Top 10 Most Underrated Places to Visit in Switzerland
After nearly a dozen trips to Switzerland, I’ve been able to see this beautiful country from top to bottom, left to right, and everything in between – allowing me to discover some of the more underrated places in Switzerland that most travelers are bound to miss.
View of Lake Leman in Montreux, Switzerland; April 2023
Having taken several trips to Switzerland since moving to France, I’ve been able to explore all of the major cities but also smaller villages in between – such as the ones residing on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, or Montreux and Bern – which are often skipped over.
Diving deep into my almost decade long travel to Switzerland, I’m going to share what I believe to be Switzerland’s most underrated places to visit.
Top 10 Most Underrated Places to Visit in Switzerland
1. Bern
One of my absolute favorite cities in Switzerland, Bern doesn’t get nearly enough credit as it should.
View of Bern, Switzerland; October 2021
Bern is special as it has a hillier landscape than the country’s other principle cities, and is absolutely stunning to visit in the fall. It’s reminiscent of Munich with its clock towers, but then has gorgeous parks like Rosengarten – making it a Swiss city with something for everyone.
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Bern
🌹 Rosengarten
One of the prettiest viewpoints in the city, Rosengarten is a peaceful garden overlooking Bern’s rooftops and Old Town. It’s especially stunning in warmer months when the flowers are in full bloom — and it’s the perfect spot for photos or a quick picnic break.
🛍️ Walk the Main Shopping Streets
Bern is the kind of city that’s made for wandering. Walk the main shopping streets through the city center to soak up the local vibe, window shop, and enjoy the iconic covered walkways — even if you’re not buying anything, it’s a classic Bern experience.
⛰️ Top of the Gurten
Head up to the Gurten for panoramic views over Bern and the surrounding Swiss landscapes. It’s one of the best “get out of the city for a second” spots while still staying super close.
🏛️ Old Town
Bern’s Old Town is straight out of a storybook — cobblestone streets, charming buildings, and one of the most beautiful historic centers in Switzerland. The best way to experience it is simply to wander.
Travel Time from Zurich: Only 1 hour!
Best for Travelers Like This: If you love hilly landscapes, cute cities like Munich, less tourists, and stunning photography opportunities – look no further than Bern!
Pro Tip: If really suggest sitting and having a drink once you get to the top of the Rosengarten. It’s a little uphill, but trust me – the views are worth it in the end!
2. Lucerene
A stunning lake-based town in Switzerland a short train ride away from Zurich, Lucerne is undoubtedly one of the prettiest places in all of Switzerland.
View of Chapel Bridge in Lucerne; Switzerland; July 2018
Lucerne has a wonderful mix of a small, old town to wander – but also the most stunning scenery of all the major Swiss cities. With is Chapel Bridge and Mount Pilates in the distance – Lucerne embodies both city and nature in the most cinematic way possible.
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Lucerne
⛰️ Mount Pilatus Day Trip
If you want a classic Lucerne adventure, you can’t miss a day trip to Mount Pilatus. The views are unreal, and it’s one of the best “wow” experiences in the area without needing to go deep into the Swiss Alps. It’s an easy add-on if you’re based in Lucerne for a night or two.
🏛️ Old Town
Lucerne’s Old Town is one of the prettiest in Switzerland — colorful buildings, charming streets, and the perfect place to wander slowly with a coffee in hand. It’s compact, walkable, and feels like a picture-perfect postcard.
🌊 Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is one of those places that instantly makes you feel calm. Walk along the waterfront, take in the views, and if you have time — hop on a boat ride for the full “Swiss lake” experience.
🌉 Chapel Bridge
The Chapel Bridge is Lucerne’s most iconic landmark and a must-see while you’re here. Even if you’re only in town for a few hours, it’s worth stopping by — it’s beautiful in photos, but even prettier in person.
Travel Time from Zurich: Approximately 40 minutes
Best for Travelers Like This: If you’re drawn to lake-based towns, and don’t want an overwhelming list of tourist things to do – Lucerne is the perfect place. Yes, there will be other international travelers (especially in the summer), but Lucerne is a great Swiss city to simple “be” in.
Pro Tip: Be sure to walk across the Chapel Bridge, as this is the main point of beauty in Lucerne – you simply can’t beat that old architecture with the stunning backdrop of mountains behind it.
3. Lausanne
Essentially what I have penned as “French Lucerne”, Lausanne has a lot of similarities to Lucerne – except for the fact that it’s located in the French part of Switzerland as opposed to the German region.
View of Lake Leman in Lausanne; Switzerland; October 2021
What I like most about Lausanne as it not only has a charming town to walk through, but is also directly nestled on Lake Leman – but has prettier mountain views than Geneva itself.
