Switzerland’s Lakes & Castles: Montreux, Bern & the Jungfrau Region
Switzerland · Montreux · Bern +2
Follow Switzerland’s gentler western landscapes from the Lake Geneva Riviera into medieval towns and the high valleys of the Bernese Oberland. Begin in Montreux with Chillon Castle at the water’s edge, then travel into the pre-Alps for Gruyères cheese, a walled hilltop village and Swiss chocolate. Continue through Bern’s UNESCO-listed old city before using Interlaken as a base for Lauterbrunnen Valley and the car-free mountain village of Mürren. The journey ends in Geneva among lakeside promenades, historic streets and international institutions. A Swiss Travel Pass suits the route’s frequent intercity, regional and local journeys and also covers many boats and urban networks, although selected mountain cable cars may be discounted rather than fully included.
A Glimpse of Your Journey
- ◆Chillon Castle on the shore of Lake Geneva
- ◆Gruyères village, traditional cheesemaking and Swiss chocolate
- ◆Bern’s UNESCO old town, arcades and medieval Zytglogge
- ◆Lauterbrunnen Valley, framed by cliffs and waterfalls
- ◆Mountain journey to car-free Mürren with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
Itinerary & Route
Arrive at Geneva Airport and follow the railway east along Lake Geneva to Montreux. After checking in, walk the lakeside promenade towards Chillon Castle, a remarkably preserved medieval fortress set directly against the water beneath the Alps. Return to Montreux for a relaxed evening amid the palms, Belle Époque hotels and musical history of the Swiss Riviera.
Arrive at Geneva Airport and follow the railway east along Lake Geneva to Montreux. After checking in, walk the lakeside promenade towards Chillon Castle, a remarkably preserved medieval fortress set directly against the water beneath the Alps. Return to Montreux for a relaxed evening amid the palms, Belle Époque hotels and musical history of the Swiss Riviera.
Dates & Prices
A suggested itinerary
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Frequently Asked Questions
Switzerland’s Lakes & Castles: Montreux, Bern & the Jungfrau Region
Follow Switzerland’s gentler western landscapes from the Lake Geneva Riviera into medieval towns and the high valleys of the Bernese Oberland. Begin in Montreux with Chillon Castle at the water’s edge, then travel into the pre-Alps for Gruyères cheese, a walled hilltop village and Swiss chocolate. Continue through Bern’s UNESCO-listed old city before using Interlaken as a base for Lauterbrunnen Valley and the car-free mountain village of Mürren. The journey ends in Geneva among lakeside promenades, historic streets and international institutions. A Swiss Travel Pass suits the route’s frequent intercity, regional and local journeys and also covers many boats and urban networks, although selected mountain cable cars may be discounted rather than fully included.
Arrive at Geneva Airport and follow the railway east along Lake Geneva to Montreux. After checking in, walk the lakeside promenade towards Chillon Castle, a remarkably preserved medieval fortress set directly against the water beneath the Alps. Return to Montreux for a relaxed evening amid the palms, Belle Époque hotels and musical history of the Swiss Riviera.
Travel into the Fribourg pre-Alps to Gruyères. Begin at La Maison du Gruyère to see how the region’s namesake cheese is produced, then walk uphill into the compact walled village. Continue to Gruyères Castle, whose rooms and ramparts trace eight centuries of regional history. On the return journey, stop in nearby Broc for the interactive Maison Cailler chocolate experience and its tasting room before travelling back to Montreux.
Travel from Montreux to Bern and leave your luggage at the station. Switzerland’s capital retains the scale and atmosphere of a medieval town, with six kilometres of covered arcades running beneath its sandstone façades. See the Zytglogge clock tower, cross towards the BärenPark and look back over the turquoise Aare River. In the late afternoon, continue by train to Interlaken, positioning yourself between Lakes Thun and Brienz for the next day’s mountain journey.
Take the local train into Lauterbrunnen Valley, where sheer rock walls rise around a landscape known for its many waterfalls. Continue by cable car and mountain railway to Mürren, a car-free village set on a terrace above the valley. Walk through the village for open views towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau before returning to Interlaken. Mountain transport coverage varies by segment, so confirm the current Swiss Travel Pass validity map when planning the day.
Travel west to Geneva and leave your luggage at the hotel. Walk along the lake to see the Jet d’Eau, whose plume rises high above the harbour, then explore the cobbled Old Town and the Reformation Wall in Parc des Bastions. If time and opening arrangements allow, continue to the international district for the exterior of the Palais des Nations and the surrounding United Nations institutions.
Enjoy a final morning in Geneva before taking the short train journey to Geneva Airport. To extend the route, add a Montreux night and travel towards Interlaken aboard the GoldenPass Express, or remain longer in the Jungfrau region for lake cruises, walking routes or paragliding.
