Beautiful Montreux, Switzerland is a relatively small town, but there is so much to do and so much to see any time of the year. Here are my top 10 quick and easy things to do in or in the immediate vicinity of Montreux, Switzerland.
10 Things To Do in Montreux
1. Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle (in French: Château de Chillon) is considered one of the most visited castles in Europe. It's located on Lake Geneva, and I walked from Montreux to the Castle - it took me about 3o minutes, it's that close! Once at the castle, you can walk inside, it's quite impressive!
2. Freddie Mercury Statue
I love QUEEN, and Freddie Mercury is one of my top favorite artists of all time! "Made in Heaven" was the very first album by QUEEN that I started listening to back in the '90s when I was a kid.
Imagine my surprise when I was just walking casually in Montreux, Switzerland and, quite unexpectedly to me, happened upon the statue of Freddie Mercury! Turns out, he had a second home there. QUEEN bought a recording studio in Montreux and recorded "Made In Heaven" in Montreux!
"Made in Heaven" was a very important album to me, that's how I fell in love with QUEEN, and it's just connected to my happy childhood! I am still astonished and pleasantly surprised that quite accidentally, without any planning, I visited the birthplace of "Made in Heaven"!
3. Boat Trip
Take a boat right from Montreux and enjoy looking at charming little villages from the water. You will also see Chillon Castle from a little different perspective than seeing it from the land.
Yes, you can see the Chillon castle from the boat, too:
4. Statues
Walking around in Montreux, I saw so many interesting statues - they were everywhere!
This one resembles the bull from Wall Street:
5. The Gardens of Montreux Palace
The Gardens of Montreux Palace are filled with statues of famous people, such as Nabokov, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Carlos Santana, etc.
6. Train to The Rochers de Naye
Right from Montreux, you can take the train to The Rochers de Naye, a mountain in Swiss Alps, overlooking the Lake Geneva. The views on top I hear are astonishing.
The day we took the train (in mid-April) it was raining in Montreux and snowing on top of the mountain, which is over 6,600 feet high (over 2,000 meters). So we were advised not to go all the way to the top and we got off at a lower station. If the weather permits, definitely take the train all the way to the top to the Rochers de Naye to enjoy the views!
7. Take a Funicular
Once we got off at the mid-station on the way to the Rochers De Naye, we took a funicular all the way down. The funicular is used by the locals to travel between the Territet and Glion suburbs of the town of Montreux, and it's a spectacular ride from the top with the breathtaking views:
8. Enjoy the Flowers
If you are in Montreux in the Spring or Summer, the flowers there are spectacular! I lost count of how many types of tulips I have seen! Really, the flower selections here could beat any botanical garden! I dedicated a whole post, just about the flowers I saw in Montreux: The Tulips of Montreux.
9. Montreux architecture
Montreux is not hard on the eyes. Just walking around and looking at the beautiful architecture will keep your mind busy or be mind-calming, depending on your personality. 🙂
10. Drive to Chexbres
Chexbres is really close to Montreux, only a short drive by car. Take a half day trip to enjoy the vineyards and amazing views of Montreux:
Hello,
Very nice pictures. Very good overview of what can be done in Montreux / Switzerland.
Take Care
Thank you! 🙂
Absolutely stunning pictures!! Enjoyed very much traveling with you thru Switzerland!! Thank you so much!!
Greetings from Oklahoma, USA.
Laura, I am so flattered by your comment! Thank you for taking the time to share these kind words with me. 🙂
brilliant blog Julia. Enjoyed reading about the different places. What great photos! Looking forward to a visit next year.
Thank you, Deborah! Montreux is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.
Sim Montreux é apaixonante. Também adoro.
Beautiful blog♥️♥️♥️♥️
Thank you so much for this blog. My family and I and my friend's family are coming to see Montreux tomorrow to see the places you suggested. We are currently staying at Leukerbad which an hour and 20 minutes away to Montreux. We are looking forward to explore the area.
