21 Beautiful Fairytale Towns in Switzerland to Visit

Switzerland is a country of breathtaking scenery and epic natural beauty. Every time I visit, I am blown away by the beauty of this country – and it keeps me coming back time and time again.

Home to some of the most beautiful towns and villages in Europe, Swiss towns are the very definition of postcard-perfect.

Being landlocked by four other countries, the best towns in Switzerland offer a compelling mix of cultural diversity and influence. With a storybook quality, I love that it’s easy to feel lost in time when exploring the prettiest towns in Switzerland.

From snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes to flower meadows and fairytale castles, there is so much to discover.

Over the years, I have made it my mission to visit as many Swiss towns and villages as possible. In this guide, I share my absolute favourites and why I think you should visit each.

So let’s get into my pick of 21 fairytale towns in Switzerland to add to your Swiss itinerary.

There may be a lot featured in my guide, but once you see them, you’ll understand why I couldn’t miss them off!

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👀 At a glance

🎬 Watch my video guide

If you prefer video, I’ve created a video guide to the best towns and villages in Switzerland where you’ll find plenty of that fairytale aesthetic.

🗺️ Map of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland

Use my map below to see where all my favourite Swiss towns are located.

Grindelwald is one of the larger resort towns in the Jungfrau region, but I love that it still retains its small-town charm and appeal.

It is a beautifully scenic town that is also quite remote – no doubt part of its magical appeal. Grindelwald is a vibrant village that combines a classic fairytale look with a cosmopolitan twist.

One of the most popular holiday destinations in Switzerland all year round, I’d recommend it as an excellent base for scenic walks.

Discover luscious green valleys with Alpine cows and colourful flowers in the summer months.

While winter months are characterised by snow-covered mountainscapes and winter activities galore, with an impressive variety of ski trails to explore.

Winter/ski highlights recommended by a Swiss ski holidays specialist: Cruisy blue-run skiing and efficient Eiger Express gondola make for a relaxed ski holiday, with drama provided by views of the Eiger and a fun zip-line, rather than challenging downhill terrain.

⭐ Best for: Epic waterfalls
✈️ Nearest airport: Zurich
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Silberhorn, a traditional hotel right in the valley with views of waterfalls and steep cliffs. Beausite Park Hotel, a classic mountain hotel above the valley in Wengen with wide views and a peaceful, car-free setting.
🎟️ Top activities to book: Lauterbrunnen Valley waterfalls half-day tour, or book a roundtrip train and Jungfraujoch ticket.

Located between towering rock faces and tall mountain peaks, Lauterbrunnen is a quintessential village in Switzerland – and another of my personal favourites.

‘Lauter Brunnen’ translates to ‘many fountains’, which hints at the staggering 72 waterfalls which can be found in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. As I’m sure you can imagine, there are plenty of stunning hikes and trails. 

The village itself comprises traditional chalet-style buildings within extraordinarily picturesque surroundings.

With colourful alpine meadows, I’d recommend this Swiss village as a haven for nature lovers. Believe me when I say that it’s a truly unforgettable place.

Lauterbrunnen is situated about an hour from Bern. Plus, the ski regions of Mürren-Schilthorn and Wengen-Kleine are easily accessible by mountain railway.

👉 Read my guide to visiting Lauterbrunnen.

⭐ Best for: A hidden gem
✈️ Nearest airport: Bern
🏨 Where to stay: Esther’s Guesthouse, a cosy, family-run stay with balcony views over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Pension Gimmelwald, a rustic, budget-friendly option with unbeatable alpine scenery and a warm, communal feel.

Often mistaken for the more well-known ‘Grindelwald’, Gimmelwald is a small mountain village. A lesser-known gem in the Swiss Alps, it occupies a remote location that is off the beaten track.

Perched on a clifftop, this fairytale town in Switzerland offers unbeatable views across towering peaks, beautiful valleys, and alpine meadows.

As a traffic-free, sleepy village, Gimmelwald is a far cry from the wealth and glamour of some of the famous Swiss resorts.

