For travelers who want to see the most that Switzerland has to offer, I’d advise getting out of the cities and instead explore the most beautiful villages in Switzerland – especially in winter!
The cities in Switzerland can feel dull, grey and muddy, as the snow constantly melts in winter.
On the otherhand, Swiss villages have an entirely new appeal in winter, largely due to how aesthetically pleasing they look under a blanket of snow. In many cases they look like something from straight out of a snowglobe!
It may be hard to know where to go, as for some reason Switzerland’s villages aren’t advertised as extensively as say, the most beautiful villages of France or Italy.
I lived in Switzerland for a couple years, and spent lots of time exploring the lesser known corners of this small, but stunning country, to narrow it down to the 10 best Swiss villages.
So, here’s a list of the 10 absolute most beautiful villages in Switzerland in winter.
10 Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland in Winter
1. Appenzell
Appenzell is a small alpine village, located about 20 minutes from St. Gallen city.
This is a quiet, sleepy village, apart from summertime when it sees quite a number of visitors. It’s most well known as the gateway to hiking the iconic Alpstein mountain range in the warmer months, but the village itself has a lot of charm in any season.
Aside from being surrounded by some of the most dramatic natural beauty in Switzerland, Appenzell is most notably known for being on of the most traditional regions left in Switzerland.
The locals here still retain past customs, and you can get good insight into the local culture from the many artistic frescos that decorate the facades of buildings, to the local cheese and meat shops selling local goods.
Local farmers in the area still practice old traditions, and there are many festivals throughout the year where they celebrate old customs. Local craft making methods are still practiced here, and you’ll find many artisanal shops selling locally produced cheese, art and souvenirs.
Things to Do in Appenzell
Hike to Frozen Seealpsee Lake
Appenzell makes a great starting point to embark on a number of winter hiking trails that take you through breathtaking scenery, and all the way to Seealpsee lake if you’d like.
The lake is likely to be frozen in peak winter, and you’ll find locals snowshoeing,, skiing and even ice skating across it.
I was afraid at first, but the lake seems to be frozen pretty solid in peak winter. If lucky, you can even witness the lake when it features the beautiful black ice phenomenon, when the lake freezes in a way that looks like mirror.
Even in winter, these trails are fairly easy with a lot of it being on paved, flat ground. I did a few of these walks without hiking boots or snow shoes.
St. Martin Schwende
Be sure to check out the iconic St. Martin Schwende Church, which can be reached by car for those who don’t want to hike.
This church has become somewhat of an icon of the Appenzell valley, and you’ll likely see a few photographers snapping photos of it.
There’s no denying that it makes for a beautiful winter scene, with the church covered in snow, in front of the mountains beyond.
The church is rather small, but you can go inside and explore for yourself if you’d like. It has very well preserved stained glass windows that reflect beautiful light on sunny days.
2. Stein am Rhein
Stein an Rhein takes my personal top pick amongst most beautiful villages in Switzerland in winter.
It was first settled some time in the 11th century, when it was just a tiny fishing village of few residents. It’s located where the Constance Lake feeds into the Rhine River, making it a strategic location which led to its expansion.
Today, Stein am Rhein looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. It still fully retains it’s medieval appearance, and most who visit can feel a sense of transporting back in time.
Upon arrival you’ll find historic buildings adorn with colorful frescos along small, cobbled streets.
Many visitors choose to visit in December, when the city is decorated lavishly for Christmas, and an annual Christmas festival is held.
See More: A Complete Guide to Visiting Stein am Rhein
Things to do in Stein am Rhein
Admire the Painted Frescos
The most unique aspect about Stein an Rhein are the intricately detailed paintings on the facades of the buildings. While it’s common in Switzerland to see buildings with painted frescoes, you likely won’t encounter any with as much detail and density as in Stein Am Rheim.
It truly feels like each building tells a story of a lifetime. The frescoes are colorful and well-preserved, and one can spend hours admiring them as if in an outdoor art museum.
The area with the most impressive artwork to admire, is in Rathausplatz (the main square).
Stein am Rhein Christmas Market
Stein Am Rhein is known in Switzerland as having one of the best Christmas markets in the country.
Stein am Rhein’s Christmas Market usually runs from the end of November until after New Years. While the market is not anywhere near the largest one in Switzerland, it offers one of the best ambience as far as Christmas goes.
The Christmas market held here is one of the more traditional ones. You can find old wooden stalls selling regional goods and traditional fare, amongst a lavishly decorated old town to set the Christmas mood.
You’ll find a huge Christmas tree in the main square, and decorations running all through the town, even up to the castle on the hill beyond the village. The entire town of Stein Am Rhein itself feels like walking into one giant Christmas card.
