Where to Stay in Montreux

Montreux sits on the northeastern shore of Lake Geneva at around 396 m, in the French-speaking canton of Vaud. A mild microclimate lets palm trees grow along its lakefront, which — together with the Alpine backdrop and a string of grand Belle Époque hotels — has earned it the nickname "Pearl of the Swiss Riviera." It's best known for Chillon Castle, its famous summer Jazz Festival, and its lakeside Freddie Mercury statue.

Here's what to know before booking: how to get there, when to go, and where to stay — with a live price comparison to find your room.

Getting to Montreux

The train is the easiest way in, and the station sits right in the town centre. From Geneva it's about an hour, with roughly two trains an hour; from Zurich plan on around 2h40. Montreux is also one end of the scenic GoldenPass route that links it to Interlaken and Lucerne. If you stay overnight, hotels generally provide the Montreux Riviera Card, giving free regional public transport.

When to visit

• Summer (June–August): warmest and liveliest — lakeside promenade, boat trips, and the famous Jazz Festival in July. Book early for festival dates.
• Spring & autumn: mild and quieter, ideal for the promenade, Chillon and the nearby vineyards.
• Winter: a celebrated Christmas market by the lake; note the water stays cold and some mountain activities are seasonal.

What to do

Château de Chillon

The region's icon: Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress dating from the 13th century, built onto a rocky island just off the shore a few kilometres from town (a short train, bus, boat or walk away). It's the most-visited historic monument in Switzerland — Lord Byron's poem "The Prisoner of Chillon" made it world-famous. You can explore its halls, vaults and towers with an audio guide.

The lakeside promenade

Montreux's flower-lined quays stretch several kilometres along the lake, dotted with sculptures and grand hotels — including the lakefront Freddie Mercury statue, a must for Queen fans (the band recorded here at the Mountain Studio). The Queen Studio Experience museum is in the Montreux Casino.

Rochers-de-Naye

A cogwheel railway climbs from Montreux station up to the Rochers-de-Naye at 2,042 m (about 55 minutes), the town's local mountain, with sweeping views over Lake Geneva and the Alps, hiking trails, a marmot park and an alpine garden.

The Jazz Festival & the vineyards

The Montreux Jazz Festival (running every July since 1967) draws jazz, pop and rock acts to lakeside stages, with many free concerts on the promenade. Nearby, the UNESCO-listed Lavaux terraced vineyards rise above the lake — an easy train ride and a scenic walk.

Where to stay

Montreux is built on a steep hillside, with the flat promenade along the water. The main choices:

• Lakefront / town centre: the classic base — by the promenade, the station and the grand Belle Époque hotels, with lake-and-Alps views.
• Toward Territet / Veytaux (Chillon side): quieter, often better value, close to Chillon Castle, still well connected.
• Nearby Vevey: a pleasant alternative a short train ride west, with its own lakeside charm and more shopping.

Montreux has long drawn well-heeled visitors, so it has a high share of luxury hotels and rates run high — but the range still includes mid-range and simpler options, especially just outside the centre. The comparison below pulls live rates for your dates.

Hotels in Montreux — live map

Explore where hotels sit around Montreux, with live prices for your dates. Drag, zoom and click a marker to book.

Nearby destinations

Montreux anchors the eastern end of Lake Geneva:

• Geneva — the lakeside city, ~1 hour by train
• Interlaken — Jungfrau gateway, via the scenic GoldenPass
• Zermatt — the Matterhorn village, reachable across the Valais

See all 16 Swiss destinations →