'Secret' places to visit in Switzerland you didn’t know existed (unless you live there)
Summer travel season is under way with even more visitors expected to ‘invade’ well known Swiss tourist spots throughout July and August. But what about the quieter, lesser-known locations?
Yes, there are plenty of popular destinations in Switzerland that are mentioned in all the guidebooks and therefore attract hordes of tourists.
If you want to visit Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Lucerne, or Heidiland, then go ahead, but be prepared for crowds.
READ ALSO: 5 spectacular Swiss tourist sites hit by overcrowding
However, if you prefer the lesser known but nevertheless stunning places that even the Swiss may not know about, there are plenty of those across Switzerland as well:
Lake Saoseo, Graubünden
You’ve heard, of course, of Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman, as it is locally known), or Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstätter See ), but chances are you know nothing about Lake Saoseo in canton Graubünden.
Nestled at the foot of the mountain known as Scima da Saoseo, the lake is cobalt blue in colour. You can walk around it and even hike for about 30 minutes to see its neighbour, no less stunning Lago di Viola.
Lake of Saoseo #grigioni #valposchiavo #graubünden #valdicampo https://t.co/gT854CWLVs pic.twitter.com/Qct1OcFsT5
— Nicola Frigerio (@xgear91) August 12, 2016
While this area is not exactly ‘hidden’ as you likely won’t be the only tourist, it is certainly not as ‘travelled’ as more famous Swiss regions.
The water in the two lakes is cool, which may provide some relief on a hot summer day.
But if you prefer to dip your toes into something warmer, head to…
Combioula hot springs, Valais
At the bottom of the Val d’Hérens, you will find the ancient (dating from the 15th century) mineral thermal springs emerging around the bed of the Borgne gorges — another very picturesque site.
Afternoon excursion to the Earth Pyramids of Euseigne and the Combioula Hot Springs in Val d'Hérens #inLoveWithSwizterland @valaiswallis https://t.co/vqpIrrt0Pb
— Dominik Gehl (@dominikgehl) June 7, 2020
The temperature there is about 26C, and it is known as a calm place to relax and meditate, away from the maddening crowds.
Schrödinger's Cat, Zurich
There may or may not be many off-the-beaten path places in Switzerland’s largest city, but there is at least one.
The Nobel Prize winning physicist Erwin Schrödinger lived in Zurich for six years during the 1920s, while he chaired the theoretical physics department at the University of Zurich.
Schrödinger's Cat in Zurich, Switzerland #peaceful #travelphotography #travel https://t.co/wu8s3eMr4S pic.twitter.com/ZjTdrfcjTA
— Paul Lopez (@lopezunwired) May 14, 2023
Not surprisingly therefore, a life-size cat figure from Schrödinger's famous thought experiment stands in front of the house he lived in, at Huttenstrasse 9.
The cat is not in a box and is neither dead or alive – it just is.
A good place to see if you are a physics buff or simply a cat lover.
The Gorge of Verena, Solothurn
If you really want to see a secluded place, head to the Verena gorge just outside the city of Solothurn.
There, you will find a quaint house where a hermit lives…so at least you know it is not a crowded site.
The hermit, which is actually a paid municipal position, is kind of a caretaker: his job, which was first created in 1442, is to tend to the chapel and surrounding gardens, and, when needed, interact with visitors.
The chapel at the Verena Gorge Photo: The Local
Sigriswil, Bern
Bernese Oberland boasts many beautiful sites, most of which are popular tourist destinations, such as, for example, Interlaken.
However, just 19 km away, also on the shores of Lake Thun, lies Sigriswil, a laid-back town that offers not just great views over the lake, but also a 340-metre suspension footbridge over the (equally picturesque) Gummi Gorge.
Views over Lake Thun are spectacular. Image by ClaraMD from Pixabay
The Piumogna waterfall, Ticino
There are not too many places in the Italian-speaking canton where tourists don’t go, but you may find a bit of respite from the crowds at the
Cascata Piumogna, near the village of Faido, in the district of Leventina.
One of the most beautiful (and most photographed) waterfalls in my region. Piumogna waterfall, Faido, Switzerland
-#waterfall #cascata #piumogna #faido #ticino #tessin #switzerland #svizzera #schweiz #suisse pic.twitter.com/EUyoZiwzSP
— Nico Valsangiacomo (@nvalsa_photos) July 22, 2021
The 43-metre high waterfall forms a natural pool which allows you to bathe.
And a suspension bridge over a creek gives a good view over the area.
Aarau, Aargau
We can almost hear you say what?
We get it, Aarau is not exactly a prime destination among Switzerland’s cities, but that is exactly why it is worth your while to visit.
Why should you go there?
The small northern town is very pretty, with many old buildings featuring painted gables and eaves, as well as three very cool castles.
Aarau is worth a visit Image by Ignacio Ruiz from Pixabay
Grave-hopping
This is not as gruesome as it sounds.
We merely mean to say that some celebrities died and were buried in various parts of Switzerland, and there is actually such a thing as ‘tomb tourism.’
