19 Hidden European Villages Perfect for an Off-Season, Crowd-Free Getaway

17. Alpine Stillness in Gimmelwald, Switzerland

Accessible only by cable car or hiking trail, Gimmelwald is the antidote to over-touristed ski towns. This car-free village in the Bernese Oberland is a patchwork of alpine chalets, flower-draped balconies, and soul-stirring views of the Jungfrau region. In the off-season, the silence is profound—just cowbells, fresh snow, and sky. With no souvenir shops and no crowds, Gimmelwald gives you the Alps as they once were: raw, humble, and endlessly majestic.