It makes for the perfect, simple city to write and catch a breath of fresh air in – with a stunning panoramic park with a picture-perfect background to journal or simplyyou’re your thoughts wander against.
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Lausanne
🌿 Scenic Views at Parc du Denantou
If you want a panoramic park with stunning views of the lake, head to Parc du Denantou. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and the perfect place to take a break while still feeling like you’re seeing something special in Lausanne. This is one of the best spots for scenic photos near the water.
🚶♀️ Walk Around the Town
Lausanne is the kind of city that’s best experienced on foot. Take your time wandering through the streets, popping into little shops, and soaking up the vibe — it’s lively without being overwhelming, and it has that perfect “Swiss city meets lake life” energy.
📸 Bring Your Camera
Lausanne is so photogenic — whether it’s the lake views, charming streets, or little corners that feel straight out of Europe-core Pinterest. This is your sign to actually bring your camera (or clear your phone storage) because you’ll want photos everywhere you go.
🥞 Eat a Crêpe
Don’t leave Lausanne without eating something delicious. There are so many great French food options here, and I always recommend grabbing a crêpe — it’s the perfect casual snack while exploring, especially if you’re walking around all afternoon.
Travel Time from Zurich: A little over 2 hours if you take the IC1, and closer to 2 hours and 30 minutes if you have to switch trains and can’t catch the non-stop from Zurich. If you’re staying in Geneva, Lausanne is a short 40 to 50 minute train ride away – making it perfect for a day trip.
Best for Travelers Like This: If you’re a contemplative, artistic person with an affinity for French culture – you’re going to fall head over heels for Lausanne.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the promenade that hugs Lac Leman while you’re in Lausanne – this was the highlight of my visit, as it really is just the most beautiful spot for a meal or a writing session.
4. Lugano
When on my way from Lucerne to Milan, we stopped over Lugano – and it immediately struck me that this place was not the same as other cities in Switzerland.
Arriving into Lugano, Switzerland; July 2018
A mere hour from Milan or Lake Como, Lugano has a different vibe from the rest of Switzerland as it’s close to Italy – which means a rare mix of Swiss-Italian culture, cuisine, and views.
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Lugano
⛰️ Monte San Salvatore (Views)
For the best panoramic views over the city and the lake, you have to go up to Monte San Salvatore. It’s one of those places where you truly realize Lugano feels like Switzerland… but also totally Mediterranean at the same time. Bring your camera and give yourself time to just soak it all in.
🌿 Parco Ciani
If you want a peaceful break from sightseeing, Parco Ciani is the prettiest park in Lugano. It’s right by the water, perfect for a slow walk, and honestly one of those spots that makes you feel like you’re on a lakeside holiday. This is a great place to sit down with a coffee or snack and relax.
⛪ Cathedral of Saint Lawrence
The Cathedral of Saint Lawrence is a must-see if you’re exploring the historic side of Lugano. It’s beautiful from the outside, and a calm place to step into for a quick visit while walking around town — especially if you love classic European architecture and old-city charm.
🍝 Wander “Little Italy” of Switzerland
Wander the town and enjoy Lugano for what it is — the “little Italy” of Switzerland. There are fewer tourist “must-dos” here since it’s further away from the more famous Swiss destinations, so this is your sign to just explore slowly, enjoy the views, and eat some incredible Italian-inspired cuisine while you’re here.
Travel Time from Zurich: Just under 2 hours by train non-stop from Zurich (you could pop out at Lucerne, which is essentially the halfway point).
Best for Travelers Like This: If you like places surrounded by nature, such as mountains and lakes found in Switzerland, Scotland, or New Zealand – Lugano is a perfect fit.
Pro Tip: If you plan to visit Milan or Lake Como while on a summer trip to Europe, I highly recommend trying to fly into Zurich and spend a couple of days in Switzerland beforehand. This is what my mom and I did when we did our summer trip to Italy a few years back!
5. Montreux
Also situated on the other side of Lake Leman, Montreux is probably one of the most jaw droopingly stunning places I have seen in Switzerland to date.
View of mountains in Montreux, Switzerland; April 2023
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Montreux
🌊 Walk Along the Quais de Montreux
The Quais de Montreux is one of the most scenic waterfront walks in Switzerland. It’s peaceful, lined with flowers and palm trees in warmer months, and the mountain + lake backdrop is genuinely unreal. Take your time here — this is the kind of walk that feels like a deep breath.
🏰 Visit Château de Chillon
You can’t visit Montreux without seeing Château de Chillon. It’s one of the most iconic castles in Switzerland, sitting right on the edge of the lake like something out of a movie. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s 100% worth it to visit for the views and photos alone.
