Discover Switzerland through its castles and fortresses: Top 5 best places to visit

Switzerland is famous for its landscapes, azure lakes and majestic mountains, but there's more to this European gem than just unspoilt nature. The country also boasts a wealth of architecture and history, as evidenced by the numerous castles and fortresses scattered throughout its territory. We would like to take you on a tour of five of Switzerland's most beautiful castles and fortresses and together we will embark on an adventure combining history, culture and breathtaking scenery!

Chillon Castle

Located on a rocky island in Lake Geneva and surrounded by a wooded hill, Chillon Castle offers breathtaking views of the lake and its surroundings. This castle, built in the 13th century by the Savoy family, originally played an important strategic role, controlling the passage along the lake. During its history, it has been an armoury, a prison and the temporary residence of the Counts of Savoy. Here you can enjoy the view of the waves of Lake Geneva against a backdrop of majestic snow-capped peaks.

Today, the castle is open to visitors: you can explore on your own, with a guide or use an audio guide. The castle has eight mini-films telling the history of Switzerland, as well as a café and venues for events ranging from children's workshops to concerts and exhibitions. Don't miss the chance to visit Montreux with its exotic plants on the seafront and Vevey, where there is a statue of Charlie Chaplin, who lived here for the last years of his life.

Laufen Castle

Switzerland is full of magnificent castles and fortresses, but Laufen is one of the most charming. It is located in the beautiful town of Schaffhausen, just a 40-minute drive from Zurich Airport. This historic castle overlooks the Rhine Falls, one of Switzerland's most impressive natural attractions. Take the panoramic lifts to discover an incredible view of these waterfalls, 23 metres high and 150 metres wide. For the adventurous, a walk along the Sentierre du Belvedere awaits. Here, the viewing platforms offer spectacular views of the waterfalls, which are illuminated at night. A popular trail will take you around the chateau from the courtyard to the Kensely viewing platform. To round off your visit, the castle has a restaurant and several rooms can be used for events.

Bellinzona Fortress

In Switzerland, Bellinzona Fortress is made up of three castles, Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. They were built in the Ticino valley to guard the entrance to the Alpine passes and to control the trade on the Gotthard. In the past, the Dukes of Milan recognised their strategic importance in protecting and controlling trade. The castles' rich history is evidenced by traces of the first human settlements on the Castelgrande hill, which date back to 5500 BC.

These castles are key elements of Swiss heritage and a major attraction of Bellinzona. They host temporary exhibitions throughout the year. You can reach them on the Artù tourist train, which leaves from the city centre. Don't miss the two ‘open days’, also known as ‘UNESCO days’, a unique programme to mark the end of the tourist season.

Lenzburg Castle

Among Switzerland's magnificent castles and fortresses, this one bears witness to the legacy left by the former counts of Lenzburg and the bailiffs of Bern who lived here. Walk through the ancient dungeon and discover how punishments were carried out in the 17th century. Then discover the exhibitions on the lives of nobles and knights from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The castle also uses sound, images and video to make the visit immersive and bring medieval history to life for visitors.

If you want to learn more about the lives of the castle's former inhabitants, take a tour of the museum. For an unforgettable family experience, dress up as one of the castle's inhabitants and visit the children's museum. You can also take part in treasure hunts and historical masterclasses. To round off your visit, we suggest you take part in one of the many annual Medieval-inspired festivities held at the castle, from the medieval market to the famous Fauci Festival.

Stokalper Castle

Stokalper Castle in Brig Gliese is one of the most important castles and fortresses in Switzerland. Gaspard Stockalper de la Tour built it as an extension to his ancestral home. This castle dominated the salt trade and the transport of goods to Valais. Stockalper became rich through mining, lending, recruiting mercenaries and controlling mail transport. Today, the castle serves as the town hall of Brig-Glis. It also houses the county court and a research institute for Alpine history.

Discover the Simplon Pass exhibition on the ground floor, which tells the turbulent history of the Simplon Pass in seven themed sections. Then take a guided tour to explore the historic rooms used by the Stockalper family, including cellars, arcades and palatial chambers. Admire the magnificent garden and enjoy views of the monastery, the Jesuit church and the old town of Brig. Last but not least, don't miss the 18th century tapestries and silk paintings created in Paris that adorn the chateau.

Conclusion

Each of these castles and fortresses is not just an architectural heritage, but a whole history that you can feel when you walk through the ancient walls and halls. They immerse us in the past, revealing the lives of the nobles, knights and merchants who shaped the history of Switzerland. Rest assured that this journey will be an exciting adventure filled with history, culture and amazing views.