The Alps are a great summer holiday destination. But how do you chose where to stay? Here’s our pick of the best places to spend summer in the Alps and why.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Jump to Comments
Paul and I love the Alps. We have spent numerous summers exploring every corner and every other year we head back for more.
We have been on hiking holidays traversing the trails of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. We have upped the excitement by paragliding over Chamonix, mountain biking in Innsbruck and traversing narrow arêtes in Appenzell.
We have searched out all the best viewpoints and swum in far too many cold lakes.
We have also taken our time to soak up Alpine culture. Dipping into the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, checking out the art galleries of Lucerne, and exploring the World War I trenches that litter the Dolomites.
Here’s our pick of the best places to spend summer in the Alps and why each is good. Hopefully there is a place just right for you.
1. CHAMONIX, FRANCE
Why go? – Adventure activities & the best view and cable car ride in the entire Alps.
Chamonix is wedged between two steep-sided valleys, with Mont Blanc towering above it.
We weren’t hugely impressed with the town itself, but the scenery surrounding it is stunning.
The cable car from the town centre up to the Aiguille du Midi offers probably the best view we’ve seen in the Alps.
There are also hikes for all levels of ability and plenty of adventure activities you can book from the town.
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHAMONIX
Aiguille du Midi – A cable car from Chamonix takes you to Aiguille du Midi at 3,800 metres. The views over the needles of rock extending to the distance are breathtaking. This would be our top single viewpoint in the Alps.
Panoramic Mont Blanc Cable Car – This is arguably the best cable car journey in the world. It crosses the border from France via an incredible 25-minute journey in a tiny 4-seater gondola. We have more information about this in our guide to Courmayeur, where the cable car finishes.
Mer de Glace – The Mer de Glace is the largest glacier in France. You can walk to it on the Grand Balcon hike from Plan de l’Aiguille (the first cable car stop on the Aiguille du Midi), which is fantastic. We also love the Montenvers cog train that takes you from Chamonix directly to the glacier.
Adventure Activities – Chamonix is an excellent base for adventure activities. There’s a via Ferrata at nearby Flégère, or you can try Paragliding from Pranplaz. You can also attach crampons, grab an ice axe, and hike up the icy slopes of Mont Blanc.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
In our opinion, the town of Chamonix is not the prettiest in the Alps and it’s very much geared towards tourists in terms of the cafes and restaurants.
The other thing to note is that the valley is strung out in one direction, so it’s less varied than other regions we’ve included in this guide.
2. BERNESE OBERLAND, SWITZERLAND
Why go? – For the overall best Alpine scenery easily reached by public transport.
The Bernese Oberland, in southwest Switzerland, is what we would describe as quintessential Alpine scenery.
Beautiful villages are set in rolling green meadows with ice-crested mountains framing the landscape.
An interconnected network of trains and cable cars means the best sights are accessible to most people without hiking to get to them.
We think the Bernese Oberland has some of the most diverse scenery in the Alps. It also has the best public transport network, making the sights accessible to everyone.
For more details on the sights read guide to hiking in the Bernese Oberland.
BERNESE OBERLAND HIGHLIGHTS
Jungraujoch – Jungfraujoch is the saddle of a mountain connecting Jungfrau and the Mönch – two of the highest peaks in the Alps. A cog train, the Jungfrau Railway, takes you to the top with incredible views over the Aletsch Glacier.
Lauterbrunnen Valley – This is one of the most dramatic valleys in Europe and a good base for hiking. The view of the valley from the summit of Männlichen is one of the best in the Alps.
First – First is a viewing platform, reached via a cable car from Grindelwald with a 300-metre metal walkway suspended on the side of the cliff. There are magnificent views over Wetterhorn and the surrounding mountains.
Oeschinensee – Oeschinsee is a glacial blue lake surrounded by a cauldron of mountains. It’s one of the most scenic destinations in Switzerland. You can swim, row a boat or hike up to incredible viewpoints. We wrote a guide with all the hike details and how to visit Oeschinen Lake here.
