Rick Steves Suggests This Lesser-Known Village In The Swiss Alps For A Romantic Stay

Throughout Europe, there are locations that are remote, rural, and even tucked away. But few can compare to the offbeat, out-of-the-way village of Gimmelwald, Switzerland, in the heart of the Alps. It's the remote charm and lack of development that travel expert and writer Rick Steves says enshrines this village among the most romantic stays.

This small village with a population just barely over 100 people is near the center of the country, positioned along a group of mountain peaks called the Jungfrau, reaching high into the sky at more than 13,500 feet. It's a true mountain village that Steves describes as hanging "nonchalantly on the edge of a cliff high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley."

Public cable cars strung through the mountains are the best way to take in the sites of the valley and the only way (other than hiking) to reach Gimmelwald. The village is vehicle free, for the most part, and is "pleasantly stuck in the past," as Steves writes in a travel article. Time slows down in Gimmelwald, and it is among a number of iconic and beautiful destinations that you shouldn't skip on your next Swiss trip.

Since it opened in 1965, the Schilthorn cableway has provided easy transportation into and out of the center of Gimmelwald. While the new transportation system initially assisted locals in their return to relatives in nearby mountain towns, it eventually led to an interest in tourism. The ride is about 30 minutes, Rick Steves says, and lifts arrive and depart twice hourly. It's a touch of modernism in a village that dates back to the 1300s and puts the "Swiss Alps in your lap," the travel guru writes in his travel article.

The Alps are high, so be prepared in the event you or a member of your party encounters a bout of altitude sickness. Taking the cable car farther up the Alps lands visitors near the Piz Gloria, complete with a famed restaurant with a revolving dining room. At more than 9,700 feet high, the 360-degree views are an opportunity for an "unforgettable breakfast," Steves says. The building also offers a shop with a wide selection of souvenirs and weather-appropriate apparel, viewing lounges, and a snack bar, in case a full meal isn't required.

The village of Gimmelwald itself is peaceful. Cows easily outnumber permanent residents, and, with virtually no vehicle traffic present, it's easy to enjoy the calm atmosphere. Steves recommends enjoying one of his favorite "'savor Europe' depots": a quiet bench resting on the highest end of the village. Here, he says, is an ideal location to just sit still, whether alone or with a companion, and take in the sights and sounds of the Alps.

Gimmelwald's intentional avoidance of big-time tourism means that the village retains its mountain town charm and romantic vibe, Rick Steves says. But that also means accommodations are limited to hostels, small hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts. The Mountain Hostel offers access to skiing, mountain views, and a restaurant, while Ester's Guesthouse maintains its position as the accommodation closest to the cable car station.

Accessing the romantic charm of Gimmelwald definitely requires some planning. Its cable cars are connected to Stechelberg, lying at the entrance of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and Mürren, a village above the valley and a popular spot for winter sports enthusiasts. Since public transportation is the only way to arrive to this mountain village, make sure to keep this map of Switzerland handy for your upcoming trip as you navigate and plan your itinerary.

International tourists with their eyes on Gimmelwald typically fly into Zurich's international airport (ZRH), which is a two-hour drive from the station in Stechelberg. Zurich Airport also offers easy access to rental cars, buses, and railways that connect to villages near Gimmelwald. Bern Airport is closer to the mountain villages, but since it's a smaller airport, it offers fewer flight options for international travelers.