Who wants to spend their vacation stuck in city traffic, wasting hours trying to find a parking place, or spending the equivalent of $8 a gallon for gas? If you’re looking for a quieter, safer, and greener vacation, maybe it’s time to plan your vacation in one of Switzerland’s famous car-free mountain resorts. You’ll have everything you need within walking distance, including great accommodations, restaurants, shopping, hiking (or skiing in winter) and never have to bother with that gas-guzzler.
Here are ten favorite mountain resorts where you can enjoy an idyllic week without a car. They include some of the world’s top ski resorts, but also some very laid back mountain villages where you can enjoy the most peaceful and relaxing week imaginable with unmatched views, hiking trails, and mountain excursions just a short walk away:
Zermatt
Set at the base of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is truly one of the world’s great mountain resorts. Plan on arriving by train from Täsch about 10 minutes down the valley (and check out our 4-day getaway to Zermatt) .
Mürren
Set in the Jungfrau Region of the Bernese Alps, Mürren is perched on a ledge above the steep sided Lauterbrunnen Valley. Arrive in this hiker’s haven by tram or train. Spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.
Wengen
Wengen lies just across the valley from Mürren and has commanding Lauterbrunnen Valley views. You’ll arrive on the cogwheel train from Lauterbrunnen.
Saas-Fee
It’s just one valley east of Zermatt, but much more relaxed. Arrive by bus and enjoy year-round skiing with summer skiing on the glacier.
Stoos
Arrive on the Stoosbahn, the world’s steepest funicular, to a mountain plateau set below the Fronalpstock peak in the Central Swiss Alps. Share great views and hiking with just 100 residents.
Melchsee-Frutt
The village is set in a high valley with alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, hiking, biking, rock climbing, paragliding and fishing. Superb accommodations at the lodge. Arrive by gondola from Stöckalp.
Braunwald
This family-friendly mountain resort in the Glarus hinterland is rarely visited by people outside the canton. Bicycles are the preferred transportation. The panoramic view to the south is dominated by Tödi.
Bettmeralp
With picturesque Valais chalets and a vibrant village center with shops, bars and local grocery stores. Bettmeralp offers family-friendly ski-in ski-out accommodations in winter and scenic walking in the summer.
Riederalp
Riederalp is Bettmeralp’s neighbor on the scenic Aletsch Arena with equally stunning views and nearby hiking paths overlooking the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in Switzerland.
Rigi
This mountain massif near Luzern is known affectionately as the Queen of the Mountains. It’s almost entirely surrounded by three of Switzerland’s large lakes—Lake Luzern, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz.
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