Montreux at a glance
Montreux lies in the eastern part of the lake, between Vevey and the castle of Chillon, with the Alps rising straight behind the town. It works well as a base for a day by the water: boats leave from the quay, trains run along the shore, and a mountain railway climbs from the town to a summit above the lake. Most visitors combine a stroll along the promenade with one bigger outing, such as the castle, a cruise or a ride into the mountains.
The town is small enough to see on foot, but its streets climb steeply from the shore. Allow time for the hill between the water and the old centre, and wear shoes that cope with cobblestones.
Our picks: Montreux cruises and walks
The cruise from the Montreux quay suits you if you want time on the water. The two walks with local people differ in length and focus: one is a short express walk, the other a longer route to picturesque corners. Both have few reviews so far.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Montreux photo-spot walk with a local
- Small group experience
- Personalised recommendations
A longer walk built around picturesque corners of the town, with personal tips from the guide. It has only a few reviews so far.
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Express walk in Montreux with a local
- Small group experience
- Knowledgeable local
A short walk in a small group, led by a local. The meeting point is the Freddie Mercury statue; there are few reviews so far.
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Riviera cruise from Montreux with audio guide
- Cruise
- In-app audio guide
A cruise from the Montreux quay with the audio guide in the app. The boat passes Chillon but does not include entry to the castle.
Check availability →Montreux tours and cruises
Lake cruises from the Montreux quay and guided walks with local people, with live prices and availability.
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival ran from 3 to 18 July 2026 and was the 60th edition. After several years of open-air formats, it came back to the renewed congress centre, which houses the Auditorium Stravinski and the Montreux Jazz Lab. If you plan around the festival in a later year, check the programme and the venues on the organiser's site, because the layout of the event has changed before and may change again. Ticket prices are not listed here.
Even outside the festival, the lakefront keeps its music theme, and the evenings along the promenade are a relaxed way to end a day on the water.
Montreux old town
Les Planches is the old part of Montreux. It lies above the lake, about 15 minutes on foot from the shore according to Switzerland Tourism, and its cobbled lanes lead to the church of Saint-Vincent. The climb is the main effort, so many people take it slowly and stop for the views over the water.
If you prefer to hear the stories behind the buildings, there are two walks in a small group with local people. One is a short walk of about 60 minutes, the other a walk of about 90 minutes that concentrates on photo spots. Both meet at the Freddie Mercury statue. Our lake geneva tours page lists more walks, cruises and day trips from other towns on the lake.
For a quiet half hour, walk the lakeside path in either direction. The path is flat, and it is the easiest way to see how the town sits between the water and the slope behind it.
Chillon and the lake cruise
Chillon Castle stands at the water's edge and is the most famous sight near Montreux. You can reach it on foot along the shore path, by bus 201, by the S5 train to Veytaux-Chillon followed by a walk of about 6 minutes, or by boat, since the landing stage is 100 m from the entrance. Read our Chillon Castle guide for tickets, opening hours and parking.
The Riviera cruise from the Quai Édouard-Jaccoud in Montreux comes with an audio guide in an app and passes the castle from the water. It does not include entry to the castle, so book a ticket separately if you want to go inside. More about boats, day passes and the historic ships is on our boat tours page.
Rochers-de-Naye by cog railway
A cog railway runs from Montreux up to Rochers-de-Naye. According to the operator brochure from 2024, the ride takes 50 minutes and the top station stands at 2,042 m. Because that brochure is from 2024, check the current timetable before you go and do not rely on the departure times in it.
Holders of the Half Fare Card get 50 percent off, and the Swiss Travel Pass gives 50 percent from Haut-de-Caux to the summit. Look up the current return fare on the operator's site when you plan the trip. Our Golden Pass Express page explains the other railways that start in Montreux.
Montreux Christmas market
The Christmas market runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026. The stalls open Monday to Wednesday from 11:00 to 21:00, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 to 22:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00. On 24 December they open from 11:00 to 17:00. The restaurants are otherwise open from 11:00 to 23:00.
Dress warmly, because the shore can be windy in winter. Check the boat timetable before you plan a cruise in the cold months.
Vevey and the rest of the shore
Vevey is the next town to the west and a short train ride away. It has a weekly market on Tuesday and Saturday, although the market is currently organised differently because of works on the Grande Place. Chaplin's World is a bus ride from the centre of Vevey, and you can read the details on our things to do page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Montreux to Chillon Castle?
You can walk the shore path of 4 km, which takes about 45 minutes according to the operator, take bus 201, ride the S5 train to Veytaux-Chillon and walk for 6 minutes, or arrive by boat to the landing stage 100 m from the gate.
Can I visit Montreux in a day?
Yes. A typical day combines the old town, the castle and a walk or cruise along the shore. If you also want the mountain railway, plan a separate half day and check the weather first.
Does the Riviera cruise include Chillon entry?
No. The cruise passes the castle on the water. A castle ticket is a separate purchase.
Is Montreux busy in winter?
The Christmas market from 20 November to 24 December 2026 brings visitors to the shore. Outside those weeks the town is quieter, and the opening hours of the castle are shorter from November to February.