Switzerland struck me in the face with beauty in ways I never expected. Everyone knows about Zurich and Geneva, but when I ventured to places like Lugano with its Mediterranean vibe nestled against dramatic Alpine peaks or Appenzell with its wildflower meadows and painted houses, I discovered a completely different Switzerland that made me want to tear up my return ticket.
From the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz to the medieval architecture of Gruyères (yes, where the cheese comes from), Switzerland houses some of the best places in Europe for nature lovers and culture seekers alike. After five extended trips crisscrossing the country by their impossibly efficient trains and occasionally splurging on panoramic routes, I’ve finally compiled this list of 12 incredible spots that deserve your attention more than another crowded photo op at the Matterhorn.
Must-Visit Places in Switzerland
Looking to explore hidden gems in Switzerland? From the stunning landscapes of Lauterbrunnen Valley to the serene beauty of Lake Brienz, Switzerland is packed with hidden treasures.
Stroll through the charming streets of Gruyères, marvel at the natural beauty of Creux du Van, or explore the historic charm of Appenzell. Whether you’re into nature, history, or picturesque towns, here are 12 of Switzerland’s most breathtaking hidden gems!
1. Lungern
- 📍 Location: Obwalden, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🏡 Hidden village lovers, 🚣♀️ lake explorers, 📷 photography buffs
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Lake Lungernsee, riding the Kaiserstuhl funicular, hiking around the panoramic Brünig Pass
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June to September for warm lake days and green alpine views 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Kaiserstuhl – Alpine guesthouse with lakefront views and local-style hospitality
Lungern is one of those places people usually pass through on the train without realizing how much it offers. Tucked in a scenic valley along Lake Lungernsee, this small town has alpine charm, peaceful lakeside spots, and hiking paths that feel incredibly private.
You can swim or paddle on the turquoise lake, or hike toward panoramic spots like Brünig Pass for views that stretch across the region. For a quieter adventure, the Kaiserstuhl funicular takes you up to an overlook perfect for sunset or stargazing.
Even in summer, Lungern stays under the radar compared to places like Interlaken. That’s part of its appeal. You’ll find more locals than tourists and can actually enjoy the peace without elbowing your way through crowds. It’s a great place to unwind, recharge, and experience Switzerland’s quieter side.
2. Lavertezzo
- 📍 Location: Ticino, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🏞️ River jumpers, 🧺 scenic picnickers, 🏕️ nature campers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Swimming under Ponte dei Salti, sunbathing on river rocks, hiking along Verzasca Valley
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: July to early September for warm water and vibrant greenery 💧
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Ristorante Alpino – Rustic hillside lodge with Verzasca Valley views and regional food
Lavertezzo’s stone bridge and river pools may look familiar as they’ve made rounds online in recent years. But beyond those viral photos, most travelers barely scratch the surface of what this village and its valley really offer.
Spend some time hiking the quiet trails deeper into Verzasca Valley, where waterfalls, forest paths, and dramatic rock formations surround you. If you’re up for a swim, the cold but crystal-clear water makes it one of the best wild-swimming spots in the country. Bring a towel, snacks, and plenty of time to explore at your own pace.
It might not be a total secret anymore, but Lavertezzo still feels underrated. Most visitors stop by for a quick photo, missing out on the calm evenings, empty trails, and magic that comes from staying longer than a single afternoon.
3. Lauterbrunnen Valley
- 📍 Location: Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🏞️ Waterfall lovers, 🚶♂️ alpine hikers, 🌸 nature photographers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Staubbach Falls, hiking to Mürren, exploring Trümmelbach Falls
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to September for lush meadows and waterfall season 🌿
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Silberhorn – Cozy mountain lodge with balcony views of the valley and waterfalls
Lauterbrunnen Valley looks like a dream carved into the Swiss Alps. With its steep cliffs, grassy fields, and constant sound of falling water, it offers a quiet beauty that many tourists overlook in favor of flashier Swiss cities.
Staubbach Falls tumbles down right at the edge of the village, and a hike through the valley reveals even more dramatic sights, including the hidden Trümmelbach Falls tucked inside the mountains. Mürren and Wengen are nearby car-free alpine villages with incredible panoramic views.
What makes Lauterbrunnen special is how peaceful it feels compared to better-known destinations. You can wake up to church bells and cowbells, sip coffee with a view of glaciers, and walk for miles without bumping into large tour groups. It’s the kind of place that sticks with you long after you’ve left.
