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Having lived in Switzerland for over 11 years, Phuong Nam (born in 1998, from Tra Vinh) has had the opportunity to travel and explore the picturesque country. "Switzerland is a relatively safe country with magnificent natural scenery and peaceful people; it's a place everyone wants to visit at least once. If you're planning a trip to Switzerland, these five destinations are definitely not to be missed," Phuong Nam shared with Travellive.
Grindelwald, dreamy like a muse amidst the majestic mountains.
Grindelwald is as beautiful as a dreamy fairy amidst the majestic mountains.
Nestled in the Lütschen valley beneath the towering Wetterhorn, Grindelwald is Switzerland's first and oldest resort town, and indeed of Europe. The majestic mountain scenery embracing this idyllic village, with its quintessential Swiss countryside charm, is clearly evident in Grindelwald.
Located at the intersection of three famously rugged mountain ranges: the Eiger, Wetterhorn, and Mettenberg, the village of Grindelwald boasts a cool, fresh atmosphere and tranquil natural scenery. "Just strolling around the village and admiring the characteristic wooden houses nestled on the hillsides and along the valleys is a worthwhile experience," she remarked.
Grindelwald is the first and oldest resort town in Switzerland and Europe.
The scenery at Grindelwald is idyllic.
You should book tickets in advance for activities in Grindelwald because it gets very crowded with tourists.
"If you're an active person, you should try sledding down Grindelwald First. However, Grindelwald in general, and First Mountain in particular, is a crowded tourist spot, so you should book tickets in advance to experience it," Phuong Nam said. Alternatively, you can also try Tissor's First Cliff Walk – crossing a 40-meter-long suspension bridge with ropes.
Gimmelwald, as sweet as a fairy tale.
"Compared to Grindelwald, Gimmelwald truly appealed to me because of its peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. If you don't like crowded tourist spots like Grindelwald, Gimmelwald is the perfect choice for you," Phuong Nam suggested.
Gimmelwald is peaceful and has few tourists.
The charming little houses in Gimmelwald.
Located on the mountainside between Stechelberg and Mürren, at an altitude of 1367 meters, Gimmelwald is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village of Gimmelwald is like a fairy tale in real life, with wooden houses decorated with flowers, a cheese cellar in the middle of the village, and livestock grazing all around.
Gimmelwald is a paradise for outdoor adventurers, offering activities like hiking, climbing, paragliding, and skydiving in stunning scenery. If you enjoy conquering waterfalls, descend to the base of the Lauterbrunnen Valley to admire the majestic Trummelbach Falls – Europe's only underwater waterfall. Alternatively, you can challenge yourself with a trek from the village of Gimmelwald to Tanzbodeli to enjoy the beauty of the famous Alps.
A pub in Gimmelwald.
Peaceful landing in Iseltwald
Iseltwald is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Brienz, nestled among hills and mountains. It's about a 15-minute drive from the Interlaken tourist center. Iseltwald has a long and diverse history, and has been known as a popular holiday village since ancient times.
Iseltwald boasts a breezy, fresh, and extremely pleasant atmosphere. Activities such as walking around the villages, boating on the lake, or hiking are quite popular here. Additionally, you can explore the beautiful Lake Brienz, take a boat trip around the lake, or conquer Augstmatthorn when visiting Iseltwald.
It only takes 15 minutes to get to Iseltwald from Interlaken.
Iseltwald has long been a popular tourist destination.
The scenery at Iseltwald is idyllic and charming.
Of course, we can't miss Iseltwald Landing Stage, the romantic setting featured in the hit drama "Crash Landing on You," where Jeong-hyeok plays the piano for Se-ri. After the drama, it became a popular tourist destination. Perhaps that's why they now charge an entrance fee for visitors who want to take photos in the middle of the legendary bridge.
The scenery is highly sought after in Iseltwald.
This area now charges an entrance fee for visitors who want to take photos.
Escape the hustle and bustle of city life when you visit the village of Mürren.
Murren seemed completely detached from the hustle and bustle.
Take a cable car ride to fully admire the beauty of Murren.
Located at an altitude of 1650 meters above sea level, the village of Mürren seems completely isolated from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. If you have the chance to travel to Switzerland in the summer, don't forget to experience the cable car ride to admire the picturesque panoramic view of Mürren village.
Mürren is the perfect choice for trekking enthusiasts. Traversing winding trails through the Alps, surrounded by hundreds of vibrant wildflowers and majestic waterfalls, will make your Swiss exploration even more fulfilling.
"Heaven on Earth" - Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is a must-visit destination for those who love natural waterfalls. Nestled deep within a valley, this village boasts 72 magnificent waterfalls, some reaching hundreds of meters in height. It's no exaggeration to say that Lauterbrunnen is "paradise on earth."
Lauterbrunnen has as many as 72 waterfalls.
Lauterbrunnen is not only charming because of its lush green meadows, interspersed with the white, blue, pink, and purple hues of wildflowers, and the scattered houses reflecting the distinctive character of the Swiss mountains. The village also possesses a dreamy beauty with herds of cows peacefully grazing in the fields, their occasional cheerful clinking echoing in a wonderfully tranquil setting. In Phuong Nam's eyes, Lauterbrunnen is a village overflowing with charm in every corner.
The scenery at Lauterbrunnen is lovely.
Strolling along the cliffs, crossing lush green meadows dotted with golden wildflowers, visiting an ancient castle, and breathing in the delightful freshness of nature... Lauterbrunnen is beautiful in both summer and winter. But Lauterbrunnen in particular, and other Swiss villages in general, are even more beautiful in summer, when the weather is cool but still has warm sunshine, creating a picturesque landscape.
When the sun comes out, the villages in Switzerland become even more enchanting.
Things to note when traveling to Switzerland
Basically, Switzerland is a peaceful and relatively safe country to travel to. You can relax and focus on enjoying the beauty of nature. However, there are also some things to keep in mind when traveling in Switzerland to ensure a smooth trip.
1. Accommodation
You can choose a homestay (European group host) or rent an Airbnb to optimize costs. It's recommended to rent in the Interlaken area (city center) for more options and more affordable prices at the aforementioned tourist destinations.
2. Movement
Public transportation in Switzerland is very popular and available almost everywhere. You should choose trains or buses to get around, or you can also rent a car to explore. However, the cost will be a bit high.
3. The best time to travel to Switzerland
In summer (mid-May to mid-September), the weather is sunny and pleasant, ideal for sightseeing and experiencing the sights. From September to November, the temperature is cooler as Switzerland enters autumn, also a suitable time to visit. You should avoid going in March and April due to the changing seasons and unpredictable weather.
The sun shines from around 6 am to 9 pm in the summer, so your day will be longer. Even in summer, the weather can get quite cold at night, so be sure to pack plenty of warm clothes for your trip.
4. Closing time
Most shops here close at 6 PM. On holidays, they may close earlier or be closed altogether. They are all closed on Sundays.
