This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Montreux.
Since the first half of the nineteenth century, Montreux has developed as one of the most important tourist destinations in Switzerland. The economy of Montreux is mainly targeted towards tourism and more than forty percent of the work places are in the tourism sector. The town has several museums, including the Museum of Montreux, housed in a group of winegrowers' houses in the district Sâles since the twenties; the Swiss Museum of Sound and Image in Montreux (Musée national suisse de l'audiovisual, called shortly AUDIORAMA); and the Nouveau Museum Ruzo. The Visinand House serves as a cultural and recreational center.
Montreux has a large range of cultural events and the reputation of a music city. The most famous festival held here annually in July since the sixties is the Montreux Jazz Festival. Other famous festivals are the Montreux Choral Festival and the Nuits du Jazz de Chernex. Montreux also has one of the most beautiful walks along the Geneva Lake, stretching from Villeneuve all the way to Vevey. The main square of the town, Place du Marché, features a statue of Freddie Mercury facing the Geneva Lake and since the early twenty-first century, there is a memorial day dedicated to the Queen frontman.
Getting a hostel in Montreux can be a very tough and expensive task. First of all, there are only a few Montreux hostels, so your choice is quite limited. Montreux hostels are quite expensive, although they do not offer the best conditions compared to other hostels in the country. Moreover, most hostels in Montreux are quite far from the city center, so you must either walk a bit or take public transport (and it is not very cheap). The real challenge is to find a Montreux hostel during some of the music festivals, when the prices skyrocket and all the beds are booked well in advance.
Written by local enthusiast for Montreux hostels
George Traveller