You have seen the familiar photographs of the great Matterhorn, of the busy Bahnhofstrasse at Zurich, and of the memorable Jungfraujoch station. But what, perhaps, is the true magic of Switzerland not on the postcard, but somewhere in a snug valley, on some far mountain, or lurking in some village untouched by time?
This is a list of the places that you can visit as a traveller to see the true soul of Switzerland and not just a guidebook. We are counting down 10 Hidden Gems in Switzerland that are serene, full of culture, and off the beaten path. Prepare to have a look at the Switzerland you never had.
Getting Around: Although it is probably the most flexible way to travel to remote locations, the public transport system (SBB trains and yellow PostBuses) in Switzerland is efficient. But for that extra pinch of luxury, consider a Zurich chauffeur service. Never leave mountain routes without examining schedules ahead of time.
Where to Stay: Skip the large chain hotels. Choose a family-owned guesthouse (Gasthof), a lovely boutique hotel, or a farm stay to be as local as possible.
What to Pack: There is no compromise on comfortable walking shoes. Pack layers; it will be sunny one minute, snowy the next minute, in mountain weather. And be sure to carry a reusable water bottle, you can fill it with some of the cleanest tap water in the world!
These are 10 Hidden Gems in Switzerland that you will not forget.
Where it is: Italian-speaking Canton Ticino, near Locarno.
Why It's Special: Suppose it was a river of the loveliest, clear emerald water you ever saw, with its sweeps upon the rounded, hewn rocky beds. It appears as a fantasy world and a natural paradise to photographers and swimmers. Visit Valle Verzasca from Zurich in a Zurich Limo Service to travel privately.
Don't Miss: The Roman bridge (Ponte dei Salti) at the village of Lavertezzo is double-arched. It is one of the best 10 Hidden Gems in Switzerland to take a photo and a (very refreshing) swim.
Good to Know: Even in the middle of summer, the water is ice-cold! It's all part of the adventure.
Where it is: Jura Mountains, near the French border.
Why It's Special: One of the most impressive natural, rocky amphitheatres cut down by an ancient glacier, commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. The bare cliff edge is 160 meters long, and it is a nature reserve in which you can frequently see herds of wild ibex.
Don't Miss: The spectacular climb up the rim of the cirque. The scenes along the Val de Travers and across to the Alps are quite unsurpassable.
Good to Know: The rim can be very windy, so a warm layer and a windbreaker are necessary even during a sunny day.
Where it is: In the remote Bavona Valley (Val Bavona) of Ticino.
Why It's Special: This village in switzerland is almost like a fairytale. The mountainside is lined with stone houses with slate roofs and an incredible 110-meter waterfall tumbling over the cliff directly behind it.
Don't Miss: Part of a meal in the village in the grotto (a common Ticese restaurant) with the local specialties of cheese and cold meat, with this amazing background.
Good to Know: The road leading to the valley is very narrow. Drive Carefully!
Where it is: Canton Valais, starting from Bettmerhorn.
Why It's Special: With fewer people, this increase provides a more dramatic and less noisy alternative to Jungfrau. You will be walking upon a high-mountain trail with panoramic close-up views of the largest glacier in the Alps, the Great Aletsch Glacier.
Don't Miss: The observation deck at Bettmerhorn, where you are floating over the frozen river.
Good to Know: It is a high-alpine region. The best time to hike the trail is June to October, and you must be sure-footed, as it may change.
Where it is: Northeastern Switzerland.
Why It's Special: This is the core of the Swiss culture. This small town in Switzerland is well known due to its beautifully painted wooden houses, the main street, and its image of being the home of the Appenzeller cheese and folk music.
Don't Miss: Going to one of the local dairy stores to learn how the well-known cheese is created, and sample a slice with a glass of local cider.
Good to Know: It is a churchy, catholic area. There are still a lot of shops and businesses that close down during lunchtime and the entire day on a Sunday.
Where it is: Near Kandersteg.
Why It's Special: It is not a secret in full, but this UNESCO World Heritage site is frequently overwhelmed by its more glamorous neighbours; it is a turquoise alpine lake, a jewel in the crown of dramatic mountain peaks, and one of the prettiest spots in Switzerland.
Don't Miss: The mountain cart ride between the top of the gondola and the lake. A very fun mode of descent that has fantastic views.
Good to Know: The greater part of the way you can take by gondola, but the last 20-30 miles must be walked to the shore of the lake.
Where it is: Canton Fribourg.
Why It's Special: The cheese is well known, but the medieval hilltop village of Gruyères is one of those 10 hidden gems in Switzerland that are perfectly preserved. It is a throwback to the past with its cobbled central street, old castle, and pre-Alps vistas.
Don't Miss: A fondue in one of the old hotels, a must in Gruyères! The village is also home to the delightful HR Giger Museum (author of the Alien creature).
Good to Know: It gets busy during the day. To have a more relaxed time, you could spend the night there and have the village to yourself when the day-trippers are gone.
Where it is: On the shores of Lake Geneva, between Lausanne and Montreux.
Why It's Special: It is not one site but a beautiful stretch of 30 km of ancient and terraced vineyards that run down towards the lake and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The sight of the vines, lake, and Alps is just sublime. Visit Lavaux Vineyard Terraces from Bern in a Bern Limo Service to travel safely.
Don't Miss: A stroll up and down the marked trails across the vineyards. Take a winery tour in a family-owned winery where the producer does the tasting.
Good to Know: It is best discovered by train (the line passes through it) and on foot.
Where it is: Near Lauterbrunnen.
Why It's Special: It is the only underground waterfall in Europe that is available by means of a tunnel-lift. There are ten glacial waterfalls in a mountain that transport 20,000 litres of glacial water per second down the valley. The crude strength and the roaring noise are one to be marvelled at.
Don't Miss: Riding the lift up the mountain inside and walking down the tunnels to view each of the mighty falls on viewing platforms.
Good to Know: It is icy, noisy, and will spray water on you! Wear a rain jacket and a pair of strong shoes.
Where it is: Above Grindelwald-First.
Why It's Special: This is the famous Mirror Lake as it appears in the photographs. It is a clear mirror of the summits of the Bernese Alps, the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn, when the weather is calm. Visit Bachalpsee from Geneva in a Geneva chauffeur Service to travel in comfort.
Don't Miss: The one-hour, relatively easy, yet incredibly scenic hike between the First gondola station and the lake. The summer wildflowers are amazing.
Good to Know: As early in the morning as you can get to the quietest water and the least amount of people. Wind and clouds come in the afternoons.
Do not attempt to do all these in a single trip! Switzerland is not a big country, especially when one is visiting it on a map, but one may find oneself spending a lot of time in the mountains.
Pick a Region: Focus on one or two areas. For example, combine #1 (Valle Verzasca) and #3 (Foroglio) in Ticino, or #4 (Aletsch), #6 (Oeschinen), and #9 (Trümmelbach) in the Bernese Oberland.
Travel Slow: These 10 hidden gems in Switzerland are most beautiful to enjoy slowly. Take time to sit on a bench, have a cup of coffee, and just soak it all in.
It is not the well-known sights that make Switzerland magic; it is the small things to do in Switzerland: hearing cowbells in an elevated meadow, the flavour of Swiss cheese in a village dairy, the wonders of finding a place that belongs to you alone. Then leave the tourist trail and find the secret heart of this amazing nation.