🥂 Mountain View “Self-Care” Moment
Sit back and relax somewhere with a mountain view — whether it’s a rooftop bar, a quiet lakeside café, or the balcony of your hotel. Montreux is one of those places where the scenery does all the work for you.
✨ Scenic “Do Nothing” Vibes
This city in Switzerland is truly made for self-care scenery vibes. There isn’t a huge checklist of tourist attractions — the magic is in slowing down, enjoying the views, wandering, and letting the lake + mountains be the highlight.
Travel Time from Geneva: A little over an hour on the RE33, but you won’t even feel the time pass by – because this train, which hugs Lake Leman, will be one of the prettiest railway rides of your life.
Best for Travelers Like This: If you’re someone who loves a little luxury, curling up in the hotel or on the balcony with a nice meal, leisurely walks, and purely want to see a place like Switzerland for the scenery – Montreux is the perfect place for you.
Pro Tip: I really recommend trying to get a hotel room with a balcony, as this allowed me to enjoy the beautiful mountain views of Montreaux from the comfort of my hotel.
Want to see some of these underrated places in Switzerland, including Montreaux, in action? Check out my France travel vlog below!
6. Sigriswil
After several trips to Lake Thun in the Swiss Alps, one day – I picked a random village on the other side of the lake where I usually stay, and decided to book a trip there.
Long story short, I’m glad that’s what I did – otherwise, I would’ve never discovered Sigriswil.
View of Swiss Alps in Sigriswil, Switzerland; January 2024
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Sigriswil
🌉 The Panoramic Bridge
Hands down, the #1 thing to do in Sigriswil is the famous panoramic bridge. It only costs a few Swiss francs to walk across, and yes — it can feel a little scary because you can literally feel the bridge moving. But it’s so worth it for the views and the photos (this is one of the most iconic “Swiss Alps” picture moments).
🏡 Explore the Storybook Town
Take time to explore the really small town itself, because this is one of those places that looks exactly like what you’ve imagined Switzerland to be: dark wooden houses, quiet streets, and that classic “storybook village” feel you’ve probably seen in your head a thousand times. It’s peaceful, slow, and honestly the perfect little escape from busier Alpine towns.
Travel Time from Zurich: A little under 2 hours; you’ll stop in Thun and take Bus 25 to Sigriswil.
Best for Travelers Like This: If you want to see how people who live in a truly small village in Switzerland live, or want the absolute best views of Mount Niesen – then Sigriswil is the right way to go.
Pro Tip: Be prepared to have your camera out while you’re on the bus to Sigwriswil, as you’ll be going uphill – and the views will only get prettier the further up you go.
7. Spiez
Probably my absolute favorite town alongside Lake Thun and in the Jungfrau region of the Swiss Alps as a whole – Spiez captures the beauty of places like Lauterbrunnen and village vibe of places like Interlaken without the crowds.
View of Lake Thun in Spiez, Switzerland; June 2022
The perfect place for an all-in-one trip to Switzerland, Spiez has stunning mountain views, rolling green hills, and a calm lake for a quick dip – you can’t go wrong with a stop in Spiez.
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Spiez
🌿 Schloss Park
Head to Schloss Park for a wide open green area that feels super family-friendly and relaxed. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, let kids run around (or just enjoy a peaceful picnic), and soak in those gorgeous lake + mountain views.
🏊 Swim in the Lake
If you’re visiting in warmer months, this is your sign to swim in the lake. Spiez is often less crowded than some of the bigger Swiss lake towns, which makes it feel calmer and more local — aka the perfect place for a swim day.
☕🌸 Coffee + Flower Shops
One of the best parts of Spiez is just wandering around and popping into little coffee shops and flower shops. It’s such a charming town, and honestly the slower pace here is what makes it special.
🏡 Explore the Residential Streets
Don’t skip the residential part of town — it’s seriously so pretty. You’ll get quiet streets, cozy Swiss houses, and those beautiful mountain views in the background that make you feel like you’re living in a postcard.
Travel Time from Zurich: A little under two hours, and no need to take a bus or walk – Speiz has its own train station!
Best for Travelers Like This: If you want to see those massive green hills with little Swiss houses scattered everywhere, but also want to stay in your own little village and have a lake nearby with the need for a massive hike – then Spiez is the perfect place to check out.
Pro Tip: I think Spiez is best enjoyed in the summer, when you can take a dip in the lake, lay down in the park, and truly wander around – knowing that the sun will set late and you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the summery atmosphere in Switzerland!
8. Fribourg
Having passed through Fribourg many times on my journeys to the Swiss Alps, I realized that this was another underrated place in Switzerland.
