The Alps are a majestic arc of mountains in the
south-central part
of Europe stretching from the Mediterranean coast near Nice, France to the
edge of the Pannonian Plain in Slovenia.
Officially considered to include parts of eight countries:
France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Liechtenstein and
Monaco, the region is known for its stunning alpine scenery, year-round
activities and magical storybook appeal. It’s no wonder so many folklore tales
were set in this magnificent part
of the world and inspired numerous family and classic Hollywood films.
Check out our helpful guide to make the most of your visit
to the Alps in 2026.
Lake Como, Italy. (Photo by Lauren Breedlove)
Best Destinations in the Alps
It’s not a question of “where” to visit, it’s more one of
“how to choose” given the number of magnificent options the Alps has to offer.
Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the car-free village
of Zermatt is most notable for its iconic Matterhorn and serving as a gateway
to some of Europe’s
best skiing, mountaineering and hiking with small-town charm and preserved
alpine architecture.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen remains a favorite destination of
travelers. Situated at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest peak, the
picturesque twin town offers a magical blend of Bavarian culture with cozy
guesthouses, stunning alpine scenery and one of Germany’s top ski resorts.
Those looking for a more off-the-beaten trek and quiet
location will love Hallstatt, Austria, a post-card perfect storybook village
famous for its dramatic setting between Lake Hallstatt and the Dachstein Alps.
A jewel in the Italian Alps, Lake Como is one of Italy’s
most elegant and scenic lakes, famous for its dramatic Alpine backdrop,
charming towns, historic villas and refined atmosphere. Seep, forested
mountains plunge directly into deep azure waters and due to its mild
microclimate, you’ll actually find palm trees here.
Trekking Mont Blanc (Photo Credit: Provided by GAdventures)
Best Alps Attractions
With an incredible mix of natural wonders and scenic
journeys, the Alps offer a myriad of adventures and attractions for the outdoor
lover.
Iconic alpine mountains and viewpoints include France and
Italy’s Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe, the Matterhorn in
Switzerland, Germany’s Zugspitze and Italy’s jagged, dramatic Dolomites,
especially lovely at the sunrise and sunset Alpenglow.
Train
travel in Italy is easy and accessible. Not-to-be-missed scenic train and
mountain routes include the Bernina Express (Switzerland to Italy), Glacier
Express in Switzerland, Austria’s stunning Grossglockner High Alpine Road and
Switzerland’s Furka Pass (a James Bond location).
The Alps world-class ski areas offer some of the most
legendary and challenging runs in the world, and other outdoor adventures
include hiking through dramatic mountain gorges in Germany’s Partnach Gorge and
paragliding in Interlaken for one of Europe’s top adrenaline experiences.
Must-See 2026 Alps Events
Undoubtedly, the world’s crown jewel and biggest global
sporting event of the year, the Milano
Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be held from February 6-22 in Milan,
Cortina d’Ampezzo and Livigno, Predazzo, Italy.
Snowboxx, a flagship ski-and-music festival combining DJ
sets, live acts, theme nights and après-ski celebrations is set for March 14-21
in Avoriaz, French Alps. Rock the Pistes, a live rock and international music
event performed on the slopes at altitude from March 15-21 in Portes due Soleil
(France and Switzerland) offers guests skiing in the day, followed by concerts
in the late afternoon and evening.
While Munich’s Oktoberfest is the most famous, several other
regions in and around the Alps celebrate the festive season as well with
lederhosen, beer, traditional food and stunning mountain view. These include
festivals in Bavaria, Austria, South Tyrol and Switzerland.
Neuschwanstein castle at sunset. (Photo Credit: yorgen67 / Adobe Stock)
Best Places for Families in the Alps
The Alps are fantastic for families because of its
activities for all ages.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers pedestrian-friendly streets,
the Zugspitze Cable Car that rides to the top of Germany’s highest peak, gentle
hiking trails throughout the area, waterfalls, sledding, tobogganing and
lakeside swimming in the summer. And to boot, Neuschwanstein
Castle, the fairytale icon of the Bavarian Alps that was the inspiration
for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle is less than an hour away.
Leogang/Saalfelden and Serfaus-Fiss in Austria are great
family-oriented ski regions with gentle slopes for beginners and child-friendly
ski zones. La Clusaz in the French Alps is ideal for summer visits due to its
charming traditional Alpine village, stroller-friendly hikes, mountain biking
trails, animal parks, farm tours and local cheese experiences.
PHOTO: Les Chalets du Mont d’Arbois Megève (Courtesy Four Seasons)
Best Places for Couples in the Alps
The Alps are perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries or just
intimate getaways surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, cozy charm and
memorable experiences.
