2026's 9 Most Scenic Switzerland Towns

Switzerland may be home to some of Europe's most famous Alpine landscapes and mountain resort towns, and these are certainly places that make for wonderful vacations. However, there's much more to Switzerland beyond its storied ski slopes. Even in one of the confederation's best-known ski towns, there's also a summertime swimming lake, as well as a house where the beloved stories of Heidi come to life. Then, there's the town in the middle of Switzerland where four major rivers begin high in the Gotthard massif. For a surprising change of scenery, the southern canton of Ticino is home to a certain lakeside village with its own botanical garden island. Shifting west, visitors can explore the town where its uniquely varied natural environment makes some very delicious Swiss cheese. And out by Lake Geneva, folks will find the town with a nearly 1,000 year-old island castle and a cogwheel railroad that ventures up to a mountaintop paradise.

It's not easy to narrow down a shortlist of Switzerland's most beautiful locales, but we're doing our best to help you pick the perfect place for your next trip. On that note, here are nine of the most scenic Switzerland towns to visit in 2026.

St. Moritz

Set some 1,822 meters (or 5,978 feet) above sea level in the Engadin of eastern Switzerland, St. Moritz has a well-deserved reputation as a town to enjoy plenty of classic Swiss Alpine scenery. From town, it's a lovely ride up the Signal cable car into the mountains, and folks can hit the trail to take a seasonal shuttle up to Piz Nair, the 3,056-meter (or 10,026-foot) peak that hosted alpine skiing competitions during the 1948 St. Moritz Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, those looking to get a little more wet and wild can head south to Lej Marsch, a beloved local swimming hole with a small yet inviting beach for sunbathing. And for a recognizable local landmark, it's a pleasant hike over to the Heidi-Hütte, or the house where the 1978 TV show based on Johanna Spyri's 1880-81 Heidi novels was filmed.

While there's no shortage of nice places to stay in St. Moritz, there's none quite like the Kulm Hotel. All guests who stay here for two nights or longer are provided a complimentary Mountain Pass for unlimited rail travel across the Engadin. Even better, they have plenty of reasons to spend quality time on property thanks to its comfortably elegant accommodations, full-service Kulm Spa, and tasty restaurants.

Davos

Davos may be best known for hosting the World Economic Forum that brings many of the world's top political and economic leaders to Switzerland every January, yet there's much more happening in this corner of the Rhaetian Alps during the rest of the year. It's always a delight to take the Parsenn funicular up the Weissfluhjoch mountain to reach some of the region's most breathtaking mountain vistas, as well as a fantastic set of trails for hiking and mountain biking during the warmer months. In addition, folks can take the cable car up the Jakobshorn to discover another spectacular mountain featuring excellent hiking, biking, and dining over 2,600 meters above sea level. And for a different kind of outing on the open greens, visitors can book a tee time to play the 18-hole Golf Club Davos.

Back in town, Waldhotel Davos makes a plush and friendly "base camp" for exploring the Davos region with a wonderful hillside location, a great selection of stylish rooms and suites (many of which sport phenomenal mountain views), and a full-service spa with a comprehensive menu of treatments and additional amenities like an indoor heated pool, a sauna, and an ice fountain.

Walenstadt

Just 31 kilometers (or 19 miles) west of Vaduz (Liechtenstein), Walenstadt opens up to a quieter side of the eastern Swiss Alps. No trip here feels complete without a pilgrimage to the Paxmal, a stately yet peaceful monument designed by Karl Bickel in the early 20th century to facilitate inner reflection and meditation. For some change of scenery, visitors can hike the Walenstadt - Quinten Trail and enjoy wonderful views of the Walensee (or Walen Lake) and the nearby forests on the way to the nearby village of Quinten. Speaking of the lake, folks can also stay in town and hit the Strandbad Walenstadt for a perfectly pleasant swimming and sunbathing beach.

Also in town, travelers will find the Hotel Churfirsten Walenstadt, a simple yet satisfying place to stay with a comfortable selection of homestyle guest rooms and a tasty on-site restaurant.

Andermatt

Set in the Gotthard massif in the heart of Switzerland, around 108 kilometers (or 67 miles) south of Zürich, Andermatt always finds itself at the center of the most exhilarating mountainside activities. For one, this is the perfect place for cyclists to do the Glacier Bike Tour and ride up to 370 kilometers through rugged mountain passes and tranquil rural valleys. Or, for those wanting an incredible long-distance hike, they can do the Four Headwaters Trail to reach a beautiful set of high alpine lakes and the sources of four major Swiss rivers, the Rhine, Reuss, Ticino and Rhone. And just north of town, the Diavolo via ferrata works well for anyone hoping to get started on doing this kind of mountain climbing.

After a long day exploring the mountains, guests can rest assured that a relaxing realm of five-star luxury awaits at The Chedi Andermatt. Not only does this resort feature a full-service spa complete with sparkling pools and hydrotherapy areas, but they also have the two Michelin star Japanese restaurant, the elegant Wine Library bar, and a fabulous lineup of spacious and state-of-the-art rooms and suites.

Ascona

Switzerland may not usually be considered a destination for lush Mediterranean-style scenery, yet the town of Ascona in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino defies expectations with its abundance of palm trees, sunshine, and Lago Maggiore shoreline. Anyone hoping to have a cool, lazy day at the lake can head down to the Bagno Pubblico Ascona for a nice sandy beach and a wonderful stretch of the lake to go swimming and paddling. A few blocks west, at the Lungolago di Ascona, people can catch the ferry to the Isole di Brissago, a beautiful pair of islands in the middle of the lake with a grand botanical garden featuring plants originating from multiple Mediterranean and subtropical climate regions around the world. Returning to town, there's also Golf Ascona, an award-winning 18-hole course sporting incredible mountain views.

