The most beautiful places in Switzerland are often hidden high in the mountains, tucked into quiet valleys or scattered along the shores of emerald lakes. From castles immortalized by poets to crystal clear streams, these are 11 of the most beautiful places in Switzerland.

When the ice thaws on Oeschinensee each spring, a sparkling turquoise lake appears, reflecting the surrounding mountains on its surface. The breathtaking scene is tucked away in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, a cable-car ride above the small, timbered town of Kandersteg.

Swiss castles, Swiss lakes, Swiss Alps and Swiss cheese — without a doubt, the four best parts of a vacation in Switzerland. What’s even better? Combining as many of these lovely ingredients as possible into one. The castles below fit the bill perfectly, most on sparkling turquoise lakes, all with Alps views and some even atop hills themselves.