Swiss Style: Where to stay in Switzerland for a taste of the movies

Over the past year, searches for ‘best places to visit in Switzerland’ have increased by 88%, suggesting that many of those travelling are looking for inspiration on where to visit in 2024.

As Switzerland is such a popular filming location, with films including James Bond and Star Wars having been filmed in the country, we have revealed exactly where to visit if you’ve always wanted to see an on-screen landmark, or to help those just looking for some destination inspiration!

Hot off the back of Switzerland being named Country of Honour at Cannes Film Festival, here are some of the amazing movies filmed here.

The top TV and film locations in Switzerland

1. Bern

Not only is Bern the capital city of Switzerland, but it’s also a prime location for directors to film popular TV shows and films. At the start of Iron Man 3, there’s a flashback to a New Year’s Eve party in Bern, whilst both James Bond and Star Wars have used the city for shots too.

The top three movies with scenes in Bern are:

• Goldfinger
• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
• Iron Man 3

2. Swiss Alps

Yes, the Swiss Alps are a haven for skiing, winter sports and adrenaline-fueled action, but we’ve also seen some of the world’s most famous actors take to the mountains in many iconic scenes from the movies. James Bond seems to love this part of the world, with the unforgettable car chase scene in Goldfinger filmed on the Furka Pass in the Swiss Alps, not far from Bern.

Pierce Brosnan also filmed scenes from GoldenEye here too, whilst acclaimed TV series the Night Manager used exterior shots on location at Riffelalp – a 5* resort Swiss Alpine resort in Zermatt.

Top three movies and TV shows shot in the Swiss Alps are:

• GoldenEye
• The Night Manager
• Goldfinger

3. Geneva

As the home of banking in Switzerland and where PASINO.ch is based, Geneva has also been the backdrop of many scenes in the movies and on TV shows. Leonardo DiCaprio famously played Wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belfort in the film, with a notorious scene involving him depositing money in a Swiss bank account. You guessed it, it was filmed on location in Geneva.

The American medical disaster film, Contagion, also had scenes in the Swiss city alongside Snowden – the world-renowned whistleblower was stationed in Geneva to maintain CIA network security in real life and in the film.

Top three films with scenes in Geneva:

• Wolf of Wall Street
• Contagion
• Snowden

4. Zürich

Zurich is awash with culture in its iconic and historic old town, whilst the city is also home to modern architecture and technological innovation. Plus, it’s been the scene of many top films too.

Multiple Oscar-winner and 2023’s movie phenomenon, Oppenheimer, filmed scenes here, whilst the Bourne Identity showcased the Swiss City in much of the film. You’ll likely recognise the famous Bahnhofstrasse in many scenes. The sequence of Jason Bourne running from the Bank into the Tram was also filmed at Paradeplatz.

David Fincher’s English language version of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo also had multiple scenes in Zurich with Lisbeth Salander visiting banks on the likes of Kurhausstrasse and Fraumünsterstrasse, as well as flying into Zurich Airport.

Top films with scenes in Zurich include:

• The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
• Oppenheimer
• The Bourne Identity

5. Bernese Oberlands

It seems James Bond loves his time in Switzerland, with George Lazenby’s only outing as 007 – in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – filmed on the Schilthorn mountain in Bernese Oberland.

Today you’ll find an interactive Bond World 007 exhibition with details about the film and a 007 Walk of Fame where you can leave your own mark on the legendary film location.

Epic TV series, Band of Brothers was also filmed in Bernese Oberland, with the area featuring prominently in the final episode. Parts of the Bernese Grimsel Pass were used for the site of Hitler's Eagle's Nest too. Phantom Thread also had scenes filmed in the area as well. Top TV shows and films with scenes in Bernese Oberland include:

• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
• Phantom Thread
• Band of Brothers