The Most Beautiful Places in Switzerland for Winter's Snowy Peaks and Christmas Markets
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There's no doubt why Switzerland is easily considered one of most beautiful countries on Earth; it's home to an inimitable mix of cosmopolitan centers, bucolic towns, and natural landscapes that are jaw-droppingly gorgeous. But come winter, some of the best places to go in Switzerland seem to transform into places that feel practically magical—snow-dusted city squares, the best ski slopes in the world, and Christmas markets filled with so much holiday spirit it feels like you might just bump into Saint Nick himself.
Whether you're looking to warm up against the fireplace in a luxurious Alpine hotel or trek the great outdoors the second your boots hit the ground, a Switzerland winter vacation is guaranteed to satisfy your wanderlust. Here, we’ve collected some of the best places to visit peppered throughout the country, all certain to help any traveler eagerly jump in to the coldest season.
This article has been updated since its original publish date.
- Roberto Moiola/Sysaworld/Getty
The Glacier Express
If you really want to maximize the magic of your wintry vacation, consider booking a train ride to get from town to town. There are several cross-country options available, but we’re big fans of the Glacier Express this time of year. Not only does the train connect two of Switzerland’s biggest mountain resorts (Zermatt and St. Moritz), but it traverses some of the most beautiful sites in the central Swiss Alps and offers onboard perks like panoramic viewing windows and three-course meals.
- Courtesy Interlaken Tourismus
Interlaken
Interlaken is the (unofficial) adventure capital of Switzerland, and its winter activities are much more varied and unique than in other major cities. Sure, you can go skiing and snowshoeing here. But you can also go paragliding or skydiving down snowy mountains, book an hour at a curling rink, or take a winter kayaking tour on Lake Brienz.
- Courtesy Badrutt’s Palace Hotel/KMU Photography
St. Moritz
St. Moritz is typically associated with glitz and glam, and for good reason. The sky-high resort features some of the best slopes and accommodations in the country—just check out Badrutt’s Palace, a veteran Readers’ Choice Award winner for its epic slopes and après-ski scene. With luxurious guest rooms and Michelin-starred dining (not to mention the most glorious indoor pool imaginable), the resort encompasses the extravagance that makes St. Moritz pop off the map.
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Davos
Looking to go off-grid? You can’t do much better than the highest official town in Europe, sitting at an altitude of more than 5,000 feet. Davos is a relatively popular ski destination but has far fewer crowds than other towns, so you can take advantage of those slopes without bumping into the “see and be seen” crowd along the way.
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- Courtesy Tschuggen Grand Hotel
Arosa
For an action-packed winter vacation without the blinding glamour of the major ski resorts, consider a trip to Arosa. The picturesque mountain village offers access to some 140 miles of slopes, as well as the well-respected Arosa Ski School. It’s also home to the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, a five-star property famous for its sprawling spa with metal-and-glass skylights jutting out of the mountainside.
- UCG/Getty
Basel
Most European countries are known for their Christmas markets, and Switzerland is no exception. You can find seasonal cheer in nearly every city and town, though Basel earns a few extra points for having two markets: one in Barfüsserplatz, and one in Münsterplatz. Here you can find hundreds of vendors selling handmade goods and treats from their stands, as well as plenty of twinkling lights and decorations to really get you in the proper spirit.
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- Courtesy Glacier 3000/Raphael Dupertuis
Glacier 3000
This sports complex located high in the Swiss Alps is easy to reach via bus or cable car from Gstaad. The resort offers every winter sport imaginable, including skiing, dog sledding, mountain climbing, and glacier hikes. Brave travelers are also welcome to walk across the Peak Walk by Tissot, a gravity-defying suspension bridge that connects two mountain peaks.
- Kimon Maritz/Unsplash
Lake Oeschinen
Lake Oeschinen (or Oeschinensee) is a dazzling body of water tucked away in the Bernese Alps. The lake is a popular winter destination thanks to a wealth of outdoor activities like ice fishing, tobogganing, skiing, and snowboarding—all enjoyed while surrounded by snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees. There are even some cafes scattered around the area so you can enjoy a nice mug of hot chocolate between excursions.
