Switzerland: A Photography Guide to the Playground of Europe
Ordinarily in our photography guides, we talk about places around the world that see the most tourists every year. This week, however, we wanted to do something slightly different.
According to recent reports, overseas tourists to Switzerland have been lacking since 2020, with many hotels saying that they run at only 20% capacity.
We think this is a travesty. Not only is Switzerland the land of chocolate and cheese, but it’s also one of the most beautiful vacation spots you can visit, with its wild, natural landscape giving it the nickname: ‘the playground of Europe’.
If you’re going on vacation this summer – but you’re scratching your head when it comes to where you should visit – we’re going to put Switzerland forward as a top pick, especially for photographers looking to upload something truly photogenic to our online photo album maker.
To convince you further, we’ve written a little guide of all the best places you can photograph in the country, and what makes them such a must-see for photographers in need of a playground.
Shoot the Iconic Matterhorn
If you’ve ever been to an airport, the chances are you’ve come across the chocolate known as Toblerone. Shaped like a mountain – and almost the same size as a baseball bat – this is one of the most famous chocolates to come out of Switzerland.
The mountain itself is known as the Matterhorn, a real mountain in the Swiss Alps that has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It might not be made of chocolate, but this is a great place for you to start your Swiss visit, with plenty of photography opportunities to capture the pyramid-esque peak and the majestic landscape that surrounds it.
Visit the Valley of 72 Waterfalls
Yes, you read that right. 72. Lauterbrunnen Valley – which is located in Bernese Oberland – is famed for its stunning waterfalls and lush green meadows. In the early morning, specifically, this location comes alive, with the sun casting gorgeous shadows on the grass and the water sparkling with new light. Whether there are actually 72 waterfalls here is up for you to find out. It’s quite a trek, so we’d allow for at least a day to count them all!
Feel the Thrill of Adventure
We mentioned before that Switzerland is known as Europe’s playground, and there are many reasons for this. One of the most prescient reasons, however, is the sheer amount of adventure that you can have here.
From the majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps – where you can go skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering – to the serene water of Lake Geneva – which is perfect for wild swimming and sailing – this is a country that loves to have fun and take full advantage of the landscape it has been blessed with. As a photographer, this also gives you plenty of opportunity for action-packed photoshoots – perhaps cycling around the Fluela forest or battling the elements on Lake Thun. Unlike many other vacation destinations, this isn’t just about taking beautiful landscape photographs. This is about taking photographs with a punch.
Investigate Old Haunts
Speaking of Lake Geneva, this is another gorgeous spot which is perfect for photographers seeking a bit of adventure. As Europe’s largest lake, there is so much you can do here, but one of the best experiences has to be a visit to the mediaeval Chillon Castle, which is located right on the shore. This is a well-preserved fortress that dates all the way back to the 12th century, with plenty of stories that ignite the imagination and rattle a few bones in the process – because of course, it has to be haunted!
Witness All of Europe in One Spot
We often describe scenery as ‘breathtaking’, but this couldn’t be more true of Jungfrau, which is one of the main summits of the Bernese Alps. Described as the ‘Top of Europe’, this is an awe-inspiring destination that offers unparalleled views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Sure, you might not be able to see all of Europe in one spot, but when you’re up there with that 360 view, it sure feels like you can.
The scenery stretches as far as the eye can see, coupled with incredible views of the nearby Aletsch Glacier and, of course, local activities such as snow sports, hiking, and ice-climbing. For a photographer, this is truly the piece de resistance, and it should be more than enough reason to book those tickets and check it out for yourself. If more people knew that this is what Switzerland had to offer, we’re pretty sure they’d be flocking to the country in droves – and perhaps buying a Toblerone at the airport while they’re at it!
