If there is ever a time when you need to lose yourself in nature and its enchanting creations it is now, and the place is God’s own creation, Switzerland.
Switzerland is the perfect combination of historic towns and modern cities. A perfect blend between technology and nature. This is why it is also the perfect destination for fellow travelers who like slow traveling and want to absolutely lose themselves in beautiful sceneries. It is also a very uncertain time that we are living in right now and Switzerland is a country that takes pride in being called a neutral country. So if you are looking for a break from your busy schedule and travel to a place that can bring you excitement and quiet at the same time, it is Switzerland.
The country has its own set of enchanting villages with dotting landscapes that will make you feel you have entered a land straight from a fairytale. The small towns and villages in the country make it a heaven for slow and independent travelers while making the country one of the best places to visit in Europe. So let’s see the list of 10 enchanting villages that you will find in Switzerland, which are in fact, too good to be true.
However, before moving forward, let’s look at the reasons why Switzerland is the ideal place for independent and slow travelers.
- Delightful landscapes – You will get everything that your dreams are made of in the country. From alpine meadows and winsome lakeside towns to aesthetic snow-covered peaks in the Alps, the country is definitely what a traveler’s dream is made of. On top of that, the amazing landscapes have smaller crowds, making it perfect for slow travelers.
- Thriving nature – It is a place where nature is in abundance. Do we need to say more?!
- Small villages and towns – When you are slow traveling, or traveling independently, exploring lesser-known places would be bliss, and there are just too many gorgeous small towns and villages in Switzerland. After all, there are so many movies found its the perfect location in the country!
- Road trips – If you are into slow travel, road trips are the best. So, what if we tell you that you don’t even have to travel longer to see some of the most picturesque locations in the world? Well, it is in Switzerland, and yes, the entirety of the country is slightly smaller than if you combine the states of New Hampshire and Vermont.
- Rail traveling – Europe thrives on rail holidays and it is never too late to find spellbinding routes and itineraries. They are also a great way for slow traveling, you get enough time to soak it all in. Switzerland in particular has a huge network of domestic rail connections.
10 exquisite villages in Switzerland
- Grimentz
Situated in southern Switzerland, the village is close to the borders of Italy and France. With a population of 385 people, Grimentz is known as one of the most popular skiing destinations in the whole of Europe. The primary language here is French and it is as charming as a Switzerland village can get. You will find the location loaded with traditional chalets, partly timbered, and partly embellished with bright colors and carved wooden ornamentation. If you want a luxury stay, you will also find modern villas and resorts there that reflect the village’s architecture while providing luxurious accommodation. A folk music festival is held in the village in July that draws people from all around the world. So, if you are a music lover, you know when to go there!
- Gimmelwald
This village is always mistaken for being the town of Grindelwald. The village of Gimmelwald is situated at Lauterbrunnen Valley and it should definitely be on your list if you are looking for an off-beat travel destination in Europe. It is an absolute mountain gem is is completely what you would imagine of villages in Switzerland, traffic-free, remote, and drop-dead gorgeous. If you take a train or car, the village is located just 30 minutes south of Interlaken and is the perfect place to go when you are in the mood for a hike. For a thrilling vacation, you can try Schilthorn, the 10,000-foot peak towering over the entire area. You will also get a spectacular view of the nearby Jungfrau Mountain.
- Interlaken
What would be a more perfect holiday destination than a small town situated between two gorgeous lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz? That is the small town of Interlaken for you, just as the name implies. It was originally built in the 12th century around the Interlaken Monastery which became a traditional Swiss resort town today, also one of the most popular destinations at the heart of the great Swiss Alpes. The place is also known for offering the most stunning European Christmas market, an absolute outdoor paradise that will give you instant access to hiking downhill and cross-country skiing, and mountaineering, among the many heart-pounding activities for that adrenaline rush.
- Stein am Rhein
With a population of just over 3000 people, this small town is an absolute fairytale, situated at the west of Lake Constance in northeast Switzerland. This one of the most beautiful villages in the country is also long known as the “gem on the Rhine” River. The charming small town will offer you glimpses into the historic medieval times within its ancient street plan. The historic part of the village is only left for pedestrians where you will see several well-preserved medieval houses. The brightly colored facades surrounding the town hall square will be one of the most stunning things you will see there. The village is unique in all of Switzerland because of how well-preserved the buildings are there, including a former Benedictine monastery, the Hohenklingen castle, and the ruins of the 3rd-century Roman fortress Tasgetium. If you are a history lover and truly inquisitive about culture, this is the perfect travel destination for you.
