I’ve been going to Switzerland nearly every year since 2017 for both personal and photography reasons and I expect that to continue well into the future. Switzerland is one of the only places on Earth that’s so beautiful that it brought me to tears instantly seeing certain views for the first time (more on that in a sec). It’s charming, breathtaking, and so dang accessible that you can get anywhere with ease. But when everything is an option and every view is jaw-dropping, where the heck do you even start?
Honestly, I’d recommend that view I mentioned above! Lauterbrunnen is awe inspiring and looks like someone took Yosemite and plopped massive glacial mountains on top. You can take a gondola to the top and walk around with views of the massive valley and waterfalls—no hiking or driving required.
And that’s not even one of the most well-known spots in the country (hello, Matterhorn?)… which just shows you how much Switzerland has going on! Read on for more of my personal all-time favorites for elopements that I’ve discovered during my time there.
(But wait—I have something for you! I developed a searchable location database stocked with nearly 600 locations across the world. Click here to be taken to it and filter away!)
Zermatt, Switzerland
For views of the Matterhorn, an elopement to Zermatt may be in order! This is a great spot if you want the sights of the Matterhorn as a feature of your photos instead of the location of them. The vibe here is full of activity but still decidedly laid back, giving you and your partner the chance to relax on your elopement and make the day(s) look however you would like. Whether you’re kayaking on truly teal alpine waters, heading down the hills via mountain cart or paragliding, or exploring Gorner Gorge, there is no wrong way to have a good time here. There are so many options here to choose from to make your day unique and fun!
Best for: Mountain, Lakes, Glacier and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Schilthorn/Birg, Switzerland
The mountains in this area are otherworldly, with sharp peaks and curves that will leave you feeling like you’re on the moon, especially as the clouds settle below you. Schilthorn & Birg are twin peaks in the Bernese Alps that offer incredible views—often with little/no hiking, given that cable cars are available to shuttle you up to the tops of them. Naturally, this area is laden with great toboggan runs and ski slopes. You can also get skyborne above the clouds by eating at the rotating restaurant atop Schilthorn or by heading out on the Thrill Walk made of glass and steel.
Best for: Mountains and Glacier
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Lake Geneva, Switzerland
As the biggest lake in the Alps (all of them—not just Switzerland), Lake Geneva has miles and miles of beauty and endless activities to bring to an elopement here. It shares land with France, but the Swiss end of the lake should not be missed. The namesake city of Geneva sits perfectly positioned at the far western tip of the lake, where its blue waters melt into the Rhône River. This is a great spot to look into if you want a blend of alpine ridges, beautiful waters, a chic city feel, options for spas and resorts, and some of the best food around.
Best for: Lake, Cities and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Paddleboarding
Swiss National Park, Switzerland
The only national park in a country full of insane beauty, the Swiss National Park on the eastern border of the country lives up to its name. If you find the idea of finding the best, most natural spots in the Alps on your own intimidating, starting here can make your life a lot easier! Between over 60 miles or beautiful hiking trails, a fully serviced hostel to stay in in the middle of the park, options for hired guides, and tons of local flora and fauna, this is an easy yes.
Best for: Mountains and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Gornergrat, Switzerland
Gornergrat is known for its distinct shape in the Alps, forming a commanding triangular peak that is unmissable in the area. But it’s also famous for its cog railway—the first fully electric one in the world—that will take you up to a viewing platform, as well as Europe’s highest-altitude hotel located at the summit station. The views up here are unbeatable and the experience is super memorable. This is an elopement destination for the books.
Best for: Mountains and Glaciers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Männlichen, Switzerland
Männlichen is a mountain in the Alps that I love the idea of eloping on, mostly due to how easy it is to access from two different towns—Grindelwald and Wengen. Both are via cable car, one of which has an open-air roof balcony for you to sit in during the ascent for an extra special view of the scenery! This peak is also only about an hour outside the capital city of Bern, which adds to the ease of travel.
