see over the Alps and inside the glacier. Back at base the vibe is chilled out and cheerful – party with the backpackers or explore the restaurants around town.

Lucerne is one of the cultural hubs of central Switzerland. Picture a fairy-tale town and this is probably what you’d come up with; the Renaissance and Baroque architecture, lakeside setting and mountainous surroundings make this one of the prettiest towns in the land. To really appreciate the setting, take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top of the Pilatus for a panoramic view of 73 alpine peaks or look over the water from the medieval Kapellbrucke or the water tower. There’s a lot going on here in the summer – including the annual festival of classical and contemporary music which usually features big names from around the globe.

Freddie Mercury got it in one: “If you want peace of mind, come to Montreux”. The Jazz Festival put this town on the map - bringing Freddie and other big names like Pink Floyd and Miles Davis to Lake Geneva’s Swiss shores. There’s plenty more on the menu, from the restaurants (with 20 listed in the Michelin and Gault Millau guides) to the clubs (which make up some of the best nightlife in Switzerland). Fill your days touring the local vineyards, relaxing in the spas, or simply strolling along the promenade.

On the top edge of Lake Lugano and 8km from the Italian border, Lugano is often called the ‘Monte Carlo of Switzerland’ which gives you a taste of the town. The San Salvatore and Sighignola mountains provide plenty of scope for hiking and the area also has some of Switzerland’s best MTB thanks to the bike park at Tomaro. Zip-lining is also super fun if you have a need for speed... The pace isn’t always set at full throttle – wander down the promenade or around the Piazza Bernardino Luini. The Renaissance fresco at the Madonna degli Angioli church is probably the best known of its kind in Switzerland.

Mark Twain called Weggis the ‘loveliest place’ he’d visited... and we’re inclined to agree. Known as the ‘Riviera of Central Switzerland’ and with a type of rose named after it, this is a seriously pretty village on the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne. If you’re not relaxing with a glass of Eggisbühler as you listen to one of the daily concerts, go for a scenic walk, hike or bike ride; the climate causes the area to bloom with hundreds of species of flowers throughout the summer. Take the old cog railway up the Rigi for cracking views of lakes and mountains and get a boat across the lake for a sight of the Rigi itself, which looms over the town.