Switzerland and its famous scenery is just too good to be true. The towering mountains of the alpine landscape, crystal clear lakes, and rolling hills as perfect as a painting. Whoever first built these small towns and villages, spread across the most majestic sites in the region, certainly knew what they were doing. Explore the best of the best, ready for your next trip to this iconic European destination. 

Grimentz

Grimentz is a tranquil collection of cabins, tucked away in the valley of Val d’Anniviers. The multi storied dwellings rise steep into the slope of the valley, moving into the depths of the forests and snowy peaks. In winter it’s popular as a ski resort, but just as attractive in the summer months, as flowers bloom on the terraces of local cottages and the hills burst with daffodils. Grimentz’s narrow streets are home to many festivals and celebrations throughout the year, where locals and tourists come to celebrate in a traditional fashion.  

Soglio

The village of soglio, in the district of Maloja, has an almost medieval feel, with rustic stone buildings and the rising bell tower of the local church. It’s a very small village, said to be almost 800 years old, and is set beneath dense forest that looks out over snow capped mountain peaks. Taking a walk through this old village really is a trip back in time, isolated within the rugged landscape that can be explored through nearby hiking trails. 

Gimmelwald

Not for those who are afraid of heights. Grimmelwald sits at the edge of a steep precipice, dropping into a mountain valley where other small towns and villages lie scattered in the distance. This village is home to plenty of cows, and you’ll be sure to hear the tinkling of cowbells through the clifftops. There are a few bnbs and hostels should you wish to stay overnight, and you can take one of the nearby Gondolas up to the peak of schilthorn mountain, over 10 000 feet high. The village itself has an altitude of over 1300 metres, making for incredible views over the valley, with crisp, clean mountain air. 

Lauterbrunnen

It sits amidst rolling fields of green. Nearby, cliffs tower up into the clouds, dominating the landscape. A stream of water cascades from a nearby mountainside, filling the air with mist and the sound of rushing falls. Lauterbrunnen is living poem that’s almost too good to be true. It spans out below the town of Grimmelwald, the previous entry on our list, with a population of 2000, and covers an area more than a 100km wide. Some parts of the town are more isolated than others, sitting alone beneath the waterfalls, or on top of hills. It’s all connected via some dreamy pathways that meander through the valley and beyond, best explored by bike. The paths are fairly accessible, and you could spend all day taking in the wonders of this mountainside village. 

Iseltwald

part of the Interlaken district, known as the hub of adventure in Switzerland, isetwald sits on the edge of lake Briez and is home to the most perfectly blue water you’ve ever laid eyes on. By taking a boat trip around the lake, you can admire the mountain ranges that border the village, and view the town from afar. Iseltwald stretches itself across the surface of lake Briez, on a small, narrow piece of land that appears to be floating on the water. There are some amazing hiking opportunities nearby, which will take you around the lake and into the mountains, where you’ll find waterfalls, forests, and other small towns in the district of Interlaken.