Best mountain destinations in Europe
Best mountain destinations in Europe
Famous alpine peaks and picturesque mountain resorts in Europe
Europe's mountain landscapes are anchored by the Alps and Pyrenees in the west and extend through the Carpathians, Caucasus and Scandinavian ranges across a continent where elevated terrain is rarely far from major population centres. The accessibility of European mountains is unmatched globally, with well-marked trail networks, mountain hut systems and reliable transport links bringing serious alpine terrain within reach of a wide range of fitness levels and experience.
The Alps in particular have developed the most extensive mountain tourism infrastructure anywhere in the world, with long-distance walking routes, via ferrata networks and summit approaches supported by dense hut provision and reliable weather forecasting. Less visited ranges to the east and north offer comparable landscape quality with considerably more solitude and lower costs for those willing to do the additional research.
Summer seasons in the most popular alpine destinations are busy and hut reservations on established routes book out weeks in advance during peak months. Altitude in European ranges is modest by global standards but weather deteriorates rapidly and appropriate equipment is essential even on well-travelled routes. Shoulder season walking in spring and autumn delivers quieter conditions though snow can affect higher routes into June and return from September in some areas.
Lists by region
City in Austria
Innsbruck
Alpine Peaks and Imperial Streets
The Nordkette cable car carries passengers from the city centre to Hafelekar at 2,256 metres. Stations along the line were designed by architect Zaha Hadid. Hikers can walk from the top through a wide alpine landscape above the rooftops. Skiers reach the slopes in winter without leaving the city.
Town in Italy
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Dolomite Peaks, Alpine Glamour, Adventure
The Lagazuoi cable car rises to 2,752 metres from Falzarego Pass near Cortina. The summit has tunnels dug by soldiers during World War One. Hikers can walk down through the tunnels with a headlamp. The town hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and shared the 2026 Games.
City in France
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Alpine thrills beneath Mont Blanc
The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs to 3,842 metres above Chamonix. A glass box called Step into the Void hangs over a drop of about 1,000 metres. From the terrace you can look up at Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. The Montenvers rack train runs to the Mer de Glace glacier.
Village in Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen
Valley of 72 waterfalls
Staubbach Falls drops nearly 300 metres from a cliff above the village. The valley has around 72 waterfalls between steep rock walls. Walkers can follow flat paths along the valley floor beneath the cliffs. Trümmelbach Falls thunders through a series of caves inside the mountain.
Mountain
Pyrenees
Where France meets Spain majestically
The Ordesa Canyon cuts deep into limestone walls beneath Monte Perdido. The peak reaches 3,355 metres on the Spanish side of the range. Hikers can follow a trail through beech forest to the Cola de Caballo waterfall. UNESCO recognised the area as a World Heritage Site in 1997.
Valley in Austria
Ötztal
Majestic alpine valley with crystal lakes
Hikers found the 5,300 year old mummy Ötzi in the Ötztal Alps in 1991. It lay in melting glacier ice near the Italian border. Visitors can learn about Stone Age life at the Archaeopark in Umhausen. The Wildspitze at 3,768 metres is the highest summit in the area.
National Park in Italy
Dolomites National Park
Towering peaks and pristine wilderness
Jagged limestone towers of the Schiara massif rise above beech forest in this Veneto park. The Dolomites earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009. Hikers can follow sections of the Alta Via 1 trek through the peaks. The city of Belluno makes a convenient base for day walks.
Town in Switzerland
Interlaken
Adventure, Lakes and Alpine Magic
A funicular climbs to the Harder Kulm viewpoint at 1,322 metres above the town. The platform looks down on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz on either side. On clear days you can see the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau ahead. Boat trips on the lakes and paragliding start close to the town centre.
City in Italy
Bolzano
Where Alpine peaks meet Italian soul
A cable car from Bolzano climbs to the Renon plateau in about 12 minutes. The Ritten earth pyramids there are tall clay columns capped with boulders. Views from the plateau reach across to the jagged Dolomite peaks. A narrow gauge tram runs across the plateau through meadows and villages.
Town in Switzerland
Saas-Fee
Glaciers, Peaks and Alpine Serenity
Thirteen peaks above 4,000 metres surround this car-free village. The Dom at 4,545 metres is the highest mountain wholly inside Switzerland. The Metro Alpin funicular runs through a tunnel in the mountain to 3,500 metres. Ski runs stay open year round on the glacier above.
Village in Switzerland
Wengen
Car-Free Alpine Bliss and Epic Views
No cars are allowed in this village on a sunny terrace high above the Lauterbrunnen valley. A cogwheel train climbs to it at 1,274 metres. Guests can look across to the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger from the terraces. The Lauberhorn ski race in January is one of the longest downhill races in the world.
Village in Switzerland
Grindelwald
A Majestic Swiss Mountain Village
The Eiger North Face towers about 1,800 metres above the village of Grindelwald. Visitors ride a gondola up to First and step onto the Cliff Walk. The steel platform hangs along the rock wall high above the valley. A walk to Bachalpsee lake rewards hikers with peak reflections.
Town in Switzerland
Zermatt
Alpine Magic and the Matterhorn
The Matterhorn rises 4,478 metres above the car-free village of Zermatt. Its pyramid shape is among the most recognised in the Alps. The Gornergrat railway climbs to 3,089 metres for views of the peak and the Gorner Glacier. Hikers can reach Riffelsee lake for reflections of the Matterhorn.
City in Switzerland
St. Moritz
Alpine Glamour and Winter Magic
The Winter Olympics came to this Engadin resort in 1928 and 1948. The village sits at 1,822 metres beside a lake. Visitors can ski from Corviglia in winter or hike above the water in summer. The Cresta Run ice track has been used since the 1880s.
National Park in Switzerland
Swiss National Park
Majestic alpine wilderness, untouched and serene
Founded in 1914, the park protects 170 square kilometres of Alpine wilderness in the Engadin. Visitors can spot ibex, marmots and red deer from marked trails. Bearded vultures glide over the high rock faces above the valleys. Dogs and camping are not allowed anywhere in the park.
Saddle in Bern
Jungfraujoch
Top of Europe Alpine Adventure
The Jungfraujoch railway station sits at 3,454 metres and is marketed as the Top of Europe. The train reaches it through a tunnel inside the Eiger and Mönch. Visitors can walk onto the snowfield and tour the Ice Palace. The Aletsch Glacier below is the longest in the Alps.
Lake in Bern
Oeschinen Lake
Turquoise Jewel of the Bernese Alps
Glacial meltwater turns this lake near Kandersteg a deep turquoise. It lies at 1,578 metres beneath the Blüemlisalp peaks. Visitors take a gondola from Kandersteg and then walk downhill to the shore. A summer toboggan run and rowing boats add to the fun for families.
Mountain in Bern
Schilthorn
Epic views in Bond country
The revolving Piz Gloria restaurant sits on the summit at 2,970 metres. It appeared in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. A cable car from Mürren carries visitors up to the terrace for views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. A Bond exhibition in the building explains the filming.
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