Zermatt, Switzerland offers classic alpine romance at the
foot of the Matterhorn with car-free streets and horse-drawn carriages. Think
cozy nights in chalets and stunning, scenic rail rides. Also in Switzerland,
Lucerne & Lake Lucerne is known for its classic combination of lakes (ideal
for boat rides), mountains, historic streets and sunsets.
Megève, France sports cobblestone streets, horse-drawn
carriage rides, Michelin-star restaurants and postcard views of Mont Blanc.
This is the place for a stylish, intimate escape with fine dining and slow
outdoor strolls. Alpach is often called Austria’s prettiest village with
traditional chalets, flower-lined streets and fairytale ambience. Couples
looking for authentic and serene with opportunities for outdoor activities will
find this a good fit.
Schnönnbrun Palace, Vienna (Photo via Hans Brunk)
Best Places for Group Travel in the Alps
Depending on what groups are looking for, the Alps offers a
myriad of destinations, each with its unique charm and adventures.
Active adventurers will match well with Verbier, a charming
alpine village in the canton of Valais in southern Switzerland with four ski
areas, and one of the largest interconnected ski domains in the Alps. The
legendary winter destination transforms into a summer haven for hiking,
mountain biking and paragliding.
Interlaken, Switzerland is an adventure hub perfect for
groups looking for variety with paragliding, rafting, canyoning and easy base
trips to the picturesque villages of the Jungfrau Region of Grindlwald and
Lauterbrunnen.
Vienna,
Austria works well with groups into culture as it combines easy logistics, excellent
public transportation, direct flights from most major cities and a ton of shared
“wow” experiences such as Schönbrunn Palace, Danube River cruises and classical
Mozart and Strauss classical concerts.
Best Places for Solo Travel in the Alps
Depending on what the solo traveler is looking for, if not traveling
with a group, the Alps offer numerous options for one traveling alone.
Innsbruck, Austria is likely the best overall alpine city
for solo travelers. The compact, easy walkable city offers excellent public transportation
with a cable car direct from the city center into the mountains, Old Town cafes
and beer halls, and an easy place to meet other travelers.
Chamonix, France at the foot of Mont Blanc lures the
international, outdoorsy crowd with its après-ski culture, adventure sports, easy-
to-join guided hikes or climbs and vibe that mirrors a real town with
year-round life.
Switzerland ranks as one of the world’s safest
places to travel in 2026 and Lucerne, Switzerland fits the bill. The scenic,
relaxed lakeside city surrounded by picturesque mountains is ideal for calm,
solo trips with incredible opportunities to capture the best photo moment.
Best Foodie Destinations in the Alps
The Alps tend to be an underrated foodie region compared to
other European destinations, but each country brings its own unique cuisine,
food and wine.
Italy tends to be an overall winner with a strong regional
food culture that extends to even remote mountain towns along with an
exceptional wine culture. France is the birthplace of iconic Alpine food with its
fondue, raclette and alpine cheeses. Austria boasts top notch hearty comfort
food with big portions and deep mountain traditions while Germany is renowned
for its beer halls, pretzels and sausages.
Small but impressive Slovenia offers a mix of Italian,
Alpine and Balkan influences with hearty stews and roasts and mountain cheeses.
Trafalgar says travellers are increasingly looking to head to lesser-known European destinations, such as Slovenia. (Photo Credit: Jim Byers/TravelPulse Canada)
Best Places for Adventure
Based on each traveler’s sense of adventure, the Alps offers
a myriad of choices. The Italian and Swiss Alps are renowned
for snow skiing, Switzerland for overall adventure including biking, white-water
rafting and mountain climbing.
Slovenia offers a water adventure paradise with
crystal-clear rivers and dramatic gorges, and France’s Mont Blanc attracts skiers,
climbers and thrill-seekers.
Best Places for Sports Enthusiasts in the Alps
The Alps are not just a playground for everyday adventure;
they also host some of the world’s most iconic and adrenaline-packed sporting
events.
The Lauberhorn World Cup in Wengen, Switzerland sports the
longest downhill race in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup drawing huge crowds and a
festive atmosphere while Hahnenkamm Ski Races in Austria are legendary as having
the most dangerous downhill course in the world.
One of the most prestigious ultra-trail races in the world,
the Ultra-Trail due Mont-Blanc winds through France, Italy and Switzerland each
August with spectacular Alpine scenery.
Unique to the Alps
As one of the most unique mountain ranges in the world, the
Alps distinctiveness comes from a blend of geography, history, culture,
biodiversity and human adaption.
Spread across eight countries, the Alps feature diverse
landscapes with glaciers, snowfields, ice caves, deep valleys with picturesque
rivers and lakes and jagged, magnificent mountain peaks. A cultural mosaic with
diverse tradition evolving in close proximity to one another gives this region
a uniqueness unto itself.
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