Villages – The Bernese Oberland has a wonderful collection of Alpine villages, including Wengen, a car-free zone; Mürren, perched on the valley walls; and Gimmelwald, packed with old wooden houses.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
The Bernese Oberland is a popular destination in the Alps, and the sights can get very busy. This is not a destination where you’ll have hikes or landmarks to yourself. Expect to share them with other visitors.
The other thing to note is that this is very much an outdoor destination, so there’s little to do when it’s raining.
Also, being Switzerland, it’s a pricy destination.
3. ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND
Why go? – Zermatt is one of the best bases for hiking in the Alps.
Zermatt is not exactly a traditional town, and yes, it’s full of tourists year-round, but it’s one of the best hiking destinations in the Alps.
The town sits within a steep-sided valley, and the Matterhorn flickers in and out of sight as you wander the streets. We’ve spent quite a bit of time here over the years finding the best views of the Matterhorn.
The town is full of wooden houses with a river babbling through a car-free centre.
On rainy days, Zermatt offers a few good diversions with its mountain museums, cosy cafes and a fine range of places to stay.
We return to Zermatt for its hiking options and the rugged (rather than cute) mountain scenery. But grabbing a drink on the streets and watching the world go by comes a close second.
ZERMATT HIGHLIGHTS
Glacier Paradise – The Glacier Paradise Cable Car rises to the 3,883m high Klein Matterhorn station – the highest in Europe. The views across to the Matterhorn and the snowy tops around Breithorn are some of the finest in the Alps.
Gornergrat This cog train slowly climbs to Gornergrat train station. Once at the top you’ll be presented with 29 mountains over 4000 metres and the incredible Gorner Glacier.
The Gourmet Trail – The Gourmet Trail is a moderate hike from Sunnegga to Zermatt, where you enjoy a four-course meal, stopping off at a different restaurant for each course.
Hiking – Our favourite hike is a toss-up between Hornlihüte and the all-day hike up to Höhbalmen Meadows. Read our guide to the best hikes in Zermatt for the full list.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
As we mentioned above, Zermatt can get very busy. The town is also mostly only set up for tourists, so although it’s very charming and quaint, it does feel like a purpose-built tourist attraction.
The car-free element is great, but it does involve getting a train into the centre.
4. LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
Why go? – For good food, interesting history, and a wonderful medieval old town.
Lucerne is not only an excellent base for visiting the Alps in summer but also just a great city to visit.
This well-preserved medieval town is home to genuinely unique architecture, and we loved strolling around the maze of streets.
There are some interesting art galleries and churches, and you can walk along the top of the original city walls.
Lucerne has a great food scene, really interesting hotels and a thriving craft beer scene.
We loved Lucerne as an option in the Alps because you can split your time between exploring the old town, lazing by the river and heading into the mountains on a day trip.
We have a full guide to Lucerne where you can read about all the great things to do.
LUCERNE HIGHLIGHTS
Chapel Bridge – This historic covered wooden footbridge is the most popular photo spot in Lucerne. It was built in the 14th century and it’s the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
Old Town – Guide books describe the Lucern Old Town as having a fairy-tale setting. They’re not wrong. The car-free centre comprises medieval squares, artfully decorated buildings, and narrow streets.
Lake Lucerne -The lake at the centre of Lucerne is a popular place for locals to hang out. Stretching along four valleys, it’s also incredibly beautiful. SEEBAD Lucerne is an excellent outdoor swimming complex on the lake with a rooftop deck. It’s a great way to unwind at Lake Lucerne.
Mount Pilatus & Rigi – These two mountains, on the edges of Lake Lucerne, both make excellent half-day trips with wonderful views from their summits.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
We wouldn’t say there was anything particularly negative about Lucerne. It’s a beautiful destination in a lovely location.
The only downside would be proximity to the mountains. If you’re looking for a holiday with towering mountains all around you, choose a different location.
5. APPENZELL, SWITZERLAND
Why go? – For hiking along sinuous ridges amongst spiky mountains and dramatically set lakes.
Paul and I only discovered Appenzell on our last visit to the Alps, and we loved it.
