-
Innsbruck, Austria
A perfect alpine gateway city with the Nordkette mountain range right above town — take the cable car up for jaw-dropping views. Explore the medieval Old Town and fuel up on Tyrolean Gröstl before hitting the trails. Great base for acclimatising before heading deeper into the Alps.
-
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
The crown jewel of the Dolomites and a world-class hiking destination with iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo just a short drive away. Hike the Alta Via 1 route or tackle the Cinque Torri for unforgettable rocky spires and panoramas. Enjoy hearty South Tyrolean cuisine — try the canederli and local speck in the mountain refugios.
-
Bolzano, Italy
A charming Italian-Austrian fusion city at the foot of the Dolomites with incredible access to the Alpe di Siusi — Europe's largest high-altitude alpine meadow. Visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology to see Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,000-year-old mummy. The covered arcaded streets and wine bars make evenings here very special.
-
Zermatt, Switzerland
A car-free alpine village with the iconic Matterhorn dominating the skyline — hike the Gornergrat trail for one of the most spectacular ridge walks in Europe. The Five Lakes Walk is a must-do for surreal reflections of the surrounding peaks. Stock up on Swiss raclette and chocolate fondue in the cozy mountain chalets.
-
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Gateway to the Jungfrau region and home to some of the most thrilling hikes in Switzerland, including the iconic Eiger Trail along the base of the famous north face. Take the cogwheel railway up to Jungfraujoch — the 'Top of Europe' — for glacier walks and insane views. The First Cliff Walk via ferrata is a heart-pumping experience for adventure seekers.
-
Interlaken, Switzerland
Europe's adventure sports capital nestled between two stunning lakes with the Alps as a backdrop — try paragliding, skydiving, canyoning or white-water rafting. The Harder Kulm viewpoint offers a sweeping panorama of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. A lively town with great hostels and restaurants making it ideal for meeting fellow adventurers.
-
Chamonix, France
The birthplace of alpinism sitting beneath Mont Blanc — Europe's highest peak — with legendary trails including sections of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc. Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car for a vertiginous ride to 3,842m with views across France, Italy and Switzerland. The town buzzes with energy, great craft beer bars and alpine restaurants serving tartiflette and fondue.
-
Annecy, France
Often called the 'Venice of the Alps', Annecy boasts a stunning turquoise glacial lake perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding and wild swimming. The medieval old town with its canals and the Château d'Annecy is incredibly picturesque. Paragliding from the Semnoz plateau above town offers breathtaking views over the lake and surrounding mountains.
-
Ljubljana, Slovenia
A compact, walkable and wonderfully underrated capital city with a hilltop castle, vibrant café culture and an incredible food market along the river. It's the perfect gateway to Slovenia's stunning natural landscapes including Triglav National Park. Try a traditional Kranjska klobasa sausage and local Laško beer before heading into the hills.
-
Bled, Slovenia
One of Europe's most jaw-dropping landscapes — a fairytale lake with a tiny island church and a clifftop medieval castle reflected in glacier-green water. Hike up to Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica viewpoints for the iconic postcard panorama, or tackle the trail up to Mount Triglav for serious hikers. Don't leave without trying a slice of the famous Bled cream cake — kremšnita.