The Alps are defined by Chamonix, Zermatt and St. Moritz but beyond the glittering slopes lies a more authentic, rural experience. Across the mountainous landscape, lesser-known villages exist that still possess the heart of Alpine culture before the throngs of tourists overtook the region. Towns where cobblestone streets and wooden chalets and church bells replace the bustling crowds and designer shops. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience with local flair, check out these 12 secret spots in the Alps.
Guarda, Switzerland – Postcard Village of the Engadine Valley
Perched high above the Engadine Valley is the postcard-perfect village of Guarda, Switzerland. Recognized for its incredibly preserved 17th century homes each boasting their own sgraffito style, Guarda is everything you’d want from a remote Swiss village. The air is clear, the silence is deafening, and the pace of life is slow.
Guarda was the inspiration behind the beloved children’s tale Schellen-Ursli, which makes sense as it feels like a place out of a storybook. Transfers from Turin Airport to Cervinia provide an equally scenic route for travelers seeking that same fairy-tale charm on the Italian side of the Alps, where picturesque villages and serene mountain life await. In winter, the small, winding paths of the village are covered in snow while in summer there are flower boxes upon flower boxes brimming with color. It’s an ideal place for anyone looking to escape and experience true, unadulterated, rural mountain Swiss life.
Valloire, France – French Mountain Village Getaway
Nestled between valleys of the Maurienne, Valloire is another small mountain village that gives off an air of beauty yet simplicity. Located within the shadow of the Galibier Pass, it’s ideal for cyclists and hikers and skiers as it’s a little less commercialized than other nearby options. The town itself boasts quaint family-run patisseries and lodges along with a market every Thursday that sells local cheese and crafts.
In January every year Valloire hosts an International Snow and Ice Sculpture Contest, thus transforming the village into an art gallery for a month, although it hasn’t received the same popularity as other nearby resort towns like Les Deux Alpes. Instead, Valloire is perfect for someone looking for a hidden gem that feels more authentic.
Cogne, Italy – Village Beyond Gran Paradiso National Park
The charming village of Cogne sits within Gran Paradiso National Park in the Aosta Valley region of Italy. It was once a mining village but is now rebranded to appeal to those looking for hikes and alpine sports. The streets are lined with stone houses, local trattorias and shops selling wool and wood crafts.
It’s a great starting point for trails through meadows filled with edelweiss and gentian but nothing compares to the cross-country skiing and ice climbing opportunities it offers in winter. Regardless of season, it feels quiet and private with more of a guest-as-part-of-the-community-than-tourist vibe.
Ftan, Switzerland Lower Engadine Luxury
Ftan is one of Switzerland’s little secrets. A picturesque mountain village overlooks the snowy peaks and forested slopes of the River Inn. Situated in the Lower Engadine, an area with a rich cultural and natural history, this village boasts mixed architectural designs with a touch of understated luxury. Here travelers can find boutique hotels, guesthouses, and expansive hiking trails.
In winter, the small ski area offers access to the Scuol area, with great slopes but without long lift lines. In summer, wildflowers carpet the mountainside, and the scent of pine fills the air. Luxury can be something as simple as natural beauty, and for those who seek less populated but still stunning towns, Ftan is a great reminder that less is more.
Vrin, Switzerland Architectural and Authentic Altitude
Vrin is as high as it gets in many ways. Located high within the canton of Graubünden, this small village is not only one of the smallest in the world, but it also boasts a recognition in international travel due to its architectural efforts. Vrin is home to the creations of local architect Gion A. Caminada, where modern buildings adorned with rustic materials blend into the hillocks and meadows, resulting in an appreciated relationship between innovation and history.
Life exists at a slow pace of farming and skilled crafts in a part of the world where everyone knows everyone else. Wood and stone make up the barns and houses lining quaint pedestrian paths where neighbors say hello by name. Cows graze nearby, with their bells ringing freely amidst the scenic mountain trails. Vrin is not a resort destination it offers an authentic experience far from timekeeping conveniences.
Vrin, Switzerland Architecture & Authenticity in the Air
Above in the Graubünden region of Switzerland sits Vrin, a small village recognized worldwide for architectural wonders and life as it has been for generations. While it’s only two square kilometers in size, it boasts the works of Gion A. Caminada, a local architect. Caminada uses contemporary designs, though they incorporate mountain materials to bring the air of the Alps indoors while still keeping an authentic feel.
People here live very simply, as farmers and artisans with wooden barns and stone houses along cobblestone streets where they know each other by name. Surrounding them are mountains and pastures filled with cattle, letting people know they’re far from a resort. Instead, this is life as it should be, wholly authentic and not overly exploited for tourism.
Hallstatt, Austria A Fairytale Village by a Lake
Hallstatt may have been recognized for years now, but it still feels like a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Alps. It’s hard to believe this beautiful Austrian village is real with its picturesque setting between a blue lake and snow-capped mountains. It has colorful buildings, narrow streets, and buildings dating back to the 16th century that cement its candidacy as one of the most photogenic locations throughout Europe.