The mountains are not as high, and the valleys are not as deep as the more famous destinations in the Swiss Alps, but what makes Appenzell unique are its sinuous, narrow ridges.
These ridges are set above steep-sided valleys and deeply set lakes. They offer some of the best (and slightly nerve-wracking) hiking we have done anywhere. If you have a head for heights and love getting off the tourist track, Appenzell is the place for you.
The entire area is relatively small but packed with a disproportionate number of fantastic viewpoints.
If you stay 3 nights or more, a free visitor’s cards make it a good value Swiss destination.
Most of the area can be seen in 3-5 days. Combined with another centre, it’s a great summer destination in the Alps. Read more on our complete guide to Appenzell.
APPENZELL HIGHLIGHTS
Shäfler Ridge – The views from Shäfler Hut over this sinuous ridge are excellent. For sunrise or sunset, you can spend the night.
Aescher Hut – This lovely wooden guesthouse is perched on a narrow ledge beneath a 100-meter-high cliff. It almost hangs in the air as the dramatic scenery of the Alpstein mountains stretches below.
Seealpsee & Fälensee – Surrounded by sheer walls of rock culminating at jagged peaks, there are few more beautiful lakes in the Alps. Take a refreshing dip, row a boat, or take those reflection photos.
Saxer Lücke – Soaring pinnacles of rock rise above a green grass meadow—just one of the many highlights of this excellent circular walk.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
The facilities are not as comprehensive as in other areas in Switzerland. There are fewer cable cars, and getting to the different sights can take longer.
If you don’t like hiking, the options are more limited, and we think you might only need a couple of days.
6. INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA
Why go? – For the rare mix of city life and Alpine scenery, blended better than anywhere else in the Alps.
Innsbruck is a special destination and one of the few cities in the heart of the Alps.
Wedged between the Nordkette mountains to the north and the Patscherkofel range to the south, the walled old town retains so much original charm.
It has a university so the student popular helps balance the influx of tourist Innsbruck sees every year. As a result, the cafes, bars and restaurants are a cut above.
What we loved most about Innsbruck was the fact that you could be strolling the town, then admiring the views from 2,000 metres up no more than 30 minutes later
Innsbruck also has an excellent public transport system, so getting around is cheap and convenient. Reaching the town centre takes less than 15 minutes from the airport.
We have more details in our guide to Innsbruck.
INNSBRUCK HIGHLIGHTS
Innsbruck Old Town – The heart of Innsbruck is focused around the charming Altstadt (Old Town). It’s made up of pastel-coloured medieval buildings and narrow cobbled laneways.
Court Church – The Court Church contains the tomb of Emperor Maximilian. Before he died, he planned 28 larger-than-life statues to watch over his tomb. It’s a remarkable and strange historical sight.
Nordkette – The Nordkette Mountain range, just north of Innsbruck, is extremely accessible thanks to the cable car that leaves from the centre of town.
Mountain Huts & Restaurants – The hills around Innsbruck are blessed with mountain huts serving excellent food and drink in a sensational setting. Don’t miss trying the Apple Strudel and Kaiserschmarrn.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
There’s really nothing to not love about Innsbruck. But, as a city, rather than a village, it does not have that cute Alpine feel.
The scenery is not as dramatic as in some of the other destinations we have listed in this guide and hiking options are more limited.
But, if you like the idea of combining a city with the mountains, there really is nowhere quite as good as Innsbruck.
7. VAL GARDENA, ITALIAN DOLOMITES
Why go? – For stunning scenery and rugged hiking.
The Italian Dolomites are unlike anywhere else in the Alps.
What makes them so unique are the limestone crags that launch themselves out of rolling green meadows. As the sun rises in the early morning or sets in the evening these soaring pinnacles come alive in beautiful shapes and colours.
Val Gardena is a great base for exploring the central Dolomites, where a string towns (Ortisei, Santa Cristina & Selva) line the valley floor.
The surrounding mountains are reached by cable cars, and extensive hiking trails zip between sweeping viewpoints and inviting mountain huts.
