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Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland -

One of Switzerland's most beautiful villages, Lauterbrunnen nestles in a magnificent U-shaped valley where no less than 72 thundering waterfalls plunge down gigantic granite rock faces.

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Aosta, Italy -

Remnants of Aosta's Roman past include the Arch of Augustus and the Praetorian Gate, once the city's main entrance—just two of the many reasons why this alpine town, the capital of Italy's Valle d'Aosta region, is a compelling year-round destination.

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Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria -

Set southwest of the city of Salzburg, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is served by 70 cableways and lifts to provide access to numerous mountain hiking paths. The region is also crisscrossed by a network of mountain bike trails.

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Hallstatt, Austria -

Deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage Site status, scenic Hallstatt is wedged between the southwestern shore of Hallstätter See and the steep slopes of the Dachstein massif. The town is known for its production of salt, an industry that dates back to prehistoric times.

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Annecy, France -

Lying on the northern tip of Lake Annecy in southeastern France about 35 km (22 mi) south of Geneva, picture-perfect Annecy has been called the "Venice of the Alps" for its three canals and the Thiou river, which meander through the old city where some of the buildings date back to the 12th century.

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Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany -

Summer sunshine casts a warm glow over attractive Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany's Oberbayern region, which in turn lures outdoor enthusiasts to this historic Bavarian town: the place is known as the site of the 1936 Winter Olympic Games, the first to include alpine skiing. Nearby is Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze, at 2,962 m (9,718 ft) above sea level.

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Saas-Fee, Switzerland -

The delightful village of Saas-Fee lies in a pleasant valley at the foot of the Dom, at 4,545 m (14,911 ft) the highest mountain in Switzerland.

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Gruyères, Switzerland -

The medieval town of Gruyères rewards the visitor with a wealth of cultural attractions, including a stunning 13th-century castle and a museum dedicated to H.R. Geiger, the Swiss artist best-known as the creator of the alien creature that appeared in the 'Alien' movie franchise. Gruyères is also a foodie destination⁠—the town gives its name to Gruyère cheese.

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Santa Maddalena, Italy -

An Instagram favorite, the quaint village of Santa Maddalena sits in alpine valley pastureland under the shadow of the mighty Dolomites. The tiny community numbers just over 350 people.

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Interlaken, Switzerland -

Exuding an old fashioned charm that's further heightened by the surrounding mountains of the country's Bernese Oberland region, Interlaken sits between the emerald-colored waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

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Oberammergau, Germany -

Every 10 years, Oberammergau hosts the Oberammergau Passion Play, a tradition that dates back to 1680. The event draws visitors from across the world. Meanwhile, the years in between can be spent admiring the town's "Lüftlmalerei," or frescoes, of traditional Bavarian themes, fairy tales, religious scenes, or architectural trompe-l'œil found on many homes and buildings.

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Megève, France -

Located in the south-east of France, near the Italian and Swiss borders, Megève has been attracting visitors since the 1920s to its chic luxury amenities. The 18-hole Mont d’Arbois golf course, designed in 1964 by Sir Henry Cotton, is one of the world's oldest and best alpine courses.

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Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy -

The picturesque town of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Italian Alps is rightly known as the "Pearl of the Dolomites." Tucked in a valley near Belluno and surrounded by soaring peaks, the town is blessed with film set looks—the 1981 James Bond movie 'For Your Eyes Only' was partly filmed here.

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Mount Lussari, Italy -

Perched on a peak of the Julian Alps south of Camporosso at a height of 1789 m (5,869 ft), the pretty village of Mount Lussari includes a 14th-century church. The mountain itself marks the point where Italy, Slovenia, and Austria meet in the Alps.

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Berchtesgaden, Germany -

The distinctive Watzmann mountain overlooks Berchtesgaden, a popular year-round outdoor recreation destination. The Bavarian town also draws historians to the Dokumentation Obersalzberg museum, which chronicles the Nazi era. Hitler purchased a home in the Obersalzberg above the town, which became known as the Berghof. The Eagle's Nest restaurant and beer garden is the only surviving building from that dark chapter in history.

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Balzers, Liechtenstein -

Not strictly an alpine destination but nonetheless impressive for the towering peaks that surround it, Balzers, a village located in southern Liechtenstein, is known for Burg Gutenburg, a 12th-century castle that stands in the center of the village and affords glorious views of the surrounding area.

