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Switzerland: A Journey for the Culturally Curious

Beyond popular spots like Gstaad and St. Moritz, Switzerland offers plenty of lesser-known places that are well worth exploring.

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The mountains of Soglio, Switzerland. Photo by Hiroshi Higuchi.

Before the snow-dusted peaks made it a haven for winter sports, Switzerland was a beloved summer escape. In the early twentieth century, following the original set of mountaineers, the international travelers came not for skis but for the purity of alpine air, the meadows bursting with wildflowers, the serenity of cool lakes, and clear blue skies.

That magic hasn’t faded. Today, Switzerland offers a quieter kind of luxury, far from the sun-soaked throngs of the Côte d’Azur or the iconic coastlines of Italy, Spain, and Greece. At the very heart of Europe, it is a refuge of calm, where nature takes center stage and every moment feels like a breath of fresh air. This is a journey for the curious traveler who enjoys going beyond the usual route.

Les Gorges de l'Areuse

Between the Jura Mountains and Lake Neuchâtel lies a hidden trail that feels like a secret passage through time. The Gorges de l’Areuse winds through sheer limestone cliffs, mossy boulders, and waterfalls offering a shaded sanctuary. Ferns curl along the damp rock walls, and the river flows past stone bridges and winding paths that can be explored on foot. This adventure is best followed by an afternoon swim in nearby Lake Neuchâtel or a chilled glass of local Chasselas wine.

Vals

Nestled into the remote Valser Valley, Vals feels like a well-kept secret and a perfect quiet escape in the summer. Stone-roofed chalets cling to the hillsides, and the scent of alpine flowers and trees permeates the air. The village is home to the ethereal Therme Vals, a thermal spa carved into quartzite by architect Peter Zumthor, a serene masterpiece where bathing in the open-air thermal pools is a tranquil experience. The surrounding trails, covered in alpine moss, lead to ancient stone barns and panoramic views of the valley below.

Guarda

High in the Engadin Valley, Guarda is a charming wonder with its painted houses that glow with soft shades of cream and rose, delicate wood-carved balconies, and old cobbled lanes. This fairy-tale village even inspired the classic Swiss children’s book Schellen-Ursli. But beyond its storybook beauty, Guarda is a place of profound solitude, where the light changes the color of the stone walls by the hour. The silence here feels thick—the kind you find only at altitude—with trails leading into a world of sky and light. It’s a place to write a letter, take a nap outside, or breathe slowly and remember what peace feels like.

Soglio

Perched like a terrace over the Bregaglia Valley, Soglio is often described as “the gateway to paradise.” This tiny village, with its cypress trees and rose gardens, feels more Mediterranean than Alpine. Artists and poets have long been drawn here for its dreamlike views of the dramatic granite peaks. This is a place for long hikes toward the majestic Sciora
Mountains or long walks in the chestnut woods of the valley.

Foroglio

Nestled in the heart of the Bavona Valley, the small village of Foroglio is one of Switzerland’s most charming destinations. The village, with its cluster of centuries-old, rough-hewn stone houses topped with weathered slate roofs, seems untouched by time. Traces of Roman influence hint at a history that spans thousands of years. Towering above it all, the Cascata di Foroglio (Foroglio Waterfall) drops over 350 feet from the sheer cliff face. A visit here is essential for anyone traveling through the canton of Ticino.

Locarno

On the northern edge of Lake Maggiore, Locarno enjoys more sunshine than almost anywhere else in Switzerland. Palm trees line the lakeside promenade, and the old town seems to climb in pastel-hued layers, with small, cobbled lanes winding uphill to the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary, a serene pilgrimage site with sweeping views of the lake. Each August, the famed Piazza Grande transforms into an open-air cinema under the stars when the city hosts the Locarno Film Festival, one of Europe’s most celebrated open-air cinema events, drawing filmmakers and audiences alike and becoming the cultural heart of Switzerland. Yet even outside the festival time, Locarno possesses a quiet glamour with its gardens, galleries, and lakefront cafés.

Morcote

Tucked along the shores of Lake Lugano, Morcote offers a charming blend of Italian flair and Swiss calm, bringing a sense of the Mediterranean to the Alps. Cypress trees, arcaded lanes, and terraced gardens slope toward the lake, where boats are available to rent. On land, this is a perfect place to meander through the village’s idyllic streets lined with artisan shops and cafés, ideal for picking up local crafts and enjoying an espresso or Ticinese cuisine, or visiting the stunning Santa Maria del Sasso Church, known for its frescoes.  

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