It’s Paul and mine’s favourite Alpine scenery, and you can read more about it in our complete summer guide to Val Gardena.
VAL GARDENA HIGHLIGHTS
Seceda Viewpoint – The view from Seceda across a series of jagged peaks looks like a mangled saw. It has rightly become and Instagram favourite.
Val di Funes – Vale di Funes is an idyllic valley with picture-perfect churches sitting under the soaring spikes of the Puez-Odle mountains.
Alpe di Siusi – Alpe di Siusi is a high alpine meadow surrounded by towering peaks. We suggested getting here at dawn or dusk when the views over the Sassolungo-Langkofel massif are breathtaking.
Sass Pordoi – Sass Pordoi is probably the easiest and most stunning viewpoint we found in the Dolomites. It’s at the end of the Passo Pordoi hairpins, where a cable car climbs to a 2,950-metre-high rocky wilderness.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
Val Gardena is a very popular destination and escaping the crowds can be difficult.
While the cable cars are excellent, public transport to other areas in the Dolomites is not very good. So unless you hire a car, a visit to Val Gardena mean sticking around the valley without exploring further afield.
Additionally, the nearest airport is a couple of hours away.
8. CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALIAN DOLOMITES
Why go? – For one of the most popular hiking holiday in Italy.
Cortina D’Ampezzo is another great option for a summer holiday in the Alps.
The soaring pinnacles are just as impressive as those in our other Dolomites location, Val Gardena, but the hiking may even be better.
Some of the best hikes include the Tre Cime Loop, the Lago di Sorapis hike, the Torri Cinque Trail and the Croda da Lago Walk. Several of the most famous hikes in the Dolomites.
Cortina is also home to many luxury brands. It is a good choice if you want to marry a thirst for the great outdoors with a high-end shopping experience.
CORTINA D,AMPEZZO HIGHLIGHTS
Tre Cime Loop – The loop around the three stone peaks of Tre Cime is widely recognised as the finest in the Alps. For all the information, read our Tre Cime hiking guide.
Lago di Braies – This is generally considered to be the most beautiful of the blue glacial lakes in the Alps. A cauldron of mountains surrounds it and makes a great excursion for a day out. All the details are on our guide to Lago di Braies.
Mountain Passes – Cortina is at the centre of numerous mountain passes. Head off in any direction, and you’ll soon be twisting through hairpins and climbing into the hills. Best of all are the Falzarego and Giau passes.
Luxury Shopping & Nightlife – Cortina is one of the few places in the Alps with luxury shopping opportunities. The town centre has many of the best fashion brands and the nightlife probably the best in the Alps.
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
The main downside to Cortina is that it’s difficult to visit without a car. There is a local bus network that connects a few of the main sights, but overall the public transport could be better.
Also, many of the best sights can only be seen on a hike, so this is not the destination to get great views without any effort.
We wouldn’t say any of the villages were particularly pretty.
MORE ALPS GUIDES
- Top places to visit in the Italian Alps.
- Best places to visit in Switzerland.
- Best places to visit in the Dolomites, Italy.
- Our guide to visiting Val Gardena, Italy.
- What to do in and around Cortina, Italy.
- Our favourite things to do in Zermatt.
- Scenic hikes around Interlaken.
- The very best things to do in Appenzell.
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Thanks for your support. Paul & Mark
Really useful info Paul. When we do plan to go to Switzerland I will refer back to this blog! Great pics too!
Thank you very much. You’re in for a treat if you haven’t been to Switzerland before. Let me know if you need any planning tips when you’re ready to go.
Chamonix looks fantastic! What is the dining scene like in Chamonix in the Summer? Are there good cafes and restaurants open or is it a bit quiet?
Yes, Chamonix was amazing, but the best bit about it is the views, not so much the dining scene. Most things are open in summer but it’s not exactly a dining destination. I guess that happens in popular tourist spots though.
Hi. Amazing site! Up for giving detailed advice?
