Grand Tour Photo Spots

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

With its picturesque streets surrounded by vineyards and breathtaking views of Lake Bienne and St. Peter’s Island, Erlach (Cerlier in French) is one of the prettiest little towns in the Three Lakes Region. The townscape is dominated by the towering silhouette of the 11th-century castle, one of the oldest in the Canton of Bern, along with the town hall, local school, and church. Erlach is the perfect base for a day trip to the nature reserve on St. Peter’s Island, source of inspiration and creativity for such luminaries as Rousseau and Goethe in times past.

In Goms, villages are picturesque, churches baroque, and its wooden houses and barns burned to a very dark brown by the sun – as can be seen when looking at the magnificent barn, which was built in 1617. The old farm building is a historical representative of traditional Valais architecture. A typical feature of Valais barns are the stilts with the round stone slabs that form a cavity between the base and the actual silo, making it impossible for mice and vermin to enter.

La Pierreuse Nature Reserve in the Vaudois Alps is the ideal place for mountain walks. On the right bank of the Sarine, south of Château-d’Oex the nature reserve is arranged around the Gummfluh. This characteristic pre-alp landscape covering an area of 34 km2 includes valleys overlooked by limestone rock faces.

The picturesque Morges region stretches along vineyards between Lake Geneva and the Jura forests. During the 17th century, Morges, with its unique guard houses known as ‘guérites’, was the most important commercial port on Lake Geneva. The castle, with its striking towers, houses five museums and, on a clear day, the glistening, snow-capped peaks of the breathtaking Mont Blanc massif can be seen. From April to October, a plethora of flowers in the most beautiful colours adorns the city.

Kaspar Stockalper (1609–1691), merchant, banker, large-scale entrepreneur, military official and politician, built Stockalper Palace in Brig in the years 1651 to 1671. The impressive castle with its three gilded onion domes was the largest private building constructed in the 17th century in Switzerland and reflects the immensity of Stockalper’s wealth. Today, his fortune would be worth far more than half a billion Swiss Franks. It is to no surprise that Stockalper was called ‘The King of Simplon’.

Exactly 47 hairpin bends lead to the Grosser Mythen, here also referred to as ‘Matterhorn of Central Switzerland’. Every year, around 30,000 hikers enjoy the breathtaking panorama at 1,898 m.a.s.l. (6,227 ft). The view into the valley shows ‘Old Schwyz’, the cradle of the Swiss Confederacy, with Lake Lucerne in the south as well as lakes Lauerz and Zug with Rigi and Rossberg to the west. It comes at no surprise that the Schwyz landmark has been immortalised as a mural in the National Council Chamber of the Federal Palace.

Resurgence where the Orbe rises out of the mountain into its stony, very green riverbed. You can see the resurgence and the entrance to the riverbed, as well as a wild, natural environment. The discovery of the Vallorbe caves took place via this resurgence. Indeed, it was through this "entrance" that the first explorations of the cave were made. Thanks to their courage and the few diving techniques available at the time, speleologists discovered the immensity of the Vallorbe caves. It was in 1893 that the first explorer began to travel upstream, but it was not until 1961 that the caves were discovered. This is the only known natural entrance to the caves.

St. Moritz ranks amongst the world’s top holiday destinations. Steeped in tradition, it is the birthplace of winter tourism in the Alps (1864) and the venue of two Winter Olympic Games. St. Moritz came to prominence through its hot springs, which have been known for 3,000 years and have long helped establish the village as a summer spa. World-class leisure, culture, shopping, events, hospitality and gastronomy: the name St. Moritz promises – and delivers – much.

150 metres wide, thundering 23 metres down into the depths before your eyes is Europe’s largest waterfall, a spectacular example of the power of nature. Experience the roaring spectacle of nature at first hand from the ‘Känzeli’ platform. The rock in the middle of the river can be reached by boat and a short ascent on foot. Laufen Castle, enthroned above the water for more than a thousand years, ranks amongst Canton Zurich’s cultural heritage sites. The foaming waters of the Rhine Falls are mesmerising at any time of day, including the evenings when they are illuminated.