In winter, it looks like a snow globe with smoke coming from the chimneys and the lake frozen over. In summer, visitors admire rowboats across the waters and an ancient salt mine within the mountains. Despite tourists flocking here for the beauty, it remains a peaceful place to explore under postcard-perfect circumstances without feeling overly manufactured the ideal balance of the two.
Val di Funes, Italy The Dolomites’ Best-Kept Secret
Val di Funes (Villnöß if you’re German) is one of the Dolomites’ best-kept secrets located in the green valleys beneath the soaring peaks of the Odle mountains. This beautiful region is home to a few small villages such as Santa Maddalena, where barn-like structures and church steeples juxtapose one of Europe’s most magnificent mountainscapes.
This valley is perfect for slow travelers looking to walk, cycle, or merely enjoy nature at their own pace. In the fall, larch trees bloom golden; a picture-perfect land to be a canvas. This is pure Italian Alps; quiet, extraordinarily beautiful, and connected to nature’s essence.
Kandersteg, Switzerland – Where Lakes Meet Mountains in Quietude
Kandersteg is nestled between mountains in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, offering a sense of tranquility amid spectacular views. Home to Lake Oeschinen one of the best mountain lakes in the Alps and charming chalets and cheese parlors, the town itself is relatively quiet, allowing for leisurely strolls past wooden lodges, cheese sampling at mountain huts, or a calming cable car ride and hiking expedition overhead.
In the winter, Kandersteg boasts extraordinary cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. It’s the perfect destination for travelers who want all the sights of the Alps without the chaos found in some of the larger resorts and towns. Kandersteg welcomes those who want to bask in silence where the most audacious sound might be the echo of distant peaks.
Gimmelwald, Switzerland – Above the Clouds in a Car-Free Village
One of the coolest villages to visit in Switzerland is Gimmelwald, thanks to its location thousands of meters above sea level in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Known for its quaint car-free atmosphere and as a fairly secluded destination accessible only by cable car Gimmelwald is nothing short of heaven on earth.
This tiny village consists of wooden farmhouses and blooming meadows with the sound of cow bells ringing throughout the day. Gimmelwald has avoided any commercial enterprises that distract from its charm; small guesthouses and inns run by families welcome travelers who wake up to views of the Jungfrau peaks.
For travelers who want to go back in time to Switzerland’s most basic roots, Gimmelwald is a place where the simplest things are the most beautiful, even if it comes at the cost of strenuous travel to get there.
Soglio, Switzerland Village on the Edge of Paradise
Soglio boasts the title of “the gateway to paradise,” according to painter Giovanni Segantini. Located in the Bregaglia Valley near the border to Italy, Soglio is among the best kept secrets of the Alps. This tiny Swiss village is perched on a sunny terrace about the valley base surrounded by views of the granite peaks of the Sciora Range. With its small cobblestone streets, ancient stone cottages and blooming chestnut groves, this is one of the most picturesque locations in the Alps.
With no crowds and no luxury hotels, just timeless peace, Soglio is perfect. Explore the Segantini Trail with your family or indulge in traditional meals from local inns with views that make you feel as if you’re literally in a painting. This is a destination for travelers who want silence and inspiration as Soglio is a village straight out of an Alpine painting.
Valtournenche, Italy The Sister Village of Cervinia
If you travel just below the slopes of Cervinia, you’ll find Valtournenche, a small Italian village often missed by guests rushing to the lifts. However, this beautiful village is the home to many of the first Matterhorn climbers and it’s deep mountaineering history means its got charm and simplicity for those looking to take a step back in time. With wooden chalets, narrow stone roads and friendly locals, this village has a genuine atmosphere to it.
Connected to the ski area Cervinia but without the commercial chaos at Cervinia’s base, guests can ski and ski right back down into Valtournenche with ease. A meal of Aosta Valley cuisine can await guests as can incredible hiking opportunities in forests surrounding slopes for great views from afar. For those yearning for authenticity, connection and an away-from-it-all vibe and bliss, Valtournenche will do the trick.
Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria The Styrian Jewel of Tranquility
Situated at the base of the majestic Dachstein Glacier, Ramsau am Dachstein is Austria’s most tranquil and best alpine village, known for its rolling meadows and postcard-style view of the Austrian Alps. The village is also home to many outdoor activities like cross-country skiing trails and hiking paths. Therefore, a location filled with natural beauty and movement, it is popular among locals.
It’s a serene atmosphere, with popular areas carefully preserved to avoid an overly touristy experience. For example, one could explore classic farmhouses for some authentic cultural experiences, enjoy delicious pastries in local cafes and even take a horse-drawn sled ride through meadows. For those wanting to chill out and breathe in mountain air, Ramsau am Dachstein is a quintessential representation of the Austrian Alps’ tranquility.
Conclusion: Discovering the Unknown Villages of the Alps
The hidden villages of the Alps represent a part of mountain living rarely experienced by mass tourism; it’s a way of life, a cultural connection to crafting goods and unwinding in undisturbed beauty. Whether it’s stone roads or picturesque valleys filled with flowers, these villages explore a slower and more personal way of experiencing the Alps.
These spots are a reminder that while the elevation and sights are beautiful, the magic happens at the base level and with the people. Therefore, next time anyone endeavors an escape to the Alps, skip the known towns and destinations. The best found are rarely spoken about!
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.