3. Rapperswil
Rapperswil is not a village anymore, but a very small city with a population of around 25,000 people. But after living here for a year, I’ve included it on this list because it still retains a definite village feel to it.
Rapperswil was first settled in the 1200s , by the Duke of Altendorf.
According to legends, he was hunting with his dogs, and came across a deer on a hill. He decided not to kill the deer in the end, and it came to the duchess to put its head on her lap.
They took this as a sign from God, and built Rapperswil castle on that very hill.
If visiting Rapperswil in winter, you’ll first be greeted by a beautiful snow-covered castle that towers above the old town skyline as you drive in.
Things to do in Rapperswil
Rapperswil Castle Park
No visit to Rapperswil is complete without seeing Rapperswil Castle. Sadly, you probably won’t be able to go inside. I lived there for one year and not once in that time was it open to the public.
However, you can walk along the outskirts and into the castle park. Here you’ll find stunning views of Zurich Lake and the town below. You’ll also see some deer grazing on the grass, which is surely a testament to its founding history.
Rapperswil Old Town
The Old Town in Rapperswil is quite compact, making it easy to take in all its historic, cobbled streets on foot. You’ll come across some historic churches, buildings with frescoes, and cute shops and cafes to brwose through.
Be sure to visit the main square, easily the most photogenic part of the town.
Walk along Zurich Lake
Rapperswil is easily the most scenic town along Zurich Lake. It also has some of the best views and walking paths along the lake itself.
In winter, Lake Zurich usually doesn’t full freeze, so you can’t walk across it or anything. But you can see ice and snowy capped hills on the other side.
See more: A Complete Guide on Best Things to do in Rapperswil
4. Bosco Gurin
For something well off the beaten path, opt to head south towards Switzerland’s Italian region of Ticino. Here, if you head up the mountains about 2 hours from Lugano, you will find a neatly hidden ski village known as Bosco Gurin.
It’s so hidden that even today there are only 60 permanent inhabitants!
Bosco Gurin was founded in 1253 by settlers from the Valais region of Switzerland. At the time, this was the only German speaking town in the Ticino canton.
The village itself is located at the base of the Valle di Bosco, at 1504 meters in elevation. While Ticino is known as a warmer destination in Switzerland with little snow, the altitude at Bosco Gurin ensures thick snow all winter.
This small village would still be a secret today, if not for the ski resort nearby. The Bosco Gurin ski resort is the most frequented ski resort for inhabitants in Ticino, but still relatively quiet in comparison to others around Switzerland.
Things to Do in Bosco Gurin
Discover the Village
Bosco Gurin is one of the most well preserved villages in Switzerland, and still largely retains the same appearance it did over half a century ago.
The houses are constructed by wood and stone, and are lifted above the ground on large timber beams. The inhabitants of Bosco Gurin still retain many of their longtime traditions. They still speak their own local dialect, and many old customs remains intact today.
Check out the Free Museums
For more insight into Bosco Gurin’s history, opt to check out the free museum in the Guriner Walserhaus.
This museum is housed inside one of the historic buildings, so you can also see how they look from the inside. Here you can read up on Bosco Gurin’s history, see old photos of the village, and see the historic tools and artifacts on display.
Go Skiing at the Resort
Bosco Gurin is home to 30 kilometer of ski runs. It’s not known as one of the best in Switzerland, but you will likely share the slopes with far fewer people.
This resort is known for the fresh powdery snow throughout the season. If you’ll ski, you may want to stay over night. Casa di Vacanza GiovanniBosco is a cheap guesthouse just 400 meters from the ski lift and makes a option for budget and convenience.
Want more places to see in Ticino? Read: Most Beautiful Places in Ticino
5. Solothorn
Again, head off the beaten path to discover yet another one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. This time heading to Solothurn, the capital of the Solothurn canton in Switzerland.
Solothurn is more of a big town than a village, yet it remains truly off the radar. Impressively, this town dates back as far as 20 AD, when it was first established by the Romans.
Many people haven’t heard of Solothorn. In fact, the name even drew some puzzled expressions from Swiss people when I told them where I was headed.
But for those in the know, this is considered one of Switzerland’s finest baroque towns and a true hotspot for historic value. One can admire the grandeur of the baroque architectural style around every corner and on every cobbled street.
Things to do in Solothurn
Solothurn Old Town
Truly, Solothorn is home to possibly one of the most beautiful clock towers in Switzerland (and believe me, there are many). You will definitely stumble upon in at some point as you explore the old town, as it is the most prominent structure by far.
