4 Must-Visit Charming Towns in Switzerland for Every Traveler

Thanks to Switzerland’s efficient and extensive Swiss Rail network, you’ll be captivated as an array of stunning villages pass by your window. From chalets adorned with scalloped eaves and vibrant shutters to half-timbered homes in cheerful pastels, the enchanting medieval cobblestone streets and bustling plazas filled with cafes and flower boxes showcase the country’s rich heritage, untouched by the ravages of war.

Here are four Swiss towns that are renowned for their charm, history, and breathtaking beauty.

Stein am Rhein

Experience the allure of medieval architecture

Stein am Rhein boasts over a thousand years of history, transforming from a bustling trading center and the seat of the influential St. George Abbey to a serene town on Switzerland’s northern border. The wealth amassed by enterprising merchants and Benedictine monks has resulted in a vibrant display of artistic details. Here, the charming half-timbered homes characteristic of northern Switzerland are adorned with rich frescoes that vividly portray scenes from medieval village life, from grape harvests to grand feasts. Settle down at one of the lively cafés surrounding Rathausplatz, the main square, and you’ll feel as though you’re dining in an open-air museum. The town’s metalwork is equally enchanting, featuring whimsical designs of birds, dragons, griffons, and other mythical beings decorating doorways, chimneys, and hanging signs.

History continues to unfold at the Gothic 15th-century St. George Abbey and at Hohenklingen Castle, perched atop a hill and offering a restaurant with stunning views over the town. Cross the river from the old town and ascend the hill to a quaint village church for the best vantage point of the abbey and the riverfront promenade.

Many visitors to Stein am Rhein mistakenly view it as a mere day trip from Zurich, located 35 miles away, often combining it with a visit to Rheinfall, Europe’s largest waterfall. However, this approach overlooks the opportunity to witness the frescoes’ brilliant hues illuminated by the late afternoon sun and to stroll along the riverfront promenade with locals. Consider adding an extra day to embark on the Untersee-Rhine river excursion towards Konstanz, passing by a series of 13th-century villages and stopping at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Reichenau Island on the German side of the lake.

Accommodation Recommendation: Hotel Garni Adler

Discover Hotel Garni Adler, which exudes Old-World charm and is conveniently located just off Rathausplatz in the heart of this medieval town.

Gimmelwald

Experience tranquility on an Alpine plateau

Perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Gimmelwald seems to exist in a time capsule reminiscent of a Swiss Brigadoon. A significant part of this enchanting atmosphere stems from its car-free status—accessing Gimmelwald requires no roads. Unlike other Swiss villages where visitors park at the outskirts, here, the only vehicles in sight are small hay trucks precariously piled high with bales. Cable cars ascend from the valley floor, serving as the sole means of transportation to and from Gimmelwald, continuing their journey up to the Schilthorn, one of Europe’s highest peaks at 9,744 feet. At the summit, visitors can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the Jungfrau range, and dine at the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, one of the highest dining venues in Europe.

Gimmelwald may be small, but it more than compensates with its warmth and hospitality, as residents running the village’s few guesthouses, hostels, and pensions are always happy to chat. Check out the town’s website or scan the QR code found on local signage to join a guided walking tour, where you can hear fascinating stories about the village’s colorful history dating back to the Middle Ages. And don’t forget to sample the cheese—an inviting rustic storehouse proudly sits at the village’s center, stocked with fresh slabs of Bernese Alp cheese from the summer season. A scenic walking path connects Gimmelwald to the slightly larger village of Murren above, offering breathtaking views of both the village and the Lauterbrunnen Valley below as it meanders up the hillside, providing an opportunity to encounter the local belled cows along the way.

Where to stay: Pension Gimmelwald

Enjoy a night or two at Pension Gimmelwald, a charming chalet-style mountain hotel featuring a sunlit patio restaurant and biergarten.

Spiez

Explore a lakeside castle

A trip to Spiez in the Bernese Oberland begins and concludes with the majestic Spiez Castle, perched on a promontory that extends into Lake Thun. Below, a serene promenade encircles the quiet, horseshoe-shaped harbor, featuring a sheltered swimming beach and restaurants offering traditional cuisine on their terraces. Touring the castle becomes an engaging adventure, with attractions like a costume room filled with Renaissance attire and a jousting setup that reveals just how challenging it is to ride while wielding an impressively heavy lance.

Adjacent to the castle, the unadorned Romanesque castle church remains largely unchanged from a thousand years ago and showcases frescoes from the 13th century. The Museum of Local History and Viticulture, located just outside the town, illustrates the traditional techniques and history of local winemaking in a rustic barn and farmhouse. If possible, consider arriving or departing via the Lake Thun ferry, which links Spiez with Thun at the west end of the lake and Interlaken at the east end. The train also makes a stop in Spiez.

Where to stay: Hotel Eden Spiez

Hotel Eden Spiez

Hotel Eden Spiez is a lakeside resort dating back to 1903, featuring a delightful waterfront restaurant.

Chur

Explore charming plazas, historic churches, and efficient trains

The fountain-adorned plazas, towering church spires, and cobblestone streets of Chur’s Old Town reflect the 500-year-old town's heritage as Switzerland’s oldest settlement, as well as its significance as a key rail hub in later years.

Among Chur’s beautifully preserved structures, be sure to visit the Episcopal St. Mary of the Assumption Church located on the hill above the town, along with the 15th-century St. Martin’s Church, which features a simple Gothic tower and a charming sheltered plaza. Inside, you’ll find stained glass windows by Augusto Giacometti, added in 1919, showcasing the artist’s signature elongated figures and somber expressions that create a moody atmosphere. Chur celebrates its heritage as a market town with various regular events, including a Saturday farmers’ market offering fresh produce, cheeses, meats, and more from the nearby Graubunden region, a monthly flea market, and a festive Christmas market filled with vibrant crafts.

Travelers also flock to Chur to catch the narrow-gauge Glacier Express, which has been journeying across the Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz since 1930. The experience has been elevated with the introduction of the Excellence Class, ensuring window seating in an elegant dining car where a seven-course meal is served in stages throughout the scenic ride.

Where to stay: Hotel Stern Chur

Hotel Stern Chur has been a welcoming haven for weary travelers for 300 years, featuring a cozy knotty pine dining room and luxurious feather beds.