It feels somewhat stuck in the past with a quiet charm and quaint buildings – think cosy timber homes and creaky hotels. But I think that’s all part of its appeal!

Gimmelwald is a good base for accessing challenging hiking trails with spectacular scenery – plus, I consider it to be one of the best hidden gems in Europe.

4. Interlaken

⭐ Best for: Adrenaline junkies
✈️ Nearest airport: Zurich
🏨 Where to stay: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, a landmark hotel with an extensive spa and views towards the Jungfrau massif. Boutique Hotel Bellevue, a quieter riverside stay with a relaxed feel and scenic mountain surroundings.
🎟️ Top activities to book: I’d highly recommend a day trip to Jungfraujoch Mountain. Adrenaline seekers will love a tandem paragliding flight.

Situated between two sparkling lakes and framed by snow-capped peaks, I can see why Interlaken is such a popular Swiss town.

You’ll find flower-lined streets, big open meadows and beautiful mountain vistas. Due to its beauty and location, I would say that it is one of the more touristy Swiss towns.

Interlaken is a fantastic base for a whole variety of excursions and activities. These include popular watersports, such as sailing, parasailing, windsurfing, and kayaking.

There are plenty of adrenaline-fuelled options too, such as waterfall abseiling, skiing, tobogganing, paragliding, and canyoning.

👉 Have a read of my Interlaken travel guide  or discover my guide to the best hotels in Interlaken.

🌸 Bern, Lake Thun & Saanenland

⭐ Best for: History and culture
✈️ Nearest airport: Bern
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Schweizerhof, a refined city-centre hotel with a standout spa and views over the old town. Bellevue Palace, a grand historic hotel overlooking the River Aare, known for its timeless elegance and terrace views.
🎟️ Top activities to book: I’d recommend starting with a guided stroll through the Old Town and then a tour of the Clock Tower. Food lovers, don’t miss a tasting tour of Gruyères Cheese Factory & Maison Cailler.

The capital of Switzerland, Bern is the political centre of the country. But as Europe’s smallest capital, I love that it still retains a quaint charm and fairytale feel.

The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, comprising beautiful historic features and a medieval appearance. Bern offers a rich cultural scene with various festivals, museums, galleries, and theatres.

Discover excellent shopping provisions along the three miles of shopping arcades complete with sandstone facades.

In the warmer months, many visitors and locals go swimming in the River Aare. The river is fed by water from the nearby Alps, so I can assure you that it’s very clean with an inviting bright blue colour.

👉 Read my guide to the top hotels in Bern or discover my pick of the best things to do in Bern.

6. Spiez

⭐ Best for: Breathtaking scenery
✈️ Nearest airport: Bern
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Eden Spiez, a peaceful lakeside hotel with gardens, spa facilities and views over Lake Thun. Belvédère Strandhotel, a charming waterfront stay with balconies overlooking the lake and mountains.
🎟️ Top activities to book: Enjoy a walking tour of Spiez Castle and Lake Thun shoreline. Or if you’re feeling fit, summit Mt Niesen.

Located on the pristine Lake Thun, Spiez is a spectacular lakeside destination that sits in a beautiful bay.

I was completely blown away by the beauty of this Swiss town – and I couldn’t believe how quiet it was, it really felt as though I’d stumbled on a hidden gem.

Spiez has a mild climate that makes it the perfect base for water adventures and mountain explorations.  Framed by hillside vineyards and mountain peaks, it’s an inviting town with breathtaking natural beauty.

There is also an impressive culinary offering, with good food and the opportunity to taste the local wine.

Dominated by the mediaeval tower with its Romanesque church, Spiez offers a magical setting and the perfect European getaway.

👉 Read my guide to visiting Spiez or watch my Spiez vlog.

⭐ Best for: Winter sports
✈️ Nearest airport: Zurich
🏨 Where to stay: The Chedi Andermatt, a sleek alpine resort blending Swiss chalet style with Asian-inspired luxury and an exceptional spa. Alpenhotel Schlüssel, a traditional, family-run hotel with cosy interiors and a central village location.

Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Andermatt is a rustic, traditional ski village that encompasses the authentic alpine lifestyle.