4. The Emmental Valley
- 📍 Location: Canton of Bern, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🧀 Cheese lovers, 🌾 countryside dreamers, 🚶♂️ rural hikers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Touring an Emmental cheese dairy, hiking the Emmentaler Höhenweg, visiting the village of Trub
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to October for green hills and open hiking trails 🐄
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Moosegg – Hilltop hideaway with panoramic valley views and regional cuisine
The Emmental Valley is postcard-pretty, but it still manages to stay off most tourist itineraries. Known as the birthplace of Emmental cheese, the region is made up of rolling green hills, wooden chalets, and quiet farms where traditional Swiss life thrives.
You can visit a working dairy to see cheese-making firsthand, then head out on scenic trails like the Emmentaler Höhenweg. This route links several hilltop villages and gives you views of the Alps on clear days. Trub, one of the stops, was even voted the most typical Swiss village.
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What sets Emmental apart is how peaceful and authentic it feels. Instead of souvenir shops or big tour buses, you’ll find grazing cows, tidy flower boxes, and locals who still make everything by hand. It’s the kind of place where slowing down feels natural and rewarding.
- Read Next: Top 12 Attractions in Zürich
5. Schaffhausen
- 📍 Location: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🌊 Waterfall chasers, 🏰 history fans, 🚶♀️ medieval explorers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Rhine Falls, exploring Munot Fortress, wandering the Old Town’s frescoed buildings
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to October for full-flowing waterfalls and sunny streets 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Sorell Hotel Rüden – Historic inn with timber-frame charm near Schaffhausen’s old town
Schaffhausen is often overshadowed by the Rhine Falls nearby, but the town itself is one of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets. Its medieval old town is full of brightly painted facades, quiet squares, and towers that look straight out of a fantasy novel.
Climb up to Munot Fortress for panoramic views over the rooftops and vineyards, or take a boat ride from town to the base of Rhine Falls for an up-close view of Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The falls are the main attraction, but the streets of Schaffhausen reward anyone who lingers longer.
It’s compact, walkable, and filled with hidden corners worth discovering. Unlike more touristy cities, Schaffhausen feels lived-in and local. If you want to explore a Swiss town with both beauty and character, this one belongs on your radar.
6. Bellinzona Castles
- 📍 Location: Bellinzona, Ticino, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🏰 Castle lovers, 📸 architecture explorers, 🚶♂️ history walkers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Touring Castelgrande, hiking between three castles, strolling through Bellinzona’s Old Town
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to October for pleasant hiking weather and open castle tours 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel & SPA Internazionale – Modern hotel with castle views right across from the train station
Bellinzona is a hidden gem for castle lovers. Tucked in southern Switzerland, this town is home to three massive medieval fortresses—Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro—that dominate the skyline and overlook the valley below.
What’s cool is that they’re connected by walking trails, so you can spend a day exploring turrets, stone passageways, and panoramic views. Castelgrande is the easiest to access, located right above the town center, while the others sit higher with stunning Alpine backdrops.
Unlike the polished tourist centers elsewhere, Bellinzona feels more grounded. The Old Town is colorful, walkable, and full of quiet spots to take it all in. The castles are never too crowded, so you get a real sense of what they were built for. It’s a place where history feels alive but not overly commercial.
- Read Next: 12 Unique Zermatt, Switzerland Experiences
7. Lake Thun
- 📍 Location: Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🛶 Lake lovers, 🏰 castle hoppers, 🏞️ peaceful travelers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Cruising the lake by boat, visiting Oberhofen Castle, hiking the Panoramaweg trail
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to September for warm weather and lake activities 🌅
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Seepark Thun – Elegant lakeside retreat with gardens and direct access to the water
Lake Thun is one of those places that people often miss, even though it’s close to Interlaken. That’s good news for anyone looking for quiet views, calm water, and a slower pace without straying too far from the action.
One of the best ways to explore the area is by boat. You can cruise between small towns and check out castles like Oberhofen and Spiez, each with its own lakeside charm. If you’re into hiking, the Panoramaweg trail gives you constant views of the lake and mountains.
What stands out about Lake Thun is its balance. You get the beauty of the Bernese Alps, but without the big crowds. Whether you want to swim, stroll through gardens, or just sit by the shore, this is one of Switzerland’s most peaceful and overlooked corners.
- Read next: Top Attractions in the Bernese Oberland
8. Madonna del Sasso
- 📍 Location: Orselina, Ticino, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: ⛪ View seekers, 📷 peaceful explorers, 🧘♀️ spiritual travelers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Taking the funicular to Orselina, walking the pilgrimage path, soaking in lake views from the terrace
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to October for clear skies and pleasant views 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Belvedere Locarno – Scenic hillside hotel with direct access to the funicular and panoramic views
Madonna del Sasso sits above Locarno and offers one of the best lake views in Switzerland. It’s a quiet pilgrimage site with layered arcades, frescoed ceilings, and an atmosphere that feels deeply calming and comforting.
