Explore Alpine Fairy-Tale Towns

Switzerland is beautiful in the winter, no matter which city you are in, but the most magical places to visit are the small, charming villages and towns. The ski resort towns of Zermatt and St. Moritz are favorites, but Grindelwald and Gstaad are equally stunning, with smaller crowds.

Davos, the highest town in the Alps, is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, but it's also a great place to shop and enjoy great food in a picturesque mountain setting. St. Gallen is a unique destination since it has a pedestrian-only Old Town Center, ancient homes that date back hundreds of years, and the Abbey of St. Gallen, which in December serves as the setting for a Christmas market. Another stunning medieval village with cobblestone streets that comes alive around the holidays is Gruyères, which is known throughout the world for its namesake cheese. Lugano is another great winter destination, with Christmas markets that begin in November and go until early January. It is located directly on a lake and is surrounded by beautiful mountains.