- Andermatt
In the heart of the great Swiss Alpes, Andermatt is a world-popular skiing destination. It is situated at over 4700 feet where you will be completely surrounded by the peaks of the Alpes. This makes the village a perfect place for nature lovers and people who always wanted to go to a winter wonderland, a place with never-ending mountains. The village also has the largest ski area in central Switzerland. You will get numerous cross-country ski trails, downhill runs, and plenty of other winter sporting activity spots. If you prefer skating, there is also an ice ring you can try. However, you don’t have to be a professional skier to be able to experience the enchanting beauty of the surrounding Aples. You can get a chairlift from the village to Nätschen and its less demanding slopes. You can also take a cable car to the top of Gemssock, where you will witness the breathtaking views at nearly 9,900 feet. Staying in the village will not be a problem for you either, as you will find a number of friendly hotels and restaurants serving traditional food.
- Gstaad
If you are looking for one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland, you have to come to Gstaad (pronounced Shtahd). It is a stunning upscale resort town which is situated in Saanen. You will find mostly German-speaking people in this region of southwest Switzerland. However, this is not for budget-friendly travelers as you will get only luxury hotels for accommodation here. The place is also full of elite international boarding schools, making this a pricey and posh destination. The town is also famous as a skiing destination and pretty popular with a-list celebrities, jet setters, and loyalty. If you love shopping, you will find designer shops in the town center. However, this is also where you will find art galleries, restaurants, and hotels, all established in alpine-styled scenic buildings. The ski slopes in the town are of Rinderberg and Wispile and they are connected by cable cars. Here, you will get to experience hundreds of kilometers of cross-country trails, and a massive number of downhill runs. Even if you don’t enjoy skiing, you will definitely enjoy the picturesque cable car rides.
- Giswil
With a population of just a little over 3500 people, Giswil is a stunning small town located on the shores of Lake Sarnen. If you are a nature and outdoor lover, this will be the perfect Europe travel destination for you. Whether you want to explore the staggering lake, go camping, cycling, or hiking, you can do it all in Giswil. This quaint village in Switzerland is surrounded by quiet forests, alpine meadows, and most importantly, snow-covered peaks. If you are into hiking, you will find one of the greatest hikes in the town, Giswilerstock. It is a 1,825 peak that overlooks the valley and the lake far below. There is also a five-hour strenuous hike on the Bargmandli Trail, or if you want to go shorter, you can try a two-hour hike from Fluonalp. The best time to visit the Swiss village would be between June and October when you can take the most advantage of your hiking plans. However, it is also a paradise for food lovers at eateries in the area that offer Swiss cheeses, butter, cream, and yogurt, all freshly made. Giswilersuppe is one of the delicacies of the village which is a soup made with coffee, a whole prune, and plum schnapps, which is then topped with local cream.
- Champex-Lac
Located in the gorgeous Val D’Arpette, Champex-Lac is a small village that has only 500 permanent residents. However, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations where people from all over the world who enjoy skiing in winter come. Not just skiing, the destination is also popular for its summer hikes and drop-dead gorgeous views that you can enjoy all year round. The best time to visit the place? Depends on which activity you enjoy the most. In winter, it is an amazing ski resort, for both cross-hill and downhill. On top of that, you can also skate on the reflective ice lake as well. Some of the quietest times would come in fall and Spring. Champex-Lac is also a terrific hiking destination in Summer and an important step on the Tour du Mont Blanc, a 105-mile trek that is considered one of the greatest hikes in the world.
- Adelboden
If you ever visit Adelboden, you might witness groups of young Girl Scouts on every corner. This is because the village is home to Our Chalet, one of the four Girl Scout world centers. Now, let’s get to the village of Adelboden as a travel destination, it is located in the Bernese Alps and quickly became one of the most popular Swiss villages for international travelers. The small town has a population of only 4,000 people and is known worldwide for its FIS Ski World World Cup. This contest is held annulary every January. The place offers an impressive ski terrain of 53 miles, suitable for sledding, skiing, and snowboarding. However, this place is not just a winter wonderland, but also splendid in summer. You can go hiking, do mountain biking, and even ride down the mountain trails with the local “trotti-bike”. Adelboden has the popular Vogellisi trail, a trail made for families, especially children, they can use this trail to hike up to Engstligenalp waterfall and enjoy the stunning view.
- Gruyères
If you are a food lover, you must have tasted or heard about the Gruyère cheese. It is originated from this medieval town in Switzerland called Gruyères. It is also considered one of the most beautiful towns in the French-speaking part of the country. You will find colorful facades, with remarkable architecture with the famous Alpine backdrop, all with the famous Swiss cheese and chocolate. Whether you are visiting this small town with just a population of 2,205 people in a sunny summer or snowy winter, the vacation will be worth it. Mostly because, there is a lot to do, a lot to see, and a lot to eat in Gruyères. In this small village, you will see the Gruyères Castle which dates back to the 13th century. Here you can visit the castle’s museum and admire the world-famous views of the Moléson at 2,202 meters. At La Maison des Traditions, you can enjoy the tasty Gruyère cheese fondue.
So book the tour today and enjoy a dreamy vacation in any of these 10 most astonishing small villages in Switzerland.