The entire old town is like an open air museum in ways, as there are remnants of different periods of history everywhere. You’ll find sections of the historic Roman fortress walls all around town, these dating back to over 1700 years ago.
You’ll also come across the St. Ursus Cathedral, an impressive baroque style church that can be seen from across the river. Today it remains a Swiss heritage site due to its significance in the history of tis area.
Discover the Number 11
A quirky aspect of Solothurn is the intriguing obssessive usage of the number 11.
According to history, whoever designed the town of Solothurn was fascinated by the number 11. As a result, you’ll find small irregularities within the town where the number 11 is sneakily used.
Somewhere in the city you’ll find a clock with only 11 hours on its face. Solothurn is also homes to 11 museums, 11 chapels, and 11 water fountains. The local beer’s name also translates to “eleven” in the local dialect.
Weekly Street Market
Solothorn is also home to a wonderful street market. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the streets are filled with local vendors selling all types of regional and local goods.
From cheese, to cured meats to beauty products, you can find treats for a loved one or yourself all here.
If you’d like to visit the street market, check for updated hours and days of operation here.
6. La Neuveville
La Nueveville is the definition of a hidden gem, but one that won’t disappoint.
Honestly, I only stumbled upon it by accident as we were driving to another major city in Switzerland. We saw the beautiful clock tower in the distance and knew we had to stop by – a very good decision!
La Neuveville is a medieval town located right next to Lake Biel, a famous wine producing region in Switzerland. Today it is home to less than 4,000 inhabitants.
This colorful, medieval town has a rich and long history since its founding in the 1300s. Despite this, it remains very quiet, and usually has very few people on its streets.
This only adds to the charm, as you’ll feel a sense of novelty and discovery while meandering through streets lined with boutique shops, wineries and cute restaurants – without any crowds!
Things to do in La Nueveville
La Nueveville Old Town
The main draw of visiting La Nueveville is definitely the aesthetic aspect of it. Just that view down the main street towards the orange clock tower alone makes it one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland!
It may be the most visually unique and charming village in the region, and a great place for photographers to capture beautiful photos without people in the way.
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk around the historic streets, exploring its small cobbled alleyways and grand fountains. Easily the most prominent structure in the village is Tour Rouge (Red Tower), a unique clock tower at the end of the main street.
Wine and Dine
La Nueveville is somwhat of a gastronomy and wine hub. On top of being home to some fabulous boutique style gastropubs, this area of Switzerland is home to a number of wine producers and vineyards.
In fact just a short drive away and up the hills, you’d find yourself amongst vast vineyards sprawled across rolling hills along the lake.
There are about 10 different winemakers here, producing red, white and rose wines.
You’ll find a number of wine cellars open in winter, that’ll allow you to taste the locally produced wine from the area. They will usually provide information as well, so you can learn all about the local grape.
Learn About the Witches
There is a dark side to the history of this little village, which involves witches, mysterious fires, and some magic herbs.
While I found it hard to learn more about these legends (the tours at that time were only in German), there is a witch hunting trail that you can follow to retrace the legend of these witches.
The path starts from one of the village gates, and you’ll see some signs and posters with more information.
7. Thun
Thun is a large medieval town residing on the edge of Thun Lake, in the highlands of Switzerland.
Historically, it once served as the capital of the Oberland region. As a result, you’ll find a huge castle and a beautiful old town that remains from those times.
Its location on the edge of the lake makes it a wonderful base to explore both history and nature. A river runs right through the heart of the city, and from almost anywhere in town all you have to do is look up to see the impressive mountains above you.
Things to do in Thun
Thun Old Town
The medieval old town in Thun is a wonderful place to get lost in. Going up and down the hills, through narrow alleys, and crossing the historic bridges, you’ll surely finding beauty at every turn.
Be sure to check out the town’s squares, which will be beautifully decorated during Christmas time. The most beautiful square is definitely Rathaus Platz, where the town hall is located. During December, there will be a huge Christmas tree on display.
Wooden Bridges
The town of Thun is spread across the banks of the Aare river, and connected via a network of bridges. Some of these include old wooden bridges, that also serve as a mini dam, filtering the flow of the river itself.
There are many beautiful bridges in Thun, but I’d suggest exploring all of them, as most offer great views from the river. Some wooden bridges not to miss are Untere Schleuse Brücke and Obere Schleuse.
Thun Castle
Switzerland is not as famous for its castles as its neighbors like France, or even Germany. But it is home to a ton of stunning castles, and Thun Castle is definitely one of them.
Thun Castle was built in the 14th century as a fortress. In these times, Thun served as a passageway on a route that connected the Swiss Alps to Italy.