I’d recommend this destination for outdoor sports, especially in the winter. From winter hiking and cross-country skiing to snowshoeing and ice skating.

Andermatt attracts skiers seeking the freshest, fluffiest powder. There is plenty of off-piste skiing and the high altitude makes it a good snow sure destination. Although I would warn that it’s not particularly suitable for beginner skiers.

Sports aside, the village itself is an unbeatably picturesque setting. There are plenty of classic Swiss eateries to enjoy, with a seriously impressive number of fondue options (I practically live of fondue when in Switzerland!).

Winter/ski highlights: In 2025 Andermatt is famous not for its slopes but for it’s uber-posh clientele, a trend which began a decade ago with the opening of the now world famous hotel The Chedi.

Much like the secret nuclear bunker up the road, this place was familiar only to those in-the-know, but it’s elegant stealth-wealth is now part of alpine folklore.

🧀 Fribourg & the Three Lakes

⭐ Best for: Cheese lovers
✈️ Nearest airport: Sion & Geneva
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Schweizerhof, a refined city-centre hotel with a standout spa and views over the old town. Bellevue Palace, a grand historic hotel overlooking the River Aare, known for its timeless elegance and terrace views.
🎟️ Top activities to book: You can’t visit Gruyères without doing a cheese and chocolate guided tour. If you’re not staying in the town, you can book a tour and chocolate tasting that departs from Geneva.

A mediaeval town in Switzerland that looks as though it’s been lifted from the pages of a storybook, Gruyères is characterised by charming cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings.

All this is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and undulating countryside. Believe me when I say that this village does not feel real!

Famous for its cheese and chocolate, Gruyères is home to both chocolate and cheese factories, as well as several museums.

I’d recommend visiting the mediaeval Gruyères Castle and exploring the various collections from a the medieval era.

Browse hotels in Gruyeres or discover my ultimate Gruyères travel guide.

17. Murten

⭐ Best for: Intact medieval walls
✈️ Nearest airport: Bern
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Murtenhof & Krone, a former patrician residence right by the castle, with a terrace looking out over Lake Murten. Adler Boutique Hotel, a boutique stay in a building first recorded in 1396, in the heart of the pedestrianised old town.
🎟️ Top activities to book: Walk the free, self-guided ramparts for views over the rooftops and lake, or book a guided tour of the old town. Wine lovers should head up to the Mont Vully vineyards for a tasting.

Murten (also known by its French name, Morat) might have Switzerland’s best-preserved medieval fortifications. Its ramparts, complete with 12 towers, still fully encircle the old town, and you can walk the full loop for free.

Below the walls, the old town is just as charming, with arcaded streets, baroque façades and a scattering of good cafes and wine bars. I’d recommend timing a visit for late afternoon, when the light on the lake is particularly beautiful.

Murten sits on the shore of its own lake, part of the Three Lakes region alongside Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Biel. It’s an easy day trip from Bern, and a lovely spot to pair with a stop in Gruyères if you’re touring canton Fribourg.

❄️ Graubünden, Jura & eastern Switzerland

18. Chur

⭐ Best for: Oldest city in Switzerland
✈️ Nearest airport: Zurich
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Stern, a traditional hotel in the old town with historic interiors and a warm, local feel. ABC Swiss Quality Hotel, a modern, central option close to the station, ideal for exploring the city and nearby mountains.
🎟️ Top activities to book: Enjoy a private tour of Chur with a local.

As the oldest city in Switzerland, Chur has a settlement history of over 5,000 years. The historic Old Town is car-free and complete with a beautiful 800 year old cathedral.

With winding streets and an inviting ambience, it’s a lovely place to amble around on foot and take in the fairytale surroundings.

Being situated at the head of the Rhine Valley, it is encompassed by picturesque mountains and magnificent wilderness which are definitely worth exploring.

For those looking for a ski holiday, nearby ski resorts are St. Mortiz, Davos, Lenzerheide, and Arosa.

👉 Read my guide to the best things to do in Chur.

