Southern Switzerland Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Arosa
Visit the upscale ski resorts, trek across the snow-capped mountains and learn about the mixtures of cultures in this eclectic region.

Southern Switzerland is a largely rocky area with snowy Alpine mountains and quaint villages in the valleys. The primary languages and cultural influences vary across the region, with pockets of German, French and Italian communities and traditions. Make your way across the country for a sense of its unique range of cultures in Western Europe.

Travel to the slopes of the many exclusive ski resorts in the Alps. Visit the valley city of Pontresina and ride aerial lifts to Diavolezza/Lagalb Ski Resort or a funicular to St. Moritz Ski Resort.

Explore the Jungfrau protected area and ascend to the Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory. Head west to the charming village of Zermatt, gaze up at the iconic Matterhorn and hike on the 10-day Matterhorn circuit through Italy and Switzerland.

Go to the country’s Western French-speaking Alpine region and the famous ski resort of Verbier. Travel north to nearby Les Diablerets and Glacier 3000 ski region, which has a bobsled rail track, a bridge connecting two peaks and dogsledding.

Note that the ski season runs from around November until May, depending on the resort and its snow-creating facilities. Otherwise, the temperature varies dramatically according to altitude, with most places receiving natural snow in winter.

Among the region’s largest cities is the scenic lakeside community of Lugano. Enjoy its pleasant micro-climate, with palm trees and charming boulevards beside Lake Lugano. Appreciate the city’s Italian influences with trips to the Cantonal Art Museum, the Casa Camuzzi and the Palazzo dei Congressi. Visit the San Lorenzo Cathedral and note its intricate rose window and impressive interior.

The region comprises the southern half of Switzerland, which is mostly rocky. It borders France and Italy. Fly to the international airports of Lugano, Zurich or Geneva and get around by rail. Visit the northern half of the country for Zurich and Bern and go to the western section for Geneva.

Southern Switzerland is an intersection of Western European cultures spread across the picturesque peaks of the Alps.

Where to stay in Southern Switzerland

Zermatt

Zermatt City Centre

5/5(24 area reviews)

The luxurious spas and stunning ski slopes are top of the list for many visitors to Zermatt City Centre. A stop by Matterhorn Museum or Zermatt - Furi might round out your trip.

Zermatt City Centre
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Lugano City-Centre

5/5(11 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Lugano City-Centre for its lake views, but many stay to explore sights like Via Nassa and LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Lugano Funicular Station.

Lugano City-Centre
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Montana

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Montana is noteworthy for its skiing, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Montana - Cry d'Er Gondola and Casino de Crans-Montana.

Montana
Crans-Montana Ski Resort showing snow, dog sledding and cuddly or friendly animals

Randogne

4/5(1 area review)

Randogne is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Violettes Express Gondola and Lac.

Randogne
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Carona

You'll enjoy the mountain views and parks in Carona. You might want to make time for a stop at Monte San Salvatore or Schwimmbad Carona.

Carona
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Altstadt Chur

Skiing, historical sites and mountain views are just a few things travellers enjoy about Altstadt Chur. Check out Rathaus or St. Martinsplatz Square while you're exploring the area.

Altstadt Chur
Alpenblick Superior
Alpenblick Superior
3.5 out of 5
Oberdorfstrasse 106, Zermatt, VS
The price is ₹14,034 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
₹14,034
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star ski hotel in Zermatt. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and a free ski shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (322 reviews)
"I stayed at the Alpenblick Superior for one night while in Zermatt. The hotel was conveniently located to the main train station, old town, shopping and dining. The hotel was clean, comfortable and the staff was friendly and helpful. Room was a nice size, beds were comfortable and the bathroom was ..."

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2024

Alpenblick Superior
Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt
Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt
3 out of 5
Bahnhofstrasse 30, Zermatt, VS
The price is ₹15,030 per night from 16 Apr to 17 Apr
₹15,030
per night
16 Apr - 17 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Zermatt. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (593 reviews)
"One of many similar properties up and down the street leading from the train station. All with their own hotel restaurants. Staff nice enough. Breakfast great by American standards. Ordinary by European standards. Nothing wrong here. Amazing skiing facilities and snow condition when we were here ..."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2024

Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt
Hotel Reine Victoria
Hotel Reine Victoria
4 out of 5
Via Rosatsch 18, St. Moritz, GR
The price is ₹19,857 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
₹19,857
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in St. Moritz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Ovaverva Pool and Spa and Signal Gondola ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (301 reviews)
"It was a magical winter wonderland! We loved everything about it!"

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2024

Hotel Reine Victoria
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Naco Aparthotel & Spa
Naco Aparthotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Spissstrasse 44, Zermatt
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Zermatt. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Tour Monte Rosa and Zermatt Visitor ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (76 reviews)
"Excellent stay and highly recommend. Maria was great, loved the cheese buffet."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2024

Naco Aparthotel & Spa
Andermatt Alpine Apartments
Andermatt Alpine Apartments
5 out of 5
Gütschgasse 6, Andermatt, Uri
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Andermatt. Enjoy free WiFi, a free ski shuttle and on-site parking. Popular attractions Basecamp Andermatt and Naetschen ...
9/10 Wonderful! (132 reviews)
Brand New Apartments
"Beautiful place, two bedrooms, tons of space and well equipped. Note: buildings are close together so not much of a view, parking was a bit expensive, and the shuttle into town only runs until 5:20 pm so not much time for apres ski."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Andermatt Alpine Apartments
Legendär Zermatt
Legendär Zermatt
4 out of 5
38 Schanze, Zermatt, VS
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Zermatt. Enjoy free WiFi, a terrace and an arcade/games room. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
"Property is not accessible through road as it is on the hill and no road is leading to there. You have to take the Gornergrat train for one station to reach the property. Ticket cost is CHF17 one way which is quite costly. Flat 16 does not have any view to Matterhorn so avoid booking this one to ..."

Reviewed on 2 Sep 2023

Legendär Zermatt
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Southern Switzerland