Ahh, the Swiss Alps! Visions of sweeping snow-laden landscapes, lush green meadows, and idyllic chalets immediately come to mind, don't they? The Alpine region of Switzerland is among the most beautiful places in the world. Largely untouched, they've retained their natural beauty despite the fact that there are many towns in the Swiss Alps. There's Zermatt, Grindelwald, Lucerne, Gstaad, and Andermatt, to name a few. Though they're far from the most bustling communes in the region, these towns, and many more like them, offer a wonderful escape from the rest of the world.
Zermatt
Zermatt is one of the most famous ski resort towns in the world and the quintessential alpine commune. With the iconic Matterhorn mountain nearby—of which you can even see its world-famous peak from here—it's no wonder that so many people dream and have traveled to Zermatt before. In many ways, it's the ideal ski resort town, surrounded by the most exciting slopes, incredible scenery, and a sense of luxury that rivals that of the
French Riviera. Who wouldn't want to go here if they can afford to?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Andermatt
Andermatt is another Swiss alpine town where winter sports are the names of the game. Even when it's not winter, the idyllic countryside commune is near various snow-covered slopes where one can still get their fill of skiing, snowboarding, and the like. What separates Andermatt from the more famous Zermatt, however, is that it's far more affordable. You'd still need to shell out tons of money to experience maximum comfort here, sure, but it'll rarely cost you a pretty penny.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Grimentz
The charm of the Swiss Alps doesn't just lie with the snow and
après-ski. There's also the rich alpine heritage to discover. One of the best places to do just that is Grimentz, another notable town in the Swiss Alps. Though it's another ski resort in the Valais Alps, Grimentz stands out with its countryside charms even more. In fact, the place remains just as popular around spring or summer as it does winter, the peak of the ski season.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Zacharie Grossen.
Grindelwald
Located in the Jungfrau region, Grindelwald is the kind of rural alpine town that'll instantly fill you with a good sense of wanderlust. One look at the vast fields and lush meadows that surround the commune, you won't help but want to run to the hills a'la Maria von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” (1965). And though it's also a pretty vibrant and cosmopolitan town with plenty of bustling hotspots to spare, Grindelwald remains a lovely escape from the rest of the world.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Gstaad
If you think of the Swiss Alps as this elegant, expensive, and exclusive high-class resort with
Swiss luxury chalets, Michelin-starred restaurants, and couture-filled shopping districts, you can thank Gstaad for that. This alpine town is exactly that! A playground for the world's elite, it'll cost an arm and a leg to stay here for just a day, what more for an entire vacation? Amidst the usual winter sports and the charming Swiss countryside, Gstaad also offers the most relaxing spas, fashionable boutiques of designer brands, and culinary hotspots run by prominent gourmet chefs. What's not to love?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
St Moritz
Situated at a whopping 1,856 miles above sea level, Saint Moritz is literally the highest town in all of Switzerland. It's also among the biggest towns in the Swiss Alps, the closest alpine town to match up with the likes of Bern, Geneva, and
Zürich. Hence, it's no surprise that the town has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, the first in 1928 and the second in 1948. Though the Olympic Games have grown even more over the past few decades, the fact that Saint Moritz was able to host this big of an event is a testament to how cosmopolitan it truly is.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lauterbrunnen
At first glance, it's easy to think of Lauterbrunnen as another, run-of-the-mill rural town in the Swiss Alps. Charming with its alpine heritage, sure, but what about it stands out against the rest of the towns on this list? One word: waterfalls! Its name, Lauterbrunnen (Lauter Brunnen), literally translates to “many fountains,” referring to the 72 waterfalls you'll find in the Lauterbrunnen valley. Though most are too cold for you to swim in, they're some of the most beautiful sights you'll see in the French Alps!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Gruyères
Yes, you read that right! There is a town called Gruyères in the Swiss Alps and produces the Swiss cheese of the same name. So you already know that this alpine town is a foodie destination! Moreover, it's also a suitable town for history buffs and travel influencers. Gruyères is a medieval town, after all. Having retained its cobblestone streets, castles, and more, the place is a treasure trove of Instagram-worthy shots and historic hotspots. It has all the charm of a
French countryside town with the fresh air and scenery of the Swiss Alps.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lucerne
Even though Lucerne is a lakeside town located a fair distance away from the snowy mountains, it's still largely considered part of the Swiss Alps. It won't take you an entire day to reach the slopes from here, after all, so it's fair to say that there's a bit of the alpine spirit here. Nevertheless, Lucerne has charms that are all its own. There's the serene Lake Lucerne, for example, which is another kind of stunning scenery that's just as enchanting as the Alps. Its medieval appeal is not lost on history buffs and fairytale lovers too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Interlaken
Just like Lucerne, Interlaken is another lakeside town that's not exactly perched atop the snowy mountains of the Swiss Alps. It is, however, nestled on a beautiful valley in the mountainous Bernese Oberland, the heart of the Swiss Alps. So yes, Interlaken is still technically an alpine town, albeit not as snowy as many others on this list. But what it may lack in snow and ice it makes up for its heartwarming scenery. The lakeside chalets and villages look straight out of a storybook, as do the green meadows colored with blooming flowers. There's no place quite like it anywhere else!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Get to know the different and most popular towns in the Swiss Alps. These idyllic communes and their countryside charms are a huge part of why the Swiss Alps are so popular and people keep going here!
