The effects of time seem to have not diminished the charm of this medieval village. There are many nice lakefront towns and wineries as you head to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The first trains to Rochers-de-Naye have been running since 1892. It feels somewhat stuck in the past with a quiet charm and quaint buildings think cosy timber homes and creaky hotels. 9.11 km. The best time to visit Lauterbrunnen is in the summer, when the grass is brilliantly green, the waterfalls are at their peak flow, and the flower boxes adorning the houses are in full bloom. GETTING THERE: Taking the train is the best way to get to Gruyres theres a railway station near, but not in the old town center, abd just a short walk uphill to get to the main attractions and hotels. The France-Switzerland border crosses Lake Geneva. Tucked in the heart of Central Europe, Switzerland is packed with some of the continent's most beautiful places and epic landscapes. Browse hotels in Gruyeres or discover my ultimate Gruyres travel guide. FUN FACT: Planning on visiting Gstaad over the Christmas holidays? Dont miss Albeuve when you are visiting Switzerland! Up in Mont-Plerin, the view of the Savoy Alps and Lac Leman is excellent. Visit one or two, or blaze your own road trip through several, for a trip that will last a lifetime! Perched on the southwestern tip of Lake Geneva near the border with France, the city of Geneva makes an excellent base from which to explore some of Switzerland's prettiest towns. There's a nice sounding B&B there at the base of the hill: Or, if you are up for something different (and don't mind a dorm), you could stay at the observatory at the top of the local mountain above Gruyeres - drive to Moleson village and then take the funicular and cable (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This is a quintessiental mountain village. From within Switzerland: If your plans include flying into Switzerland, the nearest international airport is Zurich-Kloten. There are many upscale hotels in Grimentz and the Htel Mlze is one of our favorites. From there, the local post bus runs directly to the station in Grimentz (you may need to change at Vissoie) or a taxi takes about 25 minutes. There are many lovely hotels in Ascona, and if youre looking for a stylish choice in a perfect central location, the Olive Boutique Hotel is on the lake, close to town center, and overlooks the Old Town. The fairytale Old Town is in sharp contrast to the palm trees which flourish in the town. Small towns and wide-open landscapes are great places to be. So you can see how a road trip through Switzerland would be a good vacation destination. Go to Evolne. If you click through and make a qualifying purchase, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full terms. Pretty Swiss villages close to Geneva - Geneva Forum FUN FACT: The Lido Ascona is popular for swimming, and divers can show off their prowess on a low, medium, or high diving boards! Then you are definitely in the right place because this detailed guide will tell you about all the best and closest Geneva mountains. Also not willing to spend more than $300/night on accommodations though we'd love to stay somewhere tasteful and spacious since the adults will need to lounge there while my daughter takes her daily nap. From medieval mountain settlements to a town famed for its cheese production, here are a few of the Swiss towns worthy of a day trip. Youll have plenty of celeb eye candy and might run into everyone from Valentino to the Prince of Monaco. But which Switzerland destinations are the prettiest? Thanks a lot for this, Your email address will not be published. From Montreux, the cog railway up to Rochers-de-Naye takes around 49 minutes. Its this location that makes it the main stepping-off point into the surrounding mountains from either of the two train stations in town. The charming village of Ascona is the lowest lying town in Switzerland, and therefore famous for its mild climate. Are you thinking of high mountain villages with wooden chalets, or would anything historic interest you? Flims is a small village in the eastern part of Switzerland. The closest attractions to the town are the scenic lakes called Caumasee and Crestasee. There are plenty of activities on offer, from skiing and tobogganing in winter to hiking and via ferrata in the summer. Gimmelwald is a sleepy farming community surrounded by fields of hay and majestic mountains. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-33204472', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Lauterbrunnen and the other 3 are totally free. It is especially magical at night, when the town lights up and the Matterhorn rises out of the shadows. Spring and fall are the quietest times, but the transition between seasons can be difficult to predict so it is best to be open to whatever activities fit the weather. GETTING THERE: Take the train from Bern to Interlaken Ost, then connect by train to Lauterbrunnen. In winter, snows can reach up to 10 feet, so this time of year is best avoided! Informed RVers have rated 26 campgrounds near Mountain Village, Colorado. Swiss settlements are the epitome of mountain towns. FUN FACT: Lauterbrunnen is home to Trmmelbach Falls, which are 10 glacier-fed waterfalls located inside of a mountain! The small town of Interlaken is located on a narrow spit of land alongside the Aare River, and as its name implies, is situated between two stunning lakes, Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the east. Stein am Rhein is as relaxing as it gets. See pricing and listing details of Mountain Village real estate for sale. Road Trips Road trips are one of our favorite ways to slow travel. Lucerne has a cosy fairytale feel, with its traffic-free Old Town complete with charming buildings and inviting eateries. Feel damn fine.". early international flight from Geneva airport. Lutry is a mediaeval market town that is home to an 11th century church and a 16th century castle. 1. