What to do in Montreux, Switzerland
 

My wife and I will be in Montreux, Switzerland for 2 days in May. We want to see Chillon castle, go up to Rochers de Naye and possibly stop in the Montreux Casino. Can anyone give me any information or tips on these and anything else to see in Montreux?

Take the ferry to Lausanne and then take the train back. (Or go on an even longer ferry ride.)

I would second the idea of the lake steamer, especially if you take one all the way to Chillon itself. You can also walk back along the lake from Chillon to the center part of Montreux...a very relaxing walk IMO.

As to Rochers de Naye...sometimes the top is obscured by clouds but GO ANYWAY..the ride up is spectacular even if you cannot see much from the top and if you can...unforgettable.

You won't have all that much extra time, Rochers de Naye and Chillon easily fill a 1/2 day each.

Montreux has a lovely Old Town area you can walk thru, follow the curving cobblestoned street up from the lake.

I would also suggest visiting Vevey, the next town back toward Geneva along the lake. Which is a bit "more Swiss" and less touristed than Montreux. Walk the promonade and in the old town there. You can easily get between the two by either bus or train.

Depending the day of the week... on Friday in Montreux, and Tues & Sat in Vevey you will find the local open air farmers market, which are always fun to participate in imo.

We will get there on Saturday and leave on the night train to Rome late Sunday night.

Freddy Mercury statue is in Montreux. As is the bar whose fire in 1971 inspired "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple.

Hi Bindery,

Here's my standard list of things to do in/around Montreux (w/photos):

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html

Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

A great ferry ride is from Chillon to Vevey or maybe from Montreux to Rivaz (in the Lavaux). You can get ferry schedules at

www.cgn.ch

Have fun!

s

The Saturday Vevey market runs only until Noon.

That's a bit of unfotunately timing as most all the shops are closed on Sundays in Montreux.

take a walk through the vineyards at Lavaux. they are gorgeous and the hike through the vines overlooking the lake and opposed by magnificant mountains is amazing. once in lifetime kind of stuff.

Montreux is wonderful.Just walking along the promanade will fill alot of time. Chillon Castle is right close to town. We also loved taking a boat trip on the lake if the weather is right.

The casino was fun. We played a version of roulette that was easy and profitable, but never did figure out how to work the slot machines.

Gruyeres was also a quaint town to visit. Small. so very doable in a short amount of time.

The Palace Hotel was top knotch.

Bookmarking for next trip. Thanks!

Bindery,

We loved Montreux! The Chillon castle was among our favorites. They do a good job of a self guided tour with a paper. You can walk there along the lake - we took the ferry ride back and enjoyed it.

We did a train ride to a cheese factory and were going onto a chocolate factory but it was the one day that the swiss trains were out - mud slide on the track and it turned into a strange bus ride etc. but we really did love Montreux, perhaps rent bikes and ride along the lake. You won't be there for very long and I think the events you currently have planned will nicely fill up your two days.

Where are you staying?

Here is one of my favorite pictures from our trip:

http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/e...on=tageditmany

Enjoy!!

Thanks for the info. We will be staying at the Hotel Helvetie. It is across from the Casino.

Our favorite trips from there (in addition to what you've mentioned) were the steamer across the lake to the spectacularly pretty village of Yvoire, France and also to Evian, France on the day of their wonderful and huge market.