Spa hotels in Schwyz
Schwyz — the canton that gave Switzerland its name — combines the car-free high plateau of Stoos (reached by the steepest funicular in the world) with the Rigi, Lake Lucerne and the monastic calm of Einsiedeln.
Holidays & wellness in the canton of Schwyz
This canton gave the whole country its name: “Schwyz” became Switzerland, and here lies, with the Federal Charter of 1291, the founding document of the Confederation. Yet the wellness Schwyz carries today comes not from healing springs but from its position — in the middle of Central Switzerland, between Lake Lucerne and the summits of the Rigi, the Mythen and the Fronalpstock. Its most impressive sign stands above the lake: Stoos, a car-free high plateau at 1,300 metres, reached by the steepest funicular in the world. Whoever arrives here leaves the traffic in the valley — and with it everyday life. Add the old spiritual calm of Einsiedeln Abbey and the panoramic mountains of the region. In Schwyz wellness means: altitude, quiet and water, not thermal baths.
What this region stands for
- Car-free high-altitude break (Stoos)
- Active wellness on Lake Lucerne
- Panoramic mountains (Rigi, Mythen, Fronalpstock)
- Quiet & contemplation (Einsiedeln Abbey)
- Hiking and skiing
- Swiss founding history
Why wellness here?
Schwyz's wellness profile is a nature profile. Instead of thermal springs the canton carries the recreation of altitude, lake and quiet — in one of the most beautiful corners of Central Switzerland. The landmark is Stoos: a car-free mountain village at around 1,300 metres, high above Lake Lucerne, reachable only by the Stoosbahn — the steepest funicular in the world with a gradient of up to 110 per cent. Up top there is no through traffic; hiking and ski trails, wide views and pure mountain air shape the place. It is this enforced deceleration that makes Stoos a wellness address of its own. Around the lake the panoramic mountains gather: the Rigi, the “queen of the mountains”, opened up by Europe's oldest mountain railway (1871); the Grosser and Kleiner Mythen above the valley basin of Schwyz; the Fronalpstock above Stoos. Add the canton's spiritual pole — the Benedictine abbey of Einsiedeln with its Black Madonna, one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe, which has made calm and contemplation its programme for centuries. Active wellness, lake recreation and quiet contemplation in a small space.
When to travel here
Summer (June to October): the best time for Stoos and the panoramic mountains — hikes on the Stoos ridge trail between the Mythen, boat trips on Lake Lucerne, sunrise on the Rigi. Clear mountain air and wide views. Winter (December to March): Stoos and the smaller areas of the region become a family-friendly ski ground; the car-free plateau is a quiet retreat especially in the snow. Einsiedeln Abbey and the lakeside villages are year-round destinations.
Sights and anchors for the spa-free day
Stoos & the steepest funicular in the world
The car-free mountain village at around 1,300 metres above Lake Lucerne, reached by the Stoosbahn opened in 2017 — the steepest funicular in the world (gradient up to 110 %). Up top: no traffic, but hiking and ski trails and the Stoos ridge trail between the Mythen.
Rigi — queen of the mountains
The viewing mountain between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug, opened up since 1871 by Europe's oldest mountain railway. Sunrises above the sea of fog, hiking and snowshoe trails and a mineral-bath heritage of its own make the Rigi a classic recreation destination.
Einsiedeln Abbey
The Benedictine abbey with its baroque abbey church and the Black Madonna — one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. Quiet, chant and contemplation since the 10th century; the abbey complex and its horse breeding shape the town of Einsiedeln.
Grosser & Kleiner Mythen
The striking twin rock peaks above the valley basin of Schwyz — landmark of the canton and a popular hiking destination. From the Stoos ridge trail and from the Rotenflue the view opens onto the Mythen and Lake Lucerne.
Lake Lucerne
The many-armed lake in the heart of Switzerland, lined by mountains and the Rütli meadow — the setting of Switzerland's founding history. Boat trips, lidos and the surrounding viewing mountains make it the summer-wellness axis of Central Switzerland.
Museum of the Swiss Charters, Schwyz
In the main town of Schwyz the Museum of the Swiss Charters keeps the Federal Charter of 1291 — the founding document of the Confederation. The canton that gave the country its name makes its history tangible here.
Official tourism portal
Up-to-date information on getting there, events, opening hours and visitor's tax is available directly from the destinations.
Frequently asked questions about the region
What is special about Stoos?
Stoos is a car-free mountain village at around 1,300 metres high above Lake Lucerne, reachable only by the Stoosbahn — the steepest funicular in the world with a gradient of up to 110 per cent. Up top there is no through traffic; hiking and ski trails, the Stoos ridge trail between the Mythen and pure mountain air make the place an address for decelerated high-altitude wellness.
Does Schwyz have thermal baths like other Swiss cantons?
No — and that is precisely its profile. Wellness in Schwyz comes not from healing springs but from its position: from altitude (Stoos), Lake Lucerne, the panoramic mountains of the Rigi and the Mythen and quiet contemplation in Einsiedeln Abbey. Whoever seeks active wellness, lake calm and mountain air instead of a thermal bath is right here.
Why is Switzerland named after Schwyz?
The canton of Schwyz was one of the three founding places of the Confederation; the Federal Charter of 1291 is kept in the Museum of the Swiss Charters in Schwyz. Over the centuries the name of the place was transferred to the whole country — “Schwyz” became “Switzerland”.
What can you do around Einsiedeln?
The Benedictine abbey of Einsiedeln with its Black Madonna is one of the largest places of pilgrimage in Europe — abbey church, chant and contemplation are at the centre. All around the Sihlsee, hiking and pilgrim trails and, in winter, cross-country ski trails tempt visitors. A place for quiet and reflection.
When is the best time to travel?
June to October for Stoos, the panoramic mountains and Lake Lucerne — hiking, boat trips and sunrise on the Rigi. December to March for family-friendly winter sports on Stoos and in the smaller areas; the car-free plateau is especially quiet in the snow.
Schwyz — spa hotels & holidays
Wellness from altitude — car-free Stoos
The strongest wellness sign of the canton of Schwyz is not a bath but a mountain: Stoos, a car-free high plateau at around 1,300 metres above Lake Lucerne. It is reachable only by the Stoosbahn, the steepest funicular in the world — whoever arrives up top leaves everyday life in the valley along with the car. No through traffic, but mountain air, hiking and ski trails and the Stoos ridge trail between the Mythen: this enforced deceleration is the real wellness principle here.
Lake, panoramic mountains and quiet contemplation
Around Lake Lucerne gather the great viewing mountains of Central Switzerland — the Rigi, “queen of the mountains”, opened up since 1871 by Europe's oldest mountain railway, and the twin rock peaks of the Mythen above the valley basin of Schwyz. The spiritual counterpole is the Benedictine abbey of Einsiedeln with its Black Madonna, one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. Active wellness on and above the lake, quiet contemplation in the abbey, and in the middle of it the founding place of an entire country — Schwyz tells recreation through position and history, not through healing water.