Arriving into Fribourg, Switzerland; October 2021
Home to a unique church and lots of gorgeous hikes, Fribourg is a great place to go in Switzerland if you want something a bit more off the radar – without skimping on beauty or cozy little towns.
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Fribourg
⛪ Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas
You can’t visit Fribourg without stopping by the Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas. It’s one of the most impressive buildings in the city, and the architecture feels so grand and historic in person. Even if you’re not “a cathedral person,” it’s absolutely worth seeing from the outside (and stepping inside if it’s open!).
🏛️ Explore La Basse-Ville
The most charming part of Fribourg is La Basse-Ville — which is one of the oldest “old towns” on continental Europe. Expect cobblestone streets, medieval vibes, and the kind of scenic little corners that make you want to slow down and explore without a plan.
📸 Wander + Take Photos
Fribourg is such a photogenic city, and the best way to experience it is honestly to just wander. Walk across the bridges, explore the streets connecting upper town to lower town, and enjoy how local and quiet it feels — it’s one of those Swiss cities that’s underrated but so worth seeing.
Travel Time from Zurich: Just under 1 hour and 30 minutes from Zurich, and a mere 20 minutes from Bern!
Best for Travelers Like This: If you want a place with rich history and isolated from other more “tourist trap” cities in Switzerland – then Fribourg is perfect.
Pro Tip: If you plan to start you trip to Switzerland in Geneva, making your way to Fribourg can be a great stop before visiting Bern and the rest of the Swiss Alps.
9. Vevey
Located a mere 5 minutes away by train from Montreux, Vevey is another lovely Swiss town along Lake Leman that deserves some more attention.
Train station in Vevey, Switzerland; April 2023
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Vevey
🏰 Visit Château de Chillon
Visit Château de Chillon from Vevey — it’s just a little bit further away than it is from Montreux, but still a great thing to do if you want an iconic Switzerland moment. This castle is one of the most beautiful in the country, and the way it sits on the lake feels straight out of a movie.
🌿 Jardin du Rivage (Lake Views)
Head to Jardin du Rivage for stunning lake views and the most relaxing little waterfront vibe. It’s peaceful, scenic, and the perfect place to sit down for a break with a coffee — this is Vevey at its best: calm, beautiful, and effortlessly charming.
🌊 Plage de l’Aviron + Promenade Walk
Visit Plage de l’Aviron, which feels very similar to the famous walkway in Montreux — a beautiful promenade hugging the lake with scenic views. This is the perfect place for a slow walk, a sunny day reset, and some of the prettiest “lake life” scenery in the area.
Travel Time from Geneva: Just about an hour, but again – you won’t notice as the train ride is beautiful!
Best for Travelers Like This: If you like quiet, stunning scenic spots – Vevey is the spot for you.
Pro Tip: You can use Vevey as a base to visit other cities along Lake Leman like Lausanne and Montreux!
10. Wilderswil
As I’m a nostalgic person, I’m saving the first place I every visited in Switzerland for last – which is a small Swiss village in the alps called Wilderswil.
View of Swiss Alps from Wilderswil, Switzerland; April 2025
A quiet, but stunning Swiss town a short 3 minute ride away from Interlaken – Wilderswil is exactly what people think of when they want to visit Switzerland: except no one seems to know it even exists, with all of the hype toward Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.
🇨🇭 Best Things to Do in Wilderswil
🚶♀️ Walk Around the Quiet Town
Wilderswil is the definition of peaceful Switzerland. Take a slow walk around the small town, enjoy the quiet streets, and soak up the “real village” vibe — it’s much calmer than Interlaken, which is exactly why it’s such a hidden gem for staying in the Jungfrau region. This is the kind of place where doing “nothing” still feels like something.
🏔️ Jungfrau View Dinner Moment
If the weather is clear, make time for a cozy dinner with a view of Jungfrau. One of the best parts about staying in Wilderswil is that you’ll often be able to see the top of the mountains straight from your hotel (or nearby viewpoints) — and it’s absolutely magical at golden hour or sunset. This is a “Switzerland is so unreal” moment.
Travel Time from Zurich: Between 2 and 2 and a half hours; as you’ll have to switch trains once or twice
Best for Travelers Like This: If you want to experience that “peaceful, Swiss Alps” feel with birds chirping, magical private gardens, green grass, cows, and mountain views – Wilderswil is exactly what you’re looking for.
Pro Tip: Both Hotel Alpine and Jungfrau Hotel are great places to stay, with really accommodating staff and clean functional rooms!
🇨🇭 Visiting Switzerland FAQ 🇨🇭
View of Château de Chillon in Switzerland; April 2023
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Last updated: February 8, 2026