Southern Switzerland

Travel Guide

Valais
Arosa
Lake St. Moritz
Schwarzsee Lake
Zermatt

Visit the upscale ski resorts, trek across the snow-capped mountains and learn about the mixtures of cultures in this eclectic region.

Southern Switzerland is a largely rocky area with snowy Alpine mountains and quaint villages in the valleys. The primary languages and cultural influences vary across the region, with pockets of German, French and Italian communities and traditions. Make your way across the country for a sense of its unique range of cultures in Western Europe.

Travel to the slopes of the many exclusive ski resorts in the Alps. Visit the valley city of PontresinaOpens in a new window and ride aerial lifts to Diavolezza/Lagalb Ski Resort or a funicular to St. Moritz Ski ResortOpens in a new window.

Explore the Jungfrau protected area and ascend to the Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory. Head west to the charming village of ZermattOpens in a new window, gaze up at the iconic MatterhornOpens in a new window and hike on the 10-day Matterhorn circuit through Italy and Switzerland.

Go to the country’s Western French-speaking Alpine region and the famous ski resort of VerbierOpens in a new window. Travel north to nearby Les DiableretsOpens in a new window and Glacier 3000 ski region, which has a bobsled rail track, a bridge connecting two peaks and dogsledding.

Note that the ski season runs from around November until May, depending on the resort and its snow-creating facilities. Otherwise, the temperature varies dramatically according to altitude, with most places receiving natural snow in winter.

Among the region’s largest cities is the scenic lakeside community of LuganoOpens in a new window. Enjoy its pleasant micro-climate, with palm trees and charming boulevards beside Lake Lugano. Appreciate the city’s Italian influences with trips to the Cantonal Art Museum, the Casa Camuzzi and the Palazzo dei Congressi. Visit the San Lorenzo Cathedral and note its intricate rose window and impressive interior.

The region comprises the southern half of Switzerland, which is mostly rocky. It borders France and Italy. Fly to the international airports of Lugano, ZurichOpens in a new window or GenevaOpens in a new window and get around by rail. Visit the northern half of the country for Zurich and BernOpens in a new window and go to the western section for Geneva.

Southern Switzerland is an intersection of Western European cultures spread across the picturesque peaks of the Alps.

Where to stay in Southern Switzerland

Zermatt

Zermatt City Centre

The luxurious spas and stunning ski slopes are top of the list for many visitors to Zermatt City Centre. A stop by Matterhorn Museum or Zermatt - Furi might round out your trip.

Zermatt City Centre
Lugano showing markets and street scenes as well as a small group of people

Lugano City-Centre

Take time in Lugano City-Centre to visit attractions like Lake Lugano and Via Nassa. You might also appreciate the lake views, and you can hop on the metro at Lugano Funicular Station to see more of the city.

Lugano City-Centre
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Montana

Montana is noteworthy for its skiing, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Montana - Cry d'Er Gondola and Casino de Crans-Montana.

Montana
Lugano made all the more beautiful by the sweet music of gregory porter who happened to be playing the day of our visit

Loreto

While visiting Loreto, you might make a stop by sights like MASILugano Museum of Art of Italian Switzerland and LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura.

Loreto
A pretty evening view of Monte San Salvatore from nest the Lugano marina.

Cassarate

If you're spending some time in Cassarate, Lake Lugano and Funicolare Monte Brè - Cassarate Station are top sights worth seeing.

Cassarate
Crans-Montana Ski Resort showing dog sledding, cuddly or friendly animals and snow

Randogne

Randogne is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Violettes Express Gondola and Cabane de Bois Ski Lift.

Randogne
Hotel Alpina
Hotel Alpina
2 out of 5
5 Englischer Viertel, Zermatt, VS
The price is P20,197 per night from Jul 8 to Jul 9
P20,197
P21,533 total
Jul 8 - Jul 9
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Zermatt. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (376 reviews)
"I liked everything just I wish to have a kettle in the room"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Hotel Alpina
Languard
Languard
3 out of 5
Via Veglia 14, St. Moritz, GR
The price is P11,570 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
P11,570
P12,444 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in St. Moritz. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (468 reviews)
"Languard was lovely with beautiful views and beautiful charming rooms. Staff was so lovely and accommodating. Our only complaint was that there was construction happening right outside our window all day and early landscaping also - we were still adjusting to the time zone so we were up early-ish ..."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Languard
Schloss Hotel & Spa Pontresina
Schloss Hotel & Spa Pontresina
4 out of 5
Via Maistra 94, Pontresina, GR
The price is P13,419 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
P13,419
P14,369 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Pontresina. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (275 reviews)
"Very nice, affordable and clean hotel. We enjoyed our family stay with 2 adjoining rooms facing the river. Breakfast was very nice and the hotel was close to everything for us. The convenience to the bus stop was super!"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Schloss Hotel & Spa Pontresina
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Andermatt Alpine Apartments
Andermatt Alpine Apartments
5 out of 5
Gütschgasse 6, Andermatt, Uri
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Andermatt. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Basecamp Andermatt and Naetschen ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (219 reviews)
"Very sizable and comfortable. Slight downside is its further from the train station. Overall a very pleasant stay."

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Andermatt Alpine Apartments
Naco Aparthotel by Arca Spa
Naco Aparthotel by Arca Spa
4 out of 5
Spissstrasse 44, Zermatt
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Zermatt. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (122 reviews)
"good breakfast selection, great spa pool and steam room, would highly recommand"

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

Naco Aparthotel by Arca Spa
Apartments La Perle
Apartments La Perle
3 out of 5
25 u. Mattenstrasse, Zermatt, VS
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Zermatt. Enjoy free WiFi and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Zermatt-Matterhorn Ski Paradise and Matterhorn are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (36 reviews)
"I like the accessibility to everything."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Apartments La Perle
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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