Best for: Mountains, Wildflowers and Glaciers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Interlaken, Switzerland
From the name, you can likely guess what one of the main features is of this village. Interlaken sits between two lakes and at the base of two mountains, giving it some out-of-this-world views! You can take cog railways or gondolas to peaks around the town (including to the highest rail station in Europe) and then zipline or paraglide back down them. Cruises are offered regularly on the lakes so that you can take in the ridiculously blue waters, the mountain peaks, and the quaint town skyline all in one go. If you and your partner like hiking, the Hardergrat Trail will give you a grassy ridge overlooking the lake that leads to some incredible vistas.
Best for: Lakes, Forest, Wildflowers and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Helicopter, Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Paddleboarding
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen is a town in the Swiss Alps that features a whopping 72 waterfalls—its name actually means “Loud Springs” in German! This valley inspired J.R.R. Tolkien for a location in The Lord of the Rings, so you know it’s guaranteed to make you feel like you’re somewhere in a fantasy world. The largest falls in this region is the Staubbach Waterfall, the highest free-fall waterfall in the country and one that you can stand behind for an epic backdrop in the warmer months. From the peaks, to the views from the gondolas, to the town itself, this is a great pick for experiencing the natural beauty of Switzerland.
Best for: Mountains, Waterfall and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
St. Moritz, Switzerland
St. Moritz has hosted the Winter Olympics twice and is credited as founding Alpine winter tourism in the 19th century. In more recent years, St. Moritz has become known for its luxury lifestyle, offering breathtaking views and five-star stays in the same village. Dine at any of the five Michelin-starred restaurants, take a walk around the lake loop, pop into the art museum, or board a scenic train with panoramic windows to sit back and take it all in. If you come during the winter, you’ll be met with ice-skating rinks, winter holiday village markets, mountainside restaurants, and, of course, incredible venues for skiing and tobogganing, like the historic Cresta Run.
Best for: Mountains, Forest and Lakes
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
There’s a lot to explore here! The fourth largest lake in the country with nine different sections, Lake Lucerne is deep, ancient, and huge. The city of Lucerne sits on its banks and provides an easy access point for the lake and great viewing points around it, as well as quintessential Swiss town flair. Expect temperate weather here even in its warmest months!
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Cities and Lakes
Best months to get married here: May to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating and Kayaking
Wengen, Switzerland
If adventuring to glacier waterfalls only accessible via underground tunnels sounds like the kind of epic adventure you want to have on your elopement day, check out Wengen! This whole town is car-free, making it a pedestrian haven (you can easily reach the town by rail from nearby Lauterbrunnen). If you’re curious about learning to ski or snowboard on your elopement, this is a great pick, as it’s known for its family-friendly trails and beginner ski school. The town itself is full of picturesque wood chalets and amazing examples of ski-town architecture. Come here in the summer for mountain carting, great picnic spots, and flowing water.
Best for: Mountains, Waterfalls, Glaciers and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Gstaad, Switzerland
An elopement in Gstaad would feel like the best of German and Swiss culture, coming together to make a perfect luxurious ski town in the Alps just for your wedding day. Rolling green hills in the valley, castles, gondolas and chair lifts from all over town directly into the mountains, 5-star stays, and adorned gourmet eats are all here. Try walking on a snowy bridge stretched between two mountain peaks or heading to Lake Lauenen for peaceful waters and waterfalls.
Best for: City, Mountains and Lakes
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Hot Air Balloon
Oeschinen Lake, Switzerland
Views on views on views. Oeschinen is a stunning alpine lake full of clear blue glacial water that you can get out on easily by renting a boat or bringing your own. Packing up a row boat for an afternoon out on the water with the snow-capped mountain rising vertically above you, going for a dip, eating lunch, and then rowing back to shore sounds like a stellar elopement day activity. You can also explore nearby Balusee for more mountain lakes with more of a resort vibe.
Best for: Mountains, Forest and Lake
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Canoeing
Andermatt, Switzerland
When you close your eyes and picture a Swiss ski town, you’re seeing Andermatt. This village is settled in the Usern Valley in the Alps, right next to Gemsstock, giving it next level skiing opportunities. The architecture in the town is incredibly picturesque, full of chalets and charming storefronts that will make you think you stepped into a picture book. If you want to balance your activities with some well-earned R&R, there are some seriously great spas in this area, too! This is a pure enjoyment, go-at-your-own-pace kind of pick for your elopement.