Dad & Grad (son) are celebrating high school graduation, 18th birthday, off to university etc. We are both fit and enjoy hard-core hiking. We loved our 4 day hut-to-hut experience in Swiss Alps (Bernese Oberland) a few summers ago, and also enjoyed some basic self-guided via ferrata there. We have 6 hiking days. Thinking: 3 days/ 2 nights of refuges; then another 3 days of multi sports (interested in: via ferrata; kayaking; possibly mountain biking).
We want to hike in Northern Italy – but the time available is the most crowded time – end July/ beg August. The only thing we have done is book flights to MILAN (that was the affordable flight). Flight arrives at ~16:00. Want to be sure to be hiking early next morning, so want to travel to mountains immediately. But don’t necessarily care if get to mountain location at 20:00 or 22:00 if the next days will be much better. Questions:
1- I know that the Italian Alps / Valle D’Aosta is closer to Milan. But should we travel a bit more and make it to the Dolomites area? Where?
2- Should I do this all w trains / buses (as I would in Switzerland) or should I consider a rental car?
Thanks!!
Hi TG,
What a great birthday present.
I have to confess to never having walked in the Valle D’Aosta region although seeing as it backs onto the Swiss Alps and the Matterhorn, I suspect it will be similar, though less impressive scenery, than the Bernese Oberland.
The Dolomites offers a completely different landscape and is the home of Via Ferrata, with many of the best routes in the world. In my opinion the Eastern Dolomites, based around Canazei and Cortina, has better and more expansive scenery than the Brenta Dolomites, and also has a better range of beginner and intermediate Via Ferrata. You can also kayak on Lake Misurina (near Cortina) and paraglide from a number of view-points. One word of warning: The Eastern Dolomites will be very busy that time of year, so if solitude is more important, then perhaps stick to the Valle D’Aosta.
I think you should consider renting a car. Car rental is not that expensive in Italy and the public transport network is not nearly as well connected, or regular, as it is in Switzerland. It’s around 4 hours drive from Milan Airport to the Eastern Dolomites. So, if you land at 4pm you should be able to get there by 10pm. If that sounds rushed, you could spend a night on the northern shore of Lake Garda (2h15 drive from Milan), go kayaking and swimming in the morning and complete the last 1h45 next morning before hiking somewhere.
Let me know if you need any more advice.
You have got me excited about going to the Alps again…….
Thanks
Mark
Love the intro about you not being a skier! Time to think about snowshoeing and winter hiking in January/February. ????????
Great blog, both informative and inspirational. Brilliant format too!
Thanks, Luke & Nell. We’re actually skiing right now. I’m certainly not a natural but I managed to spend a lot more time upright today so that was quite nice! I’ve been reading about your snowshoeing adventures, it’s definitely something we would be in to. I love this part of the world so it would be great to have another excuse to go to the Alps more in winter. Thanks for stopping by!
What a great find! I spent a few months in Zermatt last summer because it has plenty of functioning gondolas. My “hiking” is more of a spirited jog/walk up very early morning and a ride down. If you want to keep your knees, it’s the only way to get those hill miles.
While I’m not keen to spend more time in Zermatt (summer scene is mostly day tourists as opposed to winter when ppl go for a month at a time), I appreciated how easy it was to get to Zermatt and how reliable the ski lifts were for getting me back down the mountains.
Can you recommend an area where I could set up for a month (august) that has plenty of ski lifts/gondolas that are still operating daily? It’s really hard to tell even on ski sites if and when lifts are open during the summer. The Swiss do seem to have that organized better than any of the French?Italian sites I’ve combed.
Hi Kate, Glad you enjoyed our post. As you mention by far the best country for interconnected gondolas, trains and public transport is Switzerland. Seeing as you have tried Zermatt you could consider Lauterbrunnen. The Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland is magnificent and Lauterbrunnen is probably best placed to explore the area. Another option is the Val Gardena valley in the Dolomites. There are quite a large number of cable cars that go up and down either side of the valley, taking you up to a number of different massifs. There are no trains but the bus network does allow you to get over a couple of passes and into other valley. But it is not as easy as Switzerland. Hope that helps.
Thanks Mark!
