These are the most beautiful villages in Switzerland

La Punt Chamues-ch GR

Not just the name of this picturesque Engadine village sounds elegantly beautiful. No, the ‘Village of the Year 2021’ fascinates visitors to the entire village with its magnificent aristocratic houses and represents the significance it once had. Located at the foot of the Albula Pass, La Punt Chamues-ch was a vibrant commercial center in the 16th and 17th centuries. At that time the pass was an important link to the north. Today, athletes and nature enthusiasts are mostly interested in this beautiful spot, who appreciate the contrast of the historic houses with the rugged mountain walls and the bubbling water of the Inn. In the vicinity of La Punt Chamues-ch there are numerous cycling and hiking routes, such as the Engadinger Höhenweg. In winter, cross-country ski trails invite you to explore the vast plains.

Oberhofen BE on Lake Thun

The small village on the edge of the Bernese Oberland has a population of just under 2500. But the beautiful town has much more to offer. Located directly on the shore of Lake Thun, Oberhofen offers a magnificent panorama with a direct view of the volcano-shaped 2,362-metre high Niesen. Next to the water is one of the pearls of the village: the magnificent Oberhofen Castle. The castle park itself is worth seeing, but the changing exhibits in rooms from different eras should not be missed. After a drink at the sweet harbor bistro “Pier 17”, directly at the ship’s pier, a trip to the vineyards should be on the agenda. It’s a little surprising to find vineyards producing fruity wines on an area of ​​2.6 hectares thanks to hours of sunshine and a mild maritime climate so close to the snow-capped mountains.

Morcote T.I.

The old Ticino fishing village of Morcote was proud to hold the title of Switzerland’s most beautiful village in 2016. Arriving in the picturesque town on Lake Lugano, you immediately feel transported to another time. The spirit of the golden age of this old port still oscillates between imposing noble houses, elegant arcades and narrow streets. The further you climb the hill of 400 steps leading to the Santa Maria pilgrimage church, the more the surrounding panorama opens up, giving any visitor pause. Only a visit to Parco Scherrer, a little Mediterranean paradise, can top this view. With the cries of the seagulls and the gentle sea breeze, Morcote seems almost too good to be true. No wonder so many artists found inspiration for their works here in the 20th century.

Urnasch AR

The municipality of Appenzell of Urnäsch has been named the Swiss Village of the Year 2022. One reason for this title is that the Urnäsch people proudly live out the old Appenzell traditions. Located at the foot of Säntis, here you can still experience real craftsmanship and get a deep insight into the rural culture of the region at the customs museum. From mid-May, colorful mountain processions and various cultural events begin. In the summer, Alpstobeten is on the show, where people dance to local dances such as Mölirad and Hierig to the accompaniment of folk music. And at the beginning of the year, Silvesterchläuse roams the streets. Not just once: there are two celebrations in Appenzellerland. 31 December according to the Gregorian calendar and 13 January according to the Julian calendar. You can admire an extensive collection of artistically decorated Chläuse hats and bonnets at the Museum of Traditions in Urnäsch.

St Urban LU

Ruswil, a municipality in Lucerne, was named the most beautiful village in Switzerland in 2020. Ruswil is always worth a visit, with its imposing Catholic church in the village center and the view of Lake Sempach from Ruswilerberg. However, we will briefly touch on Pfaffnau here: This community, also in the canton of Lucerne, is the most impressive St. Urban is known for its monastery. From Langenthal to St. If you drive to Urban, you can see the mighty towers of the abbey church from afar, in the rather rural area. Many magnificent halls, such as the Baroque ballroom, are now used as event venues and venues for cultural events. The special energy of this sacred place is felt to this day and fascinates visitors.

TRUB BE

A little hidden gem is hidden in Upper Emmental, the village of Trub. The agricultural character of this small paradise with 120 farms and 1320 inhabitants is reflected in the figures. It is precisely this rural idyll that is why many Swiss films such as “Die Herbstzeitloser” or “Der Verdingbub” have been shot in Trub to this day. Many of the farms have been here for centuries and tell part of the Truber story that was particularly eventful during the Anabaptist era. This topic is covered and explored in twelve informative articles on the Trub adventure trail. A visit to the family square provides insight into the original Truber families. The surprising fact is that about 50,000 Swiss have the right to reside in Trub, but only 700 of them live in the town. Therefore, a trip to Trub is also a journey to the origins of many Swiss families.

Albin VS

The beautiful Upper Valais village of Albinen didn’t quite reach the crown in 2019, which doesn’t detract from the charm of the community. In both cases, Albinen belongs to the “inventory of sites of national importance worth preserving”. This is because of the well-preserved traditional barns, barns and wooden houses through which narrow cobblestone streets run. Located at 1300 metres, Albinen offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Rhone Valley. Here, hikers, cyclists as well as those seeking peace and quiet get their money’s worth. Additionally, there is proximity to Leukerbad: the well-known Valais health resort is only six kilometers away, so a visit to Albinen can be ideally combined with a stay in one of Leukerbad’s bathing facilities. For those who walk confidently, the Leukerbad route can be managed with a total of eight Albinen stairs as an alternative to the walking track.