Good to know: Chur is a small city and there is not a huge amount to do here. So I wouldn’t recommend staying overnight, but it’s worth exploring if you’re passing through.

19. Saint-Ursanne

⭐ Best for: Peace & tranquillity
✈️ Nearest airport: Basel
🏨 Where to stay: Peanut Médieval Lodge, a charming medieval townhouse stay right in the historic centre, full of character and old-world detail. La Joux Chaupe, a peaceful countryside guesthouse just outside town, ideal for a quieter, nature-led stay.

Located in the Jura Mountains and on the banks of the River Doubs, Saint-Ursanne is a small, untouched mediaeval town. Inhabited by only a few hundred people, I love that it is a place of inviting peace and tranquillity.

Wonderfully picturesque, Saint-Ursanne features narrow winding streets and beautiful bridges. A 12th century Romanesque-Gothic church contributes to the mediaeval architecture which adorns the town.

Outside of the village, I’d recommend exploring the surrounding wilderness via a number of stunning hikes. Or, take to the river by canoe or kayak.

20. Stein am Rhein

⭐ Best for: Historic buildings
✈️ Nearest airport: Zurich
🏨 Where to stay: Schloss Freudenfels, a romantic castle stay surrounded by vineyards and countryside, just outside the old town. Hotel Rheinfels, a charming riverside hotel with views over the Rhine and easy access to the medieval centre.
🎟️ Top activities to book: Depart on a tour of Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls from Zurich, or discover four neighbouring countries in one day with this fun tour.

Stein am Rhien is a small but lively town situated where the Rhine River meets Lake Constance in the northern area of Switzerland.

The charming Old Town features well-preserved mediaeval architecture and cobbled lanes.

By far the most recognisable feature of this town is the historical buildings with intricately painted façades, which give Stein am Rhein its fairytale status.

Stroll along the welcoming waterfront and past picture-perfect houses, all while taking in the stunning views across the lake.

I consider this to be a true hidden gem that looks as though it has been lifted from a Swiss storybook. The town is small enough to explore on a day trip.

21. Appenzell

⭐ Best for: Colourful traditional houses
✈️ Nearest airport: Zurich
🏨 Where to stay: Romantik Hotel Säntis, right on the historic Landsgemeindeplatz with a grand traditional façade and mountain views. Resort Hof Weissbad, a spa hotel a short drive outside the village at the foot of the Alpstein, with an acclaimed restaurant and full wellness facilities.
🎟️ Top activities to book: Take a guided walk through Appenzell village, covering the painted house facades, the parish church and the Landsgemeindeplatz. Or ride the cable car up to Ebenalp for the cliffside Äscher restaurant.

Appenzell is about as close to a real-life storybook village as Switzerland gets. Its main street, the Hauptgasse, is lined with vividly painted timber houses, ornate gables and hand-forged shop signs, and the whole car-free centre feels wonderfully preserved.

The town is also the beating heart of one of Switzerland’s most traditional regions, known for its cheese, its embroidery and its Landsgemeinde – an open-air assembly where locals still vote by show of hands. I love that so much of that old-world character has survived here.

Beyond wandering the village itself, Appenzell is a brilliant base for hiking. The cable car up to Ebenalp is a short drive away, and from there it’s an easy walk down to the Wildkirchli caves and the Äscher, a mountain restaurant built directly into the cliff face.

🇨🇭 Planning your fairytale Switzerland trip

Now if you’re not currently packing your bags and en route to Switzerland then I haven’t done my job well enough!

These beautiful destinations will have me dreaming of fairytale towns for a long time to come. If you have any personal favourite Swiss towns, do let me know in the comments!

Planning a trip to Switzerland? You may also like:

• 7-day Switzerland itinerary
• 20 best hotels in Zurich for a luxurious stay
• 21 fairytale towns in Switzerland
• 15 incredible spa hotels in Switzerland for a relaxing getaway
• 12 most scenic train rides in Switzerland
• Geneva or Zurich: which Swiss city to visit?
• Basel or Bern: which Swiss city to visit?

Read my guides to Montreux, Grindelwald and Zermatt, or discover my Switzerland YouTube vlogs.