Montreux, Switzerland: travel guide
Lake Geneva's riviera town — the Montreux Jazz Festival every July since 1967, a statue of Freddie Mercury facing the water on Place du Marché, and the Château de Chillon along a lakeside path running to Vevey.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
- Country
- Switzerland
- Currency
- CHF
- Time zone
- Europe/Zurich
- Nearest airport
- GVA
Top places to visit in Montreux
Chateau de Chillon
Fort · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry CHF 14
Switzerland's most visited monument — a spectacular medieval island castle on Lake Geneva, dating from the 10th century. Lord Byron visited in 1816 and carved his name in the dungeon pillar, inspiring 'The Prisoner of Chillon.' 100+…
Montreux Jazz Festival & Freddie Mercury Statue
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
The lakefront Stravinski Auditorium hosts the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival every July since 1967. The lakeside Walk of Fame and the iconic Freddie Mercury bronze statue (1992) are free to visit year-round.
Montreux Freddie Mercury Statue
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h
The Freddie Mercury Statue — Montreux's spectacular 1996 bronze statue of the Queen frontman on the lakefront, with the iconic pose holding the microphone, and the famous Mountain Studios heritage.
Montreux Christmas Market
Market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
The Montreux Christmas Market (Marché de Noël) — Switzerland's spectacular largest Christmas market (since 1995), with the iconic flying Santa, the famous 160 chalets, and the magical lakefront.
Montreux Lavaux Vineyards
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 4 h
The Lavaux Vineyards — Montreux's spectacular UNESCO World Heritage terraced vineyards along Lake Geneva (since 11th century), with the famous Chasselas wines and the iconic terraces.
Montreux Riviera Promenade
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The Montreux Riviera Promenade — the spectacular 10km lakeside promenade with the iconic Belle Époque hotels, the famous flower beds, and the panoramic Lake Geneva views.
Montreux Jazz Festival Heritage
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The Montreux Jazz Festival heritage tour — Montreux's spectacular annual July festival (since 1967), with the iconic Stravinski Auditorium, the famous Miles Davis-Quincy Jones legends.
Montreux Rochers de Naye
Viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 4 h
The Rochers de Naye — Montreux's spectacular 2,042m mountain peak accessible by the 1892 cogwheel railway, with the iconic panoramic Alps views, and the famous Marmots Paradise park.
Montreux Vevey Day Trip
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Montreux to Vevey — the spectacular Swiss Riviera town with the famous Charlie Chaplin statue, the historic Nestlé heritage, and the Alimentarium food museum.
Montreux Mountain Studios
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
Queen The Studio Experience at Mountain Studios — Montreux's spectacular 1975-1996 recording studio where Queen made 7 albums (including A Day at the Races), with the iconic memorabilia.
Montreux Glion Funicular
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
The Montreux-Glion Funicular — Montreux's spectacular 1909 funicular railway climbing to the iconic 700m Glion village, with the panoramic Lake Geneva views, and the Victorian heritage.
Montreux Old Town
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
Montreux Old Town walking tour — exploring the spectacular Vieille Ville with the historic medieval streets, the famous Saint-Vincent church, and the rich Swiss Riviera heritage.
Things to do
- Rochers-de-Naye Mountain Railway Mountain Excursion · 0.9 h · from CHF 46 per person
Day trips and tours
- Rochers-de-Naye & Marmot Paradise from Montreux 5 h · from CHF 46
Where to stay in Montreux
- Montreux Lakefront & Casino about CHF 420 per night
Montreux's prime address — the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is here, with direct lake access, the Jazz Festival Stravinski Auditorium opposite, and the Freddie Mercury statue on the lakeside walk. Jazz Festival…
- Vevey (Budget Riviera Alternative) about CHF 180 per night
The elegant sister town 5km west of Montreux — more affordable, equally beautiful, and home to Nestlé HQ, the Fork sculpture in the lake, and the Alimentarium food museum. 6-minute train to Montreux and Château de…
Hotels
- Fairmont Le Montreux Palace 5-star · CHF 450 to CHF 1,800 per night
- Hotel Masson Montreux 3-star · CHF 150 to CHF 280 per night
Where to eat
- Restaurant du Raisin Vevey Swiss, French, Seafood · about CHF 70 per person
- Palais Oriental Montreux Moroccan, Middle-Eastern · about CHF 80 per person
- La Table du Palace Montreux French, Swiss, Fine-Dining · about CHF 150 per person
Getting around
- Boat main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Transit Pass main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.