The five most Instagrammable places to visit in Switzerland are Zermatt and the Matterhorn, the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Château de Chillon near Montreux, the Aletsch Glacier and the First Cliff Walk above Grindelwald. Each offers a different kind of shot, from mirror-still alpine lakes to a medieval castle on the water, and all five can be reached by train and cable car without a rental car.
Below you will find what makes each place special, exactly where to stand for the best photos, when the light is best, and practical tips for fitting them into one trip. If you would rather have transport and hotels arranged for you, Switzerland Trip Packages can bundle several of these stops into a single itinerary.
The five spots at a glance
| Place | Best known for | Best time for photos | Nearest base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zermatt and the Matterhorn | Iconic peak, lake reflections | Sunrise, clear mornings | Zermatt |
| Lauterbrunnen Valley | Waterfalls, cliffs, meadows | Late spring to early fall | Lauterbrunnen or Wengen |
| Château de Chillon | Castle on Lake Geneva | Late afternoon, golden hour | Montreux |
| Aletsch Glacier | Largest glacier in the Alps | Summer, clear days | Fiesch or Riederalp |
| First Cliff Walk | Cliffside walkway, Eiger views | Morning, before clouds build | Grindelwald |
1. Zermatt and the Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is Switzerland’s most recognizable mountain, and its sharp pyramid shape makes almost any photo look dramatic. Zermatt, the car-free village at its foot, adds wooden chalets, narrow lanes and an easy base for exploring. Weather is the main variable: the peak can hide in cloud for days, so build flexibility into your plans.
Where to shoot
- Riffelsee: A short walk from Rotenboden station on the Gornergrat railway. On calm mornings, the lake mirrors the Matterhorn almost perfectly.
- Gornergrat summit: Panoramic views of the Matterhorn, the Gorner Glacier and dozens of surrounding peaks.
- Kirchbrücke in the village: A classic spot for sunrise, when the first light turns the summit pink and orange.
- Old Hinterdorf quarter: Weathered larch-wood barns make a charming foreground.
Tip: Take the first Gornergrat train of the day for the calmest water at Riffelsee and fewer people in your frame.
2. Lauterbrunnen Valley
Lauterbrunnen is a deep, U-shaped valley carved by glaciers, with sheer rock walls and, by the local count, 72 waterfalls. It regularly tops lists of the most beautiful valleys in Europe, and it is easy to see why: green meadows, wooden houses and plunging water appear in almost every direction.
Where to shoot
- Staubbach Falls: Nearly 300 meters high and visible from the village center. The classic frame includes the church and chalets in front of the falls.
- Trümmelbach Falls: Ten glacier-fed waterfalls thundering inside the mountain, reached by tunnel lift. Open roughly spring through fall; bring a rain jacket.
- Wengen: A car-free village on a ledge above the valley, with views straight down Lauterbrunnen.
- Mürren: Across the valley, reached by cable car, with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Tip: The waterfalls are at their fullest in late spring and early summer, when snowmelt is at its peak.
3. Château de Chillon, Montreux
Built on a rocky islet on the shore of Lake Geneva, Château de Chillon looks like it floats on the water. It is one of Switzerland’s most visited historic buildings, with parts dating back many centuries, and it inspired Lord Byron’s poem The Prisoner of Chillon. The mountains of the Vaud and Valais Alps rise behind the lake, which gives the castle a spectacular backdrop.
Where to shoot
- Lakeside path north of the castle: The classic angle with the castle, water and mountains in one frame.
- Montreux promenade: A flower-lined walk of roughly 3 km (about 2 miles) from Montreux to Chillon, with palm trees and lake views.
- Inside the castle: Vaulted cellars, courtyards and window views over the lake.
Tip: Late afternoon light hits the castle walls warmly. Drones are restricted at many Swiss heritage sites and near towns, so check current rules before flying.
4. The Aletsch Glacier
The Great Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps, a river of ice stretching for roughly 20 kilometers. It is part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. Standing above it, you get a sense of scale that few other places in Europe can match. Like most Alpine glaciers it has been retreating, so seeing it now has real significance.