For one, this allows you to pay homage to famous people you perhaps admired, away from the tourist spots, and for another, this is a good way to see off-the-beaten path places.
This link lists where the graves are located.
And just so you are on the right track...
READ ALSO: Learn Switzerland's real place names (so you don't get lost)
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Yes, there are plenty of popular destinations in Switzerland that are mentioned in all the guidebooks and therefore attract hordes of tourists.
If you want to visit Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Lucerne, or Heidiland, then go ahead, but be prepared for crowds.
READ ALSO: 5 spectacular Swiss tourist sites hit by overcrowding
However, if you prefer the lesser known but nevertheless stunning places that even the Swiss may not know about, there are plenty of those across Switzerland as well:
Lake Saoseo, Graubünden
You’ve heard, of course, of Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman, as it is locally known), or Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstätter See ), but chances are you know nothing about Lake Saoseo in canton Graubünden.
Nestled at the foot of the mountain known as Scima da Saoseo, the lake is cobalt blue in colour. You can walk around it and even hike for about 30 minutes to see its neighbour, no less stunning Lago di Viola.
Lake of Saoseo #grigioni #valposchiavo #graubünden #valdicampo https://t.co/gT854CWLVs pic.twitter.com/Qct1OcFsT5
— Nicola Frigerio (@xgear91) August 12, 2016
While this area is not exactly ‘hidden’ as you likely won’t be the only tourist, it is certainly not as ‘travelled’ as more famous Swiss regions.
The water in the two lakes is cool, which may provide some relief on a hot summer day.
But if you prefer to dip your toes into something warmer, head to…
Combioula hot springs, Valais
At the bottom of the Val d’Hérens, you will find the ancient (dating from the 15th century) mineral thermal springs emerging around the bed of the Borgne gorges — another very picturesque site.
Afternoon excursion to the Earth Pyramids of Euseigne and the Combioula Hot Springs in Val d'Hérens #inLoveWithSwizterland @valaiswallis https://t.co/vqpIrrt0Pb
— Dominik Gehl (@dominikgehl) June 7, 2020
The temperature there is about 26C, and it is known as a calm place to relax and meditate, away from the maddening crowds.
Schrödinger's Cat, Zurich
There may or may not be many off-the-beaten path places in Switzerland’s largest city, but there is at least one.
The Nobel Prize winning physicist Erwin Schrödinger lived in Zurich for six years during the 1920s, while he chaired the theoretical physics department at the University of Zurich.
Schrödinger's Cat in Zurich, Switzerland #peaceful #travelphotography #travel https://t.co/wu8s3eMr4S pic.twitter.com/ZjTdrfcjTA
— Paul Lopez (@lopezunwired) May 14, 2023
Not surprisingly therefore, a life-size cat figure from Schrödinger's famous thought experiment stands in front of the house he lived in, at Huttenstrasse 9.
The cat is not in a box and is neither dead or alive – it just is.
A good place to see if you are a physics buff or simply a cat lover.
The Gorge of Verena, Solothurn
If you really want to see a secluded place, head to the Verena gorge just outside the city of Solothurn.
There, you will find a quaint house where a hermit lives…so at least you know it is not a crowded site.
The hermit, which is actually a paid municipal position, is kind of a caretaker: his job, which was first created in 1442, is to tend to the chapel and surrounding gardens, and, when needed, interact with visitors.
Sigriswil, Bern
Bernese Oberland boasts many beautiful sites, most of which are popular tourist destinations, such as, for example, Interlaken.
However, just 19 km away, also on the shores of Lake Thun, lies Sigriswil, a laid-back town that offers not just great views over the lake, but also a 340-metre suspension footbridge over the (equally picturesque) Gummi Gorge.
The Piumogna waterfall, Ticino
There are not too many places in the Italian-speaking canton where tourists don’t go, but you may find a bit of respite from the crowds at the
Cascata Piumogna, near the village of Faido, in the district of Leventina.
One of the most beautiful (and most photographed) waterfalls in my region. Piumogna waterfall, Faido, Switzerland
— Nico Valsangiacomo (@nvalsa_photos) July 22, 2021
-#waterfall #cascata #piumogna #faido #ticino #tessin #switzerland #svizzera #schweiz #suisse pic.twitter.com/EUyoZiwzSP
The 43-metre high waterfall forms a natural pool which allows you to bathe.
And a suspension bridge over a creek gives a good view over the area.
Aarau, Aargau
We can almost hear you say what?
We get it, Aarau is not exactly a prime destination among Switzerland’s cities, but that is exactly why it is worth your while to visit.
Why should you go there?
The small northern town is very pretty, with many old buildings featuring painted gables and eaves, as well as three very cool castles.
Grave-hopping
This is not as gruesome as it sounds.
We merely mean to say that some celebrities died and were buried in various parts of Switzerland, and there is actually such a thing as ‘tomb tourism.’
For one, this allows you to pay homage to famous people you perhaps admired, away from the tourist spots, and for another, this is a good way to see off-the-beaten path places.
This link lists where the graves are located.
And just so you are on the right track...
READ ALSO: Learn Switzerland's real place names (so you don't get lost)
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