10 Breathtaking Alpine Towns

Few regions of the world evoke such immediate awe at the mere mention of their name as the Alps. And the only true Alpine countries, according to Britannica, Switzerland and Austria offer sweeping vistas and vast swaths of well-maintained public space and amenities to be enjoyed year-round. From Lake Como near the Swiss border through Switzerland to the Tirol region of Austria, omnipresent mountains scrape the sky across the Alps, their lush and fertile valleys plunging towards the quaint towns that sit at their foothills. These are towns full of charm and far less crowded in summer and fall before the slopes open up. Worlds away from the suffocating cities of Central Europe, these Alpine towns offer up heaping servings of serenity, each with its own special flavour.

Menaggio, Italy

Menaggio, a town halfway up the left side of Lake Como, is separated from the region's namesake town by a rail-thin road that hugs the side of the water but whose precarity and whose frequent four-metre-wide passageways fail to deter speeds of up to 160km. Menaggio on the Lake's northwest coast is where the two-lane serpentine road to nearby Lugano, Switzerland, starts snaking its way through the Northern Italian Alps, but not before deterring drivers in every direction except that which is indicated on Google Maps or via human logic.

Varenna, Italy

Tucked tidily away in Lake Como's right rib, Varenna is a short trip by ferry from Menaggio. Upon approaching, passengers gawk at its pastel houses with forest-green shutters clinging to cliffs amid perfectly manicured patches of cypress and magnolias. Visitors are compelled to scale Varenna's Sentiero del Viandante, or green path, that loops its way uphill to the ancient Castello di Vezio and back down in an hour flat. Lazy waves lap Varenna's iconic waterfront, where outdoor diners sip espresso and prosecco and debate whether to take the next ferry back, or wait it out til later.

Bellagio, Italy

For many, Bellagio first appears as a glimmer in the reflection of designer sunglasses that peer at it from the deck of an approaching ferry. This is Lake Como's most exclusive town, and for good reason. It occupies a coveted location at the tip of the Punta Spartivento, Bellagio's very own personal peninsula that rises up the mid-line of Lake Como, splitting it into East and West. Hop a ferry from Menaggio for a slow-paced afternoon strolling Bellagio's cobblestone streets, drop by the medieval Basilica of St. Giacomo, or brave the incline up Via Garibaldi for the breathtaking hilltop views that await.

Dongo, Italy

North of Menaggio, along the western shore of Lake Como, is the quaint and quiet Dongo. Turn left off the SS340 dir highway to find the main square, Piazza di Dongo, then walk to the nearby Museo della Fine della Guerra Dongo for a history lesson on Italy's role in WWI. History buffs will also appreciate the Palazzo Manzi, where Mussolini was captured, arrested, and detained at the end of the war in 1945. The waterfront also plays a key role in Italy's history, as the site where a dozen-or-so fascist loyalists were shot the same year.

Tirano, Italy

Tirano straddles the Swiss-Italy border but oozes an old-world charm that is unmistakably Italian. As the departure point for the westbound and world-renowned Bernina Express train ride through Switzerland, Tirano is usually abuzz with activity, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Centro Storico, or historic town square, just outside the train station. Grab an espresso here at the Café de la Gare and drink up Tirano's charm one sip at a time. Or if adventure calls, the 16th-century Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano is a short stroll.

Lugano, Switzerland

The evening sun blankets Lake Lugano's waterfront, where rental boats bob and weave after a long day on the water. Follow the pedestrian promenade that runs along Ria Vincenzo Vela east to Parco Ciani, a meticulously maintained urban garden with stunning views of Lugano bay, nestled between the Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore mountains. It's the sight upon which lovers, school students, and retirees gaze as they wage an ever-intensifying war against the melting gelato that drips at varying velocities down the crease of the palm of the hand.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

The decadent hotels that surround Lake St. Moritz house well-heeled tourists in the high season, which, in most of Switzerland, is winter. St. Moritz is a premier ski destination, and possibly the most exclusive. For example, a fish & chips at the Restaurant Segantini, in the Hotel Schweizerhaus in St. Moritz-Dorf, will run you more than $50 USD - but, best believe, it's worth it! Regardless of your budget, St. Moritz can be enjoyed at no cost. The alpine scene that unfolds along the lakeside foot path known locally as the Lej da Staz and the architectural gems that pop up along the way, such as the Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski, make the price of entry more than worth it.

Pontresina, Switzerland

Pontresina is smaller and calmer compared to nearby St. Moritz, and can be reached in 20 minutes by train or bus from St. Moritz-Dorf. With around 2,000 residents, Pontresina is picturesque and peaceful: Stroll the Flaz Uferweg, the footpath that follows the pristine river Flaz, and the trickle of the glacial water might be the only thing you hear. Afterwards, head uphill into town and rest your weary bones at Bellavita Spa: an indoor-outdoor network of hot and cold tubs, plunge pools, and steamrooms that offer sweeping views of the Swiss Alps.

Poschiavo, Switzerland

Nestled deep in the Poschiavo Valley, the Italian-speaking town of Poschiavo has only 3,500 residents and is known for its charming square, the Plaza da Cumün. The Museo Poschiavino is a short walk away on Via Zarera. But for the best view of Poschiavo and its surrounding valley, hop a Bernina Express or regional train 2000 metres up to Alp Grüm. On the way, hop off for a peaceful stroll around Lake Poschiavo, a natural reservoir buried deep in the Poschiavo Valley, and gobble up some fresh mountain air before heading back.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken basks in alpine beauty: Just watch how the water plunges down Giessbach Falls into Lake Brienz, one of two that give Interlaken its name (Lake Thun is the other). You can see them both from the lookout at Harder Klum, the nearest mountain to Interlaken, which affords views of 4,000m Jungfrau, one of the highest peaks in the Bernese Oberland.

Outdoor activities abound in Interlaken year-round, with skiing being the obvious choice in the winter: The Jungfrau region offers more than 200 kilometres of alpine ski trails. Stunning Interlaken is surrounded on all sides by soaring mountain peaks that send a hush over the town, striking serenity in the hearts of those who visit.

Europe's highest and longest mountain range never fails to strike awe in every set of eyes that falls upon it. The Alps owe its popularity to their unrivaled scenery, and it isn't going out of style any time soon. Some 120 million visitors flock to the region annually to scoop up heaping servings of the Alps' true currency: serenity. Some get to experience it daily, laying bare the reasons the Alps consistently rank among the most liveable places on earth.