Where to shoot
- Eggishorn: Reached by cable car from Fiesch; the viewpoint shows the glacier’s famous curve.
- Moosfluh and Bettmerhorn: Other lift-served viewpoints above Riederalp and Bettmeralp, both car-free villages.
- Jungfraujoch: The high station above the glacier’s upper end, reached by the Jungfrau railway from the Bernese Oberland side.
Tip: A wide-angle lens (or your phone’s ultra-wide mode) helps capture the glacier’s size. Include a person in the frame for scale.
5. First Cliff Walk, Grindelwald
From Grindelwald, a gondola climbs to First, where a steel walkway wraps around the cliff face and ends in a platform jutting out over the drop. The views of the Eiger, Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn are superb, and the walkway itself makes an eye-catching photo.
Where to shoot
- The suspension bridge section: Frame the walkway leading toward the peaks.
- Bachalpsee: About an hour’s hike from First, this lake reflects the surrounding peaks on calm days.
- Adventure add-ons: The First Flyer zipline and mountain carts give fun action shots on the way down.
Tip: Go early. Clouds often build around the peaks by midday in summer.
How to fit all five into one trip
A sample 7 to 9 day route that uses Switzerland’s excellent rail network:
- Days 1 to 3, Bernese Oberland: Base in Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald for the valley, Trümmelbach and First.
- Days 4 to 5, Aletsch region: Travel to Fiesch or Riederalp for the glacier viewpoints.
- Days 6 to 7, Zermatt: Allow two nights so you have a backup morning if clouds hide the Matterhorn.
- Days 8 to 9, Lake Geneva: Finish in Montreux for Chillon and the lakeside promenade.
Many travelers fly into Zurich and start or finish with a city day there. For ideas on what to see, the guide Exploring the Best of Zurich – Switzerland in 2025 – Your Ultimate Travel Guide! covers the old town, the lake and nearby day trips.
Getting around and budgeting
Switzerland is expensive, and mountain railways and cable cars are a big part of the cost. A Swiss Travel Pass covers most trains, buses and boats and gives discounts (often around 25 to 50 percent) on many mountain lifts, though some premium routes are only partly covered. Compare the pass with point-to-point tickets or a Half Fare Card based on your exact route. Booking hotels in Zermatt and Grindelwald well ahead is wise in summer and during ski season.
Pack layers even in July. It can be warm in the valleys and close to freezing at the high stations, and weather changes quickly in the mountains. Sturdy walking shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen matter more than you might expect, because snow and ice reflect strong sunlight at altitude.
Photo tips for the Swiss Alps
- Check webcams: Most mountain stations have live webcams. Look before paying for a lift on a cloudy day.
- Shoot early: Calm air in the morning means clearer peaks and still water for reflections.
- Protect your gear: Spray at waterfalls and cold at altitude drain batteries and fog lenses. Carry a cloth and a spare battery.
- Respect the landscape: Stay on marked paths, do not climb fences for a shot and follow local drone rules.
Once you have the photos, turning them into posts people engage with is its own skill; our guide on simple ways to increase Instagram engagement covers captions, timing and hashtags. If you are comparing destinations for your next trip, you may also like our roundup of Singapore tour packages for couples and families.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most Instagrammable place in Switzerland?
The Matterhorn reflected in Riffelsee above Zermatt is probably the most famous shot, but Lauterbrunnen’s Staubbach Falls and Château de Chillon are close contenders.
When is the best time to visit Switzerland for photos?
Late June to mid-September offers green valleys, open hiking trails and full waterfalls. Winter is ideal for snowy village and ski scenes.
Do I need a car to reach these places?
No. All five are reachable by train, bus and cable car, and Zermatt, Wengen and Mürren are car-free villages.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
It often is for travelers covering many regions in a short time, since it includes most trains and discounts many mountain lifts. Compare it with point-to-point fares for your route.
Can I fly a drone in Switzerland?
Drones are allowed in many areas, but restrictions apply near airports, towns, heritage sites and nature reserves. Check current Swiss rules and local signs before flying.