Hi Kate, Actually one further thought is that the Lauterbrunnen valley is very steep so walking up directly from the town can be tricky. You may want to consider Grindelwald as a base instead. It is not far from Lauterbrunnen and may be a better for walking up directly from town and then using the cable car back down.
Love your blog! So insightful and absolutely gorgeous pics!
Thanks Roxy, glad you found it useful.
Great post! I think people will find your perspective super helpful. I’ve been to the Alps three times (France, Italy, and Switzerland) for what I like to call “luxury” backpacking trips and agree that Italy is the best bang for your buck. It is stunning, accessible, delicious, relatively affordable, and positively enchanting. The refugios really are the best – notably, you can stay in single (or small) rooms much easier than in other countries (based on my experience and certainly not comprehensive research).
I’m considering a second trip to the Dolomites this September because I’m looking to do a day-hike trip and it seems like a great place to do it. The public transport will obviously not compare to Switzerland, but I image it’ll be similar to what I experienced in France. I look forward to finding a village base and branching out in all directions!
I have been to dolomites in september and i loved it. Any tips for valle daosta? As it doesnt seem that expensive and have nice places.. any ideas?
Glad to hear it, the Dolomites are one of our favourite areas in the Alps. We haven’t been to Valle d’Aosta yet so it would be great to know what you thought of it.
What great information you have provided here. My husband and I are thinking of taking a trip to Europe next year in Summer from NZ for 2 weeks and we love running and hiking, as well as being in the mountains and seeing amazing lakes.
We were initially thinking Zermatt as like you highlighted, it has great public transport options. Are there any other places you would recommend for 2 travellers who only speak English and won’t have a car, to visit while there to see the best natural beauty of the alps?
Are there be any issues in any of the places you have mentioned if we didn’t speak any other language other than English?
Hi Jo, I am so excited for you. The Alps is an amazing part of the world. Don’t worry about not speaking English. The vast majority of Europeans in the tourist industry speak English, so it’s almost always possible to communicate with them. We only really speak English and never had a problem.
The four most amazing parts of the Alps (in my opinion) are 1 / Berner Oberland in Switzerland. 2 / Zermatt in Switzerland, 3 / Chamonix in France and 4 / Val Gardena in Dolomites.
I think you should definitely do 1 & 2. The Berner Oberland (stay in Interlaken, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen) and Zermatt are an easy train ride apart. You can easily spend 4 days in the Berner Oberland (Jungfraudjoch, hiking Schynigge Platte, hiking Hardergrat, Murren ledge hike) and three in Zermatt (Klein Matterhorn, Hornlihutte hike, Gornergrat 5 lakes and garden hike). On the train ride between the two is the town of Brig, personally I think this it is worth a stop for a night or two. The views from Eggishorn and the hiking around Riederalp are great.
Then you need to decide between Chamonix or the Dolomites.
Chamonix is easier to get to. 3 or 4 hours by train and bus from Zermatt (need to change about 3 times). Chamonix sits under Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps and the views from the top of the Aiguille du Midi cable car are breath taking. The scenery however is similar to that in Switzerland, snowcapped mountains, glaciers and deep valleys.
The Dolomites are very different. They are jagged pillars of rock rising out of green meadows. The lakes are bluer and the hiking is wonderful. But they are not that easy to get to by public transport. You’d have to take a longer train and bus journey (7 odd hours from Zurich – with an optional stop in Innsbruck) to get to the best area to stay in (Val Gardena). From here there are cable cars to great views over Seceda, Sassolungo and Puez Odle. Check out https://anywhereweroam.com/day-hikes-in-the-dolomites/ I suggest you have a look at some photos and see if you want to make the effort to get to the Dolomites.
Flights wise Zurich or Geneva is good for 1 2 & 3. For 1,2 & 4 you might want to fly in and out of different airports. Innsbruck, Verona or Venice good for Val Gardena.
Hope that helps and if you do book any hotels through hotels.com or booking.com it would be great if you could the links on the website. It helps us fund publishing the website without any cost to you.
Let me know if any more questions. Mark