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55457280', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Geneva is not close to the alps. Grindelwald: Glacier Canyon Entrance Ticket, From Interlaken: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch Mountain, Bern: 90-Minute Stroll Through the Old Town, Bern: Zytglogge Tour through the Clock Tower, Bern: Gruyres Cheese Factory & Maison Cailler Tasting Tour, Interlaken: Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfalls Half-Day Tour, From Lauterbrunnen: Roundtrip Train and Jungfraujoch Ticket, From Zurich: Waterfalls Valley & Aareschlucht Gorge Day Tour, Zermatt: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car Ticket, Zermatt: Gornergrat Bahn Cogwheel Train Ticket, Zermatt: Paragliding Tandem Tour with Matterhorn View, best luxury hotels and chalets in Zermatt, Montreux: In the footsteps of Freddie Mercury, Montreux: Chateau Chillon Entrance Ticket, Gruyres, Cheese and Chocolate: Private Guided Tour, Lausanne: Gruyres Tour with Cheese and Chocolate Tastings, Geneva: Chocolate Tasting & Gruyres Medieval Village Tour, Interlaken: Tandem Paragliding Flight with Pilot, Interlaken: Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm, Lucerne: Mt. Its a great destination for outdoor sports, especially in the winter. 9 Closest Mountains To Lausanne, Switzerland From the picturesque architecture, colorful facades, and Alpine backdrop to the delicious Swiss cheese and chocolate, it is a mandatory stop in any Switzerland itinerary. By Susanna Kelly-Shankar of Curiosity Saves. Oddly Portuguese is the second most spoken language follwed by German. Trains run direct from Lucerne and is just a 30-minute journey. While the majority of the Lake is in Italy, the northernmost end is all Swiss. The cities of Zrich, Geneva, and Basel have their charms, but no visit to Switzerland is complete without escaping to its pastoral countrysidea storybook landscape of lost-in-time villages divided by snowcapped mountain ranges, pristine lakes, and rolling meadows blanketed in alpine wildflowers. Perched on a clifftop, this fairytale town in Switzerland offers unbeatable views across towering peaks, beautiful valleys, and alpine meadows. This article may contain affiliate links. This is above Les Paccots, which is also off the A12 motorway. is an outdoor enthusiast paradise with access to hiking, mountaineering, downhill and cross-country skiing, and a number of heart pounding activities that are sure to give you an adrenaline rush. Andermatt Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Andermatt is a rustic, traditional ski village that encompasses the authentic alpine lifestyle. If you want a tourist gree place, do not go to Gruyres. Rail Travel Rail holidays are super popular in Europe and theyre a great way to travel slow. I am planning to travel to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Five beautiful Swiss villages located less than an hour from Basel Dardagny (GE) Not far from the chaotic city of Geneva lies this magnificent village with its rich history, reflected in its imposing castle. Good to know: Chur is a small city and there is not a huge amount to do here. Visit the mediaeval Gruyres Castle and explore the various collections from a bygone era. Discover luscious green valleys with Alpine cows and colourful flowers in the summer months. GETTING THERE: Champex-Lac is located just 6 miles (10 km) uphill from the town of Orsieres, which is a better option if you need supplies. GETTING THERE: Trains from Zurich and other major Swiss cities all run regularly to Interlaken. Around Geneva - in the Canton de Vaud - there are some lovely small villages. Its the strong historical and cultural characteristics of the town which bring an indisputable charm. Switzerland is a country of breathtaking scenery and epic natural beauty. I'd love any recommendations on charming villages to park ourselves. Sitting in southern Switzerland close to the borders with France and Italy is Grimentz, famous as one of Europes most beautiful skiing destinations. Lake Geneva and the vineyards of Lavaux make for the perfect scenic routes. Albeuve is a very small town located in Fribourg, Switzerland with a year-round population of about 600 mostly dairy farmers. 18 Enchanting Villages in Switzerland You Have To See to Believe Intermediate. Inhabited by only a few hundred people it is a place of inviting peace and tranquillity. Read my guide to the best luxury hotels and chalets in Zermatt. This iconic valley nestled in Switzerland Southern Alps is made up of several small villages where you can get a taste of the slow life, try steaming polenta cooked right on the stove and take a refreshing dip in one of the grottos filled with crystal clear water fed straight from the mountains. mountain resorts near Geneva - Geneva Message Board - Tripadvisor By far the most recognisable feature of this town is the historical buildings with intricately painted faades, which give Stein am Rhein its fairytale status. Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Andermatt is a rustic, traditional ski village that encompasses the authentic alpine lifestyle. You could return via Gstaad, Rougemont, branch off to Rossinire before returning to the road to Aigle and along the south side of Lake Geneva. So I think either you have to settle for very charming Swiss villages which don't fit what you have in your mind's eye OR go to the mountains. The town is small enough to explore on a day trip. But overall, the lakeside from Geneva to Montreux is quite suburban IMO. The town is also an important historic site in the European Alps and is home to two heritage sites! 12 Mountains Closest To Geneva: Spectacular Panoramic Views Last updated: May 4th, 2023 Staying in Geneva and you want to explore the nearby mountains? The Chteau d Auvernier is a castle listed as a Swiss national heritage site of importance. Going with my parents, young daughter and sister. Generally speaking, many of the smaller hotels and restaurants in the mountain villages close from mid October until mid December, but some of them stay open.