Europe's highest open-air cog railway has been transporting visitors from Zermatt to the summit of Gornergrat at 3,089 metres above sea level since 1898. Every second of the 9,339 metre-long, 33-minute journey is an incomparable delight. The Photo-Spot is open all year round and included in the ticket price. It offers one of the best views of the Matterhorn and 28 other peaks over 4,000 metres, including the Monte Rosa massif and the highest mountain in Switzerland, the Dufourspitze which stands at 4,634 metres above sea level.

The Mendrisiotto and southern Lake Lugano region are dotted with highlights. Take, for example, the narrow lanes in the heart of Bissone, home to numerous artists and Francesco Borromini (1599–1667), the “starchitect” of the Renaissance period. The green “pyramid” on the other side of the lake is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site: fossils of fish and species of reptiles have been found on Monte San Giorgio, testifying to life on Earth more than 200 million years ago.

Rapperswil-Jona is called ‘Town of Roses on Lake Zurich’ for a reason. More than 20,000 plants can be found blooming in four rose gardens as well as in public spaces. The picturesque old town with its medieval castle, as well as the marvellous lake promenade, lend the town an almost southern flair. Several historic buildings, numerous festivals and cultural events as well as the Knies Kinderzoo of the National Circus Knie shape the city’s atmosphere at Lake Zurich.

In the distance you can see the Rütli meadow, the historic place where the forming of Switzerland is said to have occurred in 1291. With its 2,928 m (9,606 ft), the pyramidal peak of Urirotstock can be made out even farther in the back. The village of Seelisberg lies on a sunny terrace at 850 m.a.s.l. (2.788 ft), beneath the two mountains Niederbauen and Oberbauen. Lake Lucerne, in German literally ‘Four Forested Settlements Lake’, got its name because it is embedded in the four forest cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden and Nidwalden, and Lucerne.

As high as it gets: with its 2,429 m a.s.l. (7,969 ft), Furka Pass connects the cantons of Uri and Valais, making it the highest alpine pass on the ‘Grand Tour of Switzerland’. The European watershed between the Mediterranean and North Sea also runs along here. In summer, a ride in the lovingly restored cars of the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway or a walk to the famous Rhone glacier make for a special visit. As the name implies, the river Rhone – also known as ‘Rotten’ in Wallis – originates from here.

Being in the Saanen region, with its five beautiful side valleys, is as being in paradise – probably also due to the legend of the Hand of God. It is said that when He was resting here during the creation, He formed the Saanen region with the imprint of His hand – the region’s hand-like shape can be seen quite well from here. Altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 m (3,300–9,800 ft) make for heavenly views. Along with the backdrop of mountains, forests and lakes, this region strengthens your well-being and provides positive energy!

The abbey of Saint Meinrad in Einsiedeln has attracted pilgrims for over 1,000 years. It was rebuilt over the centuries and, today, the 18th century baroque-style monastery forms the impressive centre of Einsiedeln. Besides the ‘Chapel of Mercy’ with its famous ‘Black Madonna’, the complex includes a high school, winery and stables for horse breeding. Attracted by the beautiful scenery and a variety of concerts, many nature and culture lovers enjoy visiting Einsiedeln.

Feel like an emperor as you survey the highly agreeable vista. More exactly: like Napoleon III. Established in medieval times, Arenenberg estate was in the hands of the Bonaparte family between 1817 and 1906. The great and the good of the time would come to the imperial court to pay their respects and take in the views of Lake Constance. The household here was organised along the lines of Parisian life, with salons, dinners, theatre and strolls through the gentle Thurgau countryside.

Emmental is the home of the famous cheese of the same name. The region is characterised by countless hills and valleys, and timber and milk are its most important raw materials. Can you hear the cowbells? Enjoy the view over the unique hilly landscape of the Emmental, stretching across to the famous trio of the Bernese Oberland – the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. More than 1,100 kilometres of hiking trails and numerous cycle routes make the region a paradise for those seeking an active holiday.

