The Swiss Alps are some of the most majestic mountains in the world, and one of my most favorite places to visit! Carved by glaciers, these imposing mountains tower over lush green valleys. In the spring, waterfalls cascade down the rocks and colorful wildflowers decorate the green valleys. Photos can’t do it justice, seeing it for yourself is a must. Not only are the views idyllic, but it being high in a mountain village of the Swiss Alps is amazingly peaceful. With the exception of the breeze lightly whistling along the canyon walls, and the occasional bells on the cows (yes, they really wear bells), you hear nothing but quite all around you.. The beauty and serenity is beyond words. No trip to Switzerland is complete without visiting the Swiss Alps!
Where Are the Swiss Alps?
Switzerland is located in the middle-ish of Europe, surrounded by France, Germany, Austria and Italy. The Alps run through much of Switzerland east to west in the southern half of the country. While the northern half of the country is not near as mountainous, the southern half of Switzerland is very mountainous with the Alps running through it.
Popular Cities in Switzerland to Visit in the Swiss Alps
Major cities in Switzerland such as Geneva, Bern, and Zurich are not actually in the Swiss Alps region. Although, they are not far away given the small size of the country. However, there are many popular smaller towns within the Swiss Alps which are quite popular for tourists to visit. Places such as Interlaken where you can take a train to the top of the Jungfrau mountain and Zermatt, famous for the Matterhorn. Other lovely towns for tourists in the Swiss Alps include Lauterbrunen and Murren. In fact, Murren Switzerland was one of our absolute favorite places that we stayed during our most recent trip!
Our Favorite Things to Do in Switzerland
Personally, renting a car to drive and explore Switzerland is a lot of fun. We always love a good road trip, and driving around the Swiss Alps is an amazing journey! Being outdoors is popular in Switzerland, especially when the weather is nice. Going for a hike or even just taking a stroll through the lush greenery, admiring the views and breathing in the fresh air is a great way to spend the day. You can even go kayaking on a crystal clear lake and admire the alpine views around you! We highly recommend visiting a mountain town in the Alps, such as Murren or Gimmelwald, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet high up in the Alps — and the stargazing is WOW!
Near Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken you may see a number of people floating in the air by parachute. Paragliding in Switzerland is actually a popular activity, and I did it as well (with my dad) on our most recent trip…what an amazing memory!!! If you are near a lake, such as Lucerne or Geneva, then taking a boat cruise to enjoy the scenery is a lot of fun. Of course, you have to wander through the streets of some of these Swiss towns to admire the buildings and soak up the local vibe, and maybe you’ll even see locals dancing in the parks of Zurich!
So take 2 minutes out of your day to enjoy a virtual escape to the Swiss Alps!
Transport Yourself to the Swiss Alps – Click to Watch the Video
Planning a Vacation in the Swiss Alps
I highly recommend a visit to the Swiss Alps for a great vacation. I’ve actually visited the area a few times over the years, and it never ceases to amaze me. Below are some of my recommendations for visiting the Swiss Alps tips to plan your Switzerland trip.
- Winter is brutal, but beautiful. If you are a skier, this is a great time to visit. But build in extra time for travel and pack very warmly!
- Spring is actually an “off” season in some areas (such as Murren) because it is between skiing and the peak of summer. So prices are better, but the small mountain towns are super quiet!
- Stay in a mountain town. We enjoy Murren and Gimmelwald, just above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Interlakken is also a hub for exploring the mountains, but it is much more crowded and very different from the quintessential mountain villages. Staying at a family-run B&B in Gimmelwald is an iconic way to experience Switzerland & one that I would HIGHLY recommend!
- Switzerland is very expensive, especially in some of these mountain villages. So be prepared to spend a lot, especially on food.
- You can easily rent a car in Switzerland, but they have a great train system as well! If you are staying for a while and want to explore, look into getting a train pass for the duration of your visit.
- If you want to visit the famous Matterhorn, you will need to make your way to the mountain town of Zermatt. However, you cannot drive to Zermatt. You can drive part way to Tasch, but then you must board a train because Zermatt doesn’t have cars, which adds to the charm of the area!
More Switzerland Activities You May Love!