To complete the ideal Ascona getaway, travelers can book a stay at Castello del Sole, a unique resort set on a 140-hectare estate with their own working vineyards and winery. Yes, the resort has several delectable restaurants on site, including the one Michelin star Locanda Barbarossa showcasing the finest farm-to-table cuisine. In addition, they have Ticino's largest wellness spa (spanning over 2,500 square meters) and a sumptuous selection of plush guest quarters.

Leukerbad

Perched in the Bernese Alps of western Switzerland, Leukerbad springs to life with the free-flowing waters of warmth of healing. Yes, really, Leukerbad has long drawn people to this corner of the Valais canton to soak in its natural hot springs, and Leukerbad Therme is the region's largest thermal bathing complex featuring a variety of family-friendly pools and quieter spring-fed pools. In case anyone wants to see this water at its natural source, they can do the gorgeous hike into the Dala Gorge and take the steel footbridge up to the spring and draw fresh, warm water from the ground. And for some more refreshing experiences in open nature, the nearby Naturpark Pfyn-Finges straddles the transition zone from the primarily German-speaking side of Switzerland to Romandy (or the primarily French-speaking region of Switzerland) and showcases a variety of ecozystems ranging from frigid glaciers to rugged steppe and green wetlands across its 327 square kilometers.

Anyone wanting some more quality time in Leukerbad's soothing thermal spring water can check into Therme 51° Hotel Physio & Spa and take advantage of their own complex of natural spring-fed pools. In addition, guests will find five saunas, the constantly changing but always fresh wholesome cuisine at Restaurant 51°, and a cozy collection of guest rooms on site.

Gruyères

The Fribourg town of Gruyères has become famous for its beautifully melting Swiss hard cheese, and the town only becomes more beautiful once travelers discover the land that gives the cheese its signature flavor. South of town, the Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut protects some 632 square kilometers of steep mountains, thick forests, leafy meadows, and open pastures that ensure local agricultural tradition stays alive and well. Heading into town, it's hard to miss the Château de Gruyères, the eye-catching 13th century medieval castle that's now open to the public as a museum. And, of course, no trip to Gruyères is complete without a stop at La Maison du Gruyère show dairy to see how fresh, locally-sourced milk transforms into authentic Gruyère AOP cheese.

Just down the road from the historic castle, Le Saint Georges provides much more local hospitality with traditional chalet-style guest quarters, classic Fribourg-style Swiss cuisine, and a prime location within walking distance of most of Gruyères' top attractions.

Orsières

Located along the historic Via Francigena that religious pilgrims have taken from Canterbury (United Kingdom) to Rome (Italy), the Swiss Alpine village of Orsières is worth the stop for its own wealth of sacred treasures. For starters, the Eglise d'Orsières still has traces of its Romanesque medieval origins, along with grand 15th century Renaissance era additions and further expansions made in the 19th and 20th centuries. Moving west, the Jardin botanique alpin Flore-Alpe is another striking local landmark with an extensive collection of native and exotic plants growing below the massive, snowy peaks of Les Combins. And a little farther west, the Val d'Arpette is accessible by chairlift and lets visitors experience this unspoiled Alpine environment.

With a scenic location along the shores of the Lac de Champex, Au Club Alpin is a one Michelin Key boutique hotel that combines the intimacy of a private mountain house with the top-notch luxury of a top-tier establishment. Here, guests can expect generously sized accommodations, Les Prêles spa with special amenities like a hammam and a counter-current swimming pool, and the Au 1465 that offers the finest in Swiss Alpine sustainable cuisine.

Montreux

Set on the eastern shore of Lac Léman in western Switzerland, about 92 kilometers (or 57 miles) east of Geneva, Montreux is a magical town that must be seen and experienced firsthand to be believed. A short train ride south leads to the Château de Chillon, a nearly 1,000 year-old medieval castle built on an island that's inspired a number of visual artworks and works of literature, including the British author Lord Byron's 1816 poem The Prisoner of Chillon and French artist Eugène Delacroix's 1835 painting The Prisoner of Chillon. Visitors can also ride the cogwheel railroad east to Rochers-de-Naye and enjoy some glorious mountain vistas at about 2,000 meters above sea level. Even sticking close to Montreux's city center, it's a pleasant walk up to Les Gorges du Chauderon and its lovely array of open forest and meadows along the banks of the Baye de Montreux River.

Down by the lakeshore, Hôtel Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is a Montreux original that continues to impress some 120 years after this iconic luxury hotel first opened. While the hotel still evokes its original sense of Belle Époque glamour, it also offers recently renovated rooms and suites, a splendid lakeside spa and fitness center, and a full lineup of delectable dining on site.

Let Switzerland Set the Scene for Your Ideal Vacation

Switzerland may be far from Europe's largest nation, but it's still a country that makes it easy for travelers to select their perfect scene. After all, it's home to the famous ski towns of St. Moritz and Davos where celebrities and world leaders flock to take in the wondrous Alpine scenery. But for those wanting a mountain town that's off that beaten path, Andermatt provides an adventurous alternative with its abundance of opportunities for daring hikes, bike rides, and even via ferrata climbs. Meanwhile, for those wanting a more relaxing Alpine getaway, Ascona is a sun-soaked Mediterranean wonderland near Switzerland's southern tip, while Leukerbad overflows in soothing natural hot springs. And on the eastern end of Lake Geneva, Montreux stuns with its nearly millennium-old Château de Chillon and timeless natural beauty of Les Gorges du Chauderon.

However you envision the ideal dreamlike paradise, Switzerland is sure to have a certain small town that will set the scene to make that vacation dream come true.