While there's steep competition, Kandersteg in Bernese Oberland tops our ranking of Switzerland's most beautiful towns and villages. Surrounded by turquoise glacial lakes, thundering waterfalls and some of the country's most extraordinary hiking and cross-country skiing trails, Kandersteg's natural beauty is bewitching.

The village centre, punctuated by alpine rivers, features historic wooden chalets, mountain-view restaurants and artisanal shops. Most captivating of all is Belle Époque week each winter, when Kandesteg becomes a living snapshot of Europe’s golden age. Horse-drawn carriages roll through the streets, locals wear period attire and visitors embrace vintage-style skiing and ice skating.

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Switzerland's most breathtaking towns and villages, ranked