National GeographicOct 17, 2026
5 Scenic Swiss Villages to Put on Your Travel Itinerary
With spirit-soaring backdrops, these quintessentially Swiss villages are springboards for travellers to dive deep into the country's cuisine, history and folk traditions.
16 things in this story
- Swiss National ParkSightPristine park with trails high into realms of ibex and golden eagles.
- Elsewhere
- MürrenNeighborhoodLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandCar-free village with front-row views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.
- North Face TrailTrailLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandHikes across wildflower-freckled pastures, begins at top of Allmendhubel mountain.
- SchilthornSightLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandFloat above clouds by cable-car to 2,970-metre peak, starred in Bond movie.
- Piz GloriaRestaurantLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandRevolving restaurant with 360-degree views of 200 Alpine peaks.
- Ustaria Crusch AlbaRestaurantGuarda, SwitzerlandPopular restaurant for local Grisons specialities like barley soup.
- Aletsch ArenaPlaceBettmeralp, SwitzerlandExpansive winter sports hub where locals ski and sledge.
- Aletsch GlacierSightBettmeralp, Switzerland14-mile-long glacier snaking down from 4,000m peaks.
- MärjelenseeSightBettmeralp, SwitzerlandJewel-coloured lake on the glacier-skimming day hike.
- Parco ScherrerGardenMorcote, SwitzerlandSubtropical gardens with camelias, azaleas, palms and oleander.
- Chiesa di Santa Maria del SassoPlace of worshipMorcote, SwitzerlandRenaissance-baroque church on the hill with stellar lake views.
- Tenuta Castello di MorcoteRestaurantMorcote, SwitzerlandFamily-run estate for slow food, organic wines, and dinner under stars.
- Sentier des FromageriesTrailGruyères, SwitzerlandEight-mile loop passing lush pastures and cheese dairies.
- La Maison du GruyèreMuseumGruyères, SwitzerlandVisitors can get a glimpse at the cheesemaking process.
- Fromagerie d’Alpage de MolésonRestaurantMoléson, SwitzerlandMakes rich gruyere cheese traditionally in a copper vat.
- Maison de CaillerPlaceBroc, Switzerland