A museum bustling with life. On Ballenberg, the rural life of times past is revived. More than 100 original, centuries-old buildings, from all parts of Switzerland, offer a lot to discover and experience: for example, one can help with forging or basket-weaving, learn how cheese is made, or observe more than 200 farm animals. Those who feel like relaxing, can stroll through the fragrant flower and herb gardens or travel into the past during a horse-drawn carriage ride.

There are three reasons for celebrating a visit to the region around Nyon. In terms of scenery, Lake Geneva is flanked by enchanting vineyards with the Jura range silhouetted above. In terms of culture, the region stands out for its many art and music festivals, castles and museums. And in terms of the pleasures of the palate, the wines and specialities of La Côte are simply too good to miss; you can even dine on one of the heritage paddle steamers. Other water-borne activities include pedalo boating and wind-surfing.

“Guten Tag”, “Bonjour”, “Grüezi” – welcome to the striking Basel border triangle, where the languages and cultures of Germany, France and Switzerland converge. From its Rhine harbour, ships sail towards the North Sea. Basel has a lot to offer, be it experiences of the cultural, recreational or culinary kind: take a plunge into the Rhine river, stroll through the historic Old Town or be inspired by a museum visit. In Basel, you are definitely in for a treat!

The magnificent limestone cliffs of Creux du Van (“van” means rock) form a rocky circle almost 200m high with a circumference of 1.4km. Together with the Areuse Gorge, the site has been a nature reserve since 1876. Upstream is Val-de-Travers, known for its terroir, history and numerous activities. Staff from the tourist information point at Noiraigue Station will be happy to provide more information. And, on its south side, the summit of Creux du Van also offers stunning views of the Alps.

Spiez – the pearl on Lake Thun. A winegrowing municipality made up of five villages. The natural landscape panorama in Spiez and the combination of the lake, vines, the castle and mountains is one of a kind. The municipality is made up of the five villages of Spiez, Spiezwiler, Hondrich, Faulensee and Einigen. Optimal public transport connections and the motorway make Spiez quick and easy to reach. A wide variety of activities, including nature experiences, sports and culture, appeals to families, foodies and active types alike. Spiez, a power spot by the water, stands for energy and inspiration.

The ship station Vitznau, built in 1912, is one of the most important architectural buildings around the Rigi massif. Every day, guests arrive by boat in order to visit the Rigi by taking Europe’s oldest mountain cogwheel railway, which was constructed in 1871. The turntable connects the two track directions, with the mountain track and the depot track meeting at an obtuse angle. It is the central point of any prospective trip to the Queen of the Mountains.

Hallwyl is one of Switzerland’s loveliest moated castles. The exhibitions in the 900-year-old castle document the building’s history and provide an insight into how the family that owned Hallwyl once lived. The everyday lives of the labouring classes, such as farmers and millers, are also touched upon as part of the exhibition, while the dreadful cries of the prisoners can still be heard from the dungeon tower. Various guided tours, workshops and audio tours allow for more in-depth engagement with selected topics.

Chesa Merleda, which is studded with battlements, is the landmark of proud La Punt. The impressive ensemble of splendid patrician and guest houses dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries is a historic witness to a flourishing trade and tourism history at the Albula Pass. With the construction of a bridge over the Inn river in the 16th century, the lords of the Albertini family, also known as the ‘Lords of the Bridge’, laid the foundations for development and prosperity in La Punt.

The mountains rise up majestically over the glittering Lake Thun. Set against the breathtaking panoramic backdrop of the Bernese Alps, the famous three peaks, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, are unmistakeable. This is the magnificent spectacle that awaits visitors on the Niederhorn. Thanks to its unique location, it offers fantastic 360-degree views of the Swiss Plateau and the Bernese Alps, stretching as far as the cities of Thun and Bern.

Höhematte Interlaken, a protected area of historical interest since 1864, affords views from the promenade with Interlaken’s top hotels to the imposing panorama of the Jungfrau. Interlaken is the centre of the tourism and holiday region of the same name and the perfect starting point for excursions to the mountains or on Lakes Thun and Brienz. Interlaken is also the “Adventure Capital of Europe”. Here’s one highlight to prove it: paragliding. Enjoy a flight over Interlaken and land here on the Höhematte.