What is the Best Country to Visit in the Alps?

Swiss Alps  

Switzerland is the walled palace of the Alps. The Swiss Alps are home to almost half the alpine peaks above 4000 meters (13,123’). Within the vast array of Swiss mountains lie some of the most famed on Earth. Above Zermatt, the Matterhorn pierces the skyline in near-perfect symmetry, and the menacing North Face of the Eiger ignites the imagination of anyone who strolls the charming streets of Grindelwald below.

The alpine infrastructure in Switzerland is incredible, and the beautifully produced Swiss maps are strewn with well-marked trails and ski lifts that bring you deep into the heart of one of the earth’s most awe-inspiring countries.

Switzerland is known as the most democratic nation on Earth, and the cities of Geneva and Zurich often host many of the world’s most important decision-makers at the UN or WHO. 

Culturally, the country is made up of three distinct groups. The Swiss Germans, French, and Italians live in perfect harmony. There are distinct differences as you pass through each of these different cultural regions, making a grand tour of Switzerland such a fascinating journey.

In fact, when speaking about Switzerland, “perfect” is a word that is used regularly. The chocolate-box villages, cows grazing on blooming meadows, and an embarrassment of natural wonders make a visit here an essential part of any bucket list. 

One thing to note as a traveler is that Switzerland regularly features as one of the best-performing economies in the world. This means it is considerably more expensive than traveling in other alpine regions.

French Alps

Any person who enjoys hiking these days does so while passing through a portal opened in the French Alps almost three hundred years ago. They say Chamonix is the birthplace of alpinism. As time has passed, the stories of these early mountaineering pioneers and the culture they created have inspired generations of outdoors people to get out and explore.

To this day, the French Alps are one of the most sought-after and diverse hiking destinations. 

The Alps rise north of Nice in Mercantour National Park. This wild land, with over 2,000 species of flowering plants, is a biodiversity mecca as the Alps chain hits the Mediterranean Sea. You can visit it on our Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean tour.

Écrins National Park in the Dauphine Alps, north of Grenoble, encompasses ice-capped peaks, jagged rocky spires, imposing hanging glaciers, glacial valleys, alpine pastures, and lush woodland. 

That is all before you hit the Haute Savoie, where the highest Alps await. Chamonix remains the capital city of all-things-outdoor in Europe and the starting point for many of our most beloved trips. Depending on the time of year, you will see trail runners coming in from races that take days, skiers with goggle-burned smiles, alpinists carrying ropes and ice axes, and countless happy hikers fresh from some of the world’s greatest trails, such as the Tour du Mont Blanc. Above all this regally sits Mont Blanc, which at 15,800 feet is the highest mountain in Europe. 

Food-wise, the French Alps is a delectable delight. You will find hot croissants in the morning, crunchy fresh baguette sandwiches on the trail, and in the evening, a combination of beautiful French classic cuisine and, of course, at least once, a generous helping of melted cheese in a fondue, tartiflette, or raclette.

Austrian Alps

The Austro-Hungarian Empire reigned supreme across Europe and through much of the Alps until the end of the First World War when the Hapsburg dynasty was dismantled and Europe as we now know it took shape. At that time, Vienna and Salzburg, with their opulent palaces, were the European capitals of culture, where Mozart and Beethoven entertained the well-heeled guests. 

Nowadays, these cities retain their old class and charm, but it is Innsbruck in the Tyrol that has become known as one of the outdoor capitals of the Alps. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, it has been the host city for the Winter Olympics twice. This means the outdoor infrastructure here is second to none, and you can take lifts right from the city centre into the alpine wilds. In summer, the trails at Karwendel Nature Park are stunning.

The Austrians are famous for their raucous oompah music where the horns and trumpets ensure revelers have big smiles and even bigger steins of beer. This living tradition is indicative of the jolly vibes that the people of this warm mountain country exude. 

Outside of the cities, you can hike endlessly through rolling mountain pastures and agricultural villages. Once a year, farmers dress their beloved cows in extravagant flower headdresses and parade them through the street as they descend to the lower pastures for the winter. This festival, known as Almabtreib in Austria, brings together everything that makes this country such a singular destination and lays bare the deep connection between these joyous people, and their soulful land.

The Austrians’ jovial way extends to the food menu, where you will find classics like rösti, wiener schnitzel and apple strudel. Look out for kaiserschmarrn, the local desert of fluffy shredded pancakes.