The 10 most beautiful towns in Switzerland

[New Sancai Compilation First Edition] More than 10 million tourists come to Switzerland every year to admire its stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes, such as tranquil lakes, spectacular waterfalls and majestic mountains. Switzerland is also home to the world's longest and deepest tunnel, the Gotthard Tunnel, towering castles and the majestic Alps. Switzerland not only has many lively towns and cities to shop and visit, but there are also quite a few small towns for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle and get closer to nature. Here are 10 of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland to visit on your holiday.

△ Spiez: This is a small town in central Switzerland, located on the shores of Lake Thun, one of the most beautiful bays in Europe. Spiez is famous for its medieval castle dating back to the 13th century, spectacular vineyards and picturesque mountains. Spiez, with a population of 12,000, is a peaceful getaway away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's worth visiting all year round for winter sports, photography, swimming and wandering.

△ Murren: This is one of the unique mountain villages in the Alps, overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Several streets in Mürren have colorful houses covered in ice in winter and beautiful flowers in spring and autumn. The surrounding mountains are stunning, including the Jungfrau, Monch, Eiger and Brethorn peaks. You can hike, take a cable car up the mountain, or take a cable car up to the icebergs for stunning views of the Swiss skyline.

△ Wengen: This is one of the most beautiful villages and towns in the Jungfrau region and a top destination for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the Swiss mountains. Nestled high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Wengen offers nature lovers a peaceful getaway with miles of scenic hiking trails and endless winter sports opportunities. Wengen is closed to traffic, allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty. Visitors can also stroll to St. Bernard Anglican Church and explore the beautiful countryside.

△ Stein: Located on the Rhein River, Stein is one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Stein is famous for its well-preserved ancient buildings with beautifully painted windows and tastefully decorated windows, half-timbered houses and beautiful countryside. In addition to visiting the old houses with unique architecture and colorful murals on the Town Hall Square, tourists can also stroll along the Rhine River and explore Hohenklingen Castle and St. Georges Abbey.

△ Interlaken: This is a traditional resort town in the Bernese Oberland. It is located between the beautiful Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Peak area with panoramic views of the glacier. The Aere River flows through it, and picturesque views can be enjoyed from its shores. There are many recreational activities available year-round, including hiking, kayaking, bungee jumping, biking and more.

△Gruyeres: This is a beautiful medieval town at the foot of the Alps in the Canton of Friborg. There are rolling green landscapes and beautiful views of Switzerland's most beautiful artificial lake, Lake of Gruyeres. Gruyere is home to the Friborg cows, which provide the milk for the famous Gruyère cheese. Gruyeres Castle also houses a museum, and visitors can explore the cobbled streets lined with shops, cafes, and galleries.

△ Lauterbrunnen: This is a typical Alpine foothill town known for its stunning natural beauty, as evidenced by magnificent waterfalls and towering mountains. The town offers exciting activities year-round, including visiting cabins surrounded by green fields and snow-capped mountains. Visitors can also shop, hike or explore the waterfalls.

△ Morcote: This is a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Lugano in Ticino. Voted the most beautiful town in Switzerland in 2016, it has magnificent old noble houses, alleys and is famous for its stunning natural beauty and precious architectural monuments. Nature lovers can visit the beautiful Scherrer Park, which features lush subtropical vegetation. History buffs can stroll to the church of Santa Maria Del Sasso, with its beautiful dome from 1700.

△ Zermatt: This is one of Switzerland’s hidden gems and a top destination for ski enthusiasts. This car-free town has just under 2,000 permanent residents and is surrounded by the majestic Matterhorn, stunning architectural wonders and cabins. The town has many award-winning restaurants offering Michelin-starred meals and stunning mountain views of the Matterhorn.

△Andermatt: This is a beautiful town surrounded by the Alps, located in the Urseren Valley in the Canton of Uri, Switzerland. Due to its proximity to the mountains, it's a skier's paradise and offers many exciting activities in the winter, including winter hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In the summer, visitors can go swimming or rock climbing at Lag da Claus.

(Author: Alan Blake)

(Compiled by: Bai Ding)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: First published by Xinsancai)