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Chamonix, France -

Set at the foot of iconic Mont Blanc, at 4,807 m (15,774 ft) the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe, Chamonix is renowned for its year-round outdoor recreation options. In summer, cable cars take hikers up to some of the most rewarding trails on the continent. And high season sees at least 20,000 people attempt to summit Mont Blanc itself.

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Brixen, Italy -

One very good reason for visiting Brixen, also known as Bressanone, is to explore its collection of historic sights, among them the cathedral, the bishop's palace, and the white tower (pictured). The town is located in South Tyrol, in northern Italy.

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Entrevaux, France -

This extraordinary medieval walled town is one of the most alluring destinations in France's Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. The citadel appears as if carved out of a solid rock face to embrace a cluster of stone-clad dwellings and an ancient castle.

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Schmitten, Switzerland -

How can you not be smitten with Schmitten? Nestling in a valley in the canton of Graubünden, this Swiss village is the stuff of chocolate box photographs. It's also well known for the nearby Landwasser Viaduct, a six-arched curved limestone railway viaduct set between Schmitten and Filisur.

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Grindelwald, Switzerland -

Grindelwald village dates back to the mid-12th century and later became one of the first tourist destinations of the golden age of alpinism in the 19th century. Located in the canton of Berne, Grindelwald is overlooked by the section of the Bernese Alps from the Wetterhorn to the Eiger.

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Rosenheim, Germany -

The Bavarian town of Rosenheim is noted for its wonderful lake, Simssee. Nourished by alpine meltwater, the lake serves as a watersports playground during the summer, when its waters are plied by canoes, kayaks, and sailboats.

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Madesimo, Italy -

Set at an elevation of 1,399 m (4,589 ft), the relatively remote town of Madesimo in northern Italy's Lombardy region is one of the best places in the country for winter sports and summer holidays.

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Saint-Véran, France -

Saint-Véran is the highest village in Europe, at 2,042 m (6,699 ft) in altitude. Found in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, the destination is surrounded by the spectacular Queyras Regional Natural Park.

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Mittenwald, Germany -

Mittenwald in Bavaria was once an important transit center on the transalpine route and is still a key transport hub. The most significant landmark in the village is the pink-colored Roman Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which is typical of the region. Every February the town hosts a wonderful carnival festival (pictured) to welcome the arrival of spring.

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Oberstdorf, Germany -

Exuding traditional character, Oberstdorf, located in the Allgäu region of the Bavarian Alps, is sunk into a scenic valley and enclosed by a circle of mountains that are snow-capped even in summer. Many of the old town buildings date back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

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Fiera di Primiero, Italy -

Hidden away in Italy's northern Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region is this sparkling gem of a village. Sitting at the foot of the Bedolé and Pale di San Martino mountain chains, Fiera di Primiero is the perfect getaway for those seeking relative solitude in historic surroundings. Incidentally, the town is the birthplace of Alois Negrelli (1799–1858), a pioneering railway engineer and one of the original planners of the Suez Canal construction project.

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Glurns, Italy -

Glurns is a charming fortified medieval town surrounded by the mountains of the South Tyrol. The walls were completed in 1580, built on the orders of the Holy Roman emperor Ferdinand I. The ancient fortifications lend the destination a noble though somewhat weatherworn air.

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Chur, Switzerland -

According to archaeological evidence, Churs, in the eastern Alps, is one of the oldest settlements in Switzerland. The destination serves as the cultural center of the canton of Graubünden, with many of its buildings listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance.

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Grimentz, Switzerland -

Grimentz is a shining example of a village typical of the Swiss canton of Valais. Set between Verbier and Zermatt deep in the Swiss Alps, the village is a hugely popular ski destination in winter, but is particularly charming during the summer months when sunshine accentuates the many timber-farmed chalets that texture the landscape.

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Tignes, France -

In winter, inexpensive Tignes attracts families and large groups to its ski slopes. By contrast, neighboring Val-d'Isère is one of the France's most exclusive ski resorts. In summer though, it is the lake that lures many, which is also fringed by a golf course.

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Wengen, Switzerland -

Wengen works as a family holiday resort and enjoys a picturesque location at the foot of the Jungfrau, 400 m (1,312 ft) above the Lauterbrunnen valley. Over 500 km (310 mi) of marked hiking trails and 15 mountain cableways in the nearby surroundings lead to the most beautiful vantage points of the region. 

Sources: (The Guardian) (The New York Times) (Britannica)

See also: The best hiking trails around the world

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