Unearth The Voyage
Switzerland is famous for chocolate and watches, but its most stunning treasures are the towns where medieval castles stand guard over crystal-clear lakes, all backed by towering snow-capped mountains. These picture-perfect places look like they jumped straight out of a storybook, combining history, nature and beauty in ways that will leave you speechless. Whether you love exploring old fortresses, cruising on turquoise waters or gazing at alpine peaks, these towns offer all three in one unforgettable package.
1. Lucerne – Medieval Charms on Sparkling Lake Lucerne
Pastel houses line narrow cobblestone streets while the famous Chapel Bridge stretches across the Reuss River, creating one of Europe’s most photographed scenes. Snow-dusted peaks like Pilatus and Rigi rise dramatically behind the shimmering lake, making every photo look like a postcard.
The Musegg Wall still circles parts of the old town, its nine towers offering castle-like ramparts you can climb for knockout views. Boat cruises reveal hidden coves and mountain reflections, while the lakefront promenade invites leisurely strolls past swans and flower boxes that overflow with blooms all summer long.
2. Thun – Surfable River Waves and Storybook Castles
Perched high above the rooftops, the 12th-century castle’s four corner towers look like they were designed by a fairy tale illustrator. Down by the water, Schadau Castle adds another romantic silhouette to the shoreline, surrounded by manicured parks perfect for picnics.
The Aare River rushes through town, creating standing waves beneath covered wooden bridges where brave locals actually surf year-round. Lakeside promenades connect castle views with mountain panoramas, and boat rides across Lake Thun reveal the full sweep of the Bernese Oberland stretching along the horizon.
3. Spiez – Vineyards, Bay Views and Lake-Castle Perfection
What you see is sheltered bay where a castle, church and park sit right on the water’s edge, framed by terraced vineyards climbing the hillsides. Behind it all, the pyramid-shaped Niesen peak rises like a natural monument, completing a scene so perfect it almost seems unreal.
Walk the lake promenade as boats glide past, their reflections dancing on the deep blue surface. Hop aboard one yourself to see the whole bay from the water, or hike into the surrounding hills for bird’s-eye views of this Bernese Oberland gem.
4. Interlaken – Between Two Lakes, Below Giant Peaks
The name says it all: this town literally sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the legendary Jungfrau massif towering overhead. While the town itself focuses more on adventure sports than ancient fortresses, it serves as the perfect jumping-off point for castle day trips.
From here, you can cruise both lakes, visit waterside castles like Oberhofen or Spiez, and ride cable cars to viewpoints like Harder Kulm for panoramas that stretch across both bodies of water. The combination of easy access and endless alpine activities makes it an ideal home base.
5. Brienz – Turquoise Waters and Chalet Charm
Richly carved wooden houses, their balconies dripping with geraniums, line the shore of what might be Switzerland’s most intensely colored lake. Fed by glaciers, Lake Brienz glows an almost unreal shade of turquoise that photographers dream about.
This village is famous for traditional wood-carving, so you’ll spot intricate details on nearly every building. Hop aboard the historic Brienz Rothorn Railway for a cogwheel climb that reveals sweeping lake views, then take a boat across to Giessbach Falls, where water plunges dramatically into the lake from forested cliffs.
6. Montreux & Veytaux – Riviera Vibes and Chillon Castle
Palm trees sway along a lakeside promenade that feels more Mediterranean than alpine, yet snow-capped peaks still rise in the distance. Just a short stroll away stands Chillon Castle, built right on the lake’s edge like a fortress floating on water.
Chillon ranks among Europe’s most visited medieval castles, its towers and courtyards filled with centuries of history. Bike or walk the flower-lined promenade between Montreux and the castle, then hop on a boat for the ultimate view: the whole scene reflected in Lake Geneva’s mirror-smooth surface.
7. Morges – Flower-Filled Lakeside Town Facing Mont Blanc
On clear days, you can stand on the lakeside promenade and see Mont Blanc’s massive white dome rising across Lake Geneva, over 60 miles away. Morges Castle sits right on the water, now housing museums that blend history with those incredible mountain views.
What really sets this town apart are its flower festivals: spring brings over 120,000 tulips bursting into bloom, while late summer showcases hundreds of dahlia varieties. These colorful displays transform the waterfront into a living painting, with snowy peaks providing the perfect backdrop.
8. Bellinzona – Three UNESCO-Listed Castles in One Town
Few towns can claim three separate medieval castles linked by fortified walls, but Bellinzona wears its UNESCO World Heritage status proudly. Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro climb the hillside in a stunning display of military architecture that once guarded crucial Alpine passes.
Walking between the fortresses takes you through centuries of Swiss-Italian history, with rampart views stretching across the Ticino valley and surrounding peaks. While no major lake sits right in town, the riverside location and mountain setting still deliver that classic Swiss combination of water and heights.
9. Lugano – Palm Trees, Lake Views and Mountain Panoramas
Italian-speaking Ticino brings a Mediterranean twist to the Swiss mountains-and-lakes formula, and nowhere shows this better than Lugano. Palm trees shade waterfront piazzas where locals sip espresso, while steep mountains rise dramatically just behind the pastel buildings.
Ride funiculars up Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore for jaw-dropping panoramas over the serpentine lake and distant Alps. Down below, boat trips connect charming lakeside villages like Gandria and Morcote, where narrow lanes and historic churches cling to hillsides above the water.
10. Gruyères – Hilltop Cheese Town with a 13th-Century Castle
Climbing the single cobbled street to the castle feels like stepping back 800 years, past flower-draped fountains and car-free lanes. Yes, this is where Gruyère cheese comes from, and you can smell it aging in nearby dairies.
The 13th-century castle crowns the hilltop, its museums spanning eight centuries of art and history. From the ramparts and terraces, rolling green pastures stretch toward pre-Alpine peaks, while the Sarine river valley curves below. Gentle walks around the village reveal why this spot has inspired artists and cheese-makers for generations.
11. Sion – Twin Hilltop Castles Above the Rhône Valley
Two rocky hills rise abruptly from the valley floor, each crowned with historic fortifications that create one of Switzerland’s most recognizable skylines. On one stands Valère Basilica, home to the world’s oldest playable pipe organ dating back to around the late 14th century.
Opposite it, Tourbillon Castle’s romantic ruins look down over terraced vineyards and the Rhône River winding through Valais. The twin fortresses offer sweeping views of surrounding mountains and valleys, with easy access to nearby alpine lakes and high passes that make this region famous.
12. Weggis – Relaxed Lake Lucerne Retreat at the Foot of Mount Rigi
Mark Twain chose this sunny lakeside village as his Swiss retreat, drawn by its mild climate and peaceful setting beneath Mount Rigi. From the shore, forested slopes climb toward Rigi’s famous summit ridge, while Lake Lucerne stretches away in shades of blue and green.
Ride the cogwheel railway up the mountain for huge views back over the lake and neighboring peaks, or simply stroll the waterfront promenade. A historic palace building now serves as a luxury wellness hotel, adding an elegant castle-like presence to this relaxed resort atmosphere.
13. Oberhofen am Thunersee – Fairytale Castle Right on the Water
When people picture a storybook Swiss castle, Oberhofen is often what they imagine: turrets jutting directly into impossibly blue water, palm trees somehow coexisting with snowy peaks, and gardens that seem designed by a romantic painter. Dating back to the early 13th century, the castle blends medieval bones with later neo-Gothic flourishes.
Walk the lakeside promenade for classic Bernese Oberland views where deep water, fairytale fortress and Alps align perfectly. The castle tower actually stands in the lake itself, creating reflections that photographers chase from dawn to dusk.