Today, no matter where you are in town, you’ll likely spot the castle peaking up above the other buildings, from its imposing location on a hilltop. From the castle grounds, you have fantastic views of the town, lake and mountains beyond.
It also houses a cool museum inside, where you can learn more about the history of the castle and the town of Thun.
Entrance fee: 10 CHF ($12 USD)
For more info and opening hours, click here.
8. Oberhofen
Just a short drive from Thun, you’ll find Oberhofen village. Although very small even by Swiss standards, it is frequently voted by Swiss people to be the among the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, making it well worth the visit.
Most people coming to Oberhofen come to see Oberhofen Castle, a stunning medieval castle located right on the edge of Thun Lake. Unlike other castle that merely sit on the shores of lakes, Oberhofen Castle is unique in how it’s built literally right over the lake.
Add to that the stunning background of the lake and surrounding snowy mountain, and it’s really not hard to see why it’s revered locally.
You can visit the interiors of the castle. Inside, you’ll find that the castle was designed pulling from a range of styles, from Neo-gothic to Turkish influences.
You’ll see a mismatch of architectural styles from colorful tiles, to monochromatic gothic details. All of it only adding to this castles eclectic beauty.
Entrance fee: 10 CHF ($12 USD)
For more info and opening hours, click here.
9. Grindelwald
One of my favorites amongst the most beautiful villages in Switzerland in winter, is Grindelwald.
Grindelwald village is located in a mountain valley within the Bernese Oberland area in the center of Switzerland. What used to be a tiny, farming village, exploded with popularity once the ski resorts were built in the 1800s.
This alpine village has something to offer in any season, but winter truly brings out the best of Grindelwald.
Grindelwald is located at the base of not one, but three different ski resorts, making it the perfect base for a trip centered around winter sports.
Even if snow sports don’t interest you, there are endless things to love about Grindelwald in the winter.
Read more: Complete List of Things to do in Grindelwald, Switzerland in Winter
Things to do in Grindelwald
Grindelwald Village
The village itself has become quite popular, with many glitzy skiing resorts littered around town. But it does still maintains some of its original alpine village charms.
A walk around the village will have you passing by plenty of traditional mountain chalets, and old world quirks such as horse-drawn sleighs passing by.
Jungfraujoch: Highest Peak in Europe
Jungfraujoch is highest peak in Europe that is accessible by train, and can be reached easily from Grindelwald.
You’ll take a train ride from Grindelwald even further up into the mountains, a ride that is breathtaking in and of itself. You’ll pass by beautiful wintery mountain scenery on your way to the top.
When you finally reach Jungfraujoch, on a clear day you’ll be rewarded by unobstructed 360 views of the mountain range below.
10. Zermatt
And of course no list of most beautiful villages in Switzerland in winter could be complete without a mention of the world renown Zermatt.
Like many Swiss alpine villages, Zermatt used to be a small and relatively undiscovered village, home to only farmers and cows.
Once the Matterhorn was discovered by alpinists, everything changes and Zermatt became the bustling alpinism and winter sports haven that it is today.
Although it is one of the most visited, it’s still one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, without a doubt. On a clear day, you can see the Matterhorn from the village itself, truly one of the most magnificent sights!
Zermatt is quite busy throughout the winter season, and especially so during Christmas when the village is transformed into a festive array of lights and Christmas spirit.
Read more: A Guide to Visiting Zermatt for Christmas
Things to do in Zermatt
Take the Train to Gornergrat
Gornergrat is an observation area 3100 meters above sea level with perfect unobstructed views of the Matterhorn (on a cloudless day of course!).
From here, you are much closer to the Matterhorn and have the best view of it. Not to mention all the other mountains all around that you’ll be able to see from close up here.
To get to Gornergrat, you have to take the Gornergratbahn, a historic cogwheel train that takes you from Zermatt up over the mountains.
The train ride itself is an experience, but the best views are once you arrive at the viewing platform. Many people opt to spend hours up here soaking in the views and fresh mountain air.
Stay in a Luxury Chalet
If there were ever an opportunity to splash out on a once-in-a-lifetime luxury stay , Zermatt is a great place to do that.
There are tons of high end luxury resorts and chalets on offer here, many of which offer fabulous views of the Matterhorn as well. Imagine sipping on champagne from your outdoor jacuzzi, with views of the Matterhorn in the background and snow falling all around.
One of the best hotels for this is Riffelhaus 1853. They offer a spa with panorama views of the Matterhorn and mountain beyond. Definitely one for the bucket list.
Ready to Book? Book a Stay at Riffelhaus 1853 here!
And that wraps up this list of 10 most beautiful villages in Switzerland in winter. Whats your favorite place in Switzerland? Let me know below!
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