Montreux is one of my favourite places in Switzerland.
Set on the shores of Lake Geneva and backed by mountains, Montreux is one of those places that feels relaxed from the moment you arrive.
While many visitors pass through on their way to Interlaken, I think Montreux deserves at least a full day of your time.
This itinerary covers the main highlights and is based on my own visits to Montreux in both summer and winter.
Yes, one day is enough to see Montreux's main attractions, including Chillon Castle, the Freddie Mercury statue, Lake Geneva promenade and the town centre.
If you have longer, Montreux also makes an excellent base for exploring the GoldenPass route and nearby Lake Geneva destinations.
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Start your day along Montreux’s beautiful waterfront promenade.
The walk stretches for several kilometres along Lake Geneva and is lined with flowers, sculptures, cafés and public art.
One of the things I loved most about Montreux was that there isn’t really any rush. It’s a place where you can simply wander and enjoy the scenery.
You’ll have stunning views across Lake Geneva towards the Alps throughout the walk.
Allow 1–2 hours depending on how often you stop for photos and coffee.
Stop at the Freddie Mercury Statue
One of the most famous landmarks in Montreux is the Freddie Mercury statue.
Located directly on the waterfront, it’s one of the most photographed spots in town.
Even if you’re not a huge Queen fan, it’s worth stopping here for the views across the lake.
Fans of the band may also want to visit the free Queen Studio Experience located inside Montreux Casino.
Allow 15–30 minutes.
Next, continue along the lake towards Chillon Castle.
This is one of Switzerland’s most famous attractions and one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe.
The castle sits directly on the water and the setting alone makes it worth visiting.
You can:
- Explore the castle interiors
- Visit the underground vaults
- Walk the ramparts
- Enjoy views across Lake Geneva
Allow 1–2 hours.
After visiting Chillon Castle, return towards the centre of Montreux for lunch.
One of the best things about Montreux is the number of restaurants and cafés overlooking the lake.
Whether you choose a simple café or a lakeside restaurant, this is a great place to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
Allow around 1 hour.
If you're travelling on a budget, there are also supermarkets and takeaway options near the station, making it easy to keep costs down.
Spend the afternoon exploring Montreux itself.
The town isn’t particularly large, which makes it ideal for exploring on foot.
Highlights include:
- Lakeside gardens
- Public art installations
- Boutique shops
- Waterfront cafés
- Mountain and lake viewpoints
This is also a good opportunity to simply enjoy the atmosphere that makes Montreux so appealing.
Allow 2–3 hours.
Finish your day with dinner overlooking Lake Geneva.
As the sun begins to set behind the mountains, Montreux becomes even more beautiful.
This was one of my favourite parts of staying overnight in the town and one of the reasons I’d recommend spending at least one night here if your itinerary allows.
If you’re a train enthusiast, consider adding a short journey on the famous GoldenPass route.
Montreux is the starting point for both:
Even a short ride allows you to experience one of Switzerland’s most scenic railways.
Yes. Direct trains connect Montreux with Geneva, Lausanne and other Swiss cities, making it one of the easiest day trips in Switzerland. However, after staying overnight myself, I'd recommend spending at least one night if your itinerary allows.
If you're arriving from Geneva Airport, the direct train journey takes around 1 hour 15 minutes, making Montreux an easy day trip even if you're staying elsewhere.
If you’re visiting during July, you may be lucky enough to experience the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival.
The festival attracts international artists from around the world and transforms the waterfront with concerts, food stalls and live music.
During my own visit, preparations were already underway and I remember wishing I’d timed my trip to coincide with the festival itself.
Montreux is equally impressive during winter.
The Montreux Christmas Market is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Switzerland and stretches along the lakeside promenade.
If you're visiting between late November and Christmas Eve, I'd strongly recommend making time for it. You can read more about what to expect, opening dates and my favourite parts of the market in my Montreux Christmas Market Guide.
If you have longer than a day in Montreux, there are plenty of additional attractions and day trips worth considering.
Popular options include:
While one day is enough to see the main sights, I don't think you'd struggle to fill two or even three days in the area.
If you’re visiting Switzerland for the first time, I think Montreux is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
In one day you can experience:
- Lake Geneva
- Chillon Castle
- The Freddie Mercury statue
- The waterfront promenade
- Great food
- Mountain views
- The GoldenPass railway
For me, Montreux offers some of the best scenery and atmosphere in Switzerland and remains one of the few places I've chosen to return to more than once. If you're deciding whether to include it in your Switzerland itinerary, I think it's well worth your time.
➡️ GoldenPass Belle Époque Guide
➡️ GoldenPass Express vs GoldenPass Belle Epoque: Which to Choose
➡️ Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen by Train
➡️ Is Montreux Worth Visiting? My Honest Review
➡️ 6 Day Switzerland Rail Itinerary
➡️ 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary
➡️ My 4 Day Switzerland Trip: Montreux, Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen
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