Best for: Mountains, Forest and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Lake Bachalpsee, Switzerland
Nestled in the Bernese Alps, this lake is also known as “the blue jewel” due to its highly reflective surface. Think of still waters stretching out, totally tranquil, mirroring the mountains behind them in a perfect vertical. I find it really poetic to get married in a place like this, totally focused on peace and equality. This makes for an amazing ceremony spot.
Best for: Mountains, Lakes and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to August
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Lac Bleu, Switzerland
Based on the name, you can likely guess why people love this spot. Lac Bleu is a shallow alpine lake known for its crystal clear and vibrantly colored waters. You’re surrounded here by pine trees, glaciers, and mountain peaks, so no matter where you’re at, you’ve got the best view in the house. Picnicking, paddling, or taking an elopement day dip would all be amazing activities here. You can also camp, but the walk in is short, so it’s not a necessity!
Best for: Mountains, Lake and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald is a small village surrounded by incredible adventures, giving it a wealth of options for those looking to elope there! In just 66 square miles, you’ll be able to choose between quaint ski town vibes, alpine hikes, skydiving and paragliding, hotels and rail stations on mountaintops, incredible glacier canyons, and toboggans down the hills. This region is an unbeatable choice for elopers who want scenic, quintessential Swiss beauty but with all of the fun they could ever dream up.
Best for: Mountains, Glacier and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Rhine Falls, Switzerland
As the largest waterfall in Europe, Rhine Falls is a heck of a pick for an elopement! You can take in this powerful spot from afar or by hopping into the middle of the action, with options for multiple viewing decks or boat tours that take you through the river and right by the waterfall. You’ll find the most water here in the summer but less crowds in the winter! This is a great stop if you’re anywhere in Switzerland or in southern German due to its location close to the border.
Best for: Waterfall, City and River
Best months to get married here: May to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating
Ticino, Switzerland
Ticino is the perfect marriage of Swiss Alps culture and Italian Mediterranean culture. Instead of a sea here, you’ll find your beaches lakeside along Lago Maggiore and Lago Lugano. Picture palm trees with snowy peaks in the background, historic cities built into hillsides, thick forests, and tucked away corners with amazing views. Parco Ciani is a gorgeous waterfront park with perfect brightly colored and super symmetrical architecture. Or hop over to the Brissago Islands on Maggiore for a chance out on the water and a palatial botanical garden. There are no bad vibes here. Very relaxed and very easy to enjoy.
Best for: Mountains, Forest and Lake
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking, Paddleboarding
Appenzell, Switzerland
If you’ve ever wanted to get married in a literal fairytale, Appenzell might be your best chance. The streets here are car-free and a pedestrian paradise, lined with incredibly maintained historic buildings. The candy colored painted storefronts flanked by snowy peaks and green valleys will have you wondering if you stepped into a storybook (and how long you can stay there). Its position is peak if you want to spend part of your day hiking in the Alps. For a unique wedding day activity, head to Berggasthaus Aescher—a restaurant and hotel built directly into the side of the mountain. Get there via a cable car and then walk through the caves for 15 minutes to reach the building or via a gorgeous 2.5 hour hike (or mix and match!).
Best for: Mountains, City and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
I love elopements in Switzerland because you can make serious views happen in such a chill and relaxed way. Not to mention the cheese and chocolate everywhere, which is hard to be mad about. The hard truth about Switzerland is that everywhere is a good option. If you’re just searching by views… you’re going to have to get more specific.
That’s why I made this map! You can filter from locations all over the world using tags for scenery, activity, and season so that you can start narrowing down your list to what will actually make you the happiest.
I’ve photographed elopements in Switzerland for over 8 years—I’m here to help you find the right place for you! I know how to time, travel to, and pack for the best sights in the country. I’ll build you customized location lists and expertly crafted timelines to make sure that you leave your elopement happy, satisfied, and totally in awe of the day you got to have. All totally worry-free.
Click here to go to my contact form and let’s get planning! I can’t wait to talk to you.
