Grand Tour Photo Spots

Historic pass since 1182, first mentioned as the main road between Valais and Bern in the 15th century. A link with a long history and tradition. Well-known and popular with 250,000 visitors per year. Spectacular 360° view in high alpine surroundings. Family-owned for 3 generations. The cable car was built in 1957 and has been renovated time and again. New hotel opened in 1998 and renovated in 2006. A new aerial tramway was opened in 2012, the new restaurant in 2019 and the new mountain station in 2022.

The Tremola is one of the most beautiful and thrilling pass roads for avid cyclists. It was built at the start of the 19th century and later paved with hundreds of thousands of granite cobblestones between 1937 and 1941. It winds from Airolo up to the Gotthard Pass at 2,106m with 24 switchbacks along the way.

The village of Castel San Pietro overlooking the Mendrisiotto region takes its name from a castle that once stood on the hill above the town and has since been replaced by the Chiesa di San Pietro church. In the heart of this historic village stands the Masseria Cuntitt farmstead, which was built in the 1800s. Its perfect location and multipurpose spaces can be enjoyed by all of the residents in the village. The renovated building preserves the past, while at the same time recreating the rhythms of life on a traditional farm for new generations to experience. Behind it on the Colle di Obino hill is the church dedicated to Saint Antonino, which was first mentioned in 1250 and is among Switzerland’s key cultural treasures.

Meilen’s lakeside promenade invites you to take a stroll and have some fun. Back in the 17th century both people and goods would be transported across the lake, a practice that continued up until the railways along the right side of Lake Zurich were put into operation in 1894. Enjoy the view of the lake, reaching from the Albis chain of hills all the way to the Glarus Alps. Discover the Lake Zurich Region on board the Horgen–Meilen Lake Zurich ferry or one of the Lake Zurich Navigation Company (ZSG)’s boats or ships. All aboard!

Located at the foot of the Prealps and Moléson mountain, the medieval town of Gruyères entices with its picturesque architecture. The town lends its name to both the region and the famous cheese. At ‘La Maison du Gruyère’ visitors can delve into the secrets of cheese making. The castle, former residence of the Counts of Gruyère, is characterised by its architecture and art collections that bear witness to more than eight hundred years of history. When visiting the HR Giger Museum or the Tibet Museum, one enters realms of a different kind.

Known as “the pearl of Ceresio”, Morcote is one of the prettiest villages in Switzerland. It owes its timeless beauty to its narrow streets, enchanting postcard settings and picturesque historic buildings. The arcades of the noble antique villas, major architectural monuments and lush subtropical vegetation welcome both visitors and residents. The Church of Santa Maria del Sasso, the grand Scala Monumentale stairway and Torre del Capitano tower are just a few of the interesting sights that make Morcote an artistic and cultural mecca for tourists. If you like to get out in nature and relax, then a stroll through Parco Scherrer with its subtropical flora is a must. Morcote offers spectacular 360° photo opportunities: from breathtaking views of the Piazza Granda and Church of Santa Maria del Sasso to magnificent sunsets over Porto Ceresio.

The summit of the Foilleuse is at 1,850m and welcomes visitors in an extraordinary environment. The photo spot offers an impressive view of the majestic Dents du Midi and the surrounding peaks. With a length of three kilometres, the mountain massif of the Dents du Midi is not hard to spot.

You overlook the beautiful alpine landscape of the Stockhorn region, with the blue Oberstockensee and the famous Simmental as well as the Alps in the background.

The boys’ bathing area in this park has existed since 1838. Fishermen used to dry their nets here along the shore. Hohenklingen Castle has been towering above the little town of Stein am Rhein since the 12th century. The castle affords extensive views over the Hegau region and far beyond to Lake Constance. The old town of Stein am Rhein is famous for its well-preserved centre with world-famous painted facades and half-timbered houses, receiving the very first Wakker Prize in 1972.

Welcome to the Grisons, home of Heidi. Here, the author Johanna Spyri was inspired to write the world-famous children’s story of the same name. The wine region’s capital is Maienfeld. In Bad Ragaz, the neighbouring spa and health resort, thermal waters spring from the imposing Tamina Gorge. For hundreds of years, people have flocked to this destination seeking convalescence. The ‘Heidiland’ holiday region also delights visitors with its numerous offers for hikers, cyclists, and winter-sports enthusiasts.

Between Bad Ragaz and Wangs, at the beginning of the St Gall Rhine Valley, rises the Pizol summit which, in Romanesque, means ‘high peak’. With an altitude of 2,844 m (9,331 ft), this mountain massif offers a fascinating panoramic view of the Alps – from Eastern Switzerland to Vorarlberg and Lake Constance. The 200-metre-long Pizol glacier stretches along east of the summit. On the north side of Pizol, the hiking and skiing area of the same name invites travellers to enjoy diverse leisure activities all year round.

With its length of about 20 km (14 mi), the Great Aletsch Glacier is at the centre of Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 10 billions tonnes of ice make the Great Aletsch Glacier the Alps’ largest glacier, which is easily accessible thanks to many hiking trails and glacier tour offers. The 360° panoramic view from the Eggishorn is just as impressive: Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Wannenhorn and Finsteraarhorn – and to the west the Weisshorn, the Mischabel with the Dom as well as Matterhorn in all its glory.

On top of Hoher Kasten you can enjoy a 360°-panoramic view of six different countries. At Eastern Switzerland’s only rotating restaurant everything revolves around you. The European Circular Trail, which leads through a species-rich alpine garden around the mountain, is also truly rewarding. The prominent peak is the ideal location for Switzerland’s first geological trail as well as many beautiful hiking paths in the Alpstein. One can comfortably glide up to this destination from Brülisau by cable car in a mere eight minutes. How pleasant!

The cable car, originally built in 1952 and redesigned by architect Mario Botta in 2000, takes you to Cardada in only 5 minutes. The unique and unsurpassed panorama covers the entire Locarno region, while at the same time allowing you to see both Switzerland’s lowest point (Lake Maggiore) as well as its highest point (Dufourspitze, the highest peak of Monte Rosa)! The two-seater chairlift from Cardada to Cimetta runs parallel to the railway axis and provides you with an unrivalled, breathtaking view.

The three artificial water basins ‘Drei Weieren’ were created in 1610 to secure the water supply for the textile bleaching industry as well as the fire brigades. Today they are a water park, an oasis of serenity and a wonderful recreation area. Located just a few minutes from the Grand Tour, the ponds invite visitors to swim, take a stroll or picnic in the summers, and ice-skate in cold winters. The fact that Drei Weieren are amongst Switzerland’s most beautiful natural swimming pools is also due to the magnificent view of Lake Constance, the city of St. Gallen and the Abbey Cathedral which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

The Maloja Pass is a high Swiss Alpine pass that connects Val Bregaglia with Engadin. It lies at the foot of the unique triple watershed of the Piz Lunghin. From here, one drop of rain can flow into the North Sea (Rhine), the Black Sea (Inn) or the Adriatic Sea (Maira). The Maloja Pass is of great importance for traffic and transport. What makes this alpine pass so unusual is that it is very flat on its northern side, but to the south it drops steeply and abruptly into Val Bregaglia.