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Zurich
As the largest city in Switzerland with a population of over 400,000 people, Zurich has the best of both worlds—all the arts, culture, and eclectic food scene of a bustling cosmopolitan city and some of the best natural landmarks in the country just a stone’s throw away. On the same day you summit Jungfraujoch, also known as the Top of Europe, you’ll be back in time to tuck in for a traditional veal dinner at can’t-miss institutions like Kronenhalle. For those who like to keep a packed dance card during their holidays, Zurich has enough to fill your itinerary for your next vacation and the next few after that.
- Biosphoto/Getty
Jura Vaudois Nature Park
Just a few miles north of Lake Geneva’s coastline, Jura Vaudois Nature Park occupies roughly 131,213 acres of prime Swiss real estate. Here you can find dense spruce forests and native wildlife, as well as a few hotels, restaurants, and cheesemongers set up in traditional mountain huts. The park becomes even more peaceful during the winter months, though you can still enjoy some cross-country skiing and snowshoeing if you simply must stay busy.
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- Courtesy Festival International de Ballons
Château-d’Oex
It’s a scientific fact that places get infinitely more magical when viewed from a hot air balloon. So you can imagine the proverbial sparks that fly during the Festival International de Ballons, an annual event held in the tiny town of Château-d’Oex. During the nine-day festival (the next one takes place from January 19-29), visitors can watch the horizon fill up with some 60 colorful balloons, take rides in the balloons, enjoy live music and airplane shows, and participate in plenty of other kid-friendly activities.
- Courtesy Gstaad Palace
Gstaad
Though there are plenty of reasons to visit the upscale resort town of Gstaad during the winter, we’re here for one primary reason: Gstaad Palace. This award-winning hotel looks like a fairytale castle in the mountains (complete with towers and turrets), and it encourages guests to cozy up with spa treatments, truffle fondue, and pasta cooking classes. If you do decide to venture out, ski slopes and toboggan runs are just outside the door.
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- Paolo Reda - REDA &CO/Alamy
The Leukerbad Thermal Baths
When brainstorming destinations to escape from the nipping cold of winter, Switzerland probably isn’t the first (nor second, or third…) place to come to mind. And while there are plenty of options in the country to get your fix of snow, the thermal pools of Leukerbad offer a rejuvenating experience no matter rain, snow, or shine. Over one million gallons of 51°C water replenish the pools each day, and when it’s time to take a dip, visitors will find the water cooled to a goldilocks range of 28°C to 44°C. This might just be the coziest bath in the world.
- Urs Flueeler/EPA-EFE
The Stoosbahn
In late 2017, Switzerland made headlines for opening the world’s steepest funicular in the alpine resort of Stoos. The so-called Stoosbahn, or Schwyz-Stoos funicular, remains impressive to this day, for both its superlative maximum gradient (110 percent, no big deal) and abundance of fun winter activities. Once you get to the top of Stoos, you can enjoy an abundance of pristine ski slopes, toboggan runs, cross-country trails, and more.
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- Jakob Helbig/Getty
Bern
What better place to experience Swiss culture than at the capital? Bern is home to the Nature Park Gantrisch where you’re in good company to ski and snowshoe next to Olympians like Nadine Fähndrich and slowly take in the culture by touring through the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. One particularly family-fun activity is a ghost tour through Bern, where visiting groups are introduced to medieval nooks and crannies in this iconic centuries-old city where history and myth blend together.
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Mürren
If you want to take on Schilthorn’s 88% incline—the steepest slope in the Jungfrau Region—and follow in the footsteps of 007 himself, you should look to Mürren for your next adrenaline rush. But even for travelers seeking to dial down, the town is the total package of a winter wonderland with plenty to offer—upon reaching the peak, adventure-seekers can grab a table at Piz Gloria, the Alps’ first revolving restaurant that rotates 360 degrees every 45 minutes to show off the mountains in all their glory as diners dip into their fondue. Whether you choose to zip down the mountain in skis, or take it all in slowly one snowshoe step at a time, your Bernese mountain escape awaits.
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Montreux
Known affectionately as the Pearl of Geneva, Montreux is not your average small town in Switzerland. Yes, its prime views of the snow-capped Alps and northeastern shores of Lake Geneva make it a clear must-visit for snowbirds among us, but the town is also home to a legendary jazz festival which has been graced by the legendary likes of Nina Simone, Miles Davis, and Ella Fitzgerald. Take advantage of the area’s mild microclimate, perhaps best experienced at the Quays of Montreux, a roughly 8-mile platform along the lakeshore perfumed by exotic flowers and covered by palm fronds. From December to May, intricate plant sculptures line the already idyllic walk.