A Travel Guide to Montreux, Switzerland

Tucked away along the shoreline of Lake Geneva, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps is the stunning town of Montreux, Switzerland. Yes, it's really as dreamy as it sounds. It is a relatively small town, but there is still much to do and see. Although, to be honest, it's also the perfect place to do 'nothing'. Just relax and take in the tranquility of the town. I can't even describe how vibrantly blue the water is there – photos just don't do it justice. I felt so at peace.[columns_row width="half"][column][/column][column][/column][/columns_row]

The vineyards in Lavaux. All I'm missing is my glass of rosé (thankfully it was poured about 5 minutes after these photos were taken).

Sunset over Lake Geneva is truly something else.

Finding adorable homes on the way to dinner.

What to See & Do

Walk along the lake promenade. The 3.5 km stretch between Clarens and the Château de Chillon is one of the most beautiful walks along Lake Geneva. This was one of my absolute favourite things to do in Montreux! To make things even more picturesque (if that's even possible?!), the walk is bordered with flowers which the town takes great pride in maintaining.Montreux Jazz Festival. The Montreux Jazz Festival is a week long celebration in July that has a world famous reputation for its musical performances. Not only that, the whole town comes alive with street festivals, pool parties and more! It’s definitely the best time to visit but just be sure to get in early, as accommodation and tickets book out real quick. If you're not in town for it, be sure to head to Montreux Jazz Café, inspired by the ambiance of the legendary music festival.Boat trip. There are ferries which depart several times a day for you to catch a glimpse of the town from a different perspective.Château de Chillon. The 13th century medieval fortress on the shores of Lake Geneva is the most visited monument in Switzerland.Lavaux Vineyards. The Lavaux vineyards stretch an impressive 30 km between Lausanne and Montreux. The scenery is jaw-dropping, it’s no wonder they’re a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the area in Roman times, the present vine terraces can be traced back to the 11th century. Hikers through the terraced vineyards can enjoy easy walks or just stop by for a wine tasting!Queen: The Studio Experience. If you’re into music history and are a fan of Queen, you’ll love this one! This tour takes you to the Montreux Mountain Studios, where the band wrote and recorded some of their most acclaimed music. Plus there’s plenty of Queen memorabilia, such as photographs and original handwritten copies of lyrics.The Gardens of Montreux Palace. Beautiful and luxurious gardens to spend your time walking around, snapping some photos and checking out all the statues.Take a train to The Rochers de Naye. The trip from Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye takes about an hour and can be done all year long. Alike all trains in Switzerland, it boasts pretty amazing views.Take a Funicular. Climb aboard at Territet and spend a few hours experiencing the life of an English lord or lady on holiday. Enjoy the view down over Lake Geneva while sipping tea on the terrace of the famous Glion hotel. It's usually used between lcoals to travel between the Territet and Glion suburbs.

Apparently some epic pool parties are thrown here during Montreux Jazz Festival... and I want to be apart of it.

The beauty that is Montreux Palace.

Some of the clearest lake water I've ever seen. I was just about ready to jump in at this point. And if you're wondering, yes, you can also swim in all the lakes in Switzerland!

Where to Eat & Drink

Montreux Jazz Café. If you're looking for some finer dining, I'd definitely start with Montreux Palace. I feel like the name says enough. We had lunch here where I had one of the best caesar salads of my life.Caveau des Vignerons. Set in the Old Town of Montreux, this restaurant is a must if you're after some traditional Swiss food.Maï Thaï. For incredible views of the Riviera, I'd highly recommend booking dinner here. The Thai food is authentic and brimming with flavours.Auberge de Chaulin. Overlooking the entire town of Montreux, Lake Geneva and the Alps, truly a beautiful spot to dine!

Dining at Montreux Jazz Restaurant where I had the best caesar salad of my life.

Have you ever been or heard of Montreux before? Is it on your bucket list? Let's chat in the comments!