You are very welcome! Montreux and all the other towns nearby are such a beautiful area - I can't wait to be back there someday.
I was at the International Ranger Camp in Glion each summer between 1955 and 1959. Your pictures and description are a perfect reminder of my youth. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome! I would love to come back to Montreux sometime soon.
I was at International Ranger camp from about 1952-1956. I loved it and through it, I came to love the mountains. My husband and I visited Glion 10 or so years ago and I was afraid I wouldn’t find the camp building I remembered. Glion didn’t look familiar to me. So we checked into our hotel and went out on our huge balcony and just below me was the camp. What a feeling! I still sing songs I learned there, like “I love to go a wandering” and Hi Ho, Nobody’s Home. Each campfire lights anew. So many happy memories.
You've got some amazing memories - thank you for sharing! 🙂 I so loved Montreux, I want to go back so badly. I bet so many things have changed since the 1950s.
I had the good fortune to live in Commugny for 2 years which is a short drive to Montreaux. My family was young then. We took rides on the Rue du Lac and enjoyed the scenery of the beautiful lakeside towns. I remember touring Chillon. That was 43 years ago. This makes me want to go back and stay there for a few days. I would love to see Freddie’s statue. After 2 years in Switzerland our family moved to Munich and we lived there for 2 years, and then moved back to the states to Boston. How interesting that I lived in 2 places where Queen had a music studio.
43 years ago! You should definitely visit Chillon again! The area around Montreux is so beautiful, lined with flowers, trees, and sculptures. I've been there just 3 years ago but want to come back soon. I love Queen, and it was a treat to see Freddie's statue, especially because I did not expect it and did not research it in advance.
Hi Julia,
Thank You for sharing those 10 things they were amazing.
I will be in Montreux from 6-7 April 2019 and definitely will visit the Queen Studio with Fed's statue, I too in love with them.
Do you mind to share your opinion on what I should do there based on my schedule:
6 April: half day (11AM onwards)
7 April: FULL day
8 April: half day (leaving for Italy at 2pm)
Thank You
Hi Julia!
I love your blog about Montreux. Thank you so much for sharing your great ideas.We are going to visit Montreux very soon from May 29 - June3, 2018.. Do you have recommendations regarding fine dining or more moderate dining in Montreux? We would really appreciate your help! Thank you so much!
My favorite restaurant/bar in Montreux was Funky Claude's Bar at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. This bar has amazing, super-creative cocktails, excellent menu, music, and unpretentious atmosphere. Montreux Jazz Cafe was excellent, too. It's been 2 years - I have to look at my records to find other places we ate at. 🙂
Would you stay outside of the city or what is your recommendation ?
We stayed right in Montreux, which was wonderful! But Montreux is so small and it is surrounded by many other small towns that are so close to Montreux that you can either walk, take a bus, or take a ferry between them. So, the choice is up to you. If you zoom in on the map for Montreux you can see all the small towns along the lake Geneva that are very close to Montreux.
We are heading there right now from Interlaken! Thanks for the info.
Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Enjoyed your travel album to Montreux. We are currently in Zermatt and heading to Montreux tomorrow. I appreciate your comments and photos!
I am so jealous about your recent trip to Montreux! I miss this wonderful town so much and want to be back! 🙂
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR BLOG ABOUT MONTREUX
I NEED YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE TIME WE HAVE TO SPEND IN MONTREUX TO ENJOY THE BEST OF IT BECAUSE I,LL GO WITH MY WIFE NEXT NOVEMBER AND HAVE ONLY LIMITED TIME TO SPEND THERE ( ABOUT HALF DAY )
IF YOU PLEASE CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT,S THE BEST THINGS WE HAVE TO DO DURING THIS SHORT PERIOD
THANKS A LOT ,HAVE GOOD DAY
DR.GIMMY ELSHAFEI
INTERNIST
Brilliant & informative.certainly visit Montreux