The easiest way to reach it is by funicular from the city center, though walking up the old pilgrimage path is more rewarding. Along the way, you’ll pass shrines, small chapels, and sweeping outlooks across Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains.
What makes this spot so special is the contrast. Below, there’s a busy lakeside promenade. Above, it’s completely still. The sanctuary itself is beautiful, but the entire setting invites you to slow down. For anyone looking to escape the noise and take in something both cultural and scenic, this is a great place to start.
- Read next: Magical Spots on Lake Maggiore
9. The Vineyard Terraces of Lavaux
- 📍 Location: Between Lausanne and Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🍇 Wine fans, 🚶♀️ casual hikers, 🎨 landscape photographers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the Lavaux Trail, sampling wine in a cellar, taking photos near Rivaz
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: September to October for grape harvest and golden vineyard views 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Lavaux – Modern vineyard-side stay with lake views and wine tasting nearby
Lavaux’s vineyard terraces look like something out of a painting. Built into the steep slopes above Lake Geneva, these stone-walled plots stretch across miles of hills and have been producing wine for centuries.
A walk along the Lavaux Trail gives you unbeatable views of the lake below and the Alps beyond. You’ll pass through sleepy villages like Chexbres and Epesses, where local winemakers open their cellars for tastings. It’s scenic, yes, but it’s also alive with local tradition and daily life.
Despite being a UNESCO site, Lavaux is still surprisingly peaceful. Many travelers stick to Lausanne or Montreux and miss this quieter stretch in between. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to pause often, not just for the views but for the rhythm of vineyard life that hasn’t changed much in generations.
- Read next: Best Activities on Lake Geneva
10. Appenzell
- 📍 Location: Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🧀 Culture seekers, 🥾 alpine hikers, 🖼️ folk art fans
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking to Seealpsee, exploring painted buildings in town, visiting Appenzell Museum
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June to September for green pastures and clear mountain trails 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Hecht Appenzell – Cozy stay with colorful façade and close access to town walks
Appenzell is a small village packed with big charm. Famous for its painted wooden buildings and traditional cheese, this area remains one of the most authentic and least commercialized spots in the country.
The trails around here are some of the best in the Alps, especially the scenic hike to Seealpsee. Even if you’re not a serious hiker, the rolling hills and open meadows make it easy to explore at your own pace. Don’t miss local crafts or folk music performances if you catch one in town.
Appenzell moves slowly, and that’s part of the appeal. You’ll find open shops, honest food, and people who still live in rhythm with the land. It’s quiet, genuine, and one of the best places to get a feel for rural Swiss life without the crowds.
- Read next: Top Activities in Appenzell
11. Aletsch Glacier
- 📍 Location: Valais, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: ❄️ Glacier hikers, 🌍 nature lovers, 🥾 alpine adventurers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking to Märjelensee, taking the Eggishorn cable car, joining a guided glacier trek
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: July to September for safe trails and sunny glacier views ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Eggishorn – Alpine lodge with direct access to glacier viewpoints and trails
Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps, yet it remains surprisingly low-key. Stretching over 14 miles, it winds through the Bernese Alps with dramatic ice formations, crevasses, and pristine blue-white contrasts that look unreal in person.
The most accessible viewpoint is from Eggishorn, where a cable car lifts you right above the glacier for panoramic views. From there, you can hike along high alpine trails or descend toward Märjelensee, a glacial lake with peaceful scenery. Guided treks are also available for those who want to walk directly on the ice with crampons.
Even during summer, this place doesn’t feel crowded. The remote setting and crisp mountain air make it ideal for anyone looking to disconnect. Aletsch Glacier is perfect for those who want an epic, off-the-beaten-path alpine experience with serious wow factor.
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12. Creux du Van
- 📍 Location: Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- 🏆 Best For: 🏞️ Hikers, 🦅 wildlife spotters, 🌄 sunrise seekers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking from Noiraigue, spotting ibex on the cliffs, enjoying sunrise at the rim
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to October for dry trails and warm daylight 🥾
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hôtel de l’Aigle – Classic countryside inn near trailheads and nature parks
Creux du Van is a massive natural rock amphitheater, often called the “Swiss Grand Canyon.” Despite its size and beauty, it remains a quiet destination mostly visited by locals and hikers.
You can hike up from the village of Noiraigue or drive partway and take an easier loop. Once at the top, the views are unreal—sweeping limestone walls curl around a forested basin, with the Alps peeking out in the distance. If you go early, you might spot ibex or marmots along the cliffs.
This is the kind of place that rewards patience. Bring a picnic, layer up for wind, and give yourself time to just sit and take it all in. It’s remote enough to feel wild but close enough for a day trip, making it one of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets.
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