Holiday in Montreux

What makes Montreux special as a destination?

Montreux is the pearl of the Swiss Riviera and unfolds a charm on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva that has captivated artists, musicians, and nobility since the 19th century. The city is world-famous for the Montreux Jazz Festival, which attracts over 250,000 visitors every July and has brought legends like Miles Davis, Prince, and David Bowie to the stage since 1967. Freddie Mercury spent his last years in Montreux — his monument on the lakeside promenade is now a pilgrimage site for Queen fans from around the world. The lakeside promenade stretches for several kilometers between Vevey and Château de Chillon, lined with palm trees, subtropical flower beds, and Belle Époque hotels. Château de Chillon, picturesque on a rock in the lake, is the most visited historical building in Switzerland and inspired Lord Byron to write his poem "The Prisoner of Chillon." Visiting the medieval fortress with its dungeons, banquet halls, and views over the lake is an absolute must. The cogwheel train to Rochers de Naye (2,042m) offers a spectacular panorama over the entire Lake Geneva and the Valais Alps. At the top, alongside the alpine garden, there is also a marmot park. The nearby vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, rise in steep terraces from the lake to the slopes and produce top-quality Chasselas wines. A wine hike through Lavaux is one of the most beautiful experiences in Western Switzerland. Montreux combines musical history, Belle Époque elegance, and lakeside romance into an irresistible total work of art.