Montreux Travel and Things to Do Guide

Montreux Riviera is known the world over for its spectacular setting on Lake Geneva, mild year-round microclimate, and surrounding vineyards and snow-covered Alps. Even so, it has managed to retain its serene, relaxed atmosphere and charming ambience. As a "Swiss Riviera" resort area, Montreux is a spectacular leisure and event destination, home to an array of fascinating venues, social activities, and team-building possibilities. Nestled between Lake Geneva and the Alps, Montreux serves as an ideal central location for excursions to Lausanne, Gruyeres, Gstaad, Zermatt, Lucerne, and Interlaken. Montreux's convenient setting is easily accessible by car, bus, and train. It is also within three hours of two major airports.

Situated only one hour by car and train from Montreux, Geneva International Airport has flights from more than 120 direct destinations throughout Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The two-terminal airport ranks as the second-busiest European airport for private aviation, after Paris le Bourget, and features direct access to Swiss Federal Railways service, which runs to Montreux. Visitors can also fly into Zurich Airport, which is located 2.5 hours by car and three hours by train from Montreux. As Switzerland's largest and busiest airport for international flight connections, the two-terminal airport also features direct access to Swiss Federal Railways service.

In addition to Swiss Federal Railways service, Montreux features a number of public transportation options, making it easy to navigate the surrounding area. GoldenPass Services provides daily train service throughout the Swiss Alps, connecting Montreux and Lucerne, while PostBus links Chernex to Villars-sur-Chamby, Villeneuve to Rennaz and Noville, and Cully to Puidoux-Chexbres in the Montreux Riviera region. Operating throughout the Montreux Riviera region, Vevey-Montreux-Chillon-Villeneuve trolley bus service carries approximately 20,800 passengers a day, with its backbone Route 201 providing direct service to the Montreux Music & Convention Centre.

As one of Montreux's leading event venues, the Montreux Music & Convention Centre expertly accommodates meetings and conferences, as well as hosts the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival each July. Perched along the shores of Lake Geneva, the center is surrounded by gardens and major hotels, and is within a short walk of rail service and restaurants. Montreux Music & Convention Centre features 193,680 square feet of event space and 23 meeting rooms between two connected, glass-walled buildings designed to take full advantage of Lake Geneva and the Alps views. Event spaces include the 1,800-seat Auditorium Stravinski, a multi-purpose hall for up to 1,200 delegates, two exhibition halls with more than 43,000 square feet of raw floor space, vast terraces, and nearly 48,500 square feet of lobbies and public spaces.

Montreux's variety of unique venues allow groups to experience the beauty of the region firsthand, as well as immerse themselves in regional culture and cuisine. One of the most visited monuments in Switzerland, Chillon Castle is a medieval 13th-century fortress perched on a rocky inlet that is minutes from Montreux. Groups can request guided tours to explore the castle's underground rooms, great halls, terraces, and exhibitions, as well as reserve a variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces at this prestigious heritage site. Groups can also board a train from Montreux and take a beautiful, scenic 55-minute trip to the top of Rochers-de-Naye, which is known for its panoramic Lake Geneva and Alps views. The breathtaking site features two restaurants, hiking trails, an alpine garden, and an animal park that is home to marmot breeds from all over the world. Groups can gather in the mountain complex's 30-person seminar room or even spend the night in Rochers-de-Naye's seven Mongolian yurts. Situated in the heart of Vevey, Theatre de Vevey showcases concerts and theater productions year-round, as well as offers rentals for groups of up to 730 people. When it's time for some team-building or bonding, groups head to Fun Planet, a nearly 108,000-square-foot indoor leisure complex housing bowling, carting, billiards, indoor miniature golf, racing simulators, and video games, as well as two bars, a lounge, and indoor and outdoor dining. Aside from its leisure activities, Fun Planet features meeting and event space in six conference rooms accommodating 350 people.